I've got no agenda of my own, I'm only here to do the best job I can possibly do in the best interest of the readers. That being said, I'm wondering if a good way of tackling the price issue is to do a month with an iMac G5?
That could provide an interesting way to incorporate many of the things I didn't talk about in the first Mac article that I would have liked to have touched on. Just a thought.
That could provide an interesting way to incorporate many of the things I didn't talk about in the first Mac article that I would have liked to have touched on. Just a thought.
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HEEDTHEMACGOSPEL - Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - link
Well if it's in PC World I better get prepared.ATTN: PC USERS, THEAY OF RECKONING IS UPON YOU! HEED THE WORDS FROM THIS MAC FREAK AND HIS MIGHTY PC WORLD ARTICLE.
Funny how it's called PC World and all. I wonder if they have to sel magazines for a living. Hmmm. Hey, what ever happened to MacUser?
melgross - Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - link
No OS is completely secure. But some are more secure than others.If you read around the web, and go to other sites such as eWeek, Computerworld, Infoworld, etc., you'll see that security experts agree that OS X, while not 100% secure, is more secure than XP.
Not because of "security through obscurity", but because the platform is delivered inherently more secure. FreeBSD is one of the most secure platforms.
In order to infect the Mac, the user generally must do something proactive, such as enter the Admin. password when requested. This is very different than XP, where once you sign with your password, it's a free-for-all.
Also, PC worms and virus' can't propagate out from the Mac the way they do on the PC. They are dormant unless the user unwittingly mails them out. That's why Norton or Virex is so important.
If you want to think about MS security, read this article. It will get you ready for the next wave. Of course, MS says that they will make certain it's secure. Sure.
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118045,0...
Anonymous - Monday, October 25, 2004 - link
#77I don't really see the point in conducting this type of usability research for an article that is to encompass every OS for both Macs and PCs. Anand wrote his article from a PC users perspective using a Mac. I can't really see Anand wanting to chronicle the history of each platform through an OS comparison.
Firstly, I doubt he's familiar with the older Mac OS variations (not like it's difficult) nor does he have the time (I would think) to locate the hardware to run them. Sure you can locate this stuff on ebay but why bother? Normally reviews are done because the hardware has been provided by a company in the first place. Though in the case of Anand's article he admits to buying the Mac equipment.
Me personally, the idea seems a bit too nostalgic and the scope a bit too broad. I agree with #76 that a comparison between Mac OS 9 vs. Windows 9x and XP vs X would be a more interesting comparison and a bit more applicable if that. Mac OS 9 and Windows 9x are not even supported anymore by their respective companies. So while insightful the data extrapolated is worth little more than entertainment value.
Then again, Anand can do whatever he wants. That's just my input.
Coombs - Saturday, October 23, 2004 - link
#75 and 76 make some valid comments and suggestions.The earliest Mac Os I have used is 6. IMHO, Mac Os 6 is already a complete OS-what I call an Os done right. Except for added on features, there is not much difference in terms of usability between the various flavors. Once you have learnt how to use Os 6 you have all the muscle memory to use any of the other classic Mac Oses.
Of course none of the modern programs will run on the earlier hardware or Oses. There are some really nice older programs for the earlier Macs that are fun to use and work better than the more recent bloatware. If anyone has used MacDraw or CricketGraph, you will realize that no modern program reaches the Zen-like perfection of those earlier programs.
Cheers and thanks to #75 and #76 for seconding my suggestion.
I am willing to donate my LC 475 (with Os 7.1) for this purpose if Anand can pay for the shipping. I was going to donate it to my son's school.
John Q Public - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#75......although #74's question is interesting...and not particularly expensive to try...you can find older Pre-G3 PowerMacs on eBay for next to nothing...but for ease of testing and fewer headaches...I'd only test 7.5.5 and up...most things prior to 7.5.5 were akin to Windows 3.0...it was there...it was sorta usable...and it was stable (when it wanted to be...Windows 9x and up call it a BSOD...on Macintosh...it's a System Bomb...not a pretty sight)...
...and one other thing to thnk about on the testing...there is VERY LITTLE modern software that will run on anything less than OS 8.6...and seeing in Mac circles...OS 8.6 was little more than a Beta for OS 9...may as well just test OS 9 vs OS X vs Win98 vs WinXP...but again...you're comparing...well...Apples to Lemons...
Anonymous - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Sounds like a good idea but a bit TOO extensive. Considering he would have to locate additional hardware needed to run the old Mac OSes as well as the software THEN evaluate and write the article for all that you mentioned. We probably wouldn't hear from Anand for a couple of months.I don't know if Mrs. Anand would like that.
Coombs - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Anand,How about a comparison of the usability of different incarnations of Mac Os and Windows- a trip down the memory lane, so to speak?
I would like to suggest Mac Os 6.0, 7.0, 9.0 & Os X and Windows 3.1, 95, NT/2000 & XP. May be throw in the Next Os too. Comments on features appeared that first in the different Oses etc and if all these changes to the Os in anyway changed the computing experience significantly.
We already know that the iMac G5 is going to be slower than your dual G5 but Mac Os 6 on an ancient Mac may run faster!
Cheers
John Q Public - Thursday, October 21, 2004 - link
>>Just as there is always a family member who wants me to fix their computer: Mac and PC alike.I know that feeling...all too well...I'm getting ready to relocate in the next year...and nobody will know I know anything about computers...the town I'm gonna be living in is a little tiny farming community...and I'll be making a 30-45 minute commute to wherever I'll be working (in the city)...only a few family members there...and none of them own a 'puter...or want one :)
Anonymous - Thursday, October 21, 2004 - link
>>>>...that's the biggest reson I left IT...I began hating everything around me...compters...people...anything that caused annoyance...and one of the reasons I "Switched" to MacintoshI'm just on the computer way too much. I don't think "swtiching" to the Mac will help me (personally). My Daughter has an iMac as do many of my family members so there is always a Mac around somwhere. Just as there is always a family member who wants me to fix their computer: Mac and PC alike.
I think I'll change professions and go into shoe repair. You never see enough shoe repairmen.
John Q Public - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link
#69...>>I even got rid of my home computer just because I'm on the computer so much as it is.
...that's the biggest reson I left IT...I began hating everything around me...compters...people...anything that caused annoyance...and one of the reasons I "Switched" to Macintosh...I still code of the side...and will probably put up a couple shareware apps after I learn Objective-C...but that's gonna be ONLY for personal diversion and a little extra spending money (maybe enough to get my 17" PowerBooK???)...