Mac vs. Windoze?

[doctorj]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

OSX is nice to use, I'll agree there. And to all the people that said Linux is nice too, agreed again. Essentially OSX is Linux, but that's another story.

The strength of using a PC with Windows is that you can pick from the lion's share of software and hardware and not have to worry about compatibility of fiddling. All (well... almost) major software vendors, data providers and ISPs support windows not to mention the kids can play games on it - just try getting the latest 3d shooter running well under a windows emulator - yuk!

Many positives to using a Mac, but the trade off is convenience.

 

[stock_man]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

I have to agree that there is times to use any of the above mentioned Os's.

Windows - due to its popularity with software and ease of compatibilty etc. But mostly games, games and more games. Personally, I think the games industry will keep windows alive through thick and thin.

Macs - used to be for graphic design (so they say), but now more office and media type software

Linux - for all of us tech heads that like to get down and dirty and be in control (so we think)


Personally, I like to know that when a piece of hardware dies (or I need a new video card), I can go down to the local distributor, give them $50 and go home happy. Problem fixed.

 

[ghotib]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

I have to agree that there is times to use any of the above mentioned Os's.

Windows - due to its popularity with software and ease of compatibilty etc. But mostly games, games and more games. Personally, I think the games industry will keep windows alive through thick and thin.

Macs - used to be for graphic design (so they say), but now more office and media type software

Linux - for all of us tech heads that like to get down and dirty and be in control (so we think)


Personally, I like to know that when a piece of hardware dies (or I need a new video card), I can go down to the local distributor, give them $50 and go home happy. Problem fixed.

OK, time to talk about Vista.

How many Windows users on this thread have heard about the anti-piracy "features" in Vista?

It seems that Vista will LOCK YOUR MACHINE if:

1. You don't log in to MS and activate your licence within 30 days of installation

2. It detects changes to your configuration that make it think it's being installed on a second machine. Forget about upgrading a motherboard - you'll have to buy a new copy of the OS. Don't make a mistake and try to re-install - you have to buy a new copy. Don't reformat a hard drive... etc. etc. etc.

3. It can't connect to MS and verify you for more than some period of time that I've forgotten - might be a month. Pity if you want a machine for non-internet use.

Those are the 3 that hit me in the face. In effect, Vista behaves like malware.

My response is to go OSX, which gives me Unix robustness without forcing me to wrestle with it. I can understand people who still enjoy a good tussle with command lines and binary going Linux.

As things stand, I can't see a good reason to switch to Windows from either of them, and I can't see a good reason to choose Windows over either of them, which means that the only real advantage Windows has left is legacy and inertia. Right now that's enormous. Just like IBM was in about 1974

Ghoti

 

[ghotib]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

OSX is nice to use, I'll agree there. And to all the people that said Linux is nice too, agreed again. Essentially OSX is Linux, but that's another story.

I'm not yet an OSX user so I probably should keep my fingers still for a while yet, but what the heck?

"Nice to use" means a lot more than eye candy - Windows has plenty of that. The advantage OSX is that it's easy to use, which means that people can do what they want and or need to do faster, with less effort, with less distraction and almost no disruption. Better usability means that software is a better tool. IOW, OSX enhances productivity.

The strength of using a PC with Windows is that you can pick from the lion's share of software and hardware and not have to worry about compatibility of fiddling. All (well... almost) major software vendors, data providers and ISPs support windows not to mention the kids can play games on it - just try getting the latest 3d shooter running well under a windows emulator - yuk!

Many positives to using a Mac, but the trade off is convenience.

I've been saying this for about 8 years, so I'll be interested to see what my experience eventually is. I don't do games enough to assess that, but I've got a lot of non-mainstream software on this machine that I might find I can't do without.

OTOH, this machine is starting to behave erratically, which suggests that it's getting close to needing an OS reinstall (can't do that with Vista BTW - hope it's incorruptible). The registry is probably a bit of a mess, and I've had a couple of major arguments between anti-virus / anti-spyware / firewall / scan and clean programs over the years, which have probably left wounded bytes around the place. "Not have to worry about compatibility?". Except sometimes.

You've talked about kids. My primary support client these days is my mother, and I'm stunned to realise just how hard Windows is for her, starting with the double-click. What a kludge that was, but at least it sort of made sense before IE. Not any more. I've just upgraded her to a new Dell with XP; it's taken 3 months to remove all the helpful OEM software that kept starting up and demanding a response to some message she didn't understand. I'm still trying to get rid of enough of the IE extras to give her a reasonable space for actually seeing the contents of Webpage. Then there's the Windows automatic update: I don't dare turn that off, but it's intimidating for an old lady when she switches on the machine for a game of cards and it tells her to Restart before she's finished.

I might find that OSX is equally irritating. But I think I've talked myself into trying it at least.

Ghoti

 

[rusq]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

If it's the last thing I say, it would be to register at a good apple forum like www.mactalk.com.au to get help and support when necessary. There will always be questions, like "Where is the "On" button?"
A wide variety of people and professions to draw from.

 

[ghotib]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

Hi Ants,

I have the new 20''Imac for creative stuff. My Music software of choice was bought out by apple (Logic) So I was forced to buy one.
It is definately a diff beast . And I am still getting used to it. I still use my p.c for almost anything else. But this is really just to keep my Mac HD free'd up Though windows does seem to flow better for me. But Im sure its just because I usually only learn what I need to and a change takes getting used to. So my learning on the mac has been slowed due to simply not forcing myself. They are both networked, no worries there easy access to both drives..
I also lug my imac to school and back when needed. It is def not as easy as a laptop. But you get more bang for yr buck. Youcan get wireless mouse and keyboards so that is not a prob., and I sourced a carry bag/backpack from usa. and does the job nicely.

Hope it helps.
gees I dislike typing, excuse my phrasing.

Thanks for all that typing. You must have posted your msg while I was typing mine this afternoon.

Do you mean that you used to use the music program (I forget its name) on your Windows machine? You've got a really good comparison then, especially considering that Apple built its reputation on multimedia software.

I'm very interested that you find Windows "flows better" for you. In another message I talked a bit about "usability", also known as human factors. I'm pretty rude about the usability of Windows and a lot of Windows programs, but in fact Apple and Microsoft both put a lot of effort and money into it and they both sometimes sacrifice it to other things. In Microsoft's legacy program code and the cost of making things work with it override better usability. Apple tends to get carried away by style and forget that people want to DO things with computers, not just look at them.

Anyway, a core idea of usable computing is that as people learn to use machines and programs they build a conceptual model (a sense of how the machine or the software thinks) from their experience. Consistent behaviour in the machine makes it easier and quicker for people to build their conceptual model, and a strong conceptual model makes it easier for them to learn new programs and features, provided the new things still make sense within the model.

Your experience that "Windows flows better" probably means that you have a strong conceptual model for Windows and Windows software, and that you've discovered that the Mac doesn't fit it. When you get around to building your own conceptual model for the Mac you'll probably find you can switch from one to the other. At that point you might find that you prefer one or the other, or you might just shrug and use either.

Apologies if you already know all that. Your comment was such a lovely illustration that I couldn't help writing about it.

Thanks for the remark about sharing files across the network. I'm a bit nervous about getting my data to the new machine; that's reassuring.

Cheers,

Ghoti

 

[BraceFace]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

I have to agree that there is times to use any of the above mentioned Os's.

Windows - due to its popularity with software and ease of compatibilty etc. But mostly games, games and more games. Personally, I think the games industry will keep windows alive through thick and thin.

If you want to play games , why not just go and get yourself an Xbox.
It's just a scaled down PC afterall (with Microsoft software)

By the way Stockman, I think your little quotable quote at the bottom of your message, pretty much sums up this whole Mac Vs PC debate.

Nice one.....

 

[ghotib]

Re: Mac vs Windoze? UPDATE

Well I'm Mac'd. This message is coming to you from a 24" iMac which came home on Saturday.

Out of the box it's been a snack. Took approximately 3 minutes to get the pieces hooked up and the machine running.

Not so digestible: getting it, the domestic network, and a new HP multifunction printer all working together while coping with an incorrect software CD supplied with the printer (grrrrrr), moving offices, performing magic tricks with the TV and sound system (not my department, but they were a terrible distraction to the domestic network techie), and preparations a party for about 60 singers after carol singing last night.

I've downloaded the Mac-specific version of OpenOffice and so far it's handling everything I've been doing with Excel. I've also downloaded FireFox because the Mac browser (Safari) doesn't have Frame specific functions, which I use all the time in ComSec. Apart from that it works fine, and is much cleaner looking than IE.

I haven't yet made any serious efforts to run Windows programs. I'm still finding out what's on here - some of it is not obvious.

Thanks for all your comments. If anyone's still interested I'll report on progress after a few weeks.

Merry Christmas to all,

Ghoti

 

[finnsk]

Re: Mac vs Windoze? UPDATE

Well I'm Mac'd. This message is coming to you from a 24" iMac which came home on Saturday.

Out of the box it's been a snack. Took approximately 3 minutes to get the pieces hooked up and the machine running.

Not so digestible: getting it, the domestic network, and a new HP multifunction printer all working together while coping with an incorrect software CD supplied with the printer (grrrrrr), moving offices, performing magic tricks with the TV and sound system (not my department, but they were a terrible distraction to the domestic network techie), and preparations a party for about 60 singers after carol singing last night.

I've downloaded the Mac-specific version of OpenOffice and so far it's handling everything I've been doing with Excel. I've also downloaded FireFox because the Mac browser (Safari) doesn't have Frame specific functions, which I use all the time in ComSec. Apart from that it works fine, and is much cleaner looking than IE.

I haven't yet made any serious efforts to run Windows programs. I'm still finding out what's on here - some of it is not obvious.

Thanks for all your comments. If anyone's still interested I'll report on progress after a few weeks.

Merry Christmas to all,

Ghoti

Are you still using your mac? would like to know since have been looking at a new imac.

 

[ghotib]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

Sure am, and very happy with it. Do you have any particular questions?

 

[finnsk]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

Sure am, and very happy with it. Do you have any particular questions?

I am using WebIress, will by Amibroker at soon wil they work on imac, what other possibilities is there in this little world of trading.
Had a look the other day at a imac was impressed with the easy use of the computer and power as well, got it wrong last time I bought a computer so I am trying not to do the same mistakes again.
Also is a bit concerned about vista so not sure which way to go.
Any input whould be appriciated

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Re: Mac vs Windoze?

Now it is 2010 what is the opinion on Mac as a general computer that could be used to trade with also?