Re: Help: Would Mac OS X is iseal than Linux on PC

[andrew@netneurotic.de (Andrew J. Brehm)]

- <uws2003@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi
> 
> I need a some form of Unix.
> 
> I thought that if I go and get Apple Mac with OS X, then I have 
> everything - don't have the hazzle of installing Linux on pc and looking
> for the drivers - perhaps the price is a bit expensive but it's well 
> tested computer.
> 
> Any suggestion please?
> 

After reading the case for GNU/Linux made by Kirsten Tremaine I feel
compelled to try and make the case for MacOS X.

MacOS X has, under another name, been around longer than GNU/Linux,
altaugh GNU itself is a bit older still.

But the main point, namely than GNU/Linux is now used more is valid. The
result is that GNU/Linux really supports more UNIX applications than
MacOS X does, or at least it did support.

But over the last two years I have seen that gap closening.

Fink (a port of the Debian package manager to Darwin) still has a long
way to go (and this is no downplaying of the work the Fink people have
already invested, Fink works great and it's certainly thanks to their
work that it does) but most applications I found I needed to use are now
taken into account by Fink.

In practice I have found that MacOS X can do most of what GNU/Linux can
do but when there is no GUI for configuring the feature in question,
MacOS X is way more complicated and difficult.

So I guess that it really comes down to your exact needs.

If you simply want to add some form of UNIX to your environment it
depends on whether you want to keep your old environment and add a
second machine (or dual-boot) or whether you would find it more
convenient to use the same box for both applications.

If you want to use UNIX as your main platform it comes down to whether
you want a UNIX that supports most general purpose applications (digital
cameras, office software of all kinds, a number of games etc.) too or
whether you want a UNIX that is more conservative.

And if you are already used to UNIX, I guess GNU/Linux is more close to
what you would exspect.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.netneurotic.net/advocacy/

-- 
Andrew J. Brehm
Fan of Woody Allen
PowerPC User
Supporter of Pepperoni Pizza