Switching from PC to Mac After Corporate Life

Computers have been a part of my life since the 3rd grade. I was truly introduced to the concept of interacting with a computer daily during my 15 years in Corporate America. PC's rule the corporate landscape of operating systems and hardware. Beyond my occasional visits to the creative department and viewing Apple Mac's as a toy computer, I believed Mac's weren't an option for "business associates".

Becoming an entrepreneur is largely about a mind state shift as you channel your respective talents. As I started my business I also decided to make a platform shift switching from PC to Mac.

Making the switch from PC to Mac can seem daunting. I viewed Apple's extensive tutorials on conversion and how to use the new Mac OS X system. I built over 15 Mac's via the Apple Store online with various specifications simply window shopping. I also had extensive conversations with many previous converts that had gone down the path I was considering. Resoundingly they urged me that it would "change my life". A boast that I thought was saying a bit much, but truly appreciate now.

The single factor that pushed me over the edge was my forced introduction to Microsoft Vista. I purchased a Sony VAIO laptop that was maxed out at 2GB with Vista pre-installed. The operating system navigated slowly and brought me to a halt. I developed work avoidance based on start-up and shut down hang up time. Overall it was a bad experience. So I packed up my Gigs on a hard drive and headed to Apple.



At almost a year later the experience exceeded expectations and has been the single most innovating technology decision I've ever made. From the packaging, design to operating system the Apple immerses you in a bright and clean counter culture of efficiency. Programs seem intuitive. Installations are a breeze and seamless. In fact it becomes clear what Window's has been trying to achieve on PC's but hasn't accomplished nearly to the quality of Apple.

Microsoft Office for Mac provides all the PC conveniences of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and an Outlook equivalent in Entourage. PC users are able to open the document with retro-compatible file formats (unless I forget and leave it in a .docx format). I've been asked if I run Windows on Bootcamp on my Mac and my simple response is, "Why would I do that?". I continue to use the Sony VAIO for webmaster responsibilities that require Internet Explorer. But 90% of my work is made on a Mac.

As I've met more Apple users that have converted there's a shared sense of enlightenment about the product and affection for all things Apple. I joked to my cousin, a neurosurgeon and recent Mac convert that "If Apple made underwear, I'd buy them." Looking through his Christmas photos he is sharing his love through gifts as his 7 year old got the new 13" Black MacBook. Why not start them early.


Beyond the computers the iPhone, iPod Touch, Nano 4G and AppleTV provide platforms that expand Apple's domain in our households and businesses. I say welcome to the family, I'm glad I made the switch.

PlanetMogul.com - New Professional Networking Site For Urban Users

Earlier this year, I made my second run at entrepreneurship. My last consulting firm was developed and launched while I was fully employed and was designed around a singular opportunity that didn't come through. Since I was moonlighting, I never had the time to promote and build my business. Moreover, there weren't nearly the tools there are today to encourage professional networking.

This year, I launched my marketing and communications agency, Nuance Marketing, LLC. As I endeavor to grow my business and brand, I've embraced new mediums such as blogging and networking sites. I set up profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn and Xing.com to promote my business and dabble in new age networking. I was fortunate enough to catch up with some great college friends but no immediate business leads.

PlanetMogul.com launched October 1, 2007 and is an innovative site that brings an aesthetic feel to the networking scene and put a professional twist on the platform.

Membership is free and registration was easy. Upon sign up members are encouraged to create either a personal or business profile and become a "Mogul" (I like being called a Mogul, nice touch). So this is when I really got excited about the functionality, because instead of asking questions about my favorite song or artist, I was asked for a Mission Statement, Areas of Expertise and Affiliations. I was also able to add a Blogger HTML button to link to my blog and upload a portfolio of my work and create a dynamic link to my profile page www.planetmogul.com/Edward06 .

Another unique feature to the site is the wealth of business information that's on the site. There is a diverse collection of success profiles called Moguls on the Move (MOTM). In this group there are Entrepreneurs, Executives, Celebrities, Politicians and Community leaders. The site also plans to host live chats for members with this group. For me it was unique to see the "Makings of a Mogul" for a range of people from Jay-Z to Michael Lee Chin (a true Mogul on billionaire status). It looks like these Moguls On the Move will be posting job opportunities and internships for their organizations. While there are recognized hip-hop moguls, you also have global Moguls like Sir Richard Branson and a number of music industry executives with true industry juice.

Planet Mogul also has an impressive collection of corporate profiles, with HR contact information, CEO Words of Wisdom and information on their corporate culture. Like the MOTM page, the corporations will be posting jobs directly to their profiles on the site.

This gives corporations a chance to recruit for diverse talent among the Planet Mogul membership.

The Education section has a collection of colleges, universities and trade schools with admission requirements and scholarship information.

The organization section for me was one of the highlights. As an Alpha man I was proud to see profiles of historically black greek fraternities and sororities but also much more.

Information on professional affiliations like the National Black MBA, 39 regional Minority Business Development Councils, philanthropies, etc.

There is a wealth of resource information including a Business Corner, Mogul Money (with a real time market watch) and a general lifestyle section and reviews called Mogul Essentials.

PlanetMogul.com will be hitting the road with their Moguls On The Move Tour hitting a number of college locations this winter and also a Mogul Makeover awarded on a quarterly basis to Moguls with the best business profile.

Previously, It took profiles on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and also a lot of time on Wikipedia in order to do what I did so quickly on PlanetMogul.com.

Important for me is that PlanetMogul.com is owned by Niche Marketing, Inc. an African American woman owned business based in Louisville, Kentucky. Niche Marketing is also the company that produces the Kentucky Derby Grand Gala the elite black celebrity event of the spring.

PlanetMogul.com fills a needed gap in the networking world. Visit the site at http://www.planetmogul.com/ and build a profile. That's another connect point. Also, the next time your brother, sister, or cousin comes to hit you up to promote their "label" or business, send them to PlanetMogul.com, it's free.

PlanetMogul.com has a sound theme for their membership campaign, simply put as "Build the Planet". Let's show our support for a site that's created to showcase this generation of Moguls that reflects the diversity of our urban experience.