First Impression of OSX from an OS *****

[Scheater5]

I have previously written similar posts on Sabayon (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=356570), Fedora (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=339995), DesktopBSD (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=491664), and PCBSD (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=566063) as well experiments with openSuSE and PCLinuxOS that were undocumented. Well, this one is going to be a bit different. Each article has been earlier and earlier in my experience, with me sharing with the community more of my experience of getting each distro to work, or as I failed in getting it to work. This time, I'm going back even further - as of this writing, I do not nor have I ever owned a mac (although I have botched attempt to create a "hackintosh (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=341236).")

[Scheater5]

About a week ago I ordered a Macbook (base model, only option upgraded RAM) from the Apple online store, and it is due to be delivered on Tuesday. This time I thought I would take the somewhat unique opportunity to explore the impression of someone who has never used mac before (ok, once I checked my email on a friend's - but I'm serious, that's the only time I've ever touched one) and see how that changes once I have one in my hands.


The first "impression" I get of a Mac is Apple. It's impossible to think of Macs for me without thinking about the company responsible for them. Which brings up some interesting philosophical points for me - a free software advocate who just bought a Mac. Apple is in many respects the ultimate in proprietary - only Macs run Mac OS's. But in another way it is freedom for me - I can run OSX, Ubuntu and even Windows should I be so inclined. Hopefully when I put Kubuntu on it, it will alleviate some of my guilt.
The other thing about OSX to me is Apple doesn't seem to really pay attention to it's customers. It kinda trucks along doing whatever it wants, and the mac fans follow like sheep. I'm not entirely sure what it that makes me think that. Maybe it stems from the fact that Apple seems to cripple alot of things for fear that they will lose money from other sales. It seems unfair to the consumer that Apple's world revolves around iTunes sales. DRM in music, and the fact that AppleTV doesn't time shift - all for a misguided idea of Capitalism.
So I have so many issues with Apple and Mac, I'm sure someone by now has asked "Well then why did this guy lay down over a grand for a macbook?" Well, I'm a musician, and while Ubuntu Studio is amazing for recording music, what Linux is sorely lacking in is a music notation program. NoteEdit and Muse pale in comparison to Finale and Logic. So, yea, it's more or lessall for just a few programs. My laptop is in desperate need of upgrading (or at least I think so) and I could get the hardware I wanted in a PC or a Mac for more or less the same price - and I have developed a horrible disdain for Windows, so Mac it is.

So, in two days when my Mac comes in, I'll update this with my first impressions of actually using the operating system. So, until then.

[BlaineM]

yes, I would like to hear what you have to say in contrast of the two OSs, Linux and MacOSX. I am thinking about getting a black macbook, and would like to know your honest opinion.

From what I have seen and read, MacOSX looks really appealing to me.

thanks,
Blaine

[Depressed Man]

There is a benefit to getting a Mac for Linux as well. Since the hardware is pretty much uniform, it makes things easier to get everything running compared to..say a Sony VAIO FE series..

[Chrisj303]

You will love it.


The joys of having a kick-**** OS without having to do ANYTHING to it is sweet.


I'm upgrading from Macbook to Macbook Pro today. The Macs hold there price so well, that you lose next to nothing if you sell them a year or so later.


You shouldn't have bought more RAM from Apple.

Crucial Memory do fantastic deals which cost a fraction on Apples. I bought a 2GB Ram Kit (2x1GB 667mhz) for £60! almost £200 cheeper than getting it from Apple!

[Scheater5]

You shouldn't have bought more RAM from Apple.

I actually did a bit of research on that - and had it not been for my education discount I probably wouldn't have. But 1Gb chips are between $40 and $60 at my local pc chain stores, and the upgrade to 2 Gb of memory from Apple cost me $135. The way I figure it since the only thing I would have gained from my troubles of doing it myself is 2 526Mb chips and $10 savings. I probably would have gone from the harddrive upgrade as opposed to RAM, but when I found out RAM was a cheap as it was and that harddrives are as easy to swap on macbooks as they are I decided to defer that upgrade until later.
NEway, according to the shipping order says the macbook is due today, So later this evening I'll post my first impressions of actually using the OS. I'm also eligible for the Up-To-Date program, so in a couple of weeks I'll also have upgrade experience to report on, and I'll almost certainly dual boot with ubuntu so I'll have partitioning and dual-boot experience to report on.

[BlaineM]

very cool... much thanks.

Blaine

[twistedbydesign]

MY room mate has an I-mac and It is AMAZING for recording. Even the simple base programs like Garageband are very nice to have...so I cant even imagine How great logic is. I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

[igknighted]

You will love it.


The joys of having a kick-**** OS without having to do ANYTHING to it is sweet.

I feel this is the biggest weakness of OSX. While it is convenient to have a "kick *** OS" ootb (if you feel OSX is, and thats up for debate), you are completely limited to the way Apple engineers decided a task should be done. I had to help a friend with a mac connect to a new network, and found I was railroaded by the OS into doing things in a way that simply did not work for me. I see why the engineers designed it as such, but it simply wasn't the way I wanted it done. In Linux (and even windows to a degree) you can work around this. In OSX you are stuck.

The ability to adopt the OS to how I want to work is the #1 feature in an operating system for me, and in that regard it goes (1) Linux, (2) Windows, and (3) OSX.

EDIT: That all said, OSX does a lot of tremendous things. It just isn't for me. I don't mean to say it is inherently bad or terrible, just pointing out that it isn't my idea of an ideal OS and stating my reasons.

[Scheater5]

Well, there was a little hitch with the delivery to which fault lies probably equally with me, Apple and FedEx (me for providing an erroneous address, Apple for telling me they could fix it when they didn't and FexEx for having horrible customer service until I directly called the local FexEx branch). After a lengthy and somewhat annoying ordeal, I have now been told that the macbook and case will both be in tomorrow (that's three days late on the macbook, four on the case). I'm a little ticked at this whole thing, but considering the initial fault was mine I won't dock Apple points - BUT, because I have docked FedEx points, which means in my mind (even if I can't do anything about it) Apple will be responsible should the packages not be pristine condition (by virtue of selecting a subpar delivery service - but this is my first experience with FedEx, so all may end well). NEway, I not-so-patiently await my Macbook.

[Chrisj303]

I hate waiting for new computers to arrive.

I've paid for it, give it to me, NOW godammit.

I ordered a Macbook Pro on Tuesday (upgrading from Macbook) and it's giving me a nervous breakdown having to wait until the last day of the month to get it through my door.

I phoned Apple to find out what OS will be installed on my new machine, and I was pleased to hear thats it's leopard!

[3rdalbum]

I hate waiting for new computers to arrive.

I've paid for it, give it to me, NOW godammit.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but people who have that attitude make my job as an electrical salesperson REALLY difficult. Everyone up the supply chain is doing their best to fill your order - give it time, don't hassle us, it's coming. I don't mind customers asking for an ETA every so often, just as long as they're polite!

I hope the gods of computer components and transport smile on you, and that you get your Macbook Pro soon :-)

[Stoodle]

I'm curious as to how it is. I want to get a Macbook later (like, when I get a job or something) and I want to know what others Linux fans think of dual booting or at least having it.

[Chrisj303]

The problem I had when dual (or even triple) booting, was to find a use for Ubuntu:(

Honestly, Once you get everything working you sit back and think 'now what?'

My needs are much better fulfilled in OSX, so I do little more in Ubuntu than ****-about with BERYL..

[Scheater5]

Note: This will be broken into multiple posts because the forums for some reason will not let me post beyond a certain length at a time.
Well, I finally got my hands on my macbook. Had to go to the local FedEx warehouse and pick it up myself, despite numerous assurances the address was corrected and it would be in the mail "tomorrow morning" (on three consecutive days).
Well, the evils of FedEx aside, I love my new Macbook.
I have to admit, I like OSX more than I thought I would, despite still feeling guilty for using a proprietary OS. God help me I love the gloss - the first time I activated the media interface I sat for probably a good minute just watching the desktop disappear and reappear pressing the menu button on the remote. And it boots faster than any brand new Windows PC I've ever owned - I haven't clocked it, but it may surpass Damn Small Linux boottimes.
I like OSX. I LOVE the Macbook. It's my first dual core computer, and the most RAM I've ever had in one machine. I have yet to experience the slightest bit of slowdown or lag, even in a Kubuntu live CD.

[Scheater5]

(cont'd from previous post)
Speaking of which, I have a dualboot setup with rEFIt. Took a bit of getting used to (I'm not used to installing programs in OSX, much less one that has to be in the boot record) but it is working perfectly now, with a 64bit Kubuntu in the last 20GB's. As I expected, everything works but wireless - when I get the chance I'll have to set about getting the newest madwifi.
I am still trying to justify the fact that I had to buy a proprietary OS, but A) at least it's not Windows B) I'll still be doing my daily activities and school work in Kubuntu and C) at least I have OSS on the machine - I'm writing this from Firefox, and I also have Adium installed. Eventually I'm going to see about getting KDE for OSX installed, because I love me some Amarok! :) Perhaps I'll wait for the official release of KDE4
So, that's the short version - as I said, I like OSX and I love the computer that it came on. When I get Finale and Login installed - the main reason I bought this lappy - perhaps I'll update.
update: got madwifi up and running with little trouble. Wireless works perfectly

[Scheater5]

The problem I had when dual (or even triple) booting, was to find a use for Ubuntu:(

Well, for me, my only use for OSX is Finale and Logic. Ubuntu completely fulfills my needs except for music notation. When this computer gets retired some years hence, all the gloss and pretty interfaces may make for the perfect jukebox, but I really don't know if I'll ever have a use for them. Pretty as they are - and this applies to the dock, too - it's just not as efficient as even KDE, much less fluxbox or something like that.
I spend alot of time in Kubuntu tweaking my interface and getting it set up JUST right. Much more time than I spend actually doing work. Not because I like toying with my system, but because I don't want to fight my interface when I set about doing work - I set it up right, and then don't have to worry about it when I work. OSX...well, maybe I'm just not used to it, but it doesn't seem either as customizable nor as efficient. Pretty, will do just fine for what I need it for - but not for the bulk of my work.

[BlaineM]

yeah, so I went to the Apple Store near my home town and checked out the Apple laptops there, and after messing around a bit with both the Macbook, and the Macbook Pro, I would have to say that the Macbook looks and acts like shi* compared to the Pro.

Leopard is cool, and has some pretty cool new features that I probably won't be using all of whole lot. Initially I didnt like the new dock either, but I think that it is starting to grow on me a bit.

I do think that the price difference between the Macbook Pro and the Macbook makes sense to me now, as before I simply thought it was too over priced, and all the difference was in a simple video card. They do both act very differently as far as performance is concerned... a definitely noticeable difference.

Blaine

[BlaineM]

here (http://www.macmod.com/content/view/1093/) is a link to change the lights in the dock.

here (http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/editors/2007/10/shelvedockshelf/index.php)
is a link to change the dock all together because the dock does look, in my opinion, rather bulky.

I dont know about Darwin, but if you were to change this, would it have to happen every time after a system restart? Just put it into init.d via a script? Is there one of these inside MacOSX? Im sure if not, then there is a way. Maybe I dont know what I am talking about.

Blaine

[BlaineM]

I got the Apple Macbook. I must say that it is really nice, and from what I can tell so far, a clean running OS. I havent dug in too deeply yet though.

Ive had it for about two weeks so far, using only the simple end user stuff like email, itunes, etc.

I had to get a ogg converter since my entire music collection is in vorbis, which works great because of a handy plugin that you just drop into the components folder, and itunes plays vorbis... smoothly I might add as well.

things seems to flow together nicely with the OS theme. And quite a few open source prebuilt programs for OSX available. Can always compile from source too with universal if you cant find what you like. Apple downloads has lots of free programs to choose from.

[ddrplayer512]

I had to get a ogg converter since my entire music collection is in vorbis, which works great because of a handy plugin that you just drop into the components folder, and itunes plays vorbis... smoothly I might add as well.


How exactly did you get iTunes to play Ogg Vorbis tracks to play in iTunes? Because that would be awesome if I could play Ogg files in iTunes. Thanks! :)

[Scheater5]

http://www.xiph.org/quicktime/download.html

Here's what you're after

[3rdalbum]

things seems to flow together nicely with the OS theme.

Which one? Aqua, Brushed Steel, or Titanium?

[Demio]

Which one? Aqua, Brushed Steel, or Titanium?
As of Leopard there's only one global theme.

kthx

[BlaineM]

How exactly did you get iTunes to play Ogg Vorbis tracks to play in iTunes? Because that would be awesome if I could play Ogg files in iTunes. Thanks! :)

The only issue I did find since running Vorbis on Apple is that the plugin claims to work system wide, but will not play in Frontrow. Not that I like it anyway, consumes too many resources to ever enjoy it fully on my macbook, although I do have 4 GB of ram. I think it has to do with the shared vRAM with integrated video, may be wrong though.

[Vegabondsx]

The only issue I did find since running Vorbis on Apple is that the plugin claims to work system wide, but will not play in Frontrow. Not that I like it anyway, consumes too many resources to ever enjoy it fully on my macbook, although I do have 4 GB of ram. I think it has to do with the shared vRAM with integrated video, may be wrong though.

Front Row doesn't use extra codecs for some reason in Leopard. I've had the same trouble with xvid and divx. I can't remember if Front Row for Tiger did, but I do know that it Front Row used to act as a remote for iTunes so music that worked in iTunes would play though Front Row (and when you quit Front Row iTunes would be open playing the song.)