My near 15 year old graphics arts equipment is in pre-failure, so I am deeply grateful to be able to replace everything and do it before all my data got eaten. I have a backup (2 actually) but you just never know.
My old MAC is so old, Migration Assistant did not work at all, and I had to hand select and import everything.
Most of my old programs had to be replaced. I knew that was coming and was prepared, but there is nothing like the special hell of trying to download software and updates and security checks on rural internet speeds which was down to 5 kbps last night.
Also, since none of the migration apps work, my ancient email won't smoothly migrate either. So I am having to move nearly 15 years worth of emails in batches by hand.
I expected to have lots of trouble with all the new programs and updates etc, and I lost sleep worrying about losing art scans and documents. All that was the easy part. Migrating the email has been the absolute worst.
All of my art, my writing, music and videos are safe. I'm so relieved. When the emails are finished migrating, which is likely to take a few more days, and is more annoying then difficult, I can put my trusty old MAC Pro Tower to rest.
I'm waiting to see if my scanner, printer, and Cintiq will still work, but at the moment, I'm waiting on delivery of adapters.
I have a smaller, recent model back up Cintiq if the old one isn't usable. There are updated drivers available for all of my equipment, so I should be able to avoid the pricey replacement of these items.
Anyway, I just wanted to publicly thank my Patreon supporters, not only for financing my work, but for their very kind and generous advice. I would never have been able to figure all of this out on my own.
It's taken me well over a week to figure out what to get and get it up and running. Fortunately, I don't have any hard deadlines right now. I'd hoped to nurse this stuff for another year, but if it's going to go, it might as well go early in a big project as opposed to at the deadline crunch.
Thanks to everyone who buys my work and supports my art. I am deeply grateful. And as always, deepest gratitude to my clients, my collaborators, and my Patreon supporters.
