I just installed the Boot camp yesterday and have Windows on a Mac Mini. Part of that process required me to resize Mac OSX partition to make room for the Windows partition. Then it takes me to the Windows installer which has to format the new partition (Boot Camp doesn't do it) to Fat32 or NTFS before installtion can begin. The windows installer displays the partitions on the disc but it can differentiate the Mac OSX partion from the one for Windows. So, if someone split the drive down the middle during Boot Camp, he/she won't be able to recognized the right partition and they can easily reformat the one with Mac OSX. My suggestion is to partition the drive with two that are of unequal size. Use that to identify the drive during installation.
I agree. I have been using Ubuntu. From reading how-tos and trying to get things to work, I see the hackers influence on the OS. You see a lot hacks to get things working. But, you don't see people resolving those hacks into a more uniform solution. Hell, the existence of how-tos illustrates this the most. People can't take a howto and turn into a script to do the function automatically for the user because no one can predict what is happening at the low level. Even the how-to's aren't even perfect but rather they bring you into the ball-park. I wouldn't even trust the free distros on a production system. Redhat and Suse would be a better start if it had to be Linux, at least you have somebody to call.
Thats is wrong. USB has been pretty well understood with Windows and Mac OSX. Every device has a unique identifier that OS uses to match it with the appropriate driver. The OS identifies the vendor and the device just from that. All you need in those OSes is the appropriate driver and it will just work. An examples is 3com's 802.11g wireless USB dongle. 3com only supports Windows. Windows recognizes the device and uses the appropriate driver provided with CD. If I try to use a different driver, Windows tells me it won't work. Mac OSX isn't even in 3com consideration. But, the OS can still tell me who the vendor is and the device's number. Moreover, you can get the thing to work with a open source driver provided by chipset provider (Zydas). Come on dude, if the usb device is said to work with the OS, then you will get it to work with Windows or Mac OSX with little effort.
I mod you up if I had points. From reading some peoples posts about Ubuntu is easy, I surmise that they are the luckiest fools on the planet. I tried installing Ubuntu on a computer with USB 802.11g key and it failed. I had to move the entire computer to my router in the basement so as to establish a wired connection. Then, after the installation got done, I spent a weekend of trial and error getting the wireles device to work with WPA. It turns out the Zydas driver included via Synaptic doesn't work. Ubuntu is a far cry from Windows or Mac OS X.
Dude, you need qualify that. I use Mac OSX, Windows, and Ubuntu. Synaptic is easy if the application exists in the database. However, not all applications are distributed through Synaptic. Take, for instance, doom 3 as an example. Windows and Mac OSX iinstallation involves putting in the CD, running the installer, and following instructions. Linux, first, requires you googling "linux and Doom3" to get instructions, cut and pasting.pak files, running an installer script in cli with sudo. That is assuming it works from there and let's not talk about installing proprietary drivers and making sure configuration file are correct. I have personally had sound and graphics card problems with Doom3 and Ubuntu. I personally think with both open source and proprietary software, Mac OS X is easiest with either drag and drop or running an installer. Then, having it just work there after.
People who want Macbooks, Mac Minis, iMacs but don't want OSX. A lot of people fall into this category. Get a Mac then pick your poison. I bought a MacMini for my father after announcement. He runs one program that is Windows only but doesnt have the space for a Dell. All these guys need to think out of their box.
I think Cringely and others are trying to project their own desires on their predictions. Now, the delay in Windows Vista coupled with high hardware requirements has open an opportunity for Apple. However, I don't think it is in a position to take advantage of it. I believe that Mac OS X can be a viable solution for businesses. It has many of the features already- Windows networking, Office, and Java support. But, the problem is Apple sells high margin hardware which isn't palateable. Though, Apple could partner with a OEM and offer a solution on specific PCs. A presence at the workplace could do more to highlight Mac OSX with the consumer than Boot Camp.
That would the end of Apple and the Macintosh all together. IBM drops non-profitable divisions like a dirty set of underwear. If anything, that was the highlight of Spindler's tenure.
Reading this article, I see the similarities between running a computer infrastructure and the body's response to a infection. The immunogical response to infection is to isolate and destroy infected cells akin to wiping a desktop computer. Computer specialist should look to this analogy for hints to computer infrastructure planning. Network firewalls and proxies function analogous to the skin. Anti-malware acts in the same way as antibodies. IT staff are the T-cells. There is one lesson that IT hasn't learn which is using a multi-platform environment. Antigens rarely infect all types of tissues in the human body. This prevents the immune system from being overwhelm in case of attack. I suggest planning Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris into the infracture. There is low probability that malware will be able to hit all of them at once. Computer malware is like terrorist attacks, hurricanes, and antigens in that it can't always be prevented. Specialist need to plan in a way that minimizes the lost to the business.
I just throw this out there, but zero the hard drive should just about wipe any malware off. I can't see how a virus is going virtualized a PC when it is not being loaded into memory. At the extreme, you pull the plug and reboot with external media. The media isn't going to load anything off the hard drive. The only time I would imagine that might happen if used spintronics making hard drive, memory, and possibly the processor all one device.
Is this yet another expample of Microsoft stifling innovation. Some had already mention the parallels to Netscape where Microsoft essentially knock them out of business witht the free release of IE. Then, let IE development stagger till it became riddle with holes and bugs. I worry that they are doing the same thing in virtualization.
I love IBM Thinkpads too. This whole Lenovo business has rattled my confidence too. With that said, Apple is an American company that manufactures their laptops in China. Windows XP has been installed on a Macbooks. I have owned Powerbooks and they are nice but I can't say that they are reliable as the old IBM Thinkpads. I believe Apple's changing the design as often as they do bring bugs into the notebooks.
iBook that died with the extremely common logic board failure two months out of warranty... a problem that they extended the warranty coverage for on the G3 iBooks, but didn't do on the G4 even though its a very common problem.
I have had problems with Apple notebooks as well. As as a result, I recommend that anyone buying an Apple laptop consider buying a 3 year warranty. I also recommend that they factor that into the cost of the laptop when doing comparisons. I still go Apple though because notebook failures are not unique to Apple. I've seen others fail as well.
Dual booting in the workplace presents on difficult problem
What if you require the use of two applicaitons- one written for Mac and one written for Windows- at the same time. Ever heard of multitasking? Virtualization remedies provides a better solution in that case.
the customers service is nothing special, and arguably worse than companies like Dell
You haven't been to a genius bar, have you? There is nothing like bringing your computer to someone and pointing out your problem. They will look at the computer for free whether it on warranty or not. I have went through Dell tech support, and after having a computer fruitlessly fail at identifying my problem, I got a rather abrupt lady who kept referring me to a website- never really solving my problem. This isn't fanboyism, its experience. Apple is cleary better.
the 25 years of unjustified media hype and the attitude of Mac fanatics have really spoiled the Apple brand for me
Dude, you got issues. Use the best tool for the job. I use macs but I always play with other brands whenever the chance arises to constantly compare and keep myself open. If the last time you touch an Apple was an Apple II, go to an Apple Store. Don't let other people choose your brand for you
Did you know that there are other "American" computer manufacturers have their computers manufacture in Shanghai. I know Apple does. What of HP and Dell? Let's face it, the Chinese make our clothes, trash cans, and anything else that can be brought in an office building. To phrase a popular/. quote, "I for one welcome our Chinese overlords" and "me colloborate long time"
That explains alot! I have try Ubuntu again in recent weeks. Though it has improved greatly since my first experiments, it does have a longs ways to go in the way of usabililty. Granted, the installation went flawlessly however, it does require you to have a functioning network connection which is a problem if you use wireless. Post installation is another matter. You have everything needed to basic computing tasks but when you want to do something a little more intense like run Doom3, you have more problems. The ubuntu forums are a help but all the how to involve hacking away at config files using the cli for hours (who wants to do that). But, I guess that is what free gets you.
They really shouldn't call this benchmarking, but rateher bench-MARKETING. Apple has always used benchmarking as a marketing tool. For a long time, it was Macs were than comprab;ae intel base PC. Now that Macs are on Intels, they say Intel Macs are faster than PowerPc Macs. But this is only an onetime deal. It would seem silly to keep touting that in the next revision of Intel Macs. So, hmm let's, what is Macs tangibly better than...? Why not Mac OSX is faster than Windows XP (Vista). You need a selling point and everyone use the same hardware as Apple. Apple can't say they have more apps and Vista should catch up with features (you can't tout those). But I bet, with all the problem Microsloth is having with Vista, optimization is not top of their priorities at this time. Apple will bite and simply say Mac OSX offers the same features but they run faster on Macs.
You guys think they are phasing out OSX. Pfft!!!. Come out the closet, Windows is not that great
Microsoft has to spread out resources across Server systems, Tablets, Media Centers, Corporate Desktops, Consumer Desktops, etc etc, so that Windows is the single solution for every problem.
Yeah, but Microsoft has a much larger revenue stream with Windows than Apple does with OS X as a result. They should have more resources to cover the whole spectrum in the same capacity Apple cover its user base (which also cover media professionals not just the home user). I suspect the problem is trying be everything for everyone is too much for their management team to handle. There are two vice presidents for the Windows division!!! Maybe, they have to the fork OS again which may bring problem with developers. I don't think compatibility is the real issue because they broke a lot of legacy programs with 2000/XP and it didn't hurt the bottom ine.
dude look at the one you point out. Half consumer, half server. A consumer is not going to use Windows 2003 and a sys administrator isn't going to use Windows XP Media Center. Apple has consistently put new version of both at the same time. It isn't one year XP, then go onto server the following, and then go back to XP to fix the bugs, then go onto server to update for 64-bit. But, the story has nothing to do with versions but rather technology. Microsoft is slow to bring new "useful" technology to Windows. Yet, the real crime is that they are the standard and 90% of computers users have to battle malware, virii, and bugs until Microsoft decides to bless everyone with their "innovation". You can keep apologizing and I'll put my money with what is best for my needs. At the moment, that is Apple with no contest.
Backward compatibility is practically non existent when it comes to science software in Windows. We are still running windows 98/95 (hell we running DOS) to run our instruments because either the companies were small and don't upgrade like larger shops or they don't support the instrument anymore. Let's not talk special software to do math analysis. Backwards compatibilty is a hard target regardless of Apple or Microsoft. However, you can live off of Mac 0S 9 or Mac 10.x with no problems, but malware and viruses make Windows a tough challenge to keep the laboratory running with these old systems.
Apple isn't as my boss would say "thinking big enough". Microsoft has provided plenty of opportunities for Apple to step in and offer a better solution. But, Apple for one is protecting large margins that limits them to market to businesses. They don't offer cheap no frills systems that businesses would like. So, Mac OS X can never make an impact even though it is arguably better than XP and way ahead of Vista. Moreover, OS X can't be showcase to people at their work because business won't adopt it. So, they will lose out on an opportunity to market to consumers as well and, consequently, not be able to push their market share up. Apple should despite it logic think about partnering with Dell to offer Mac OS X business solutions. They are not going to sell PowerMac or Powerbooks to businesses, so why not test the waters of a software only business solution. A lot of companies make money this way.
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I just installed the Boot camp yesterday and have Windows on a Mac Mini. Part of that process required me to resize Mac OSX partition to make room for the Windows partition. Then it takes me to the Windows installer which has to format the new partition (Boot Camp doesn't do it) to Fat32 or NTFS before installtion can begin. The windows installer displays the partitions on the disc but it can differentiate the Mac OSX partion from the one for Windows. So, if someone split the drive down the middle during Boot Camp, he/she won't be able to recognized the right partition and they can easily reformat the one with Mac OSX. My suggestion is to partition the drive with two that are of unequal size. Use that to identify the drive during installation.
I agree. I have been using Ubuntu. From reading how-tos and trying to get things to work, I see the hackers influence on the OS. You see a lot hacks to get things working. But, you don't see people resolving those hacks into a more uniform solution. Hell, the existence of how-tos illustrates this the most. People can't take a howto and turn into a script to do the function automatically for the user because no one can predict what is happening at the low level. Even the how-to's aren't even perfect but rather they bring you into the ball-park. I wouldn't even trust the free distros on a production system. Redhat and Suse would be a better start if it had to be Linux, at least you have somebody to call.
USB is spotty in ANY os.
Thats is wrong. USB has been pretty well understood with Windows and Mac OSX. Every device has a unique identifier that OS uses to match it with the appropriate driver. The OS identifies the vendor and the device just from that. All you need in those OSes is the appropriate driver and it will just work. An examples is 3com's 802.11g wireless USB dongle. 3com only supports Windows. Windows recognizes the device and uses the appropriate driver provided with CD. If I try to use a different driver, Windows tells me it won't work. Mac OSX isn't even in 3com consideration. But, the OS can still tell me who the vendor is and the device's number. Moreover, you can get the thing to work with a open source driver provided by chipset provider (Zydas). Come on dude, if the usb device is said to work with the OS, then you will get it to work with Windows or Mac OSX with little effort.I mod you up if I had points. From reading some peoples posts about Ubuntu is easy, I surmise that they are the luckiest fools on the planet. I tried installing Ubuntu on a computer with USB 802.11g key and it failed. I had to move the entire computer to my router in the basement so as to establish a wired connection. Then, after the installation got done, I spent a weekend of trial and error getting the wireles device to work with WPA. It turns out the Zydas driver included via Synaptic doesn't work. Ubuntu is a far cry from Windows or Mac OS X.
Far easier than Windows and MAC os has ever been
Dude, you need qualify that. I use Mac OSX, Windows, and Ubuntu. Synaptic is easy if the application exists in the database. However, not all applications are distributed through Synaptic. Take, for instance, doom 3 as an example. Windows and Mac OSX iinstallation involves putting in the CD, running the installer, and following instructions. Linux, first, requires you googling "linux and Doom3" to get instructions, cut and pasting .pak files, running an installer script in cli with sudo. That is assuming it works from there and let's not talk about installing proprietary drivers and making sure configuration file are correct. I have personally had sound and graphics card problems with Doom3 and Ubuntu. I personally think with both open source and proprietary software, Mac OS X is easiest with either drag and drop or running an installer. Then, having it just work there after.
People who want Macbooks, Mac Minis, iMacs but don't want OSX. A lot of people fall into this category. Get a Mac then pick your poison. I bought a MacMini for my father after announcement. He runs one program that is Windows only but doesnt have the space for a Dell. All these guys need to think out of their box.
They are talented but each is doing their own thing with no particular direction to unified Linux as a complete OS
I think Cringely and others are trying to project their own desires on their predictions. Now, the delay in Windows Vista coupled with high hardware requirements has open an opportunity for Apple. However, I don't think it is in a position to take advantage of it. I believe that Mac OS X can be a viable solution for businesses. It has many of the features already- Windows networking, Office, and Java support. But, the problem is Apple sells high margin hardware which isn't palateable. Though, Apple could partner with a OEM and offer a solution on specific PCs. A presence at the workplace could do more to highlight Mac OSX with the consumer than Boot Camp.
That would the end of Apple and the Macintosh all together. IBM drops non-profitable divisions like a dirty set of underwear. If anything, that was the highlight of Spindler's tenure.
That will have quad-core conroe Processors (2Xdual-core), upgradeable graphics, and water cooling. Start saving up now boys!!
Reading this article, I see the similarities between running a computer infrastructure and the body's response to a infection. The immunogical response to infection is to isolate and destroy infected cells akin to wiping a desktop computer. Computer specialist should look to this analogy for hints to computer infrastructure planning. Network firewalls and proxies function analogous to the skin. Anti-malware acts in the same way as antibodies. IT staff are the T-cells. There is one lesson that IT hasn't learn which is using a multi-platform environment. Antigens rarely infect all types of tissues in the human body. This prevents the immune system from being overwhelm in case of attack. I suggest planning Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris into the infracture. There is low probability that malware will be able to hit all of them at once. Computer malware is like terrorist attacks, hurricanes, and antigens in that it can't always be prevented. Specialist need to plan in a way that minimizes the lost to the business.
I just throw this out there, but zero the hard drive should just about wipe any malware off. I can't see how a virus is going virtualized a PC when it is not being loaded into memory. At the extreme, you pull the plug and reboot with external media. The media isn't going to load anything off the hard drive. The only time I would imagine that might happen if used spintronics making hard drive, memory, and possibly the processor all one device.
Is this yet another expample of Microsoft stifling innovation. Some had already mention the parallels to Netscape where Microsoft essentially knock them out of business witht the free release of IE. Then, let IE development stagger till it became riddle with holes and bugs. I worry that they are doing the same thing in virtualization.
I love IBM Thinkpads too. This whole Lenovo business has rattled my confidence too. With that said, Apple is an American company that manufactures their laptops in China. Windows XP has been installed on a Macbooks. I have owned Powerbooks and they are nice but I can't say that they are reliable as the old IBM Thinkpads. I believe Apple's changing the design as often as they do bring bugs into the notebooks.
iBook that died with the extremely common logic board failure two months out of warranty... a problem that they extended the warranty coverage for on the G3 iBooks, but didn't do on the G4 even though its a very common problem.
I have had problems with Apple notebooks as well. As as a result, I recommend that anyone buying an Apple laptop consider buying a 3 year warranty. I also recommend that they factor that into the cost of the laptop when doing comparisons. I still go Apple though because notebook failures are not unique to Apple. I've seen others fail as well.
Dual booting in the workplace presents on difficult problem
What if you require the use of two applicaitons- one written for Mac and one written for Windows- at the same time. Ever heard of multitasking? Virtualization remedies provides a better solution in that case.
the customers service is nothing special, and arguably worse than companies like Dell
You haven't been to a genius bar, have you? There is nothing like bringing your computer to someone and pointing out your problem. They will look at the computer for free whether it on warranty or not. I have went through Dell tech support, and after having a computer fruitlessly fail at identifying my problem, I got a rather abrupt lady who kept referring me to a website- never really solving my problem. This isn't fanboyism, its experience. Apple is cleary better.
the 25 years of unjustified media hype and the attitude of Mac fanatics have really spoiled the Apple brand for me
Dude, you got issues. Use the best tool for the job. I use macs but I always play with other brands whenever the chance arises to constantly compare and keep myself open. If the last time you touch an Apple was an Apple II, go to an Apple Store. Don't let other people choose your brand for youYeah I personally put down 2 grand for it. God knows it can't be any worst than this Powerbook at meeting chicks
Did you know that there are other "American" computer manufacturers have their computers manufacture in Shanghai. I know Apple does. What of HP and Dell? Let's face it, the Chinese make our clothes, trash cans, and anything else that can be brought in an office building. To phrase a popular /. quote, "I for one welcome our Chinese overlords" and "me colloborate long time"
That explains alot! I have try Ubuntu again in recent weeks. Though it has improved greatly since my first experiments, it does have a longs ways to go in the way of usabililty. Granted, the installation went flawlessly however, it does require you to have a functioning network connection which is a problem if you use wireless. Post installation is another matter. You have everything needed to basic computing tasks but when you want to do something a little more intense like run Doom3, you have more problems. The ubuntu forums are a help but all the how to involve hacking away at config files using the cli for hours (who wants to do that). But, I guess that is what free gets you.
They really shouldn't call this benchmarking, but rateher bench-MARKETING. Apple has always used benchmarking as a marketing tool. For a long time, it was Macs were than comprab;ae intel base PC. Now that Macs are on Intels, they say Intel Macs are faster than PowerPc Macs. But this is only an onetime deal. It would seem silly to keep touting that in the next revision of Intel Macs. So, hmm let's, what is Macs tangibly better than...? Why not Mac OSX is faster than Windows XP (Vista). You need a selling point and everyone use the same hardware as Apple. Apple can't say they have more apps and Vista should catch up with features (you can't tout those). But I bet, with all the problem Microsloth is having with Vista, optimization is not top of their priorities at this time. Apple will bite and simply say Mac OSX offers the same features but they run faster on Macs.
You guys think they are phasing out OSX. Pfft!!!. Come out the closet, Windows is not that great
Microsoft has to spread out resources across Server systems, Tablets, Media Centers, Corporate Desktops, Consumer Desktops, etc etc, so that Windows is the single solution for every problem.
Yeah, but Microsoft has a much larger revenue stream with Windows than Apple does with OS X as a result. They should have more resources to cover the whole spectrum in the same capacity Apple cover its user base (which also cover media professionals not just the home user). I suspect the problem is trying be everything for everyone is too much for their management team to handle. There are two vice presidents for the Windows division!!! Maybe, they have to the fork OS again which may bring problem with developers. I don't think compatibility is the real issue because they broke a lot of legacy programs with 2000/XP and it didn't hurt the bottom ine.
dude look at the one you point out. Half consumer, half server. A consumer is not going to use Windows 2003 and a sys administrator isn't going to use Windows XP Media Center. Apple has consistently put new version of both at the same time. It isn't one year XP, then go onto server the following, and then go back to XP to fix the bugs, then go onto server to update for 64-bit. But, the story has nothing to do with versions but rather technology. Microsoft is slow to bring new "useful" technology to Windows. Yet, the real crime is that they are the standard and 90% of computers users have to battle malware, virii, and bugs until Microsoft decides to bless everyone with their "innovation". You can keep apologizing and I'll put my money with what is best for my needs. At the moment, that is Apple with no contest.
Backward compatibility is practically non existent when it comes to science software in Windows. We are still running windows 98/95 (hell we running DOS) to run our instruments because either the companies were small and don't upgrade like larger shops or they don't support the instrument anymore. Let's not talk special software to do math analysis. Backwards compatibilty is a hard target regardless of Apple or Microsoft. However, you can live off of Mac 0S 9 or Mac 10.x with no problems, but malware and viruses make Windows a tough challenge to keep the laboratory running with these old systems.
Apple isn't as my boss would say "thinking big enough". Microsoft has provided plenty of opportunities for Apple to step in and offer a better solution. But, Apple for one is protecting large margins that limits them to market to businesses. They don't offer cheap no frills systems that businesses would like. So, Mac OS X can never make an impact even though it is arguably better than XP and way ahead of Vista. Moreover, OS X can't be showcase to people at their work because business won't adopt it. So, they will lose out on an opportunity to market to consumers as well and, consequently, not be able to push their market share up. Apple should despite it logic think about partnering with Dell to offer Mac OS X business solutions. They are not going to sell PowerMac or Powerbooks to businesses, so why not test the waters of a software only business solution. A lot of companies make money this way.