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OK - So what do I tell my Mac friend?
If you're looking for a Mac, Ruby gatherings are good places to go. I am always a clear minority when I show up to Ruby events with my little Mint netbook. At least it's not Windows, which would be much, much, worse. |
Comments (37)
Try before you buy
Yeah, I don't have a problem with that (though I always recommend Mint).
The thing that got me was that I didn't know what to tell him in terms of "why". What are some cool "linux-y" things for him to do with a Linux box?
As I said, I've been using pretty much nothing but Linux for years, and computing is pretty much synonymous with Linux to me.
The thing that got me was that I didn't know what to tell him in terms of "why". What are some cool "linux-y" things for him to do with a Linux box?
As I said, I've been using pretty much nothing but Linux for years, and computing is pretty much synonymous with Linux to me.
I can't really think of a "check out this killer app that blows everything else away and is only on Linux" sort of thing out there. That's not really the sort of thing that makes Linux great.
If I could define one killer feature, it's the modularity and choice. Having a choice of desktop environments and being able to fine-tune appearance, window management behavior, screen layout, etc, is something you don't get on a Mac.
If I could define one killer feature, it's the modularity and choice. Having a choice of desktop environments and being able to fine-tune appearance, window management behavior, screen layout, etc, is something you don't get on a Mac.
Lots of people are already using free-software applications on Windows and Mac desktops: LibreOffice, Firefox, GIMP and Inkscape, Thunderbird, etc. It's a small leap from running these on a proprietary system to running them on a Linux system.
The guy's comfortable in the console, so it's Apples and apples to some extent.
For me, the "killer app" for Linux is a huge package repository and the tools to manage it.
The guy's comfortable in the console, so it's Apples and apples to some extent.
For me, the "killer app" for Linux is a huge package repository and the tools to manage it.
As an aside, you'd think there would be a distribution specifically created for Mac hardware ...
In the old days, there was yellow dog.
Now that they're intel, maybe nobody feels the need.
My suggestion -- Ask him :
What does he think is "cool, Apple-y stuff" that he can do on a Mac?
Maybe he means glitzy stuff like the Compiz cube with Atlantis inside. Or maybe slightly more practical stuff like "shading" windows, fiddling around with button placements and functions.
Maybe persistent live-USBs would float his boat.
I'm sure there's a ton of really practical stuff that would appeal to a developer -- free tools, IDEs, what-not, available for the effort of downloading, as easily installed as anything for Mac...
What does he think is "cool, Apple-y stuff" that he can do on a Mac?
Maybe he means glitzy stuff like the Compiz cube with Atlantis inside. Or maybe slightly more practical stuff like "shading" windows, fiddling around with button placements and functions.
Maybe persistent live-USBs would float his boat.
I'm sure there's a ton of really practical stuff that would appeal to a developer -- free tools, IDEs, what-not, available for the effort of downloading, as easily installed as anything for Mac...
@dino: A number of mainstream distros also support PPC architecture. Debian immediately comes to mind.
Tell me this: how old are the G4 and G3 Macs now? Can they still run a modern Linux distro? What were the last generation specs like?
Tell me this: how old are the G4 and G3 Macs now? Can they still run a modern Linux distro? What were the last generation specs like?
Quoting:As an aside, you'd think there would be a distribution specifically created for Mac hardware ...
The penguinppc.org 'Distributions' page found at http://penguinppc.org/about-2/distributions/ lists a number of Linux distros for different Mac hardware; both.for 32-bit and 64-bit PowerPC architectures.
Within penguinppc.org's 'Distribution' page, Debian GNU/Linux in particular seems to support the most hardware architectures of those listed. Debian lists its various ports for Mac-specific architectures (as well as other related arch's) at its 'List of official ports' section found at http://www.debian.org/ports/index#portlist-released
For PowerPC, I recommend Debian. Always worked great for me.
We're talking intel Macbook here.
He's got Lion on it -- which is the latest version of OS X.
It just doesn't have the power to pull it off.
> It just doesn't have the power to pull it off.
Check and make sure it's not just running out of memory. If it is, fixing the problem may be comparatively cheap and easy.
Check and make sure it's not just running out of memory. If it is, fixing the problem may be comparatively cheap and easy.
@Dino,
Normally, I would suggest a Linux Distro with KDE, but speed is what he is after not features.
So why don't you recommend a good distro with LXDE. I hear Bodhi is pretty good also.
On second thought, why don't you try latest KDE yourself and see if it would be something he might be interested in! You will have many things to brag about, Like multiple DE environment for the hardware at the time (Desktop, Netbook, Tablet, & hand held devices,etc). Another is Plasma Active where he can manage and handle his activities/project easier, more efficiently, and with consistency.
As a developer, there are many features I am sure he would like. May be he will buy a better computer with more resources just for that.
Normally, I would suggest a Linux Distro with KDE, but speed is what he is after not features.
So why don't you recommend a good distro with LXDE. I hear Bodhi is pretty good also.
On second thought, why don't you try latest KDE yourself and see if it would be something he might be interested in! You will have many things to brag about, Like multiple DE environment for the hardware at the time (Desktop, Netbook, Tablet, & hand held devices,etc). Another is Plasma Active where he can manage and handle his activities/project easier, more efficiently, and with consistency.
As a developer, there are many features I am sure he would like. May be he will buy a better computer with more resources just for that.
Actually, does anybody know how the OSXs compare to the standard Linux distros/desktop combos, in terms of how "heavy" they are on the hardware resources?
I used OSX on my Macbook Pro for a while since someone asked me to stick with it to see what I thought.
I don't find the GUI of OSX particularly pleasant to use.
So I inevitably scribbed it and replaced it with Ubuntu.
I have to say that there is not much between them in terms of performance. They are both pretty snappy.
So I inevitably scribbed it and replaced it with Ubuntu.
I have to say that there is not much between them in terms of performance. They are both pretty snappy.
linux on intel mac?
nothing easier... i just completed installing CentOS 6.2 on a macbook pro 3,1 (2007).
works like a charm (plus some manual tweaks).
Single boot, OSX is out of that machine :)
Single boot, OSX is out of that machine :)
Linux for Mac users
I'll advice him to use Comice OS 4 Linux distribution: http://pear-os-linux.fr/index.php/pear-linux-os/features/pea...
Linux is much cooler, easy to customize everything even the GUI and it uses less resources (CPU, RAM). There are a lot of free software for Linux and it is easy to install with just a click. I'm more comfortable using Linux than Mac. Especially for development. But also I think it is easy for end users since the GUI became very advanced and easy for newbies to use. (See Comice OS 4)
Linux is much cooler, easy to customize everything even the GUI and it uses less resources (CPU, RAM). There are a lot of free software for Linux and it is easy to install with just a click. I'm more comfortable using Linux than Mac. Especially for development. But also I think it is easy for end users since the GUI became very advanced and easy for newbies to use. (See Comice OS 4)
Interesting.
The lighter resource use does matter as Lion's heavy footprint is the biggest reason he's dabbling with Linux at all.
The lighter resource use does matter as Lion's heavy footprint is the biggest reason he's dabbling with Linux at all.
and that...
is why OSX resulted in a surge of Mac in places of knowledge.
It provided their uses with the best of both worlds (unless your strongly opinionated about digital freedoms). A big company that could handle support issues, and the unix command line that they were familiar with from various clusters and mainframes doing the number crunching.
It provided their uses with the best of both worlds (unless your strongly opinionated about digital freedoms). A big company that could handle support issues, and the unix command line that they were familiar with from various clusters and mainframes doing the number crunching.
...you don't want to go googling and see how many mac users are unhappy with Apple Support, do you?
"clusters and maiframes"? about 67% of world's servers run a flavor or other of GNU/Linux.
"clusters and maiframes"? about 67% of world's servers run a flavor or other of GNU/Linux.
I do
I have a newer 4-core Macbook Pro that I use for development.
I used to have one of the 2-core 2.6Ghz ones and used Ubuntu Jaunty Linux natively on it. It ran like a dream until it had the dreaded graphics chip problem. :(
Anyway, on that machine (and this) I ran virtual machines in VirtualBox of WIndows XP, additional copies of Ubuntu Linux and also Windows Server 2008. It was all pretty smooth.
What I would say though is that if your friend has the option, upgrade the memory. 4 Gig *minimum*. I have 8 and I practically never have to dip into swap.
That's really the key to avoid getting into the mire on these machines.
I used to have one of the 2-core 2.6Ghz ones and used Ubuntu Jaunty Linux natively on it. It ran like a dream until it had the dreaded graphics chip problem. :(
Anyway, on that machine (and this) I ran virtual machines in VirtualBox of WIndows XP, additional copies of Ubuntu Linux and also Windows Server 2008. It was all pretty smooth.
What I would say though is that if your friend has the option, upgrade the memory. 4 Gig *minimum*. I have 8 and I practically never have to dip into swap.
That's really the key to avoid getting into the mire on these machines.
Thanks, and thanks all.
Makes me think of Thomas Edison's reply when somebody asked him about all of his failed efforts to create an electric light before he finally found a filament that worked. The story goes that he replied, something along the lines of ,"No, I didn't fail. I found 10,000 ways that don't work".
I still don't know what to tell my Mac friend, but it's only because the Mac (freedom issues aside) is already a pretty rockin' box that lets him do what he wants to do. A linux box is also a pretty rockin' box that lets you do what you want to do -- but I don't know that there's something especially linux-y to point to.
Makes me think of Thomas Edison's reply when somebody asked him about all of his failed efforts to create an electric light before he finally found a filament that worked. The story goes that he replied, something along the lines of ,"No, I didn't fail. I found 10,000 ways that don't work".
I still don't know what to tell my Mac friend, but it's only because the Mac (freedom issues aside) is already a pretty rockin' box that lets him do what he wants to do. A linux box is also a pretty rockin' box that lets you do what you want to do -- but I don't know that there's something especially linux-y to point to.
Maybe set up a dual-boot. Or just go for it. You can always reinstall OS X again later.
To toot my own horn...
Try something E17 on it! I've found a good deal of the Bodhi users come from (or still use) OSX. E17 has a very modern feel too it (In my opinion - everyone has different opinions).
~Jeff
~Jeff
I'll go along with Jeff on this, Enlightenment does have excellent polish and shine that someone accustomed to a Mac would appreciate.
Bodhi is teh perty. And quite usable too.
I'm going to pass that rec along to my friend.
Thanks, guys.
Thanks, guys.
ॐ
Quoting: ॐ
Translation?
It's the Buddhist meditative chant. "Ommmmm...."
And I thought he was the artist formerly known as Prince.
(Anyone old enough to remember that 'has been' or 'never was'?)
(Anyone old enough to remember that 'has been' or 'never was'?)
Quoting:And I thought he was the artist formerly known as Prince.
(Anyone old enough to remember that 'has been' or 'never was'?)
Not only am I old enough, I'm old enough to be his father. But, I'm not (his father). 8>) And, no, I don't have a neckbeard, either.
I don't think he is a "never was". He had a period of great popularity when he was a genuine hit maker. While I'm not a fan of the image he presented or of his music as a whole I will admit there are a few songs he did which I did really like.
Caitlyn --
So long as you're able to dodge that nasty purple rain when you hop into your little red Corvette to party like it's 1999.
How many of you brilliant music minds know that Prince wrote the Bangles' Manic Monday?
So long as you're able to dodge that nasty purple rain when you hop into your little red Corvette to party like it's 1999.
How many of you brilliant music minds know that Prince wrote the Bangles' Manic Monday?
He wrote, and writes, a lot of music, some of which he actually performs himself.
Paul Simon wrote "Hazy Shade of Winter" which the Bangles covered (and did better on, I think).
Paul Simon wrote "Hazy Shade of Winter" which the Bangles covered (and did better on, I think).
@gus3 --
Paul Simon wrote Hazy Shade of Winter for himself and Art Garfunkel. The Bangles later covered it.
Prince didn't write Manic Monday for himself, but for the Apollonia 6, who never recorded it. Bangles knew better and made it a hit.
Paul Simon wrote Hazy Shade of Winter for himself and Art Garfunkel. The Bangles later covered it.
Prince didn't write Manic Monday for himself, but for the Apollonia 6, who never recorded it. Bangles knew better and made it a hit.
If you haven't seen him in concert, you have missed an amazing performance. His fight with the record label shows that the **IAA treat artists creating the copyrighted works pretty much the same way that they treat their customers, as property.
He is actually best in a small venue. My wife saw him one frozen night back in February, 2006 at a small theater a few blocks from our home (Congress Theater, Logan Square, Chicago). He was touring as a guitarist for a young R&B singer, Támar Davis.
My wife said it was an unbelievable show. I don't know many pop musicians working today who have both the depth and breadth of talent and musical styles that Prince has.
He is actually best in a small venue. My wife saw him one frozen night back in February, 2006 at a small theater a few blocks from our home (Congress Theater, Logan Square, Chicago). He was touring as a guitarist for a young R&B singer, Támar Davis.
My wife said it was an unbelievable show. I don't know many pop musicians working today who have both the depth and breadth of talent and musical styles that Prince has.
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He can figure out what works best out of the box for his Mac that way. With any new hardware, I recommend throwing everything you can at it in the beginning -- it's the only way to figure this out.