Some general advice is to resist overcomplicating the move, Morris. Sometimes I see people deciding that migrating from one computer to another, even from Pc to Mac, is a good opportunity to reorganise their folder system. It really isn't. Instead, as with my initial question to you, or the comment about missing files, focus on ensuring your starting point is solid and then move things over exactly as they are. Think about any reorganisation later, once things have settled down.
There's no hurry, and don't skimp on backup.
I hear you John. Part of why I'm putting questions out there. All my photos are on drives that won't change. It's only the applications and the lr catalog and previews I'm concerned with. I'm actually fine with how my files are organized. Just wanting the least amount problems as I move to new faster computer.
Maybe simple to others, but I wonder if I'll have to download photoshop and lightroom again to the new computer if I just sign back into CC and don't copy over the applications that are on my current internal mbp drive. I've never done this before so don't know what to expect.
Another thing. I'm not sure 'how to transfer' the files. I can easily make a backup, a clone of my existing internal hard drive. Clone it to an external drive that's in a OWC mercury elite pro enclosure. But how to connect to the new computer that doesn't have the esata, firewire connections and usb2 on my external drive. I think the new mbp has usb but do i really want to use usb to migrate 140 gb of applications, etc?
New questions come as the hours pass. Each day I remember new things like what about spectraview ll, capture one, my nik software, etc. and compatibility with yosemite 10.10? Slowly going through all this. I'm sure I'll have a surprise or two down the road. Just too many variables to consider everything. But trying to at least get down all my work programs, everything I use to do my daily work. That's doable.
I have questions on various forums to try and cull all the info I need before I attempt my move.
Again, thanks for your input here. I appreciate it.
Morris