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Drool - I think I want a Mac

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Drool - I think I want a Mac
 
The most widely-distributed UNIX-based operating system, Mac OS X offers a unique combination of technical elements to the discerning geek, such as the fine-grained multithreading of the Mach 3.0 kernel, tight hardware integration and SMP-safe drivers, as well as zero configuration networking. Jaguar integrates features from state-of-the-art FreeBSD 4.4 and GCC 3.1 into Darwin, the Open Source base of Mac OS X, to provide enhanced performance, compatibility and usability.



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Re: [Ian] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
Hiya,

I've been using OSX since it was released officially. I skipped the pre-release beta because I wasn't too up on unix at the time. Ever since installing OSX 10.0.0 I've been hooked.

side note: I just bought a card reader (6 format type) for my digi-camera. I pluged in the usb cord, saw the light go green (power) slipped in my smart-card and bingo, OSX was asking me where I wanted to download my photos. Ok, fickle folks while complain about color contrasting and what not. I imported directly to my drive. If I used an application like photoshop I bet that I could've cleaned out most of the browness. (hey, my camera was pretty cheap.) Plug and play.

Apple has had some rumors flying that an OSX X86 might happen. Apple is finally going after M$ big time. They got the tools now. A killer system, some great products, Unix famous developer (Hubbard) and looks like SUN is happy to share beds.

staroffice coming to OSX? [url="http://news.com.com/2100-1001-946714.html"] here is a cnet story [/url]

Apple's own email :::
Quote:
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COMPANY NEWS
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[2] Apple Unveils Shake 2.5 for Mac OS X

Apple announced Shake 2.5, the industry-leading compositing and
visual effects software, is available for the first time for Mac OS
X. Shake has been used in the production of over a hundred motion
pictures including the past five winners of the Academy Award for
Best Visual Effects: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,
Gladiator, The Matrix, What Dreams May Come and Titanic.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/jul/22shake.html

Yep, I'm on the developer's mailing list.

here is the [url="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=4559"] X86 link [/url]


Think about it ... looks like M$ has put the up-grade deadline to July 31 ... [url="http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/0729/news-micro-07-29-02.asp"] story here [/url]

Here's an artcile [url="http://www.insanelygreatmac.com/news.php?id=719"] granted on a mac site, about OSX vs XP updates[/url]

If you're really interested in learning about macs and what kind of news comes through the door check out these sites.
http://www.macsurfer.com/
http://www.macosxhints.com/

Macosxhints.com gets into the down and dirty part of the system. Be amazed by how unix apple is now. they're no longer some stray dog, but rather what Gnome or KDE or even Nautilus was aiming for.

If I were in an office situation, and had several thousands of dollars to reinvest in system update insurance like fees, I'd seriously consider the Mac as an alternative. They only thing that might hurt would be those entourage using offices, but then again I hit by wormz/klez/strange picture things everyday. Thankfully I use the built in email app and just laugh over all the attempts that got stopped. Although, I bet an entorage substitue will be in the works since a built-in calendar thing coming in 10.2 will allow communal usage.

Mac hardware debate was done in another thread where crapshoot and I went off in rants. I agree it's a bit more but ... I still bet long term you're making out.

cheers and hope that this was useful

openoffice + gimp + sketch ... Smile
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Re: [QooQ] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
Hi QooQ,

A very interesting post indeed. Thanks for the info, as well as the links.

The problem is, it makes me want a mac even more ;)

My first computer was an Apple ][. Things have changed a little since then by the looks of things LOL.


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Re: [Ian] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
I had a IIc way back. While at school I was on those tandy all in one types.

ughh... what a screwed up post. sorry about the horrible writting.

My keyboard was still wet. My cat bumped my arm while I was putting the coffee cup back down. I spilled half of it all of my keyboard. So I ran it under tap water for about a minute. Shaked it. Pried off all the keys, wiped with a few Q-tips, shaked it again and finally plugged it in. Wet and all.

Now, I don't have any more sticky keys Laugh
Any similar PC stories?

If you have the cash, I'd say with 10.2 on the way, you'd be missing out if you didn't try an Apple.
But, don't take my word for it. Try to run one through it's paces at a shop.


Ian, What are you using now? And why mac?

openoffice + gimp + sketch ... Smile
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Re: [QooQ] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
Why Mac? I do some Architectual design work, and I am starting to do more graphic design stuff. The Mac seems to be better designed to handle this. I am also looking at something which could host my web site (1 off them).

I don't have the cash right now, but it is nice to dream.

I am using a Dell Insiron for my work at the moment... all of my sites are hosted in various remote locations.

I am pretty used to using a 15" LCD, so I would not settle for anything less... especially the number of hours a stare at the screen!! For graphics 19" would be a lot better... and I just drool at the size of the LCD screens Apple has available!


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Re: [Ian] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
check this place out ... http://www.architosh.com/ ... just for folks like you.

The new released iMac now comes with a 17"

I use 2 17" monitors (well, until baby bed day ... I'm loosing floor space which is going to be consumed by a baby bed). I guess I'll end up with a either the 14" iBook or an older 667 TiBook. Thought of going to either a Dell notebook or a Vaio but ... OSX is too much give up. My friend says I'm on an ego trip and it would make more sense to go to an Intel chip cost wise but ... the linux packages aren't as user friendly yet.

Apple does have a slightly expensive 1u size rank unit now too. Or if you are an academic the 17" eMac is pretty sweet.

ahhh, money money is catch for apple products these days.

openoffice + gimp + sketch ... Smile
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Re: [QooQ] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
I do like the look of the 17" iMac, very nice.

I am quite familiar with ArchiCAD, which I have used on and off for a few years, not recently though. While it works just fine on the PC, it was originally designed for the Mac, like a lot of the super-decent graphics packages... though a Silcon Graphics workstation would be even better, that is just getting rediculous.

Anyways, I shall keep dreaming for now.


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Re: [Ian] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
There were rumors that Apple would buy SGI, but ... aparently Apple has decided to the same thing their own way. I found a bunch of used ones here in town but ... sadly I was disappointed. Then again they were like 250 machines. Quite cheap but ... unless I see a much more newer SGI machine I'll say my 400 with OSX is much nicer. Not fair though, comparing a 250 SGI vs a G4 400. Laugh

What's the CAD program that you use or recommend. My friend is looking for one that you'all be using.

openoffice + gimp + sketch ... Smile
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Re: [QooQ] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
Depends on what your friend wants to draw... for Architecture... ArchiCAD (be warned the licence is very expensive), but it would have to be the best in my opinion. (you will need the seperate Rendering software for really high quality images), otherwise the built in one is ok'ish.

AutoDesks AutoCAD is ok, if you have all the libraries and rendering add-ons... otherwise it is not very good I find.


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Re: [Ian] Drool - I think I want a Mac In reply to
thanks!

openoffice + gimp + sketch ... Smile