Comments on: The Mac is On the Blink http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/ Wasting your precious bandwidth since 1999 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:05:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Nathan Edson http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Nathan Edson Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-19 <p>One word: Linux.</p> <p>Linux has come a long way. Its got just about all the software you'd ever need (I think...).</p> <p>Currently, I'm running...(counting)...three machines under Linux that is one Mandrake and two VectorLinux. Everything works well - I like a windows manager called Fluxbox. Its very minimal, simple and easily customizable. I'm still having problems using a web application that I use for work under Linux - maybe its a Java problem? Or maybe the page uses ActiveX? I dont know.?</p> <p>Sorry to hear about your Mac. Macs are great! I would sure like to buy one. The newer G5's look really cool.</p> <p>I still can't believe they are going to release OS X for intel machines... After all this marketing about how great the power pc platform is...</p> One word: Linux.

Linux has come a long way. Its got just about all the software you’d ever need (I think…).

Currently, I’m running…(counting)…three machines under Linux that is one Mandrake and two VectorLinux. Everything works well - I like a windows manager called Fluxbox. Its very minimal, simple and easily customizable. I’m still having problems using a web application that I use for work under Linux - maybe its a Java problem? Or maybe the page uses ActiveX? I dont know.?

Sorry to hear about your Mac. Macs are great! I would sure like to buy one. The newer G5’s look really cool.

I still can’t believe they are going to release OS X for intel machines… After all this marketing about how great the power pc platform is…

]]> By: randy http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-20 randy Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-20 <p>I have enough experience with Linux between the old days of running <a href="http://www.penguinppc.org">LinuxPPC</a> on my beige G3 and Gentoo on an old PC I used to have. I guess my biggest concern is getting music (and whatever elese) to and from the wife's iPod... I guess if they can <a href="http://www.ipodlinux.org/Main_Page">install LInux on an iPod</a>, I can probably manage the music. I guess if worst comes to worse, I have a dual boot system and run iTunes under Windows. The photos I'm not too concerned about and I use IMAP mail, so I don't have to copy any emails over...</p> <p>Now, do I get a 64bit machine, or stick with the much more supported 32bit?</p> I have enough experience with Linux between the old days of running LinuxPPC on my beige G3 and Gentoo on an old PC I used to have. I guess my biggest concern is getting music (and whatever elese) to and from the wife’s iPod… I guess if they can install LInux on an iPod, I can probably manage the music. I guess if worst comes to worse, I have a dual boot system and run iTunes under Windows. The photos I’m not too concerned about and I use IMAP mail, so I don’t have to copy any emails over…

Now, do I get a 64bit machine, or stick with the much more supported 32bit?

]]> By: Nathan Edson http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Nathan Edson Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-21 <p>I'm not sure if I'd go 64bit just yet...seems like most of the 64 bit guys run Gentoo...</p> <p>Found this cheap at tigerdirect...kinda makes me think I should get one...</p> <p>http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1487649&amp;Sku=C460-1022%20Q</p> <p>Nonetheless, after a few googles it seems there is plenty of work going on for your ipod and itunes...</p> <p>I guess the other area that is weak is all of the video thats on the net... So much of it is windows media - I cant get a lot of it to play...</p> <p>I think that a G5 would really be the way to go...Linus Torvalds is running one (with Linux of course)...</p> <p>I'm still amazed at what I can do with an older system paired with Vectorlinux. I've got a Pentium III 500 that runs like a champ and is more solid than my wifes machine running XP. Most people these days are buying a computer that has power far beyond their reach or interest. I've been working on getting a tiny 486 laptop with 8 megs of ram up and running. Once its working it will be able to do everything that the average consumer demands.</p> <p>Less is more.</p> I’m not sure if I’d go 64bit just yet…seems like most of the 64 bit guys run Gentoo…

Found this cheap at tigerdirect…kinda makes me think I should get one…

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1487649&amp;Sku=C460-1022%20Q

Nonetheless, after a few googles it seems there is plenty of work going on for your ipod and itunes…

I guess the other area that is weak is all of the video thats on the net… So much of it is windows media - I cant get a lot of it to play…

I think that a G5 would really be the way to go…Linus Torvalds is running one (with Linux of course)…

I’m still amazed at what I can do with an older system paired with Vectorlinux. I’ve got a Pentium III 500 that runs like a champ and is more solid than my wifes machine running XP. Most people these days are buying a computer that has power far beyond their reach or interest. I’ve been working on getting a tiny 486 laptop with 8 megs of ram up and running. Once its working it will be able to do everything that the average consumer demands.

Less is more.

]]> By: randy http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-22 randy Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-22 <p>Easy there <a href="http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2001/mies/">Mies</a> ;)</p> <p>Thanks for the link, BTW... it's now close to 2AM and I have to be in Aliso Viejo by 8 :-\ But, yeah, cheap setup... I priced that with some basics and a 19" LCD for arond $850 (see, this is where more is better).</p> <p>I had an old PC not too long ago... PIII 450 I think. Tried a couple of distros (Redhat and Gentoo) on it, ended up selling it the C's co-worker (with Win2k).</p> <p>Oh, and... nice Pug!</p> Easy there Mies ;)

Thanks for the link, BTW… it’s now close to 2AM and I have to be in Aliso Viejo by 8 :-\ But, yeah, cheap setup… I priced that with some basics and a 19" LCD for arond $850 (see, this is where more is better).

I had an old PC not too long ago… PIII 450 I think. Tried a couple of distros (Redhat and Gentoo) on it, ended up selling it the C’s co-worker (with Win2k).

Oh, and… nice Pug!

]]> By: Nathan Edson http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Nathan Edson Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-23 <p>Yeah - we think our pug is cute. We are getting another soon!</p> Yeah - we think our pug is cute. We are getting another soon!

]]> By: Muldown http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Muldown Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-24 <p>What do you have for a Mac anyhow? I've got a couple that are sitting around in parts, maybe I have the hinges that you need.</p> What do you have for a Mac anyhow? I’ve got a couple that are sitting around in parts, maybe I have the hinges that you need.

]]> By: randy http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-25 randy Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-25 <p>Well, I've got a 15" G4/1GHz. It's about 2.5 years old... don't know if it's a Ti or Alum version. I'm not sure it can be fixed that easily. The screen actually broke apart from the hinge (a piece even fell out of the screen). Also, I think something is up with the motherboard anyway. I don't dare retart the machine as I'm not sure if it will boot. Sometimes I get the chime, sometimes not, sometimes the chime starts and cuts out half way through. It's quite odd. I've never seen this happen on a mac before. I suspect a loose/worn connection on the motherboard someplace either due to excessive heat or something. Once the machine is running, there's no issues whatsoever. It runs like a champ. Although, it seems that it's running a little slower these days.. but maybe that's just a perception issue ;)</p> Well, I’ve got a 15" G4/1GHz. It’s about 2.5 years old… don’t know if it’s a Ti or Alum version. I’m not sure it can be fixed that easily. The screen actually broke apart from the hinge (a piece even fell out of the screen). Also, I think something is up with the motherboard anyway. I don’t dare retart the machine as I’m not sure if it will boot. Sometimes I get the chime, sometimes not, sometimes the chime starts and cuts out half way through. It’s quite odd. I’ve never seen this happen on a mac before. I suspect a loose/worn connection on the motherboard someplace either due to excessive heat or something. Once the machine is running, there’s no issues whatsoever. It runs like a champ. Although, it seems that it’s running a little slower these days.. but maybe that’s just a perception issue ;)

]]> By: Nathan Edson http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Nathan Edson Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-26 <p>You guys hear of the big Apple release on Sept. 7?</p> <p>Some say its an ipod/cell phone.</p> <p>I've hear others say ipod+video...</p> <p>Any thoughts?</p> You guys hear of the big Apple release on Sept. 7?

Some say its an ipod/cell phone.

I’ve hear others say ipod+video…

Any thoughts?

]]> By: randy http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-27 randy Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-27 <p>Yeah...I'm pretty sure it's an Cell phone with iTunes(or some such thing). I believe the <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/25/technology/motorola_apple/?cnn=yes">FCC just approved a phone from Motorola</a> (and I think Nokia will follow suit shortly). I could be wrong, who knows... an iPod Video doesn't seem like it's a far stretch from the iPod Photo really. Personally, an iPod Video would prove more use than a phone that plays MP3s.</p> Yeah…I’m pretty sure it’s an Cell phone with iTunes(or some such thing). I believe the FCC just approved a phone from Motorola (and I think Nokia will follow suit shortly). I could be wrong, who knows… an iPod Video doesn’t seem like it’s a far stretch from the iPod Photo really. Personally, an iPod Video would prove more use than a phone that plays MP3s.

]]> By: Nathan Edson http://www.randys.org/2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Nathan Edson Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:28:36 +0000 http://www.randys.org//2005/08/26/the-mac-is-on-the-blink#comment-28 <p>I don't know...it always seems like these 'do it all' devices leave something to be desired. They often do everything but are poor at doing everything. I bought an HP printer. It faxed, printed, copied, scanned etc...It ended up in the garbage. It did everything but nothing well.</p> <p>I'm not sure I'd have much use for a cell phone w/ iTunes. I keep eyeing the PSP - but I don't like the idea of supporting proprietary file formats. I guess its impossible not to...</p> <p>Have you seen this device?</p> <p>http://www.archos.com/products/av_700/index.html</p> <p>Pretty cool - I'm not sure I'd use it - and it aint cheap.</p> I don’t know…it always seems like these ‘do it all’ devices leave something to be desired. They often do everything but are poor at doing everything. I bought an HP printer. It faxed, printed, copied, scanned etc…It ended up in the garbage. It did everything but nothing well.

I’m not sure I’d have much use for a cell phone w/ iTunes. I keep eyeing the PSP - but I don’t like the idea of supporting proprietary file formats. I guess its impossible not to…

Have you seen this device?

http://www.archos.com/products/av_700/index.html

Pretty cool - I’m not sure I’d use it - and it aint cheap.

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