Hi...
I've never used Mac OSX, but I want to know what do you think about Ubuntu/linux in comparison to Mac OSX, i.e. pros/cons, using software from linux on OSX or OSX on linux...
Tell whatever you feel and know about...
[SOLVED] Ubuntu/Linux versus Mac OSX
Archived thread 1013984 from Recurring Discussions. Markdown source: Recurring_Discussions/thread_1013984_[SOLVED]_UbuntuLinux_versus_Mac_OSX.md
I have not used OS X but from what I understand its very stable and easy to use. Linux is sometimes stable but not easy to use esp if you have hardware that you can't get working or want to install something not in the repos.
OS X also has some good apps like garageband that Linux cannot touch.
I would definitely use osx over windows. But personally I find OSX frustrating. A little too user friendly for me
But do you think thal ubuntu/linux is easier to use and manage than OSX? I was thinking to buy a mac with OSX only for the file indexer, it is very important for me.
If you're heaving into unix administration or software development I think you'll find Linux/Ubuntu better. I prefer it, I get my pretty, easy to use GUI but I have a powerful command line which I use for most of my work. Secondly since I was born into windows I like the GUI of gnome/kde better than OSX because it has a familiar layout and has similar hotkeys, stuff like that.
When I go on a OSX computer I get frustrate because nothing is familiar. No right click, way different hot keys, way different window management. I've used macs a lot and it's something I can't get used to.
Also I'll point out that OSX is Unix based and does have a command line too it's just not as robust out of the box. But you can do pretty much the same stuff.
OSX is a mainstream operating system so you could expect better software/hardware support/compatibility.
I used to have OSX installed on one of my computer but just couldn't make it stick. A lot of people love it and like I said I would definitely take that over windows. To anyone who asks that question.
Doesn't Ubuntu have indexing too? Or am I thinking of something else
juanp.contreras said: But do you think thal ubuntu/linux is easier to use and manage than OSX?
I was thinking to buy a mac with OSX only for the file indexer, it is very important for me.
APT. Seriously, the convenience of good package management and the repos is one of the biggest highlights for me - I don't know of any comparable service on Mac or Windows. (Strange really, given the success of Steam you'd think someone would see the potential)
Repositories are so important. Every product should have one. You shouldn't have to sift through google to find software. One big thing with repositories is quality control. You know that the software you're downloading went through some level of assurance before being added to the list.
doobiest said: I would definitely use osx over windows. But personally I find OSX frustrating. A little too user friendly for me
simplicity is bliss
jrusso2 said: I have not used OS X but from what I understand its very stable and easy to use. Linux is sometimes stable but not easy to use esp if you have hardware that you can't get working or want to install something not in the repos.
You haven't used it, yet you say it's stable and easy to use.
That's called indoctrination.
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I recently used OSX for the first time and it's not easy to use for newcomers.
I had trouble finding my way around their GUI.
The menu isn't good. I don't know why people claim it's that much better than others.
It should be stable as they can control the hardware it runs on.
hmmm...
About the indexer... it is my ignorance, but I feel that Mac OSX's probably has a better indexer than other indexers made for linux...
also, what about, for example, the backup facilities?
juanp.contreras said: hmmm...
About the indexer... it is my ignorance, but I feel that Mac OSX's probably has a better indexer than other indexers made for linux...
also, what about, for example, the backup facilities?
Why do you feel it has a better indexer?
Backing up your system in Linux >
http://www.linux.com/feature/117236
If you prefer a GUI tool >
From my experience Mac OS X is better than Ubuntu full stop. I have done more in Mac OS X than Ubuntu has ever done for me.
OSX lets you do the basic stuff really well, anything outside that and it's all down hill. Music player, iTune and .....ugh, chat application, Adium and ......ugh....ichat if you like what protocols Apple gives you.
Configuration is non exsistant without third part apps(most you have to pay for).
which things do you do better in OSX than in Ubuntu?
When Im talking about indexing, I want an indexer with support for many document types, and, I want an indexing like the one made by google. I like Google desktop (I had it on my xp before switching to ubuntu), but it is annoying to have all your data exposed to google.
I bought an Macbook recently with the objective to install Ubuntu on it, but when I toyed around with OSX I really started to enjoy using it. So combined with that I have been a little saddened by Ubuntus slow progress recently, I kinda got stuck overhere.
But do not be mistaken that I still favor Ubuntu and see the most potential in it. OSX is just better for me, for now.
but, do you think that the benefits of having a mac with macosx supase having a clone PC with any linux flavor? (I'm asking this because in my country the mac's are very very expensive)
Yes
Yes... but why? that's is this thread about!!!
Sorry I was trying to be concise :)
It all really depends on what you use your computer for. That said osx is capable of doing everything Ubuntu is capable of as a desktop os and the CLI is just as powerful, i.e. identical. It's like getting all the power of linux with the convenience of a mainstream os. Plus if you want you can install Ubuntu on it.. or Windows. I feel that the level of design, from software to hardware, is well thought out and the best in the business.
It's flexible, user-friendly, powerful... I doubt you'd kick your self for buying one.
I like the physical form of Mac hardware (yes, I know the internals are the same internals on non-Apple computers; I'm talking about the externals). The keys feel nice and not cheapy. I like the power button. I like the magnetic power cord. I like the ease with which the lid opens and closes but the hinge doesn't come loose easily. I like the look of the OS (Aqua, metal, etc.). The icons are extremely high resolution.
And if you buy into the whole Apple experience (Mac OS X, "Mac" external hard drive, Airport Extreme, iPhone, iTunes, Apple Care), then everything integrates very nicely together. That's what Apple provides you with--an experience.
Now, that said, there are a lot of reasons I don't use Mac OS X, and they mainly have to do with the interface. I prefer an actual maximize to zoom. I like the option to resize windows from any corner. I want an Alt-Tab to always restore a minimized window when I select it. I prefer to work in windows and not by application. I like keyboard shortcuts for everything, not just what Apple decides keyboard shortcuts are good for. I like to cut and paste files, not just copy and paste them. I like a package manager for installing applications.
Those are just some examples of Mac annoyances for me.
Ultimately, it's up to you. Find an Apple store or find a friend who owns a Mac and play around on one and see if you like it. My wife loves her Macbook Pro.
Well... lets talk differently :D
If you are talking about pure OS power, MAC OSX aint no better than GNU/Linux.
The same problems everyone is having with hardware/OS compatibility is also known to OSX users when they are running it on a costume NON-MAC computer.
Performance is relative - depends on which hardware and which application.
As we have some MACs running at work I can say, that as long as you need your MAC for one thing - multimedia - it is great as it has a loooooot of great applications ready to run (if you buy).
For everything else there is LINUX which runs much better on costume systems and is better in generic use and network/web application use. Also, LINUX is much more secure and the best thing - open. OSX is not.
Okey, gamers - for them the best thing is a console based system :D
Cheers
D.C.
hmmm... yes... mac experience is why the people pay for... but surely it is possible to emulate all those "beautiful" ;) things using a linux enviromnent... perhaps with some difficulty...
Between Compiz-Fusion and the "mac4lin" effort, it's actually not that hard to simulate the Aqua desktop environment. To be honest, I have yet to find anything for Linux (not to say such a program *doesn't* exist) which functions quite like Spotlight, which is the file indexing program you're referring to.
Remember, as with any commercial product, it's always going to be a trade-off between specific features and general liberty. Which are you willing to trade for the other? That's a question you can only answer for yourself.
Playing devil's advocate here...
doobiest said: If you're heaving into unix administration or software development I think you'll find Linux/Ubuntu better. I prefer it, I get my pretty, easy to use GUI but I have a powerful command line which I use for most of my work.OSX has a commandline as well, and like most modern Linux distributions, it's a Bash prompt. While some of the commands are different, some are also the same, expecially if you add Xcode.
When I go on a OSX computer I get frustrate because nothing is familiar. No right click, way different hot keys, way different window management. I've used macs a lot and it's something I can't get used to.Some of the hotkeys are the same, except using Command in place of Control. Also, any USB mouse will work on OSX, and right-clicking's fully supported.
ajcham said: APT. Seriously, the convenience of good package management and the repos is one of the biggest highlights for me - I don't know of any comparable service on Mac or Windows. (Strange really, given the success of Steam you'd think someone would see the potential)One compound word. MacPorts. Sure, it's not as robust as Ubuntu's repos, but it's something to help bridge the gap.
Now, by no means am I saying Ubuntu and OSX are equal, but being a user who uses both Ubuntu and OSX daily, I hardly miss a beat when I move between the two. Ubuntu's still better, though, and it's widening the gap. If the community could come up with some worthwhile replacements for the proprietary apps on Macs (Garageband is a good example, Final Cut Pro is another), I'd probably switch fulltime and Linux could leave OSX choking in the dust.
Do you know (good) indexers besides beagle and tracker?
thomasgilling said: From my experience Mac OS X is better than Ubuntu full stop. I have done more in Mac OS X than Ubuntu has ever done for me.
yeh but you dont have to get a linux computer to use linux, so my opinion linux is better.
i don't know ubuntu is pretty easy to use and you can get a pc for half the price of a mac with the same specs. then you can dualboot with ubuntu and use windows for everything that won't work in ubuntu
Of course, one *big* thing to keep in mind is that much of what's in Mac OS X has it's origin (whether technical or conceptual) in F/OSS / Linux somewhere. I often find myself reminding Mac users they have a lot to thank the F/OSS community for.
MikeTheC said: Of course, one *big* thing to keep in mind is that much of what's in Mac OS X has it's origin (whether technical or conceptual) in F/OSS / Linux somewhere. I often find myself reminding Mac users they have a lot to thank the F/OSS community for.
I thought that much of what's on OS X originated in Nextstep? F/OSS sure... thanking Linux is a big stretch.
hellion0 said: Playing devil's advocate ...
Ubuntu's still better, though, and it's widening the gap.
How so? You have highlighted some of the misinformation out there such as right clicking, but the make a very sweeping statement. I'm not having a go, I'm interested in your opinion.
Before I go on, I'm typing this using Ubuntu 8.10, of which I am a huge fan. I run it on a Dell Vostro 1700 Laptop, I also have an iMac. My take on things is that OS X is an *extremely* advanced OS. It is elegantly simple - remember that most people aren't as advanced in their understanding of computer OS's as most of us here. It works really well too. I can honestly say that I have never had a problem with it, which is down in part to the closed nature of it. To be fair to Apple, It is only the UI layer and their apps that are proprietary, the kernel is open-source (Darwin). Apple have contributed quite a bit to the FLOSS community too. Certainly webkit should be applauded for standards compliance. It's important to remember that OS X is Unix too.
IMHO there are still *too* many broken bits of Linux. Wireless is still very fuzzy (the Atheros chipset is *extremely* common amongst the netbooks - support is shaky at best), HSDPA modem support is broken by the lastest hal-info package. Admittedly, Apple only have their products to support, making the support of OS X less onerous. Finder, which is what the desktop environment is called, is really simple to use. It is very intuitive as Apple are *obsessed* with usability. I use the Gnome desktop as I'm not a fan of KDE 3.5 (too *K*lunky) and KDE 4 IMO isn't mature enough, although it looks promising. I personally like gnome, although I find it a bit cartoony. I know that there are other window manages out there, but most of them are still not mature enough for daily use. Interestingly enough, I like GnuStep as well!
Not so long ago Mark Shuttleworth pointed to Mac OS X as the benchmark that Ubuntu must compare itself to in terms of usability and finish. It is getting there but there is still along way to go. A massive step would be to adopt and adapt Apple's interface design guidelines, or at least develop a similar set of guidelines *and* enforce them. At the moment linux still isn't for beginners, unless you know what you are doing with computers, Linux is second best next to OS X, *at the moment*. Windows isn't even third...
sportscrazed2 said: i don't know ubuntu is pretty easy to use and you can get a pc for half the price of a mac with the same specs. then you can dualboot with ubuntu and use windows for everything that won't work in ubuntu
This is true if you build the computer yourself, and all power too you if you can do that - however - if you spec a pre-built machine *like-for-like*, Apple actually perform very well on cost, and you really do get what you pay for. Remember, when you buy a PC pre-manufactured, you pay a "Microsoft Tax" i.e. you pay for Windows whether you actually want it or not. Also, Apple's support for consumers, in my experience, is very good. Dell and HP (arguably two of the biggest consumer and business PC suppliers) customer support from experience isn't great.
Just thought I'd toss this in for anyone wondering about what MacOS X was capable of outside of the pretty face...
I ran a full LAMP server with a juke box and PHPNuke CMS system on my PMac G4 533DA for almost 3 years before retiring it.
It was actually far easier to set that up on my Mac than it was to do it in Linux, thanks to some talented packagers.
I loved the dock and I'm still waiting on AWN to work as well. I'd like to have my dock on the right side, something AWN does not currently do.
Gnome panels just aren't the same.