It's funny, we've been asked that roughly three times in the last five weeks. The answer: Adium. Covers all chat protocols includding Jabber with the best UI out there.

RE: Macbook, Dashboard is awesome. Check out the widgets section of the apple website.

I can't recall--do you have an upod, Hil? If you do, I'd clear it out (assuming it's got at least 4g of space) and file transfer using your ipod as a mobile hard drive.

Hil, try Adium for the IM stuff.

For the file stuff, I just use an external hard drive.

Thanks, SA. I'll check out the widgets.

I do have an iPod, but one of the reasons I got a new computer is that my old one has a low-speed USB port and is really finicky about communicating with it.

Adium, Hil. We loves it.

If you want something in your dock, drag the application icon into the dock.

I'd use an external hard drive or flash drive, but I'm betting there's an easier way. I think there's a switching page on mac.com

OK, looks like Adium it is.

Heh. upod. That's what I get for typing without my glasses, but in my defense I was wearing a face mask at the time.

Do you have a lot of data? Because really, the only other option that's easily feasible is to burn everything off and transfer it that way. I mean, there's other ways, but not for the general computer user.

Do you have a lot of data?

About 4GB of music, plus a bunch of Word and Excel files, and a few pictures. It's the music that's going to be the biggest issue, I'm sure.

(I found the trackpad settings menu! Now I can select, copy, and paste with just the trackpad!) (The default setting, where you need to use the button to click, was driving me nuts.)

yeah, I'd go with using your ipod for one last-ditch effort.

OK, I checked out the "switch" page on the apple website, and it looks like I can transfer the files through the ethernet ports. Looks like the best bet, of the options they're showing. I'll give it a try.

Yay Hil! Sounds cool. And I third the recommendation of Adium, I plan to go back to it when I get a new mac...