[X Newbies] Saving Mail and Other Program Data

[Alex]

On Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004, at 13:19 Canada/Eastern, Charles Martin wrote:

> [...] As far as "swap space" and "partitioning" and other 
> complications go, I would say this: Apple has already thought about 
> this, and has implemented what they feel is the best way for this to 
> work [...]

Translation: "Don't worry your pretty little head, Big Brother has 
taken care of everything already".

Much of the advice is good, but (surprise, surprise) I violently 
disagree with this attitude. As a Mac user since Classical Antiquity 
(well, since Philippi at least), I can tell you Apple has got things 
wrong more than once -- and I have the scars to prove it!

The chief reason why it's not a good idea for a newbie to worry about 
these issues is that a newbie -- by definition -- doesn't yet know 
enough about the OS. One of the most basic mistakes a newbie makes (and 
this applies to apps as well as the OS -- I know, 'cause I've done it 
often) is to start customizing too soon. First, learn it, understand 
well how it works, tinker a bit with the hubcaps and the hood ornament, 
and only then lift the hood and start tinkering with your transmission.

f