I created a new blog category and now have a series of at least 6 blog posts on computer setup over at least 8 years.
Here are the other posts: https://thekeesh.com/category/computer-setup/
Here was my set up and notes for setting up a new computer. This was a Macbook Air (M2, 2022), 24GB ram.
For me at least, you have your existing computer configured so much you forgot what settings you changed and it’s interesting to see what things become most apparent when setting up a new computer.
Here were the steps:
Log in with Apple ID for setup
Download Chrome. Still not a Safari person.
What seems off so far: The scroll direction! I changed the scroll direction to the other way since I am so used to that.
I wanted to create this blog post, but didn’t have my passwords migrated, or my notes migrated, so started writing in the default Mac Notes app.
Then I downloaded Simplenote from the Mac App Store.
What seems off so far: Don’t have my keyboard shortcuts for resizing windows, will need to set that up.
Adjust my bottom bar apps, remove apple native apps from the dock. Add Chrome and Simplenote to the dock.
Set up Dropbox. There were a lot of issues with the installer. It didn’t open 3 times. Took me to a support doc for this version of MacOS – seems it hasn’t fully caught up. Went through the Dropbox installer and configuration. It looks like Dropbox has a lot of good new features. They promoted Dropbox Capture – which looks like a Loom/Skitch combo, so downloaded, set that up and tested it out.
Turn on dock app hiding
Download and set up 1password native app and in the browser
Download zoom. First the default is the wrong type for an intel mac. Then find the installer for the Apple silicon. Not super clear.
Computer feels really snappy, way less RAM than the prior computer. Maybe I was very late to the Apple silicon upgrade.
Set up Slack.
Download Notion. Seems the Intel processor/Apple silicon download options for native apps is still pretty clunky, wonder if more sites are able to see which version you are on instead?
Download Evernote from the Mac app store.
Set up divvy window manager, download from app store. Reconfigure a few shortcuts.
Download Loom.
Download Adobe Creative Suite.
Seems pretty set up at a basic level. Will still need to set up the codebase.