As some of you may know, I had my very first taste of Mac a few weeks ago. I got a Macbook Pro (Penryn) which comes with the standard OS X Leopard. But for the sake of sanity, I immediately installed Linux, in particular Xubuntu “Gutsy Gibbon” on that new Apple hardware of mine with the aid of BootCamp.Xubuntu works on my MBP, but not that well as there are still important hardware issues that need to be fixed. I decided not to repair the problems any longer and just wait for the release of “Hardy Heron”. So while I waited, I used Leopard more and more the past week.
At first, I enjoyed playing with Leopard. I used it like an ordinary computer user and didn’t want to set-up my coding and development tools yet. I surfed the web, wrote emails and blog posts, took some funny photos using Photo Boot, watched videos, and listened to music all in that glorified operating system called OS X. I find its new multi-touch function really handy, and extending my laptop display to a secondary monitor was no sweat. Its fast start-up time is also worth noting. I’m beginning to love that sleek and cool-looking OS and have almost forgotten my humble Xubuntu partition…almost.
It started with an audio problem. While playing my favorite tunes on iTunes (duh!), I heard this crackling and popping sound coming from my Macbook Pro’s built-in speakers. I was worried because I began to think that it was a hardware trouble, but when I searched for answers by reading posts from several Mac forums, I learned that this was after all caused by MBP’s sound card that automatically turns off (or is turned off by OS X) when the computer is idle to save battery life. So I assumed that that was just a software glitch which can be patched up soon, I hope.
Next up is the web browser issue. Because I don’t like using Safari, I installed the greatest and safest browser in the world which is Firefox. Several days later, while visiting a number of trusted sites including my own site, Firefox automatically downloaded a file and then opened a new window containing some weird codes and an animated links to some advertised sites. I thought this can be fixed by cleaning the cache or browsing history, but it didn’t. I also tried using Safari but the same thing happened over and over again.
The last thing that I’m going to complain about my Mac OS X adventure is speed. While Leopard booted really fast, it was slow to open an application and seemed always running sluggish. I would rather start slow and be the first to finish, than to start fast but ends up last. I’m really into speed and it's the main reason why I prefer using lightweight Linux distros.
For now, I decided to quit using Leopard (except when I want to take funny and distorted pictures), and I am more determined than ever in making Linux (Xubuntu) fully compatible with my Macbook Pro. You may ask why I think Linux rocks. Perhaps an article here, here, and here can somehow help explain my line of reasoning.
If you agree or disagree with me, feel free to comment.
The sound card issue I'll give you. I haven't heard it myself as I don't have a Apple Laptop but I will assume its significant enough to bug you. There seems to be a way to over ride that. Typically anything that is "automatically turned off" has a way to override.
Your browser problem. You couldn't clear your cache before writing your article? No instead lets complain about it. It's highly unlikely this is a OS related issue. Stop visiting so many porn sites :-)
Speed issue, hard to address based on the information you provided in your article. "seemed always running sluggish" isn't really a bench mark. I will say apps on my Ubuntu do fire up pretty quick compared to other OSes I've used but only by a second or two maybe as a biggest difference. Once up, they respond the same.
If your going to state one OS Sucks and how superior another might be, you may want to have a better argument. This equates to one persons interruption of their limited experience.
Never sused so i wouldn't know. I will stick to ubuntu! Just buy myself a 300$ pc and it will work!
The browser issue is partly OS related. If you really are a Linux supporter then you will know that Linux is far more secure than OS X which means web browsing is much safer. By the way, I would rather surf porn in Linux where Firefox is a lot faster :)
"Ubuntu do fire up pretty quick compared to other OSes I've used but only by a second or two maybe as a biggest difference."
-If you open up plenty of applications the whole time then those seconds are crucial.
I know that I didn't make the best argument here, but at least I tried. :)
Second, if you're linux doesn't work on MPB don'y cry. Next time buy a laptop from a company that supports linux.
here's a list: partial
system76, dell, sub300, linuxcertified,
empororlinux, zonbu, and probably more.
BE WISE, SAY NO TO APPLE, They are seriously worse then microsoft.
It should be the cultrue and personality. Apple is even worse than MS, why? For example, there are some libraries, MS buys books for their paid users to read, while Apple takes those free books to feed their users and require monre membership fee. While Linux is library all for free. Only Linux cares human being and the knowledge for all the world. This is why I love linux. What gentle and generous compared with Apple.
I normally Like you posts, but this one was highly disappointing. You said that Mac OSX sucks and did not offer any valid reason to substantiate it. Your comments were vague. This was not expected from you.
Looking forward to your article on Xubuntu 8.04, when it releases. I would love if you can make it as technical as possible.
That last paragraph pretty much sums up your bias and your article does not convincingly prove that Linux is better than OS X or even Windows.
I don't need to disagree and can't agree with you since you haven't really said anything substantial or conclusive.
if you are going to be a fanboy about linux at least provide something more than your opinion about why its better than OS X.
man with your reasoning i could do the same and say windows is the best OS in the world with the rest of the OS's feel like DOS to me.
I was just highly disappointed with OS X as I expected it to work well with its own Apple hardware. Linux may have plenty of hardware issues but it is understandable, and you can always find a way to make it work. In OS X, it's all locked up.
Yeah Abhay, I will be looking at Xubuntu “Hardy Heron” soon. So, stay tuned.
Best regards,
Jun
Ingon ana ang mga mac users. Kung imong silang sultihan parte sa problema sa MAc, magbalos sila (bisan kun tinuod ang problema)! Salamat sa article gihapon. I agree with you.
Dallin
Thanks a lot, (Salamat kaayo) I really appreciate it. You are right (sakto ka). Some Mac fanatics really act that way.
Anyway, I’m so happy to know that someone from a foreign country is trying to learn or is interested in our culture. Really nice to have you here man (bay). Balik-balik unya diri sa Bohol.
Jun
4 weeks ago I got a new 24-inch iMac Alu.
I had the same experience with both Safari and Firefox on OS X Leopard.
Also the way to operate OS X Leopard is for idiots, that are afraid of doing multi-tasking.
When I get the ATI driver problem fixed I will install Linux. Currently, the ATI driver for Linux is not working :-(
Right now I am running Linux using another machine.
Not only the configurations are consistent,
and intuitive but all BSDs are consistent with each other. Furthermore, the FBSD7 kernel is faster than linux kernels out of the box (not to mention u can optimise it manually). All the development tools can easily be installed via the ports (from haskell compilers, Java, IDEs to code analyzers). And of course, if u like your UI
you can install compiz-fusion. And guess what! it all works great.
In terms of MacOS X. It is indeed a pile of eye candy (regardless of its philogeny with FreeBSD). I find using it's UI slow and inefficient and that's why I stopped using the MacMini i got.
Linux, is just a pile of c**p. The best thing is: It's c**p undercover. U can't really see it's crap because:
(1) The kernel is glued together by hacks
(2) Each distro is either a mess (config files, package managers etc) and often counter intuitive.
Give FreeBSD a go!
Thank you.
(1) they only _look_ like hacks (FreeBSD people always hated the apparent chaos in Linux kernel deveopment, the plethora of copyright notices, etc..)
(2) this is true actually, using Debian right now and the config files are just nasty (you may prefer Slackware, but really none of the distros are that great - roll your own works too).
Although I'm curious as to ask what exactly you consider "weird codes."
Very poorly crafted argument.
My biggest problem with the Mac, though, was the desktop - I really find it a pain to use. In my opinion, desktops like Gnome or KDE are far more easy to use than the Mac desktop, because they're so much better signposted.
See it your self: installing debian-xfce version. You will agree with me that get a Desktop environment similar (visually) to another is a error. See KDE and Windows, we don't need it with xfce!
Kudos for your blog, amazing! =)
Greetings,
Carlos.
Firefox is second not first.
Ok. Now with that out of the way, lemme remind you sir that also, as even posted on Apple's website FOR OS-X "Leopard is an Open Brand UNIX 03 Registered Product, conforming to the SUSv3 and POSIX 1003.1 specifications for the C API, Shell Utilities, and Threads. " url/source= www.apple.com/macosx/technology/unix.html
So dont dogg the dogg man.. REMEMBER YOUR ROOTS!
If you don't need it as tool for everyday work and still if your employer buys it for you - why not?
It's a bit too expensive and you'll spent significant amount of time to fit your own needs - unless you're comfortable with the way it works right out of the box. Everything on it is NEARLY you need it, once you get tired enough. The hardware is quite good, it has sort of unix inside that SOMEHOW can be used. It plugs well into network but I don't remember I ever had any problem with Mdk either - all the time it were Fensters with its bad configuration simply because people love the way the most bought OS(?) behave. Well, Mac apparently has some significant heritage from its non-intel past. It's partly broken now and I think after some time it might become usable again. It depends though on Apple's preference - if it is stable or not ( or what from the preference is stable ... ). It says something of Unix2003 compliance yet lot of software runs with LEGACY mode.
If you stand that half of your demands is treated as undesirable (simply you do not understand your own needs but apple does) and if you're comfortable with having to paid extra for anything that's NEARLY good but not QUITE and having to go through mac fan(atic)s forums to fix whatever you need and sometimes finding nothing - behind all that apple seems to care for you - I mean - it looks they have strategy just now and it is possibly not only that they want to get additional payments for what you've already got. But think thoroughly before you get it NOW in its experimental phase because you'll have to spend some time to get some of the features you might have gotten on linux out-of-box easier. It won't ever be fully compatible with BSD or any Unix but some NEXT clone, you won't be able to run linux ELF except on emulator. The applescript is terribly talky and presently much of what you can find on forums doesn't work with latest 10.5 as everything changes from one "safety update" to another and quite much has changed since 10.4 generally. You need emulators to run older apple soft too sometimes for good carbon aps that have still no good replacement - as those apps had no fault except they were pre-historic ( came from carbon or possibly perm ). After revision 10.5.2 i had to install third-party soft to get it waking up properly ( it had slept well though, perhaps too well ). To get something into menu bar you have either to program it yourself - and forget C++, you need Objective C etc - or buy shareware. To get familiar with applescript means couple of sleepless nights. You may not be able to use Java properly as GUI glue script since jdk1.5.0_16 (last "update") or jdk1.6 since some cocoa support is not there any more. And expect anything significant just to you may stop working after another OS update you'll get with no warning.
Simply while nearly everything is possible on this platform, many things are hard to get feature-complete. Once you stop expecting Linux freedom from it you realize it's usable, it looks well and it can be operating fast. You may (and you may have to sometimes too) force it shutdown holding the switch-off pressed possibly any number of times w/o breaking filesystem. You'll possibly have to get third party soft (possibly free) to make your dvd burn. If you buy non-apple USB keyboard you'll find some buttons cannot be remapped or used at all. It does NOT suck, or it does not suck much. Possibly it is not worth of the effort if you need it to work with while for your wife and children it may be the very best choice.
maybe its a matter of how to use the machine rather than whining about it (coz you dont know enough of it?).
you're supposed to be a tech head, act like one. but in case im mistake, and you actually want to pry open OSX for dev use as open as Linux, then you are using the wrong hardware for that matter.
build a cheapo pc for linux and write apps for mac osx only.
z
M. McLaughlin
linuxglobe.wordpress.com
Hudson, MA, USA
A Mac is not a true Unix mainly because it does not adhere to the 'unix specification'. hell, Linux is more Unix than OSX because it adheres to it although Linux is not Unix. Plus even if OSX roots comes from freeBSD more than half (about 20+ % of the unix code remains I think) of the freeBSD code has been rewritten? remember the freebsd lawsuit way back?
I still think OSX is very cool that is why I use mac4lin and the global menu bar on my linux!
cheers!
I want to see a movie trailer on Apple movie trailers site, it says upgrade your quicktime to see this...I get the update and it says I can't install it because I have to have at least 10.4 and I have 10.3.9 and there are no easy to find or installable quicktime programs for this os version. And update in quicktime or the main os doesn't cut it.
And on top of all of that youtube doesn't show on any browser even though I have the newest, allowed by apple, version of flash..
And don't get me started on the lack of a time saving right mouse button or that goofy keybord, around the forest button setup that is MUCH better in a PC setup.
Nope... my MAC and PC have Linux....What's that noise? Apple's OS sucking!
sudo apt-get install cheese
:)
The new keyboards and rodents are useless and that beachball is very entertaining
Don't take me wrong: Linux and Windows also suck for the workstation, but they suck in different ways. Linux requires work, and that's fine *with me*. I understand people who are not integrators might prefer another computer/OS combo, but what pisses me off is the *attitude* of the Apple unwashed crowd: Some random dude can't deal with Linux, thinks he's too cool for Windows and buys a Mac. From that point on, the same guy who bought a Mac because he was unable to use something else believes he knows *more* about computers and user interfaces than everybody else. Worse yet, since people throw loads of cash on a glorified toaster called MacBook, they will never admit they did the wrong thing. It's a bit like people who throw wads of cash on worthless real estate and sink financially with their properties before selling them at a small loss.
Just some practical examples of MacBook stupidity: [Command][Backspace] instead of having a DEL key? [Command][Shift][4] for Print screen? Being unable to close the lid and keep the computer running? (it sleeps automatically). The "bubble gum" style keyboard and all the little annoying things that are there because "Apple knows what I need better than I do?". And yet, people will say out and loud that it is "very intuitive" and "just works".
Bah!
...sad really.
Personally I use MBP because it is the ONLY laptop that runs everything (OSX/Linux/OpenSolaris/X11/Darwinports/Windows7). And i'm not talking about silly 'wine/crossover' rubbish either.
Linux is a cheap alternative to proprietory unix, that is where it's value lies, thoughas a development platform it is also starting to mature. Golden rule of computing:
Linux for server
Mac for desktop
Win for noobs
I'm a simple user (code is not my language). I use 3 windows (1 xp, 1 vista and 1 seven), 1 osx (10.4) and 1 linux (ubuntu 9.10).
All of them have things that sucks and all of them have great things. I like it platform-independent!
But this is about linux...
I like it a lot, but if I want to simply install software not listed in its library, it's a pain in the... even to put a launcher in the applications drop-down menu of an installation from an install out of library.
I'm not a code fanboy, I'm a user fanboy and I do not have time to learn code.
So please stop with "my os is better that yours" and make linux a real alternative for the users. I like it, it has a bit of the other 2 worlds (and its own), but if linux don't improve the desktop experience it will be a server solution only.
Remember that there are much more mortal users that code gods! And they are not stupid, just use their brain in other things!
Cheers for all of you!
I run win xp, vista, win7, ubuntu, opensuse, mandriva, and Os X on my computers. After taking a few weeks to get used to the linux distros, I have to say that in my opinion, linux is now my OS of choice.
I'm not trying to push linux on anyone. I believe you should use what you feel to be the most comfortable, efficient, and affordable. Just have and opened mind, give all options a chance, and you might be surprised.
Lame.
You have no justification for opining on anything related to computers... of any description.
I hate Windows PC,
I hate Linux,
But if only people
stop arguing and
choose what you want..
lul
If you really are a Linux supporter then you will know that Linux is far more secure than OS X which means web browsing is much safer. By the way, I would rather surf porn in Linux where Firefox is a lot faster :)
You do realise that MacOSX is UNIX 03 certified so trying to say Linux is more secure & safer is simple a guess on your part and you are wrong. Any OS is only as safe/secure as the user using the OS, so the browser issue is mute. As far as driver issues, are you trying to say that linux users have never had any issue with drivers :)
You got a problem with that. That is your opinion. And you are just as welcome to yours as he is his. Now get over it.
Oh by the way. As cool as I think OS X is. And as much as I wish I had a box running it. I must agree with you ..... Mac OS X sucks and Linux ROCKS!!!!
Battery life, of course, was significantly reduced and processor temp increased, but I got all the power back.
Nobody's perfect. Only God can create a perfect machine called human hehehe :D
Oh ya I had trying ReactOS (If anyone ever heard about it), Ubuntu studio, Pclinux, Knoppix, OpenSuse, DSL, some NetBook OS, BeOS and many more. I'm still using Palm OS on my Tungsten T5 and RIM OS on my blackberry. Still heading for Android OS and Google OS :). Well, just use them strategically and wisely so they will gives us back benefits.
I'm very sorry for my English is not very good. I'm from Indonesia and loves everything about computers and gadgets. Have a nice day all.
It's these little things that make one otherwise really nice OS like Linux Mint seem unpolished and like in a beta version. But I'm still a big fan though.
Dual Core in Xeon mode with hard performance at one year using and Apple says good by my love, good by :D
As for the firefox browser, it's bloatware. If you're looking for something faster, you should look for chrome.
For my part, I4ve switched from Linux to MacBookPro 2018 and I'm now using docker (perfect integration on macos-X) to do my development and cross distro ports. I will never ever got back with Linux for desktop; fed up of nvidia dropping support for your card in the middle of package update, lack of native mapi connector in akonadi (10 year old ticket), poor support of ugly but wide spread exotic configs like optimus (I know about bumblebee, they do their best, but when it comes with external monitor support, it's a no go). Fedup of people reinventing the wheel with wayland dropping efficient remote desktop for buggy compositor driven by candy effects. No time for all those stupid things that got not handled for decades.
when I wnat to work on someting, I have no more time playing, digging around to make my system work before I can produce my intended work. Linux is perfect for servers, systemd, dracut and such are really awesome technologies, but desktop: no. not ready and not near something ready for non-geek.