We know, we were supposed to do a show about security this week. But with all the news coming out about Snow Leopard we just couldn’t help ourselves. In this episode we talk about how to get your Mac ready for Snow Leopard and our tips for a smooth install process.
Links of Interest:
Snow Leopard Specifications
Apple Up-to-Date Program
Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard
Mac OS X Snow Leopard Family Pack (5-User)
Mac Box Set (with Snow Leopard)
Mac Box Set Family Pack (with Snow Leopard)
Mac OS X Server version 10.6 Snow Leopard
Apple Insider Article on Snow Leopard Install Options
Typical Mac User Snow Leopard Prep Show
Note: Due to our schedules, the next episode of Mac Power Users won’t be released until early September. Feel free to take the time to catch up on past episodes. 
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Congratulations for another great show.
Wanted to say that, like the listener who wrote you about Time Warp [program that copies your Time Machine to Amazon's S3 storage system], I too am using the program to backup my Time Machine. The data in question is not sensitive [pictures and music] and is about 150 GB. Cost is under $20 per month.
Have had no problems with Time Warp so far. The program is currently free while in bata.
I have a new Mac as well and ordered Snow Leopard from the Up-to-Date program. Checked the status after listening and it still says “September”. Very informative show. You two keep raising the bar with each new podcast. Looking forward to your views on security.
I will take the lazy route: upgrade install.
Why? I own an iMac (Late 2007) and it is in very good shape. It is fast, no spinning balls. I just deleted quite many apps using AppZapper in order to “Spring clean” the machine and I am happy und looking forward to the next cat.
Thank you for the show! I think, we can already say it: good as always! Keep them coming!
And no offense, but… “Backup, backup, backup”… If I read or hear those words, I do already hear Steve Stanger talking. His voice is burnt into my brain and played back as soon as those words are mentioned.
I have always lost my iTunes authorization when ever I have upgraded a Mac or PC. After upgrading I can’t de-authorize my Mac so I lose one of my 5 licenses. I recommend that you de authorize you Mac before upgrading or switching and that wasn’t mentioned.
I will take the easy route for reasons stated by Christian. I do wish there archive and re install options was available so the operation is automatic.
I use Time Machine for my back ups. I ALWAYS use the backup programs supplied with the operating system as my primary back up because they are the one one that have the best chance of being able to work after the new operating system is installed and the fact that operating system backs are installed FIRST before Chronosync and SuperDuper ( I have both ).
Before time machine I used the Disk Utility. When backing up for a operating system upgrade I don’t bother to backup the operating system folders since these will change anyway.
I will probably do a Disk Utility back up too because that is what I have always done in the past. It is crude but it works
I also have Chronosync and SuperDuper but I can’t count on them working OR I will need to delay my upgrade until I know they work.
In a pinch just copying, dragging and dropping , the user folder, applications and system library will do, the library and applications will work. I have had to go into the back up Library and copy folders to my new Library directory. It has always worked for me. I have been a Mac user for 4.5 years now.
I prefer simple and reliable when doing this. Convenience is of lower importance since I don’t do this all the time.
Oddly enough this is the only show I haven’t gotten to yet and it’s up next on my ipod. This past weekend I had extra time and I did the Snow Leopard upgrade. Since my Mac is only a few months old and so far it’s been more of a machine I’ve used to work on my photos, and not much else, it doesn’t have cruft built up on it.
I decided to go at it like you would for moving to a new mac. Made sure I had all the relevant serial numbers and that my time machine backup was up to date then did an extra Aperture backup.
I didn’t have to deauthorize iTunes – the upgrade didn’t create any issues with that. It was so easy I was wondering if it really did upgrade! I don’t notice any difference at all so I guess that’s good.
After listening to nearly all your shows, I will be moving to do more and more on my Mac. Next up: buying a mac and putting bootcamp on it with a Windows 7 install for work. Should be fun.