Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Building My Corner...
I'm in the process of building my web sites(after so many false starts) and doing research on the web, has triggered a debate in my mind.
I worked thru the tutorials at w3c for html, and took a look at the CSS tutorial. I understand that CSS adherence is the current standard for web sites, especially for interacting with the visitor, to enable giving the visitor the information they desire. However, if a web site is not meant to be very interactive for the visitor, is CSS needed? Using what is possible with HTML 4 is a valid design decision for me, the novice web site builder. By keeping a web site simple, compact, and focused on its purpose, I can easily make changes if needed, the web site would respond quickly, and it will be very clear to the visitor why the web site exists.
Until the next post...
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Saturday, May 20, 2006
Moving or not?
May 20, 2006
In my eyes, the attraction to the new MacBook and MacBook Pro, is purely physical(my apologies to Rod Stewart's song "Maggie Mae") for Linux ethusiasts.
Who wouldn't want to run their favorite Linux distribution on the new Apple laptops, with dual core processor, great LCD screens, Super Drive, seductively designed form etc...
But, wait, what about the great Mac OS X? Don't forget underneath the Mac OS X GUI runs a BSD heritage! Mac OS X was based on the OpenStep OS(which was built from Mach which was developed as a kernal replacement for 4.3BSD Unix in 1986. Much of Mac OS X is amenable for configuration to meet your hardware and software needs, if you have the skills, time, and inclination. For the Linux world, the ability to reconfigure Linux to suit your hardware and software needs is one of many attractive points for Linux, and may be the most irresistable part of the Max OS X for the Linux enthusiasts.
However the new Intel EFI used in the MacBooks could be a point of concern for Linux. If the distribution supports the Intel EFI specifications, then, Linux has part of the building blocks needed to run on the Intel based Macbooks, and Macbook Pro. There are few more pieces that need to be in place before a Linux distribution boots on the MacBooks in same way Linux boots in the PC world, but, I'm confident given time, and the can do attitude of the Linux community it can done.
But, all of comments mentioned so far, only applies to the PowerPC version of the Mac OS X. While Apple secretly made Intel versions of the Mac OS X in years past, Apple is rumoured to have locked down the released Intel version of Mac OS X, so that reconfiguration of the Intel Mac OS X for whatever reason, will be difficult at best.
So, what to do? what to do?
If you're planning to try to dual, or triple boot with the Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions, you need to watch closely what is going on in the Linux community, then try it when you feel confident for your situation, your efforts will be successful.
If you want to explore the Power PC Mac OS X world, pick up a new(quickly now) or used desktop or laptop and explore!
As for the Intel Mac OS X, well, I suggest you watch what happens in the next 12 months, and see if Apple changes it mind about the rumoured lockdown of the OS.
If Apple doesn't, then the Intel Mac OS X becomes like the Windows world and we all know how much fun that will be......
If Apple changes its mind, watch what happens, and jump in when you feel you can be successful.....
Until the next post.....
Who wouldn't want to run their favorite Linux distribution on the new Apple laptops, with dual core processor, great LCD screens, Super Drive, seductively designed form etc...
But, wait, what about the great Mac OS X? Don't forget underneath the Mac OS X GUI runs a BSD heritage! Mac OS X was based on the OpenStep OS(which was built from Mach which was developed as a kernal replacement for 4.3BSD Unix in 1986. Much of Mac OS X is amenable for configuration to meet your hardware and software needs, if you have the skills, time, and inclination. For the Linux world, the ability to reconfigure Linux to suit your hardware and software needs is one of many attractive points for Linux, and may be the most irresistable part of the Max OS X for the Linux enthusiasts.
However the new Intel EFI used in the MacBooks could be a point of concern for Linux. If the distribution supports the Intel EFI specifications, then, Linux has part of the building blocks needed to run on the Intel based Macbooks, and Macbook Pro. There are few more pieces that need to be in place before a Linux distribution boots on the MacBooks in same way Linux boots in the PC world, but, I'm confident given time, and the can do attitude of the Linux community it can done.
But, all of comments mentioned so far, only applies to the PowerPC version of the Mac OS X. While Apple secretly made Intel versions of the Mac OS X in years past, Apple is rumoured to have locked down the released Intel version of Mac OS X, so that reconfiguration of the Intel Mac OS X for whatever reason, will be difficult at best.
So, what to do? what to do?
If you're planning to try to dual, or triple boot with the Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions, you need to watch closely what is going on in the Linux community, then try it when you feel confident for your situation, your efforts will be successful.
If you want to explore the Power PC Mac OS X world, pick up a new(quickly now) or used desktop or laptop and explore!
As for the Intel Mac OS X, well, I suggest you watch what happens in the next 12 months, and see if Apple changes it mind about the rumoured lockdown of the OS.
If Apple doesn't, then the Intel Mac OS X becomes like the Windows world and we all know how much fun that will be......
If Apple changes its mind, watch what happens, and jump in when you feel you can be successful.....
Until the next post.....
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
The move is complete.....
May 16, 2006
Well, the move to Intel for Apple is complete.
The new MacBook series announced yesterday by Apple replaces the venerable iBook series. Granted, the new laptops series is very tempting, with the Intel Core D series as the CPU, 60Gb HD, sexy black cover option, and the tantalizing prospect of running Windows XP Home or XP Pro SP2 as a dual boot setup on the MacBooks.
So.. the question begins to roam around in your mind, should I jump in and buy a MacBook?
My take is.... It depends.
On what?
1. Are you already using a Apple system you got in the last 3-4 years...
If you are, and are happy with your present setup, Why Change!!!
Don't forget that OS X just works!!!!!
You are already familiar with the ins and outs of the hardware and OS X. Sure it took time and effort to get to that level, but, you will agree that it was worth the blood, sweat and tears.
I read on the net that OS X for Intel is a closed system. I don't know it that story is true, but, for Windows 3.x, 9x, NT, 2000,(Pro, Server,) Xp(Home & Pro) 2003(Server, DataCenter)Microsoft allows very little leeway in allowing their OSes be modified by a regular end user(if you are a big corporate customer, it's a different story) The Mac OS X for the PowerPC chip is open to reconfiguring the base operating system which is based on BSD in order to have the only the necessary components for a particular hardware configuration to run, without unneeded services and components slowing the overall OS.
2. Your Apple system is older that 5 years...
Yes, but, move to the PowerPC machine you can afford, be it a laptop or desktop. Only go to the Intel based Macs after you do a careful and detailed evaluation of your current setup and a complete analysis of your future needs. Why?
The Mac OS X and the applications is mature, stable, and full featured, Your applications, and content you created will play better with OS X for PowerPC than with OS X for Intel. Don't forget that not all of the applications for the PowerPC will be ported to the OS X for Intel, which use Apple's Rosetta to allow applications made for the PowerPC chip to run on the Intel chip. Doing this will affect the apparent response of the OS and hardware to you, the user as you perform your daily tasks.
3. Casual/Intermediate Windows User....
If you are a Windows user, and had always been curious about the Mac and OS X, the time to try it is now, while the iBook is still avaiable. No, Apple will not have a clearance sale on the remaing iBooks, but they will be cheaper that the MacBooks by at least $100.00. Why the PowerPC iBook? My wife bought this model, and it didn't take long for her to get used to it. I took longer to get comfortable with OS X, because, I go back and forth between Linux and Windows on a daily basis, and needed more time to build the mental processes to switch between the different OSes.
4. Power Windows User.......
If you fall in this category, the pain versus the gain question is very cloudy and murky.
If your expertise is in the hardware side, let's face it the choices available for the Windows world surpasses the choices for the Mac OS X. Stick with Windows.
If Software is your expertise, do a little research on your area of expertise.
The Mac OS X is as strong as, if not better that Windows in the graphics world, with very strong video, and audio, content creation , and editing tools.
In the world of software development for end users, the WWW Web, and for corporations, you should stick with what you are comfortable with using, effective in producing the the project results, you and your clients, employers expects from you, irregardless if you use the Mac OS X world or the Windows world. Don't change unless there is a clear and compelling reason(s) for the switch(ask for 4 times the normal amount of time needed for the changeover to just be safe, but, ask for 2 times more after the first part has gone by, if things are not going well.)
After all, you gotta pay the bills!!!
like I said for power users of Windows, the pain versus gain is very cloudy and murky, only you and your team can make the decision to switch or not.
If you are wondering why I have these opinions, don't worry, the goal of this post is to give a clear and neutral process to evaluate whether or not to switch to the MAC OS X world from the world of Windows.
For the users and support of Linux, the message is still the same, but, with some added twists and gotcha's.
I'll detail the twists and gotcha's in my next post........
Well, the move to Intel for Apple is complete.
The new MacBook series announced yesterday by Apple replaces the venerable iBook series. Granted, the new laptops series is very tempting, with the Intel Core D series as the CPU, 60Gb HD, sexy black cover option, and the tantalizing prospect of running Windows XP Home or XP Pro SP2 as a dual boot setup on the MacBooks.
So.. the question begins to roam around in your mind, should I jump in and buy a MacBook?
My take is.... It depends.
On what?
1. Are you already using a Apple system you got in the last 3-4 years...
If you are, and are happy with your present setup, Why Change!!!
Don't forget that OS X just works!!!!!
You are already familiar with the ins and outs of the hardware and OS X. Sure it took time and effort to get to that level, but, you will agree that it was worth the blood, sweat and tears.
I read on the net that OS X for Intel is a closed system. I don't know it that story is true, but, for Windows 3.x, 9x, NT, 2000,(Pro, Server,) Xp(Home & Pro) 2003(Server, DataCenter)Microsoft allows very little leeway in allowing their OSes be modified by a regular end user(if you are a big corporate customer, it's a different story) The Mac OS X for the PowerPC chip is open to reconfiguring the base operating system which is based on BSD in order to have the only the necessary components for a particular hardware configuration to run, without unneeded services and components slowing the overall OS.
2. Your Apple system is older that 5 years...
Yes, but, move to the PowerPC machine you can afford, be it a laptop or desktop. Only go to the Intel based Macs after you do a careful and detailed evaluation of your current setup and a complete analysis of your future needs. Why?
The Mac OS X and the applications is mature, stable, and full featured, Your applications, and content you created will play better with OS X for PowerPC than with OS X for Intel. Don't forget that not all of the applications for the PowerPC will be ported to the OS X for Intel, which use Apple's Rosetta to allow applications made for the PowerPC chip to run on the Intel chip. Doing this will affect the apparent response of the OS and hardware to you, the user as you perform your daily tasks.
3. Casual/Intermediate Windows User....
If you are a Windows user, and had always been curious about the Mac and OS X, the time to try it is now, while the iBook is still avaiable. No, Apple will not have a clearance sale on the remaing iBooks, but they will be cheaper that the MacBooks by at least $100.00. Why the PowerPC iBook? My wife bought this model, and it didn't take long for her to get used to it. I took longer to get comfortable with OS X, because, I go back and forth between Linux and Windows on a daily basis, and needed more time to build the mental processes to switch between the different OSes.
4. Power Windows User.......
If you fall in this category, the pain versus the gain question is very cloudy and murky.
If your expertise is in the hardware side, let's face it the choices available for the Windows world surpasses the choices for the Mac OS X. Stick with Windows.
If Software is your expertise, do a little research on your area of expertise.
The Mac OS X is as strong as, if not better that Windows in the graphics world, with very strong video, and audio, content creation , and editing tools.
In the world of software development for end users, the WWW Web, and for corporations, you should stick with what you are comfortable with using, effective in producing the the project results, you and your clients, employers expects from you, irregardless if you use the Mac OS X world or the Windows world. Don't change unless there is a clear and compelling reason(s) for the switch(ask for 4 times the normal amount of time needed for the changeover to just be safe, but, ask for 2 times more after the first part has gone by, if things are not going well.)
After all, you gotta pay the bills!!!
like I said for power users of Windows, the pain versus gain is very cloudy and murky, only you and your team can make the decision to switch or not.
If you are wondering why I have these opinions, don't worry, the goal of this post is to give a clear and neutral process to evaluate whether or not to switch to the MAC OS X world from the world of Windows.
For the users and support of Linux, the message is still the same, but, with some added twists and gotcha's.
I'll detail the twists and gotcha's in my next post........
