Author Topic: Why I see no need to adopt OSX (Read 19283 times)

ejc · « **on:** February 28, 2003, 05:43:00 PM »

I work mainly wth word processing, a litle spreadsheeting, and the Internet , rarely Corel Suite (bought cheap but found to be good).
At advanced age, in 1985, wanted to learn to use personal computer. Friend lent me his SE Mac. Too expensive. Bought Atari. Excellent progs for word processing and DTP. Could understand what happened when I added new progs etc Black/white 19 inch screen much easier to see than B/W stuff on a color screen.
Bought 8500 Mac with OS 8.6 and laser printer cheap seconhand. Updated to OS 9.0.4.
Laser printer died. Could not find new laser in my price range. All new printers required USB. Tried to install USB card on the 8500. Unsucessful. (story for another day)
Bought eMac (17 inch screen). with OS 9.2.2 and 10 X. plus Epson inkjet. Works OK, but I boot only in OS9.
For me, OS X is not relevant. OS 9 rarely crashes. Why give out my hard-earned cash for updates when what I now have is good enough?
Also, I think I have a rough idea of what happens when I install progs under OS 9. From my simple perspective, the underpinnings of OS X are as unfathomable as (and similar to) those of Windows.
When my current hardware/software setup finally reaches its life's end I wonder why I should not become a Window-gazer?. Would save me money as I see it - and I want a good prog that lets me dictate my words directly into my computer. Mac offerings here are reported to be inferior.
For simpletons like me Windows (looks rather like OS X) starts to look like an attractive option.
One big advantage of the Mac is its relative freedom from virus attack. Let's hope the Mac does not gain enough market share to attract the "bio-terrorists".
Peace

ejc

iGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2003, 06:44:00 PM »

Not sure what your question is? Looks as if you are ready to move on from OS 9.2 and are trying to decide if you should go with OS X or switch to a PC.

Your comments about OS X being similiar to Windows is inaccurate in my opinion. OS X is Unix and Windows is DOS. OS X looks nothing like Windows XP in my opinion. Some, I am sure. would say differently.

You say you don't have the money for OS X updates but you do have the money to buy a new PC? Doesn't your new eMac come with the latest version of Jaguar already?

Also, when you say your eMac works OK, what do you really mean by that?

Ryan

[ 02-28-2003, 07:48 PM: Message edited by: iGuy ]

jcarter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2003, 07:06:00 PM »

Hi EJC, I am not that young either, and 9.2.2 is working fine on my old G4, and my software is very content, as am I. So I will be staying with OS 9 until sometime next year when things will change, and we will be pushed into OS X.
I am not saying that X isn't wonderful, just I'm not ready to deal with all the issues.
Then I will purchase a new computer with X installed, and not try to upgrade this whole system with all my old stuff which is working like a charm. I cannot afford a whole assortment of new software and external goodies either.
I don't want to deal with the PC world, so I am just going to wait. Most of my friends are waiting too, we can do our photo stuff , our web stuff, and most of everything, if it aint broke,,,,,,,,,,,

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2003, 07:25:00 PM »

As long as we are just rambling here...

I assume ejc is talking about upgrades to his programs, since he already has the newest OS upgrades. And that will cost money, usually, and not a small amount, sometimes. Likewise, he also has maybe the newest drivers for the new printer, so I assume that is not what he is concerned about, either.

Frankly, he may be just as happy with a PC. He doesn't really sound like he is a normal happy Mac user. Most of us don't care to do things the way a PC (and its software) make you work. But they are getting better, as more of the Mac GUI is copied.

But, ejc, you must be aware that changing to a PC will mean buying every thing new, except the printer (and that is probably the cheapest part of your investment)!

Since it doen't sound like you are a 'bleeding-edge' user (me niether! ) I don't see what the problem is. You have a great machine, nice size screen, a new printer, and two OS! I'm still in 9.1, '99 iMac 400DV, so I'm further behind you! But I actually enjoy using the Mac! If I didn't, I wouldn't keep/use it.

All I'm saying is, use what you like! Life is too short to worry about what others think about your computer of choice. What they don't know will only hurt them!

Jim C.

krissel · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2003, 08:45:00 PM »

ejc , I can understand your reluctance to be forced into a new system that on the surface gives you no apparent advantage. You may enjoy reading the several page discussion here.

It shows how different people feel about X according to their needs. And that is the ultimate question. If you are satisfied with 9 and are not forced to use X for your applications, then don't feel like you must.

My Dad now has an eMac with Jag after having spent maybe a year playing with an old performa and 8.1/8.6. So at the age of 84 and new to computers, he has had a lot to absorb. Granted his needs are not complicated and the interaction of the OS and the apps is helpful, but he manages OK and has never used Classic or booted into 9.

On the other hand, yours truly is banging away on an older upgraded 9600 in 9.1 and doing 95 percent of my work under the older system. I do have X on my PB but don't use it much. After reading the above link I feel just fine staying with 9 until I am forced to move to a new machine and X. That will come when the apps I use no longer run in 9. At present they are faster and I don't have peripheral problems with 9 so I am staying there without regret.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2003, 09:12:00 PM »

This may not affect anyone directly, unless you are developing a 'legacy' product! But it reinforces what many have been saying about 'time [and Apple] marching on!'

quote:
The ADC Compatibility Labs are frequently updated with new hardware and software, and outdated equipment is phased out. As a part of the latest expansion, the labs will no longer support any of the Apple product line before the G3 processor family. This includes Desktop, Mini-tower, PowerBook and All-in-One units. Additionally, support has been discontinued on Apple LaserWriter, StyleWriter and ImageWriter printers and Apple D-15 connector series monitors.

I don't think this is really a new attitude at Apple. They did the same thing, although somewhat slower when they brought out the first Mac back in 94. Did the same thing when they went to the PPC. So it's just a normal progression and in this economy, there are no dollars to waste on support for older systems!

And I hope you will feel welcome to ask questions here about our 'older' machines and systems. That's what most of us like about this place - no pressure to get closer to the 'leading edge!'

BTW, noticed today that the 'OS 9.1' area at MFI has become '9.x and Classic' Might want to update your bookmarks or do it the easy way with URLMP (which is still supporting 9 and even earlier OS's!)

Jim C.

WDL · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2003, 09:13:00 PM »

My wife and I are using iMacs with 9.x and my business machine is a Performa 6360 using 8.1.

All our periphs and software are working beautifully, so there is no incentive or need to move to X.

Dec '02 bought an iBook to allow work-away-from-home. It's set to boot in 9 - X is present but not used.

I'm productive and happy - TTP & DW do my tuneups and all is well in the kingdom.

WDL

Epaminondas · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2003, 09:48:00 PM »

ejc,

(1) I am still running MacOS 8.6. Never saw any reason to waste money on that new-fangled MacOS 9, and whatever else it is that may have come later. ;-)

Writing as a fellow Luddite, I see no reason to upgrade a Mac until an application or piece of hardware or speed issues necessitate same.

Planning my next Mac upgrade circa MacOS 10.6.1 ("Hydra"). But, of course, that is only after Mac OS XI.x has been out for a while . . .

(Still waiting for MacOS X to get out of beta ;-).

(2) If cheap is your goal, Linux is your answer. I find that my $199 Walmart Linux box can do almost anything my Mac can do, and do it a whole lot faster. And all the accompanying Linux programs I am using, of course, are free as well.

Debian has around 8000 free packages currently available for download. If that is not enough to keep you busy, well - I guess you can buy some commercial applications too, as you like.

(3) If continuous speech recognition is your goal, Windows may, indeed, be your best bet. I know one gentleman who is a Dragon Naturally Speaking convert (clinical psychologist), and a fellow who gave up quickly in disgust (attorney).

Continuous speech recognition has plenty of pitfalls: before going that route I suggest that you check out a newsgroup or a mailing list or two to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into. You may find the following resources useful:

VoiceGroup ("1437 members")

Voice Users Mailing List

<< Peace >>

Sounds good to me.

Regards,

Epaminondas

_________________________________________________

[ 02-28-2003, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Epaminondas ]

Epaminondas · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2003, 11:13:00 PM »

(4) If you want to get off of the overpriced Windows/Macintosh-OS/Application/Hardware upgrade treadmill, Linux is the way to go. Linux is by far the best of the three OSs in regard to maintaining compatibility with older hardware - with Linux being a free OS, there is no incentive to intentionally obsolete older hardware and software. This is in direct contrast to the Windows/Macintosh economic model.

Peace and music,

Epaminondas

Gary S · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2003, 07:28:00 PM »

Krissel,

Thanks for link to that discussion. I've been there the last few hours!
Very good stuff.
I got a kick out of this : "I was at Macworld when Steve Jobs, just weeks after replacing Gil Amelio, stepped onto the Macworld stage and confidently declared plans to create exciting new products and to build a truly new and reliable operating system and to release it on time. While not exactly a home run, in retrospect this was like Babe Ruth pointing to the stands and hitting a solid triple."

ejc,

Don't feel compelled to move to an operating System that doesn't fit your needs.

At the present time I'm looking for a newer Mac that will run OS9 and OSX so I can learn it in my spare time. I'm running OS9 and it works just fine.

[ 03-01-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Gary S ]

Mayo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2003, 12:18:00 AM »

IAWEJC. I think that Apple made a big mistake in making new Macs bootable only in OS X. I have at least one "legacy app" that cannot be installed on a Mac using OS X (BAD things will happen, and if the app is installed on such a machine the developer suggests reformatting the drive...)

I haven't found a program that can replace it, and the company has not announced whether it will be available in an OS X version.

OS X was released too early, and now Apple is in effect forcing people to adopt OS X if they want to buy a new Mac. In my opinion, OS X is still very much in development, and I resent the fact that Apple is requiring its loyal customers to pay for the privilege of participating in ironing-out kinks in the OS.

If a person wants to be among the early-adopters, that's great, but a lot of us just want to be able to get our work done. As others have stated, it is likely going to be several versions before OS X will be ready for people like me.

None of this surprises me, since Jobs and Company have a long history of making bonehead decisions, including handing Gates the key that allowed for Windows and the M$ monopoly as we know it.

I now consider it altogether possible that sometime in the future I will be working at a Windows or Linux machine. Not because I want to switch, but because Apple will no longer exist as an alternative. We'll hang on to our legacy Macs as long as possible, but eventually we will have to switch because Apple blew it out of arrogance or just plain stupidity.

cdub1988 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2003, 01:06:00 PM »

IAWEpaminondas.

Though I've never run Debian, I really like this distro and this distro.

Both run quite well on the Bondis we have at our office.

BUT, as many have cautioned, if what you have suits you, then roll with it.

No sense in spending the money if you don't think it will benefit you.

And Linux IS free. That's a nice incentive.

Take care.

Chris

Gary S · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2003, 07:17:00 PM »

I don't quite understand Apple's decision to make the new machines bootable only into X at this time either.

If it's true that Apple's hardware sales are down 50% I think their kind of shooting themselves in the foot.....but...what do I know.

taliesin

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