.Mac 2.5 Retail

Manufacturer:	Apple Computer
Release date:	09 July, 2004

.Mac 2.5 Retail

Average rating: Stars

Good backup and online access to information.

I bought this application with my mac about 9 months ago, at first it seemed like a backup application, then I realized it was much more than that, especially with the new changes with the recent tiger upgrade. The web site is much more fluid and user friendly and managing the backup data and contact list is very easy. I would recommend this software to anyone that needs to access their data from a browser and does not want to carry a laptop.

.Mac 2.5 Retail - Apple Computer

Join, and then really learn how to use it!

I have had .mac since it first came out with System 9 in a free version. Why I renew:
1. The online tutotials are EXCELLENT!
2. I have a constant email address, no matter who my provider is.
3. Using aliases allows me to color code my email in the Mail application according to persona. For instance I have one name which I use for places I think might send me junk. If I decide I don't want to see it, I can simply hit delete it without even reading it. I could set up a Rule to move it to the trash also if I wanted to.
4. I know Apple is not going to go out of business and cut off my email. I have a gmail account, but that could be c ut off at whim, since it is free.
5. I love the ability to set up slide shows so easily and have used it to display photos of an apartment I have for rent on an easily-accessible website, using iPhoto.
6. The online storage can be allocated as you wish between email and other. I use this for exchanging large files (that would be too large for email attachments) with others.I simply put them in my Public folder
7. Version Tracker Pro, Backup, and Virex are all available free to memebers.
8. Amazon's price is a real bargain, and it is available even if you are renewing. I have been paying full price before this, and felt it was worth the price. This is icing on the cake.

Apple Computer - .Mac 2.5 Retail

Great for beginners

The suite of software and capabilities that is .Mac is generally great in concept but fair in execution.

The idea of being able to backup data or make data available online via a personalized web site seems to be the main attraction, mainly because most of the remaining software is included in OS X.

The only problem I've had has been with iDisk. For your annual payment (Apple calls a subscription), you get 250MB of server space that you can use for data and emails, to the ratio of your liking.
The down side is that uploading data to your iDisk is much more time consuming than straight FTP or Windows WebDAV. I managed to expose a glitch in the system whereas I had no files uploaded, but was informed that 238 of 250MB was already in use. I used every program I could find and searched out various Apple forums for help... good recommendations, but no solutions.

Tech support for .Mac is strictly email-only. I found that very distressing. Several emails and several days without results prompted me to call Apple Customer Care for a refund.
The next day, the problem was resolved. A pretty big headache for the casual user. Once it was fixed, however, it worked. Slow, but it worked.

"Your .Mac membership is designed to grow with you" so I hope it will get better, have more features, and become more stable in time.