Who are you?

The MacShack?

Nevada City Macs?

So what does the "n" stand for?

Hardware/software/computer troubleshooting and repair, data recovery, upgrades, system modifications, specialization, design, training courses and consulting - just about anything and everything EXCEPT retail. We have nothing to sell; however, we have a pretty good collection of links to most anything you might need. Strictly service provided here. (See Shop Service section for more info.)

Computer technology presents some interesting challenges, especially when dealing with the cutting-edge Macintosh. Being a very small shop allows us to provide service on a personal, one-on-one level to Mac users who delight in doing all sorts of things with their machines. We are privileged to deal with authors, historians, artists, musicians, architects, designers, engineers - one genuine, bona fide, rocket scientist - parents, business owners and researchers. Resourceful, creative people from all walks of life - which says a lot about the Mac.

Yes, of course. (D'oh!) Specializing in the Macintosh means dealing with a limited percentage of computer users, true enough. It also means exposure to new technologies as they develop, working with state-of-the-art equipment, and freedom from the dead weight that is Microsoft. What's not to like? Besides, we get to meet Mac people.

No. Certification is not an option here, partly due to the advent of the Apple Store*, partly due to CA's hostile business climate, but mainly because of limited resources. The nCity MacShack is a very small shop; unauthorized, uncertified, and unencumbered by obligations to Apple or anyone else. nCity does not provide warranty service. A quick phone call to Apple takes care of most warranty matters, or we refer warranty jobs to an authorized facility (Apple Store or original dealer). We're not here to sell or promote products, we're here to provide services and solutions.

*5/22/02, SO# 7002921877, M8694LL/A: Apple restricts certification, institutes fees.

My personal involvement with Macs began in 1985 with the first 128K machine, quickly modified with a "Fat Mac" logic board, external drive and Kensington fan. Starting with computers in the early days and following the Mac's evolution over 30 years has provided a wealth of experience and a lot of (otherwise useless) information.

Actually, the skull-'n-crossbones pirate flag has been a part of Mac history from the beginning, when resources and talent from the Lisa project were famously shanghai'd to work on Macintosh. (System 7's Finder had an Easter egg of the Jolly Roger flapping in the breeze over Cupertino.) Since there aren't a whole lot of independent Mac shops around, the pirate tradition continues.

The other flag..... changes from time to time. It'll be the American flag on certain holidays, might be a Gadsden flag or an AZ flag, Ireland, Triumph, the NRA or any of an assortment of others, many of which are rather obscure. You just never know. (Still looking for a CA flag with a sheep on it for election days ;-)

There was a time when writing custom applications was a viable, reasonable alternative to buying canned software. The Fire Department ran on an nCity modular database for a few years, as did a west-coast distributor and a few smaller businesses. We customized an early web browser, produced invoicing and inventory apps, and had some fun with OS and screen saver hacks along the way, but those days are long gone. Cost of development today can only be absorbed by some sort of mass market, especially with so many technology changes happening so fast. The Beta Team was disbanded and more than a few projects were deferred, most of them permanently.

But, fear not, there are countless software solutions for just about every need, scale and budget. If you're interested, please visit our Link sections for recommended vendors, apps, utilities and resources.