Gloomy day, new systems

I got a new MacBook for Christmas and I've been finally getting it set up. Data migration and app migration was a bit of a nightmare because my iMac is ten years old. In the end I had to make backup disks on an external drive and then import these to the MacBook. Also meant buying new Office and photo software. I plumped for Photoshop elements and Organiser. The Amazon site had the Mac and PC preferences mixed up - at least according to me - and I downloaded the PC version of software. The chat facility was pretty good and I got a refund and a chance to start again. 

It's all been a bit frustrating, time consuming and involved additional expenditure I hadn't figured. Will have to see how photo processing goes on the MacBook. As I've been using my phone to take and process you'd think the quality might be better. And it might persuade to use a 'proper' camera more. 

I spent the day watching the rain and weather forecasts. Saw the ploughs going up to the Consuma Pass but I can still see pretty hefty trailer lorries chugging up the road so I'm guessing it is clear. When not watching the rain I started working my way through my 200gb of photos.  It's amazing how much I deleted. I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of some of the photos - even if I say so myself. 

Not sure I like the Elements Organiser that much. I was very at home with an admittedly old version of Bridge.  But I didn't want to get the whole Adobe kit and caboodle which only comes as a monthly or annual rental - which looked quite pricey for my needs. 

Left wondering again if I should get myself a decent photo printer and frame up some of my work. It's a pretty huge commitment but what's the point of having thousands of photos that rarely if ever see the light of day - backlit or frontlit.

While keeping an eye on the weather - I'll be needing to get to Pisa airport on Friday - I saw the cloud briefly lift to reveal that snow clad forests of Mt Falterona under a heavy mantle of cloud. Had me running around in the wet to grab my phone. 

On the MacBook itself I am loving the quality of the sound, the real-feel keyboard, the speed. I'm not a fan of the trackpad so may buy an add on mouse but maybe I'll come round. 

A great piece in the FT yesterday on the manufacture of Apple kit - mainly in China - mentioned that the MacBook body is machined out of a single piece of aluminium (?). Apple bought 10,000 CNC (computer numerically controlled) machine tools to reach the incredible volumes they make of phones and computers. It's here but behind a paywall sadly https://www.ft.com/content/d5a80891-b27d-4110-90c9-561b7836f11b