The good news -- the more I use my MacBook Pro, the more I think I made the right decision to switch to Mac. The MacBook Pro is a gem. And the interface with Windows through VM Fusion allows my needed Windows programs to run better than they were running on my IBM Thinkpad. There are still some issues I'm working with, but I think THE GREAT EXPERIMENT -- switching to Mac -- is going to be a big success.
BUT . . . just as I got the MacBook networked, my case management system up and running on the new computer, and started learning the subtle differences between the Mac environment and Windows -- KA-BOOM -- I got hit with technology DOUBLE-WHAMMY.
DIRGE FOR A PRINTER
First, my main printer/fax/copier died. Well, technically it didn't die. It could be saved by a transplant -- well, more accurately a new printer tray and paper sensor. But by the time I added up the 
cost of the printer tray, the new ink cartridges it needed, and the belt which would need replacing in the next 2-3 months, it was clear the best decision was to invest in a new multi-function printer/fax/copier.
So I did some research, looked for a deal, and ordered a new HP laserjet. It took more than a week for delivery -- during which we put off all the major printing we could, and got by with the ink jet which is primarily used for envelopes and labels. So after a week of limited printing / fax abilities, the new printer was delivered. In about 30 minutes, my assistant and I had it up and running.
The new HP is not quite as fast as the Brother multi-purpose machine it replaced, but it does not appear to have the Brother's finicky nature as to paper, which limited me to buying only one type of paper in order to prevent incessant jamming. It also appears that it is much more friendly toward using alternate sizes of paper.
The Brother wasn't a disaster, and I got about three years of use from it. But the ink was VERY expensive. The belt needed to be replaced about every 15 months and cost about half the original price of the printer. Finally, its constant jamming on any envelopes and all but two particular brands & weight of paper were extremely frustrating.
WHERE DID MY EMAIL GO?
Long before I decided on switching to Mac, I decided to switch my website to Findlaw. While I loved the site I put together with my nephew, it did not track well with Google and other search engines. So I bit the bullet and hired Findlaw to re-do my website, hoping to keep much of what I like about my former site.
But here's the rub. When they were ready to make the switch, I asked several times to make sure that this would not interfere with my email, which would continue to be handled through Iquest's email servers. "No problem," I was told.
Yeah, right.
At precisely 1:34 p.m. on December 3, the website was switched over. And at precisely 1:34 p.m. on December 3, I received my last email at my primary business email address -- [email protected]. Likewise, my assistant received her last email.
ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH ! ! !
Like so many, I depend on email to communicate with clients, exchange documents with other lawyers, and make inquiries with fellow lawyers on several State Bar Association listserves. But not now.
After a conference call with both Findlaw and Iquest on Thursday, I was assured the glitch would be corrected, but that it would take between 12 and 48 hours for the correction to take effect.
Here I sit on Sunday night, four days later -- and I still cannot access my business email either through my email program or through Iquests web-based email system.
LESSONS OF TECHNOLOGY AND LIFE
Fortunately I have my Blackberry and a backup email account with Gmail, the Google web-based email. For some reason, the email does seem to get through on my Blackberry -- a point I will be discussing with the Iquest/Findlaw tech people on Monday. And through Gmail, I was able to circulate documents for a real estate closing.
In short, my recent technology dealings have been a tangled web -- pun only partly intended. But in a somewhat perverse way, it has also been a rewarding experience. Despite all of the issues, my office has continued to function. We've found ways to work around the loss of a printer and loss of an email server, all while making the adjustment from Windows to Mac.
Technology is like so much in life -- it seldom runs perfectly. There are always issues popping up, and when one thing goes wrong, it seems like more will follow in quick succession.
"Make it work."