Re:"Reduced" Instruction Set Computer???
on
PowerPC Goes 64 bit
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· Score: 1
I think in general RISC nowadays doesn't refer to the number of instructions, but is instead used for a category of chips that a) have a fixed instruction word size (NOT x86) and b) have a load-store architecture (meaning you can't add 2 words in memory; have thousands of addressing modes, etc.)
Well, I think it's a little more complicated than that. What about other hardware in the system that uses 32-bits of address space? What about all the driver software that assumes physical addresses are 32-bits wide? Maybe not super difficult, and helped by the fact the IOKit is an object oriented framework, but still harder than flipping a switch.
Re:Apple switching to intel?
on
PowerPC Goes 64 bit
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Well, I for one don't want a less HW-integrated OS X. What a nightmare. Besides, I think if Apple went to Intel, it would be on an apple board, not an off-the-shelf or Intel board.
They are just trying to counteract the general public's anti-Mac prejudices by using some of the general public's anti-Windows sentiments; I think it's fair to use some of the public's general impressions (infamous BSOD) of Windows against Windows. Why not play on the public's general impressions of Windows since the general public's impressions, "Macs are not serious computers" and "Macs crash all the time", have been hurting them for years.
I hope I don't have to wait for 2 years to see this on Mac OS X! I agree with the earlier poster that Sim City 3000 was really a graphically enhanced (slower) version of Sim City 2K. Sim City 4 sounds like it will be all new and shiny again! Yay!
That's an HFS+ feature, not a problem. It's great for consumer users who don't want to have to worry whether "MyVacation" is the same as "MYVacation". If you don't like it, use UFS instead.
Why not do away with this damn bill and give Hollywood the law it really wants? Read on:
1) Every American must register his/her bank account with Hollywood. Failure to do this will result in fines and/or jail time. Registration will be made automatically for any non-registering individuals. 2) Hollywood provide every American the privilege of enjoying x songs and y movie viewings per month (or not). 3) Hollywood will charge wach bank account a usage fee (set at its discretion), for use of the product, regardless of whether the "product" has been used or not, delivered successfully or not, or enjoyed or not. Product is always leased, never sold.
Even better, why doesn't the government just make its own brand of MP3 players, TVs, etc., and make all non-government brands of these product illegal. Problem solved; that'll learn those damn pirating, leaching consumers!
The point is form *is* function... for many people. The iMac does offer exceptional "performance", but along a different axis than raw CPU performance. I don't see it in the same category as B&O stereo equipment. Look, for those who don't demand that a computer crank out x-many MIPS for their RC5 or whatever, and want a computer for home use, designed specifically with the consumer in mind, why is this not an ideal solution? You are paying for form-functionality and *quality* that is hard to come by. Yes, this iMac have less CPU speed that some DIY computer for hundreds cheaper, but for many, the iMac will be well worth the cost for the way it performs in the home. (Friendly on the eyes, adjusts to your workstyle and includes all the CD/DVD Burning, MP3 playing, digital photography management software a home user needs)
Re:Some points to actually owning one?
on
New iMac Announced
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Sure it is. Possible, but enjoyable? I would rather have this than XP on some clunky PC box.
I don't think anyone pointed this out yet, but OS X has per-pixel alpha blending in addition to per-window alpha blending. (i.e. different parts of a window can all have different transparency WRT the things behind the window)
Re:Technical Answers about transfers, firewire, MP
on
Apple releases iPod
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· Score: 1
You can actually get about 40MB/s aross FireWire after overhead is subtracted. The hard drive is going to be your limiting factor here.
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I think in general RISC nowadays doesn't refer to the number of instructions, but is instead used for a category of chips that a) have a fixed instruction word size (NOT x86) and b) have a load-store architecture (meaning you can't add 2 words in memory; have thousands of addressing modes, etc.)
Well, I think it's a little more complicated than that. What about other hardware in the system that uses 32-bits of address space? What about all the driver software that assumes physical addresses are 32-bits wide? Maybe not super difficult, and helped by the fact the IOKit is an object oriented framework, but still harder than flipping a switch.
Well, I for one don't want a less HW-integrated OS X. What a nightmare. Besides, I think if Apple went to Intel, it would be on an apple board, not an off-the-shelf or Intel board.
Could you clarify the bit about "polled" and "non peer-to-peer"? As far as I know, the FireWire stack on Mac OS X is neither of the above.
FireWire cycles occur every 125 usec...
They are just trying to counteract the general public's anti-Mac prejudices by using some of the general public's anti-Windows sentiments; I think it's fair to use some of the public's general impressions (infamous BSOD) of Windows against Windows. Why not play on the public's general impressions of Windows since the general public's impressions, "Macs are not serious computers" and "Macs crash all the time", have been hurting them for years.
Actually, the copper *will* support 3.2Gb/s.
I hope I don't have to wait for 2 years to see this on Mac OS X! I agree with the earlier poster that Sim City 3000 was really a graphically enhanced (slower) version of Sim City 2K. Sim City 4 sounds like it will be all new and shiny again! Yay!
That's an HFS+ feature, not a problem. It's great for consumer users who don't want to have to worry whether "MyVacation" is the same as "MYVacation". If you don't like it, use UFS instead.
Any Mac people out there remember this one?:
Bungie: "Sure, we're still gonna bring Halo to the Mac."
errr.. too late at night. many typos....
Why not do away with this damn bill and give Hollywood the law it really wants? Read on:
1) Every American must register his/her bank account with Hollywood. Failure to do this will result in fines and/or jail time. Registration will be made automatically for any non-registering individuals.
2) Hollywood provide every American the privilege of enjoying x songs and y movie viewings per month (or not).
3) Hollywood will charge wach bank account a usage fee (set at its discretion), for use of the product, regardless of whether the "product" has been used or not, delivered successfully or not, or enjoyed or not. Product is always leased, never sold.
Even better, why doesn't the government just make its own brand of MP3 players, TVs, etc., and make all non-government brands of these product illegal. Problem solved; that'll learn those damn pirating, leaching consumers!
I wonder how long the battery will last... like, 30 minutes?
The point is form *is* function... for many people. The iMac does offer exceptional "performance", but along a different axis than raw CPU performance. I don't see it in the same category as B&O stereo equipment. Look, for those who don't demand that a computer crank out x-many MIPS for their RC5 or whatever, and want a computer for home use, designed specifically with the consumer in mind, why is this not an ideal solution? You are paying for form-functionality and *quality* that is hard to come by. Yes, this iMac have less CPU speed that some DIY computer for hundreds cheaper, but for many, the iMac will be well worth the cost for the way it performs in the home. (Friendly on the eyes, adjusts to your workstyle and includes all the CD/DVD Burning, MP3 playing, digital photography management software a home user needs)
Sure it is. Possible, but enjoyable? I would rather have this than XP on some clunky PC box.
I don't think anyone pointed this out yet, but OS X has per-pixel alpha blending in addition to per-window alpha blending. (i.e. different parts of a window can all have different transparency WRT the things behind the window)
You can actually get about 40MB/s aross FireWire after overhead is subtracted. The hard drive is going to be your limiting factor here.
FireWire is not a proprietary interface.
Yeah, except the FireWire is used for synching, tranferring files, and recharging the device. You wouldn't want to do any of that with USB.