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Thread: Mac or Linux?

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    Default Mac or Linux?

    Well my Dad is thinking about getting a new computer. He doesn't want Windows, so he has chosen to decide between Mac or Linux. He really doesn't have any experience with either of the 2, but he does have his knowledge in computers, being a Software developer for NationWide. What are your opinions and experiences with these 2 companies?
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    If he's been a programmer, then go Linux. Mac is made for people who aren't that great with computers, or are into simplicity and design.
    I guess the holidays are over - no sig for now.

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    What is the language Linux programs are written in?
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    Any language that has a linux-ported compiler

    C, python, and most other major languages will work fine given a linux compiler for them; though many OS programming (ie, the windows api doesn't exactly exist in linux; thus, many things that you'd use the windows api for have to be substituted when programming in linux) is quite a bit different
    Interested in C# and Electrical Engineering? This might interest you.

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    So let me see if I understand. You write what you want to program to be like in a certain language, and the complier will convert it to the lang. used for Linux?
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    No, Linux doesn't RUN on a language (it does, but that's beside the point), but you have to COMPILE a program written in a certain language to run ON Linux.
    I guess the holidays are over - no sig for now.

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    IDk why this is hard for me to understand, but i can't -_-.
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    It's just like Windows. If it hasn't been compiled into an executable for that operating system, it won't run.

    On the Mac vs. Linux issue, I'd recommend a Linux system, but that's because I favor FOSS systems, and I'll take a FOSS alternative whenever it's available. Linux can also teach you a lot about computers that Windows can't. You can still do these things on a Mac (as OS X is essentially a heavily modified Linux kernel), but a lot of it is behind-the-scenes. So I'd say Linux all the way.

    Plus, Linux has Beryl. How cool is that?

    Before you ask your next question (what distribution do I use?), I'll answer it: whatever suits your needs. If you're new to Linux, the Debian-based Ubuntu will suit you just fine. They also ship free install CDs to you if you don't feel like downloading them.

    If you want to go more advanced, you can give Debian or another Debian-based system a try. I like them for their use of Aptitude installers, which makes things a lot easier on the newbie. I say this because after my experience with Fedora, RPM (RedHat Package Manager) sucks!

    If you're feeling really adventurous, download and install Gentoo. It's very customizable, but get ready for a headache when you can't figure out the advanced features.

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    Thanks Freyyr, that helped me understand how Linux works. But the rest of the stuff, I couldn't really understand :P. I guess I'll leave it to my dad for the decision.
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    If you don't understand most of it, then go with Ubuntu.
    I guess the holidays are over - no sig for now.

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    My dad is planning on buying the laptop/pc with Linux pre-installed. Would you then download Ubuntu onto Linux?
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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    If it's a Dell, it'll be Ubuntu.
    I guess the holidays are over - no sig for now.

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    <anti-Dell rant> If they want a Dell. While they may sell pre-installed Ubuntu Linux systems, their quality standards are pretty low. Buy a Dell if the price is right and you really want it, but don't hesitate to go with another manufacturer and install it yourself it it's a better option.

    Of course, that's just my bias because they had the brainwave "Hey! We've got all these outdated RDRAM modules sitting around as well as RDRAM based motherboards! Let's make a system called the Dimension 8200 and sell it to a customer without telling him that it doesn't use DIMMs like every other PC on the market!"

    As you might have guessed, the rarity of RDRAM made my PC upgrade slightly more expensive.
    </anti-Dell rant>

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    *slightly*
    Interested in C# and Electrical Engineering? This might interest you.

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    Well, Dells are pretty solidly built, if not for their crapware.
    I guess the holidays are over - no sig for now.

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    hahahA! dell, what a joke.
    www.abs.com <- buy a barebones notebook
    www.geeks.com <- buy some notebook ram/hd/cd-dvd

    build a laptop worth over $2000 for about $800

    then run Slackware if you like command-line (bash), or Knoppix/Debian or Red-hat if you want a GUI. DSL(Damn Small Linux) is cool too, the whole operating system is 30mb and it has all the software youd ever need.

    i <3 linux

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    I'd go with ubuntu or Damn Small Linux. Ubuntu may be a little for the newbie side, but its pretty nice.


    Edit: WOW so is gentoo
    The jealous temper of mankind, ever more disposed to censure than
    to praise the work of others, has constantly made the pursuit of new
    methods and systems no less perilous than the search after unknown
    lands and seas.

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    I'd have to agree with what most people say.

    If you like to program, go Linux because theres almost no
    limit to what you can do with that OS

    but if you like simple laid back already created OS with several
    limitations that you dont mind, then just get a MAC either way
    both OS's are very nice when put to there limit. =)

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    Awww what about macs. Macs are pretty stable. I used to love mucking round opn my old mac doing whatever. Never ever crashed on me. Even if a problem occured and it had to shutdown it always let me save my work first etc. Was nice. Never used linux.

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    Mac:

    Pros.
    • Much safer than Windows.

    • Great eye candy out of the box.

    • Can play some games that Windows does.

    • Very stable

    • Photoshop looks great in it, hehe.

    • Everything is pretty simple to setup.



    Cons.
    • Very Expensive!

    • Can't customize it much.

    • The Macbook batteries are awful, Very low lifetime.

    • If you want to add hardware, It is close to impossible to open macs so you have to send it in, and play alot of money.


    Linux:

    Pros.
    • Good for low end computers and bringing your old computer back to life.

    • Open source so it is free! Wewt

    • Extremely customizable.

    • Its what teh 1337 hackz0rs use lol.

    • Very safe from Viruses and all that other stuff that kills your computer lol.

    • You can get programs similar to programs that are made for windows for free

    • Alot of sites out there that will make learning Linux alot more easier.


    Cons.
    • Get something wrong, It could mess up the whole system :P

    • If you are a beginner, Very hard to learn at first.

    • If you are a Windows gamer, forget it. No games work on linux, However some games may work on a piece of emulation software called 'Wine' or other emulation software around.

    • If you have a linux say like Gentoo, It can sometimes take longer to install things or do simple tasks, as you have to configure more and it compiles from source which takes quite along time


    All in all they are both great operating systems, However I think I'd have to go with Mac
    It just has this thing, that makes me say wow...I don't know what it is. (probably the eye candy. Im a sucker for it lol) One thing stopping me though. They cost alot. Also I certainly wouldn't get a Macbook :P

    Well theres my opnion on Mac and Linux. Thanks for reading.

    -Nitro

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nitro View Post
    Cons.
    • Get something wrong, It could mess up the whole system :P

    • If you are a beginner, Very hard to learn at first.

    • If you are a Windows gamer, forget it. No games work on linux, However some games may work on a piece of emulation software called 'Wine' or other emulation software around.

    • It can sometimes take longer to do simple tasks.
    Ever used Linux?

    1. You have to enter your root pass, som it won't happen that easy (or you are crazy enough to work as root)
    2. Not true, I think it's as easy (if not easier) to learn as Windows. New, userfriendly distro's provide you with as much help as possible, (note that this is depending on distribution and individual stuff)
    3. Cedega (formerly known as WineX) supports many games now, but it's paid, and Wine (free) is getting better too. At least WoW works perfectly There are reports of people getting a double framerate with Linux with Wine compared to Windows at the same computer.
    Cedega Game database: http://games.cedega.com/gamesdb/
    Wine AppDB: http://appdb.winehq.org
    Sidenote: Wine means Wine Is Not an Emulator
    4. Examples please?

    @Freyrr: Mac is a heavily modded BSD kernel, not Linux
    I made a new script, check it out!.

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    Yes, I have used Linux, I have used:

    Ubuntu, Gentoo, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Suse, DSL, Puppy Linux, Slackware, Debian, Fedora and Simply Mepis,

    All of them had problems with my wireless except one, which was Ubuntu. Yes I know I probably could of configured it. But Wireless was my only way to access the internet. I tried Ubuntu for a bit. Thought it was pretty good. But I didnt like the way they put their logo nearly everywhere. Of course it has most probably advanced now as there has been a few more versions. Ubuntu I would say was the best for beginners as almost everything had an easy to use interface.

    1. Very true, however there still is a risk

    2. Remember these are my opinions people learn faster than others.

    3. I did say Wine would emulate some of your games and I forgot about Cedega but it is pay anyway.

    4. My bad I meant if you choose Gentoo or any other one that compiles from source. I will update that now.

    -Nitro

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    It's true that wireless at Linux sucks, due to companys not releasing source code, but you might want to try ndiswrapper, a wrapper for windows drivers.
    I made a new script, check it out!.

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    thanks for the opinions, but hey, i don't think my opinion will matter much to my dad, as it will be his computer, not mine.
    I like my coffee black just like my metal.

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