I may be getting a Mac...

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Although one thing I'm thankful for is that I learned to use Linux via command line. I know a lot of people who say they understand Linux, but have rarely ever left the GUI. The GUI is 1/100th of what Linux is about..

Completely agree.

For my home machine, I just want to be able to turn it on, and have everything work with little fanfare or effort. Does that make sense?

[Herbsinator]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Look, I really have no idea what Linux is and I really don't care. All I want to do is turn my computer on and check my email, browse OS, organize my songs and photos, watch movies, etc. All I know is that my Mac works perfectly for all of that and it works every time without fail.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Hardy Heron is the most accessible OS I've ever worked with, even without the command line. It's not about knowing about Linux, it's about being accessible. Plus it's free.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've never been able to get the hang of the Mac ideal. It all seems off to me, even though it's built off of the Unix base, just like Linux. It is not just for techies anymore.

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

It is not just for techies anymore.

I work with some very serious engineers who design and do some very serious things that would strongly disagree with you.

For me, for my home usage. Linux is far to big a pain in the ***, and a hassle for me. Maybe it's my age, maybe it's I've been in this field to long, but when I get home, I don't want to be a tachie. I want to turn on my machine, browse the web, get my email, and manage my media, much like Herb. As far as being free or not, honestly I simply don't care.

Giggas, I kind of see where you are coming from, but in 15 or 16 years when you've been at this for a long time, I think your attitude is going to change.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

I'm talking about the new Ubuntu release. I'd be surprised if the Linux you use at work is Ubuntu. I'd be less surprised if it was Gentoo or another Linux distro that's a bit more difficult. Ubuntu is exactly what you say you want to do when you get home. It works with most hardware. Not only that, it just works.

I guess I'm the only one running Hardy Heron at home, but I know for a fact that all the tweaking I've done command line wise was pure techie stuff. I never had to do anything to get it to do music/email.

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

I'm talking about the new Ubuntu release. I'd be surprised if the Linux you use at work is Ubuntu. I'd be less surprised if it was Gentoo or another Linux distro that's a bit more difficult. Ubuntu is exactly what you say you want to do when you get home. It works with most hardware. Not only that, it just works.

I guess I'm the only one running Hardy Heron at home, but I know for a fact that all the tweaking I've done command line wise was pure techie stuff. I never had to do anything to get it to do music/email.

Again, why would I want to run any of the flavors of Linux at home over say Mac OS, or Windows? What exactly would I be gaining in doing so?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Money. Security. Flexibility. Tons of free software to use that is easy to install using a graphical program, instead of going to websites to download installers. Speed (that won't die due to registry errors). An always improving base. Usability.

Anything else?

[Herbsinator]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Again, why would I want to run any of the flavors of Linux at home over say Mac OS, or Windows? What exactly would I be gaining in doing so?

A smug look of satisfaction on your face knowing that you are so much cooler than those fools using OS X and Windows.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

A smug look of satisfaction on your face knowing that you are so much cooler than those fools using OS X and Windows.

You think I'm acting smug? Mac people aren't smug?

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Money. Security. Flexibility. Tons of free software to use that is easy to install using a graphical program, instead of going to websites to download installers. Speed (that won't die due to registry errors). An always improving base. Usability.

Anything else?

You're really not paying for the OS now, so money doesn't make any sense. I like the off the shelf programs that I can use at work or home (IE MS Office, etc). Security isn't an issue for me for my home machine. Nor is installing apps. I don't see how the linux apps are any easier to install than on Win/MAC. Hell compared to 15 years ago, nothing is difficult to install and configure. I can get a chimp to FDISK a drive and install an OS these days.

I am not buying the speed or the Regisry error things either as I have never had a machine die due to Registry errors.

For the Average home user there are literally no advantages to Linux, and you limit what off the shelf software you can use.

Linux has it's place, but for average Joe user, or burned out techno nerds like me, I just don't see why it would be used at home.

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

A smug look of satisfaction on your face knowing that you are so much cooler than those fools using OS X and Windows.

That's what it comes down to. I know all the entry level low on the totem pole guys at my office use Linux for just this reason. They're still gung ho and for example brag about how cool the PC is they just put together. I'd rather shoot myself in the brown eye than assemble another PC at this point in my life.

I just want to be able to run ITUNES, MS OFFICE, and play and burn Movies and other media. That's it. Every app, I want is easily obtainable off the shelf. None of my hardware requires some open source hack to get to work either.

[Herbsinator]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

You think I'm acting smug? Mac people aren't smug?

you need to take a step back and not look at this like a techno-elitist...for the average user...they don't nearly posses the expertise to run a linux machine....OS X is simple to use and for me (average user) I've never said to myself "man, I wish I could do more with OS X. Why should I have to upgrade to linux?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

Look, Ubuntu Heron has everything you guys are talking about. You should upgrade because of the same reason you should upgrade from IE to FF.

[bkrich83]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

you need to take a step back and not look at this like a techno-elitist...for the average user...they don't nearly posses the expertise to run a linux machine....OS X is simple to use and for me (average user) I've never said to myself "man, I wish I could do more with OS X. Why should I have to upgrade to linux?

As someone who uses Linux on a daily basis, I wouldn't call it an "upgrade" from OS X.

[Herbsinator]

Re: I may be getting a Mac...

That's what it comes down to. I know all the entry level low on the totem pole guys at my office use Linux for just this reason. They're still gung ho and for example brag about how cool the PC is they just put together. I'd rather shoot myself in the brown eye than assemble another PC at this point in my life.

I just want to be able to run ITUNES, MS OFFICE, and play and burn Movies and other media. That's it. Every app, I want is easily obtainable off the shelf. None of my hardware requires some open source hack to get to work either.

This same thing happens in lots of different communities. There are a small amount of people who have to be different than everyone else just so they can show how cool they are and how much smarter they are than the average person.