Q: Why should anyone upgrade to Mavericks when 30% of the user feedback on the download site describes horrific results and rates Mavericks 1 out of 5???

Not for my iMac Desktop it does not.

tbirdvet wrote:

 

With 10.9.3 my FW800 drive now sleeps(2.5 min delay).  Still not sure non scrolling in mail is resolved yet.

Exactly why I'm not ready to move up to Mavericks "yet" !

Solution 1:

Backup or clone your existing Mac.

 

Partition your hard drive or add an external drive and install Mavericks into it. DO NOT install Mavericks over Snow Leopard, as that will destroy your Snow Leopard environment.

 

Use dual-booting (System Preferences:Startup Disk) to determine when you boot into Snow Leopard or Mavericks.

 

Set up iCloud in Mavericks and sync with your iPhone 5.  Use Mavericks for your everyday Mac usage.

 

Use Snow Leopard when you discover that certain of your applications will not run in Mavericks (primarily PowerPC apps due to the lack of Rosetta in every flavor of OS X since Lion).

Solution 2:

Get a different phone

Solution 3:

Get a different wife!

Just wanted to give a quick update for anyone in the same boat as me. First, thanks again to barney & peter (as soon as he came around) for helpful replies.

Anyway, the update...

1. Ugraded to Mavericks.

2. Third party icons (e.g. MSOffice pack, Chrome, etc.) stayed the same as I had them.

3. Apple's apps reverted back to rainbow brite's barf (as expected with update).

4. Third party apps for icon modification (e.g. Candybar) indeed do NOT play well with 10.9 (just doesn't work—nothing damaging).

5. The "get info, paste" method of replacing icons works perfectly fine for most apps. Using this method in Mavericks, icon changes are retained better than they were for me in previous OS X (as stated before, I never rule out the possibility that I was being an idiot the first time around). The only catch is that the resolution for scaled-down icon sizes is not as good as if you switch icons out properlly/fully at resource files.

6. For apps that were a bit trickier (Finder, trashcan, iCal), the same fixes that have always worked continue to work fine (replacing resource files using well-published instructions all over the interwebz).

7. As with aforementioned trickier apps, system folder icons, need to be changed manually. It's a bit of a pain and time consuming, especially if the old icons being used did not have all sizes/resolutions used by 10.9.

8. Now that I've made new versions for quite a few of the apps and system folders, the front-loaded effort will make future changes easier if/when icons revert. So, yeah it kinda sucked, but it'll be immeasurably easier to manually replace next time around.

• Random tip: organize replacement icons into folders corresponding to folders for resource filles and then it's easy to batch-replace a whole set of icons at once (e.g. keep all the CoreTypes.bundle replacement icons in one folder, Dock resources in another folder, etc.)

9. No major hang-ups or glitches so far, and actually more pleased with UI tweaks than previous OS X.

In short: Icon customization is a bit of a pain and a manual process, but I was probably being a bit whinier than needed when dreading worst-possible-scenarios pre-switch, results are great, and glad I made upgrade.

And of course, the obligatory reminder to anyone out there who stumbled across this thread, considering making changes to system/resource files (or OS updates for that matter): backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup, backup... aaaaannnd backup.

Hi!  recently upgraded to Mavericks and I am now trying to back it out. What you primarily use your computer for will determine whether Mavericks is a good fit for you.

Mavericks is not for the work environment. If you use your computer for working on and not just social media, then I don't recommend upgrading.

Pages: new and improved? Most of the functions for desk top publishig are gone, from linked boxes to facing pages to basic word processing features, etc. Pages went from a product (the reason I bought my Mac) that could be used to produce professional publications to something you use in elementary school or for posting to social media. If you use your Mac as a writer of any kind or for desktop publshing, then stay with their 'business' suite '09. Also, if like me, you are used to sharing with a wide variety of computers you may find you can no longer share with other Macs; seems Mavericks has parental controls that require you to give permission for other Macs to view the Pages documents you send them (you get it but you're locked out).

Mail: under Mavericks you can no longer search a mailbox without including evey email in every mailbox making the search feature next to useless.

Notifications: the first thing you will need to do is turn this off. This is for social media junkies. Basically every time someone posts something on your Facebook account, Twitter or you receive an email you get a notification. Once you link your phone you will get notifications that you received a text as well.

iCloud: If you use your Mac for work you may not want all your data (pictures, banking info, passwords, etc.) in another country accessible only when you're connected. If your main use of your Apple products is social media or storage then this is a feature you'll enjoy, otherwise you might no longer be allowed to use your Mac in your workplace. Although it was a struggle for me to turn it off, I got help (not from Apple obviously, lol).

Tags: (I don't get this at all) Tags is a dot that is nearly indistingishable from the background. I'm assuming that this is for social media users, or for those who don't use their machine for work. You loose folders (you can get it back) and other features as 'Tags' attempts to link everything for you across apps and devices. If you have folders for your work because you are sorting by projects, dates, etc., with subfolders; Tags undoes all this leaving documents in a useless mass organized under colour. I doubt if you use your machine for work, you will want Tags, but it depends on the type of work you do.

Once you upgrade to Mavericks your speed will drop by anywhere from a third to half. The slow down is amazing and I can find no reason for it. (My tech support person says it is one of three things: bloatware, spyware or malware. He recommends uninstalling Mavericks.)

As to other Mac users in my circle: I have 8 friends and colleagues who have Macs (iMac, Mac Air, Mac Book Pros) and one who is getting her Mac this week; first, all use their computers for writing as they are authors (from memoir to non-fiction (articles, etc.). If you don't use your Mac for this kind of work, then my comments most likely won't apply to you.)

Of the eight friends who have Macs: three will not upgrade; four have backed out Mavericks; one is currently using Mavericks but is buying Schrivner because the Mavericks 'Pages' doesn't meet their needs, but they love the iCloud feature and the one friend who is getting her Mac (her husband also has a Mac) will be wiping her computer and installing '09 Business Suite as she has already tested both versions. None of these individuals have left a review.

(Note: I have two other friends whose households are 'Apple' neither will upgrade to Mavericks and in both cases they told me that I should have asked them first (they don't work from home so it never occured to me); I have learned my lesson, I will now treat Apple with the same distrust I learned to treat Microsoft when I had a PC.)

What a lot of nonsense, I hardly know where to start so let's pick one at random.

Mail: under Mavericks you can no longer search a mailbox without including evey email in every mailbox making the search feature next to useless.

Incorrect: see the picture below.

Pages: new and improved? Most of the functions for desk top publishig are gone,

You have 2 versions of Pages, old and new, use the one that does what you want, optional complain about the other one.

Once you upgrade to Mavericks your speed will drop by anywhere from a third to half. The slow down is amazing and I can find no reason for it. (My tech support person says it is one of three things: bloatware, spyware or malware. He recommends uninstalling Mavericks.)

Mavericks is significantly faster than previous versions on my Macs (5 personal, over 20 at the office) Your Tech Support guy is incompetent.

I can work through the whole post (except for the anecdotal friends stuff) but I won't.

I will however take the time to caution others about putting any credence in your post.

Tyra MH wrote:

 

Hi!  recently upgraded to Mavericks and I am now trying to back it out. What you primarily use your computer for will determine whether Mavericks is a good fit for you.

 

Mavericks is not for the work environment. If you use your computer for working on and not just social media, then I don't recommend upgrading.

 

Pages: new and improved? Most of the functions for desk top publishig are gone, from linked boxes to facing pages to basic word processing features, etc. Pages went from a product (the reason I bought my Mac) that could be used to produce professional publications to something you use in elementary school or for posting to social media. If you use your Mac as a writer of any kind or for desktop publshing, then stay with their 'business' suite '09. Also, if like me, you are used to sharing with a wide variety of computers you may find you can no longer share with other Macs; seems Mavericks has parental controls that require you to give permission for other Macs to view the Pages documents you send them (you get it but you're locked out).

 

Mail: under Mavericks you can no longer search a mailbox without including evey email in every mailbox making the search feature next to useless.

 

Notifications: the first thing you will need to do is turn this off. This is for social media junkies. Basically every time someone posts something on your Facebook account, Twitter or you receive an email you get a notification. Once you link your phone you will get notifications that you received a text as well.

 

iCloud: If you use your Mac for work you may not want all your data (pictures, banking info, passwords, etc.) in another country accessible only when you're connected. If your main use of your Apple products is social media or storage then this is a feature you'll enjoy, otherwise you might no longer be allowed to use your Mac in your workplace. Although it was a struggle for me to turn it off, I got help (not from Apple obviously, lol).

 

Tags: (I don't get this at all) Tags is a dot that is nearly indistingishable from the background. I'm assuming that this is for social media users, or for those who don't use their machine for work. You loose folders (you can get it back) and other features as 'Tags' attempts to link everything for you across apps and devices. If you have folders for your work because you are sorting by projects, dates, etc., with subfolders; Tags undoes all this leaving documents in a useless mass organized under colour. I doubt if you use your machine for work, you will want Tags, but it depends on the type of work you do.

 

Once you upgrade to Mavericks your speed will drop by anywhere from a third to half. The slow down is amazing and I can find no reason for it. (My tech support person says it is one of three things: bloatware, spyware or malware. He recommends uninstalling Mavericks.)

 

As to other Mac users in my circle: I have 8 friends and colleagues who have Macs (iMac, Mac Air, Mac Book Pros) and one who is getting her Mac this week; first, all use their computers for writing as they are authors (from memoir to non-fiction (articles, etc.). If you don't use your Mac for this kind of work, then my comments most likely won't apply to you.)

 

Of the eight friends who have Macs: three will not upgrade; four have backed out Mavericks; one is currently using Mavericks but is buying Schrivner because the Mavericks 'Pages' doesn't meet their needs, but they love the iCloud feature and the one friend who is getting her Mac (her husband also has a Mac) will be wiping her computer and installing '09 Business Suite as she has already tested both versions. None of these individuals have left a review.

 

(Note: I have two other friends whose households are 'Apple' neither will upgrade to Mavericks and in both cases they told me that I should have asked them first (they don't work from home so it never occured to me); I have learned my lesson, I will now treat Apple with the same distrust I learned to treat Microsoft when I had a PC.)

Congratulations on the most 'Long Winded, Opinionated and MisInformed' post I have read for years here. All Macs in our Studio are running blindingly fast under Mavericks. Tracking recording data is great with the new multi-tags option. Before it was just a blur of gaudy colours which was hard to read. If you don't like Macs then sell them and buy Windows 8.1 machines, and advise all your unhappy friends to do the same. Macs hold their value much mores than Window Boxes.

Then we can all be happy.

Pete

Hi Csound1,

Your instructions didn't help—perhaps there is some steps missing? In my Mail, the search bar appears without the 'any' in it. When I've selected a mailbox and enter a search parameter like "pictures", every mailbox is included. I would love help with that.

As for wishing I would sell my machine and attempt to convince people I know to sell their Apple products, really? This is your advice? A bit of honest criticism based on MY experience that isn't yours? Wow. I am very happy that Mavericks is working so well in your studio and I hope that it finds its way to those who will love and utilize it's features. 

To the rest who responded to my earlier pleas for help: Again, big THANK YOUs to all those in the community that gave me or led me to instructions that have helped me greatly. You have saved me from tears and distress.

To the person who told me not to complete the install of the new Pages: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To those who wrote the programs for Mac such that I could uninstall the Pages Upgrade by just dropping icon into Trash: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To those who sent me programming advice, I am sorry, though it sounds like it is what I should do, I'm just not a geek, my computer programming skills are simply not there (which is why I use a Mac, lol), but I have saved the instructions.

Yes, too long winded! LOL!

Just go to your nearest Apple store and try out Mavericks. If you love it upgrade, if not, don't.

In my Mail, the search bar appears without the 'any' in it.

First enter the search term and select the "Message contains xxxx" contextual option":

When you do you'll get the other menu:

OT

Tyra MH:

Don't let a couple of "bad apples" spoil the whole bunch!

Tyra MH wrote:

 

When I've selected a mailbox and enter a search parameter like "pictures", every mailbox is included. I would love help with that.

After you have typed a search term in the search box on the right side of the Message Viewer window, you should find that the quick index section over on the left side has been labeled "Search:" and offers a choice of all mailboxes, the current mailbox, the Inbox, and a few others.

If "All" is preselected, choose one of the other options:

(You'll want to have selected the mailbox(es) of interest before starting the search.)

 

Mail: under Mavericks you can no longer search a mailbox without including evey email in every mailbox making the search feature next to useless.

It will search the selected Mailbox by default. However, if it doesn't find the search term i that mailbox, it expands the search.

If you have messages in the selected mailbox that it should match, but it doesn't, then you likely need to reindex spotlight.

Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes

My experience upgrading to Mavericks has  not been good at all even though I wanted it to be. I would appreciate any help available, here is the thread I started: MacBookPro5,1 + Install Mac 10.9.3 = restart loop (safe boot only)

Insult to injury, since upgrading to Mavericks, I cannot boot with the install disk that came with the laptop (MacBookPro5,1; late 2008) nor the retail 10.6 disk either so I am not seeing a path out of safe mode purgatory. I'd like to get back to a stable 10.6.8 OS since my troubleshooting has been for naught.

My Mac runs well enough in safe mode that it has to be something small not working. And it ran great in 10.6.8.

Thanks in advance for any help/advise.

P.S. I worried about the Mavericks release after having good luck with the big cats; Mavericks the surf spot was named after a white-haired German Shepherd named Maverick.

Etresoft, a long time contributor to these forums has written a program that gives us an insight into what may be wrong with your computer. Visit his site here

Download and report the findings back here.

Pete