Subject: RE: [linux-audio-dev] New powermacs?
From: Ivica Bukvic (ico_AT_fuse.net)
Date: Sun Jun 22 2003 - 02:34:28 EEST
Although if I ended up running Linux on it I would be paying a lot more
for (at best) comparable hardware shrink-wrapped in the pretty box. If
that is all, then I guess I feel rehabilitated :-).
I am really thinking here whether OS X is worth the stab, or will I feel
caged once I abandon the freedom of Linux. It seems you've partially
answered my question, and I thank you for that!
Thank you very much for your honest reply!
Ivica Ico Bukvic, composer & multimedia sculptor
http://meowing.ccm.uc.edu/~ico
> -----Original Message-----
> From: linux-audio-dev-admin_AT_music.columbia.edu
[mailto:linux-audio-dev-
> admin_AT_music.columbia.edu] On Behalf Of cliffw_AT_easystreet.com
> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 1:42 PM
> To: linux-audio-dev_AT_music.columbia.edu
> Cc: linux-audio-user_AT_music.columbia.edu; cliffw_AT_localhost.localdomain
> Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] New powermacs?
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> >[snip - mac news - ]
> >
> > Please don't get me wrong. I am still in favor of Linux, obviously
due
> > to its open architecture. But at the same time I am becoming a bit
weary
> > of having to "hack" my advanced audio settings rather than use
> > user-friendly tools. That, coupled with still anemic direct vendor
hw
> > driver support has really made me pay closer attention on Macs (as
scary
> > as that sounds). Yet, I feel such a sense of accomplishment when my
> > Linux purrs just right with my desktop being uniquely configured and
> > tailored to my needs. After all, I am a geek. :-) And the inner
struggle
> > goes on...
> >
> > Anyone care to comment or (please) dissuade me from potentially
making a
> > costly mistake? ;-)
> >
>
> Well, i'm messing with a used iBook G3/500 right at the moment.
> OS X does look nice, and the few OS X audio apps i demo'd are solid.
>
> And, dual-booting w/Debian unstable was dead easy to do, i have OSS
audio
> working jest fine with the built-in set, and i'm hoping to do ALSA
> via USB audio soon, which will be kewl.
>
> I like the hardware platform. The display is noticeably better than
most
> Intel laptops, certainly better than the used ones i was comparing to.
> The Firewire Just Worked, right from the Debian install kernel.
> I've been using it with a IDE -> firewire disk carrier.
> The unit is solid. The built-in audio is okay, my model
> has no real inputs (built-in mic) - you would definately be using USB
or
> firewire for Real Work. Using Open Firmware at boot instead of BIOS is
> sweet. With Linux, performance is fine, even with the 500mhz chip.
>
> The OS X on the other hand, is noticeably slooower than Linux (2.4.21
+
> 2.5.72
> kernels ), especially at reboot. And the Mac world is insanely closed,
> it actually surprized _me how little choice you have with OS X - near
as
> i can figure, you buy most everything from Apple, pay a bunch more
money
> than a comparable M$ product, or suffer.
> And since they are _not a huge monopoly, they seem to have little
shame
> about being closed - i was very amused by the way they attempt
> to corral the first-time user into signing up for .Mac (Apple's
version of
> MSN) during the OS X install, iTunes also.
>
> The main thing-that-makes-me-nutbar is the keyboard layout. That's
> fixable with X, and you can set up keymappings with sysctl for some
> Mac-specific things. Main installation pain is the Mac version of
fdisk,
> which is....terse.
>
> So in conclusion, i'd say the iBook + external converter (USB/fire)
> would make a fine Linux audio laptop.
> Get a decent sized disk, and you can dual-boot with OS X, and that
> will motivate you to run Linux again. :)
> cliffw
>
> (PS - http://www.penguinppc.org - is a good start point for Mac links)
>
>
> > Ivica Ico Bukvic, composer & multimedia sculptor
> > http://meowing.ccm.uc.edu/~ico
> >
> >
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