I personally have nothing against Macs, I just don't find them as user-friendly as PCs, but as I said earlier, I don't speak Mac. I haven't really tried very much, to tell the truth. It seems that some people here are getting as heated up about this as if it were a Ford vs. Chevy debate! Well, to each his own. Our differences and our commonalities are what helps to make this site so great. I am also a bit lost when I read these posts, I can build a system, and troubleshoot it a bit, but overall I am much better with hardware than software. I guess that's what can happen when a mechanic tries to work on computers! Well, I really need to change that hardrive now, I wonder what I did with my 1/2 inch breaker bar.... -TD

 

Thats just not true, I live in little Spokane Washington, and can think of two places off the top of my head (Office depot and CompUsa) where I could go buy a new Mac, and one place in town that specializes in them, Im sure a look into the phonebook would yield more than a few options.

The no brainer for me is sitting down to use my computer and enjoying it, instead of wondering why its crashing or freezing, it never seems to do it like most PC's, and in fact, every PC we've owned.

 

So, you only read what you want to read, huh? Only hear what supports your own bias?

http://www.top500.org/list/2003/11/

I guess you missed THIS right on the main page?

"What about Virginia Polytech's cluster?
The SuperMac at Virginia Tech, which made a very impressive debut six months ago, is off the latest list - at least temporarily. VT is replacing hardware and the new hardware was not in place for the compiling of this TOP500 list."

That's to say nothing of the U.S. Army's upcoming 1,566 server version:

"A U.S. Army contractor has purchased a $5.8 million, 1,566-server supercomputer from Apple Computer, a real-world cousin to an academic system that briefly appeared high on a list of the most powerful machines."

There's a difference between setting up a multi-processor system and setting up a cluster. Maybe you would enjoy the time spent, but there are many scientists and academics that could save lots of money not needing to hire consultants to setup a machine for them. http://www.apple.com/science/profiles/thomas/

Listen, I've been using Unix at work daily since 1985. I know it's strengths and weaknesses. Saying Mac OS X is not Unix because it doesn't do something the same way you do it on Linux is an entertaining but baseless argument. Commands like these, strangely Unix-looking, seem to be no problem on Mac OS X:

mount_smbfs -W myworkgroup //username@netbiosname/share ./myshare

tar zxvf myfile.tar.gz

And I guess that Apache, perl, ksh, bsh, csh, tcsh, ssh, inetd, samba, tex, tomcat, man, vi, etc., etc., etc. aren't obvious signs...

Rather than having startup scripts in a location like /etc/rc.d as you would find on System V Unix, for instance, startup scripts for OS X live in /System/Library/StartupItems, in a directory named for the service.

I guess the real "problem" is that you don't have to mess with config files to do all of the everyday stuff. Of course, I don't see the problem with that, it's no different on Linux or any Unix OS today. For example, AIX has smit. Unless you don't count AIX as Unix, either. Or Tru64 or HP/UX. But then Linux can't count either, since it's called Linux and not Unix.

What ps command does your Linux system use?

 

I could do that, but the graphics of the playstation can't even touch the PC, and I love the multi-player of the PC. I also really like working on, and building computers, thats why I have the killer system I do.

 

iMac user here and it's 5 yrs old, has had no problems whatsoever and still does everything that I need it to. I will get a G5 at the end of the year.

I also drive a F250, Expedition and Jeep....

Tony

 

Mac G4 iMac 17" LCD (B-E-A-Utiful), Mac G4 Powerbook (also), Mac G3 Kanga laptop (cheap and nice), Mac G3 Beige 300 (very cheap and nice), Mac G3 Beige 233 (bizarrely cheap and nice), Mac 7300/180 (free), and an eMachine PC (virus magnet).

After 18 years of fighting Microsoft's updates and fixes, I challenge anyone who hasn't tried a Mac (for more than 5 minutes) to give them a shot. These things don't hickup, belch, freeze, or get viruses. Really. Still like my PC, but love Macs. Ask any convert.

Wam 'n fuzzy? Perhaps. But I'll take that over "frustrated" anyday.

Tim

 

Pc running FreeBSD

 

It's all about the Mac here. Someone above said that they can't believe that Macs are still around. Kidding right? In my industry, I'd be laughed at if I produced on a PC. Anyone rippin' on Apple surely hasn't been on one lately...and what is so wrong with simplicity anyway?

 

Mac forever. No doubts.
www.apple.com/thinkdifferent

 

I really don't like Mac's mouse design. Very awkward.

I know they are trying to be futuristic and distinctive, but I think they went over the line with their mouse design.

 

Now there's a deal breaker right there.
There are many compatible mice available.
I personally love the optical mouse...no multiple buttons and wheels for me.

 

PC here, using XP. Not a real M$ fan, but it works well for me.

I build my own boxen, and I've used various flavors of Linux, with a decent degree of success. Macs aren't bad, def. good for multimedia. I say use what works for you, regardless of platform.

As far as virii and worms, I think it's up to the user to learn how to run and maintain a secure system. But, then again, I do almost all of the mechanical work on my own cars, too. Works for me.

 

Work: Clone PC with Windows XP - all Windows network - except a couple Linux machines for special purposes that Windows would crap out trying to perform.

Home: Lime iMac 333 running OS X 10.3.whatever latest version.

 

I use a Mac
drive a Ford Truck
Drinks Mountain Dew
I vote for the person not the party, though this time it was straight GOP
I require meat.

[Volvo is sort of a Ford ]

 

I've always been a Mac user, that will never change. Apple is the industry standard in graphic design, and since I design everything I build, it is a necessary tool for me. Its pretty funny that whenever Apple releases a new model, some PC company inevitably attempts to copy it, but always comes up short - too much black and blue and grey plastic makes for a machine reminiscent of one of the robots on "Transformers", except in an extremely cornball and goofy way. Not only that, but only 10% of the market share, virus makers don't waste their time on Apple. Apple is the Porsche of the computer world, so if in desiring the best available I am labeled as a "challenged" individual by HKiefus, so be it.

-aaron

PS Don't forget, Windows is a complete knockoff of Mac's original OS