PC user converted to Mac

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Shuie
Yeah, what do I know. Im just one of those uncreative corporate people. iWork

Any of you creative elitist Mac snobs figure out how to install a database server, web server, application server, and a fully functional instance of Oracle, SAP, or PeopleSoft on your powerbook yet? I can do it on an XP laptop and I've heard it can be done on Linux. Oh well, at least you have a slick utility that would allow you to remote desktop into a Windows box if you ever needed to do something uncreative like administer one of these systems. I guess thats kinda the same, or maybe even better

Uhm,
OS X comes with Apache, Perl, SQL, Python, etc... installed. Ruby will be implemented in the next release. In System Prefs just turn on personal web sharing. Your root web directory is in the User/Sites folder.

If you want to customize and don't want to dick around in the command line or manually edit files just download and install MAMP (open source=free), (Mac,Apache,mySQL,Perl) http://www.mamp.info/en/index.php

Also available are LAMP for linux and WAMP for windows.

Takes all of 30 seconds to get running. It installs in it's own directory and does not modify any OS X system stuff so if you want to "uninstall" it just drag the folder to the trash.

I actually use MAMP to do ALL of my dev work on my laptop before dumping to a live server.

[stomachmonkey]

Oracle Database 10g and Oracle JDeveloper 10g are fully certified on Mac OS X. Turn your Mac into a full-fledged development environment and deploy Xserve-based grids using the software and resources on this page.

http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/macos/index.html

[Shuie]

Non Universal USB ports on the keyboard. Now, thats a nice feature. Industrial grade, for sure

You guys have all helped me with my Mac problems in old threads here throughout my ownership experience. I do appreciate it, and I understand the brand loyalty, or the appreciation for something nice and robust. However, my limited experience with Apple products is quite different than almost all of yours.

The great thing about these threads, IMO, its that it becomes obvious that we now have more than one option. Apples, PCs, and even the home brewed Linux machines are on a more level playing field now than they have ever been. Depending on the industry, they are all pretty capable in their own respects.

[nostatic]

the bigger question is, why in the world would I *want* to run oracle on a laptop? Just because I can doesn't mean I should...

[Shuie]

You might want to if you were an Oracle developer. It was a response to the Industry comments.

[MichiganMat]

Shuie-

I don't understand your complaint with that dialog. You tried to do something that is not supported by USB itself, OSX gives you a full explaination of the problem with suggested solutions, and you're angry? Some men you just can't reach I suppose.

[Tim Hancock]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure Solidworks and Autocad will not work on a Mac. I am a mechanical engineer and the company I work provides us with both of the above cad programs.

Thus far in this debate, the only thing advantage to Macs that I would care about, is that someone mentioned that they do not get viruses. Is this really true? Do Mac users never have to run antivirus or Spybot type software?

I tried to help my wife when she brought her new work laptop Mac home one evening and neither myself or my teens could figure out how to do anything on it. Why do some claim it is so easy or intuitive to use? None of my family has ever had any problems figuring out how to do something on a new version of Windows. Trying to operate the Mac, it seemed as if everything was based on little icons that had no meaning where with windows, text is typically used to describe various buttons and functions.

Having to memorize tons of stupid little symbols instead of just being able to read text does not equal better in my book. It just insures that I will never take the time to learn to use one.

[MichiganMat]

5 years of use, virus free. I've never heard of anyone getting a virus either and Im in the industry.

If Solidworks/Autocad is not available, just run them Parallels, it'll be just as fast.

Getting used to the Mac interface takes a bit of time because its different from anything you've used before. Once you get the basics its really intuitive and way more powerful than the antiquated Toolbar/Start button.

[Shuie]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
Shuie-

I don't understand your complaint with that dialog. You tried to do something that is not supported by USB itself, OSX gives you a full explaination of the problem with suggested solutions, and you're angry? Some men you just can't reach I suppose.

USB, as I understand it, is universal. Allegedly, thats what the 'U' stands for. Everywhere I see the little symbol on a device, I'm supposed to be able to plug a similar device, built to the same industry standard, into it and its supposed to function. What am I missing? Do I need a Mac memory card reader?

Please don't give up on me. I can change

I don't care that these machines have flaws. I use them all and I manage fine. I don't hate any of them and I don't get salty when I need to reboot or rebuild one of them. I just don't understand why Mac people absolutely will not accept the possibility that their machines might not be perfect the choice for every person that uses a computer.

FWIW, yes the virus/spyware/bot situation seems to be much better on my Mac than on my PCs. Thats why I don't mind having the Mac at home.

[MichiganMat]

You're right Shuie, it is universal on a device basis, but not if that device is a gigantic power-hog. This is not a Mac issue, its a limitation of the USB spec, the bus (wires) can only supply so much power to the connected devices. When the device requires more power than the bus can provide (ie harddrive, lamp, etc), the device either needs to be powered externally or, if its in a certain range, can be powered off its own port.

You would have the same problem with that reader if you plugged it into your keyboard attached to a Windows machine.

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by SlowToady
I don't buy that. Several large (very large) hosting companies run Windows 2000 or Windows 2003. Check out NetCraft.com. I realize it's a different environment, but if the issue really was that Windows just crashes randomly and breaks itself for no reason, wouldn't that happen on these web servers also? Running IIS, Exchange, MySQL (or MS-SQL), for months on end with heavy loads...

Ok, don't buy it. No skin off my nose.

All I am telling you is I have used PCs exclusively for over 20 years. I understand Windows better than your average user and have built my own PC systems for the last 8 years (and no I don't use crappy components, especially RAM).

I am telling you my experience. After three different PC systems all went kaput within 2 years I switched to Mac. It is a different world. No comparison.

Keep using your PC, I really don't care...

[JavaBrewer]

As promised here is the Mac in my office, a 450 Mhz G4


I had Oracle on my laptop to support customer demo's where we had no outside connectivity and of course for those times when we were developing stuff on the run. We've since moved to MySQL.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Shuie
I just don't understand why Mac people absolutely will not accept the possibility that their machines might not be perfect the choice for every person that uses a computer.

Shuie,

I really don't care what someone chooses to use. I get involved with these debates when I see incorrect information being put out there.

I use both platforms, I have my preference, obviously the Mac.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock


Thus far in this debate, the only thing advantage to Macs that I would care about, is that someone mentioned that they do not get viruses. Is this really true? Do Mac users never have to run antivirus or Spybot type software?

------

Having to memorize tons of stupid little symbols instead of just being able to read text does not equal better in my book. It just insures that I will never take the time to learn to use one.

I have never run antivirus or spybot software on any of my osx machines. Period.

I don't understand your stupid little symbols comment.

As far as app, yes there are some windows only apps. The new arcitechture makes that pretty much a non-issue, and still if you go into most creative industries (I did not say that no one in corporate was creative), you will see mostly Macs. In my current shop we have a lot of PCs, but only because we do a lot of game development and the deployment (for mostly gov agencies) is on PC. Sitting around a meeting you'll see mostly powerbooks.

Nothing is perfect, but if you live and work in the creative world, Macs are more of a natural fit.

[stevepaa]

Dave, that is a six year old machine, are the windows based machines the same age?

if no one uses it, can I have it?

[stevepaa]

Tim, I installed anti virus program once in 17 years on Mac about 15 years ago.

What little symbols were there?

[lendaddy]

I have a G4 just like the one pictured that took a **** 2 years ago. We took it to the Mac store and they said it was officially dead, don't bother.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by SlowToady
I don't buy that. Several large (very large) hosting companies run Windows 2000 or Windows 2003. Check out NetCraft.com. I realize it's a different environment, but if the issue really was that Windows just crashes randomly and breaks itself for no reason, wouldn't that happen on these web servers also? Running IIS, Exchange, MySQL (or MS-SQL), for months on end with heavy loads...

I'm leaning more towards crappy componets and users that cause *most* problems with Windows. And, yes, I consider run of the mill Dell stuff to be crap. There is much, much better out there.

Also, IMO, Alienware matches Apple for build quality.

Actually I beleive Windows 200x to be a much better product than XP.

And I can buy into markedly better stability in that environment. Tightly controlled and constantly monitored equipment is going to be more stable.

I agree with Slow that end users are a huge contributor to instability.

One day my mother calls from the office, her PC went south and they needed to scan something so they disconnected the scanner and took it over to a Mac thay had in the office since it had image editing SW on it.

They plug the scanner in and now the Mac won't boot. I ask her which cable she used. If you have not guessed by now she plugged a parallel cable into a 25 pin scsi port.

One of the companies I worked for was in a town with an unreliable power grid. I can't tell you how many times people would come in in the morning to find there computers not working. They'd immediately call the help desk who would tell them, 'there was a blackout last night, have you tried turning it on?"

[stevepaa]

Joel, what did they say was bad? Do you still have it?

[JavaBrewer]

Steve, I don't own the machine and thus can't give it away.

I never said this Mac was the latest greatest. It was purchased for an engineer who *refused* to develop with Java on a PC ~ 5 years ago. My issue with him was that he would submit bugs against our software for issues only seen on his Mac when our customers (those with the green) ran 100% Win/Solaris systems. I kicked him off my team. Anywho that's OT.

It's a handsome machine for sure but better OS (especially pre OSX)...not. Different and capable yes.