Do I need .mac to get a .mac account?

Question

Sorry for this stupid question...I'm making a podcast...

Sorry about that. I meant this .mac, as in the software.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=24627F88&nplm=MA361Z/A

Answer 1

You have made some sort of typo error in your question. I can only guess two possible meanings:

1. Do I need a .mac account to use a .mac account?
Answer: Yes. No free lunch today. You have to pay for it to use it. There is a free trial but when it gets to the end, you will lose everything if you don't pay up.

2. Do I need a Mac computer to use a .mac account?
Answer: No, but it helps quite a lot. All Macs are setup by default to use WebDAV so, like most things on a Mac, it just works. You can use a Windows box to get most of the benefits of your .mac account but it isn't easy. Windows does not have WebDAV activated from the get go. In other words, to use .mac, you will need to start the WebDAV service on your Windows box. How to do that? You can try to follow Microsoft's instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324046
or, maybe a bit easier, try to follow a third party company's instructions:
http://www.sterlingcommerce.com/Documentation/GIS41/Content/WebDAVClient/WDCwinXP.html
but you will ignore the part that is related to their special use. In other words, I think only the first 7 steps are needed. If it doesn't connect, just give old Microsoft a call or use one of the dozens of online forums about Windows.