Update: 3.20.2008 – Added Tidbits.

One of the best things about being a Mac user is the breadth, depth, and sheer accessibility of available resources on the net.

Macs tend to create zealous converts and while that can be annoying as hell, I’ll be the first to admit, there is one positive side effect of this zealotry: you can just about always find someone who knows a lot about your machine and its inner workings and is only too happy to help you solve a problem. Mac users are — dare I say it — just really friendly. (At least about Macs.)

So, in today’s post, I’ve got a pretty thorough — though, I’m sure, by no means exhaustive — list of Mac-related blogs and websites that I think are especially helpful for those switching, with a focus on Mac-lawyer sites.

Law Specific Mac Blogs

These blogs and sites deal mainly with the use of Macs in the practice (and study) of law. Most are general, though some are specific to particular practice areas or contexts.

• a mac lawyer’s notebook – begun by Kevin Morton in November 2007, to “chronicle the choices [he] made and the reasons for those choices as [he] journey[s] from Windows to the Mac” in his small office; video podcasts are in the works to show visually how the office uses specific Mac apps and features in the day-to-day office functions.
• Apple Briefs — “Improving your law practice with Macintosh” — this one’s from attorney and website designer Jeffrey Kabbe.
• Apple Small Business – Legal Site — Apple’s page about using Macs as a business solution in law offices; includes features on Mac-using lawyers that might inspire and comfort the lawyer contemplating a switch.
• Criminal Defense Law With an Apple — One of the few practice-specific blogs I was able to find, this one’s just what it says: running a criminal defense law practice with a Mac computer; by attorney Aaron Pelley.
• MacLitigator — Pete Summerrill’s relatively young blog dedicated to tips and tricks for using the Mac platform in trial.
• Mac Law Students — just what it sounds like: a blog devoted to law students using Macs; includes a buyer’s guide that’s worth taking a look at.
• MacNotes – Part of GP|Solo Technology EReport; covers general interest and practice-specific Mac developments.
• MacSparky — I wasn’t sure where to put MacSparky honestly. It’s run by a lawyer, David Sparks, but Sparks’ interests in Mac go beyond its use in the law office setting. However you want to characterize it, it’s very helpful, and definitely should be bookmarked.
• The Mac Attorney – Not a blog, per se, but website contains links to many resources for attorneys using Macs
• The Mac Lawyer – My fellow Palmetto State colleague, Ben Stevens, has one of the best “MIL” (Macs in law) blogs around.

Apple News and Briefs

The following sites offer general news and tidbits about Macs and Apple.

• Apple Insider — Just what it sounds like. If you have inside info to share, they even have an anonymous mailer you can use.
• Daring Fireball — John Gruber’s blog, in which he discusses all manner of things, including Macs and Mac software.
• MacRumors – Buyer’s guide and information on what’s coming down the pike from Apple.
• Tidbits — just what it says; “Mac news for the rest of us.”
• TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) – Several contributors to this blog make for diverse and interesting content for Mac lovers.

Mac Advice and Tips Generally

These sites are oriented more to the practical concerns of users both new and experienced.

• AccelerateYourMac – If you’re looking for information on upgrading your Mac’s performance, this is your site. A little technical — perhaps excessively so for newcomers — but performance issues rather necessitate that treatment. Very helpful.
• Apple Links — “Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone news, reviews, and how-to’s”; includes several blog feeds as well as a forum for users
• EveryMac — This is the site for information on Mac specifications and pricing information; includes a forum.
• Lifehacker’s Guide to Switching to Macs – Lifehacker created a valuable resource for switchers of all stripes here; bookmark Lifehacker for occasional – and very helpful – Mac tips and tricks (including its series on the quintessential Mac killer app, Quicksilver)
• Mac FixIt – troubleshooting guide for Macs and iPods, including tutorials
• Mac In Touch – “The original Mac news and information site since 1994″; reviews and information for many Apple and Mac-related products and applications
• MacNN- Content-packed portal for Apple news, headlines, blogs, and reviews; you can even track Apple stock price from the home page
• MacOSX Hints – Blog and forums (message boards) dedicated to navigating and optimizing the Mac operating system.
• MacSupport — “Canada’s Macintosh and iPod Support Community.” Links to the “Used Mac” auction site, which also links to the US Mac auction site MacGhetto.
• MacTopia — Microsoft’s pages for Mac users.
• MacUser — A well-respected group blog featuring “news, info, and opinion by Mac users for Mac users.”
• MacWorld — the web presence of the monthly periodical of the same name. One of the best resources for breaking news and reviews of new Mac products.
• New Mac Tip Every Day – whether you read it daily for consistent improvement of Mac skills, or simply bookmark and search when a problem arises, it’s a must-read.
• Switching to Mac — Presented by S2M Consulting, this site is honestly the first site you need to bookmark if you’re planning the switch. Message boards, articles, reviews, and an easy-to-navigate structure make it truly valuable for the new user.

Forums and Listservs

• Macs in Law Offices (MILO) — Google Group – run by Mac lawyers Grant Griffiths and Ben Stevens
• MacLaw Yahoo Group — Another Mac law user group on the Yahoo! “platform”

Additions Welcome

I plan for this to be updated as information becomes available to me; I’d like this to be a comprehensive list of resources on Macs generally that’s of particular use to the legal profession.

Please use our contact page to let me know of any sites or blogs I’ve missed that you think should be included!