Linux vs. OSX
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- Chris Corbyn
- Breakbeat Nuttzer
- Posts: 13098
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Linux vs. OSX
I started a thread with a query about running OSX in PearPC and a good question came up.
I run Gentoo on an Intel based architecture right now... I'm tempted to swicth to OSX after a play with it today. I'm just not sure there's enough reason to switch. Do you prefer Linux or OSX?
I run Gentoo on an Intel based architecture right now... I'm tempted to swicth to OSX after a play with it today. I'm just not sure there's enough reason to switch. Do you prefer Linux or OSX?
But what about my pwetty KDE desktop?!!11 But Gnome suxxorz!!11five!! And OSX is totally not koolzorz!!1shift+1!!11redmonkey wrote: OS X for desktop and *nix for servers.
<edit>
To come off as more of a man than I really am, I've just decided to write a fully fledged 1337 sentence (all inclusive!):
|-|0\/\/ (4|\| j00 54`/ |)47 |-1|\||_|>< |)035|\|7 |20><><0|2Z |=0|2 73|-| |)35|<70|° ??!!!111 |_0|_ZZ!!11 |20|=|_!!1!11???!!!11
^If you can read that, send me a PM. You might win the prize of helping me with a leetspeak generator/translator!
</edit>
Nah, just playin'.
I voted for OSX because of its beatiful UI and also because it's an Apple and Apple was, is, and will always be cult!
- Chris Corbyn
- Breakbeat Nuttzer
- Posts: 13098
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Well, I can see why OSX would be nice to run on the desktop since it's visually stylish and very slick. But then I spend most of my time in command line unless I'm browsing the net or something. What's the package management like?
You can almost guarantee that next week I'll be posting here "Well, I just bought a G4 System with Tiger 10.4... ". I like my boys toys
You can almost guarantee that next week I'll be posting here "Well, I just bought a G4 System with Tiger 10.4... ". I like my boys toys
I'm more about function over form, for me, I just prefer the way it works.d11wtq wrote:Well, I can see why OSX would be nice to run on the desktop since it's visually stylish and very slick.
OS X comes as standard with both tcsh and bash (there may be others). In terms of package management, I believe there is a port of apt-get (fink I think it's called) but TBH I've never needed/used it, I either compile what I need myself or the app will come with a GUI for installation. Apple's own software updates seem to work fine, I have had no isssues with it so far.d11wtq wrote:But then I spend most of my time in command line unless I'm browsing the net or something. What's the package management like?
As a daily user of Mac OS 10.4 I have a few greivances I will gladly air.
1. RUINED UNIX SECURITY
The admin user security is junk. They have disabled root. To do anything of use on the commandline you have to enable it. However root doesn't control the admin user. Admin's password can be changed simply by inserting an install disk booting from it and using a utility. You don't have to know the existing admin password to change the admin password! Some security...
2. THE DOCK
It's useless for managing open documents and programs. Who needs a place to hold frequently used programs? You can't tab through open documents. On 10.4 command+tab will send that oversized app selector up. (Stupid)
3. THE FINDER
There are no advanced features available. You can't see hidden files. You can't see all the directories. You don't have the option of turning it on. It manages extensions for you. Applications install and take over a file extension. There is no built in solution to specify or not specify that you don't want the file type taken over.
4. OPEN SOURCE APPS
Many applications that are readily available to install on *NIX are much more difficult to install and use on the MacOS 10.4.
5. OTHER APPS
Other commercial apps are not as available as MS. Some that are cost more for macs than for MS.
As I like to say, the good things about the mac os came from open source everything else that came from Apple. If you are a developer buy Windows for those commercial apps you can't live with out and install a solid distro on a partition.
$0.02
1. RUINED UNIX SECURITY
The admin user security is junk. They have disabled root. To do anything of use on the commandline you have to enable it. However root doesn't control the admin user. Admin's password can be changed simply by inserting an install disk booting from it and using a utility. You don't have to know the existing admin password to change the admin password! Some security...
2. THE DOCK
It's useless for managing open documents and programs. Who needs a place to hold frequently used programs? You can't tab through open documents. On 10.4 command+tab will send that oversized app selector up. (Stupid)
3. THE FINDER
There are no advanced features available. You can't see hidden files. You can't see all the directories. You don't have the option of turning it on. It manages extensions for you. Applications install and take over a file extension. There is no built in solution to specify or not specify that you don't want the file type taken over.
4. OPEN SOURCE APPS
Many applications that are readily available to install on *NIX are much more difficult to install and use on the MacOS 10.4.
5. OTHER APPS
Other commercial apps are not as available as MS. Some that are cost more for macs than for MS.
As I like to say, the good things about the mac os came from open source everything else that came from Apple. If you are a developer buy Windows for those commercial apps you can't live with out and install a solid distro on a partition.
$0.02
1. I think that's a trivial issue, as to reset the admin password without knowing what the current password is requires physical access to the box, I have utilities for resetting root/administrator passwords on both *nix and Windows systems all I require is physical access to the box. If you are having problems with unsavouries having access to your machines then you'll have bigger problems to worry about than file system security. The only real issue would be the question of 'Are Apple right to supply the utility?' personally I think yes.
2. The dock is essentially the same as the Windows 'Quick Launch bar', you can choose to hide it if you don't use/like it. the tab through app selector is notably bigger than that of Windows but I don't see how/why that degrades it's functionality, personally I don't see it as a major issue. If you have multiple apps open and you are tabbing through them you can also just point and click on the app you want without having to tab through to get to it, a little detail but it's one of those little details I appreciate.
3. I actually like the fact that hidden files and system folders are kept well away from the average user, let's face it they are hidden for a reason. You can get access to them if you need to though. The fact that an application takes over an extension association is purely down to the app and not the OS. I've installed quite a few applications and *most* of them have asked/given me the choice to associate themselves with a particular file extension.
4. It's true to say there is far less documentation support for Mac OS X when it comes to compiling your own, I think much of that is down to the OS being very much in it's infancy. But is this the fault of the OS or is it down to the documentation/utilities provided by the app? Either way, there are also apps out there which are far easier to install on OS X than they are on *nix. One point to note here, you are picking and choosing points from both *nix and Windows and comparing against OS X but you don't compare all three platforms on any given point, give the average windows user an application in source code form and have them install it on their Windows box, it's a pretty safe bet they'll still be there for several days (at least) trying to gather together all the info required to carry out the install.
5. Not every commercial app has to support every OS, there are always going to be applications that are platform specific or don't support a particular platform. I haven't as yet come across any app which has been more expensive for OS X than it's windows counterpart that's not to say they don't exist. I'm sure any difference in price is down to some equation of time to adapt the app's code base for the platform vs expected sales.
Personally I'm not up for the debate, just commenting on the points you have raised.

2. The dock is essentially the same as the Windows 'Quick Launch bar', you can choose to hide it if you don't use/like it. the tab through app selector is notably bigger than that of Windows but I don't see how/why that degrades it's functionality, personally I don't see it as a major issue. If you have multiple apps open and you are tabbing through them you can also just point and click on the app you want without having to tab through to get to it, a little detail but it's one of those little details I appreciate.
3. I actually like the fact that hidden files and system folders are kept well away from the average user, let's face it they are hidden for a reason. You can get access to them if you need to though. The fact that an application takes over an extension association is purely down to the app and not the OS. I've installed quite a few applications and *most* of them have asked/given me the choice to associate themselves with a particular file extension.
4. It's true to say there is far less documentation support for Mac OS X when it comes to compiling your own, I think much of that is down to the OS being very much in it's infancy. But is this the fault of the OS or is it down to the documentation/utilities provided by the app? Either way, there are also apps out there which are far easier to install on OS X than they are on *nix. One point to note here, you are picking and choosing points from both *nix and Windows and comparing against OS X but you don't compare all three platforms on any given point, give the average windows user an application in source code form and have them install it on their Windows box, it's a pretty safe bet they'll still be there for several days (at least) trying to gather together all the info required to carry out the install.
5. Not every commercial app has to support every OS, there are always going to be applications that are platform specific or don't support a particular platform. I haven't as yet come across any app which has been more expensive for OS X than it's windows counterpart that's not to say they don't exist. I'm sure any difference in price is down to some equation of time to adapt the app's code base for the platform vs expected sales.
Personally I'm not up for the debate, just commenting on the points you have raised.

Point.redmonkey wrote:1. I think that's a trivial issue, as to reset the admin password without knowing what the current password is requires physical access to the box, I have utilities for resetting root/administrator passwords on both *nix and Windows systems all I require is physical access to the box. If you are having problems with unsavouries having access to your machines then you'll have bigger problems to worry about than file system security. The only real issue would be the question of 'Are Apple right to supply the utility?' personally I think yes.
I don't need a giant 'Quick Launch Bar'. My preference would be to tab through minimized docs but you can't do that. My complaint about the dock is simply as an open app/document manager it doesn't work for me personally. It's clunky and leaves my desktop a mess all day long.redmonkey wrote: 2. The dock is essentially the same as the Windows 'Quick Launch bar', you can choose to hide it if you don't use/like it. the tab through app selector is notably bigger than that of Windows but I don't see how/why that degrades it's functionality, personally I don't see it as a major issue. If you have multiple apps open and you are tabbing through them you can also just point and click on the app you want without having to tab through to get to it, a little detail but it's one of those little details I appreciate.
Still it's not available if you want it. Try installing photoshop and then try working with .tpl Smarty templates and see what happens. Further there is no built in utlilty for changing it if you want to or need to.redmonkey wrote: 3. I actually like the fact that hidden files and system folders are kept well away from the average user, let's face it they are hidden for a reason. You can get access to them if you need to though. The fact that an application takes over an extension association is purely down to the app and not the OS. I've installed quite a few applications and *most* of them have asked/given me the choice to associate themselves with a particular file extension.
My point was not to compare all three systems. My point was simply to say if you want to run open source apps like Quanta plus, bluefish, gftp ect. it easier to do so with a solid distro with installers for them. So *nix wins.redmonkey wrote: 4. It's true to say there is far less documentation support for Mac OS X when it comes to compiling your own, I think much of that is down to the OS being very much in it's infancy. But is this the fault of the OS or is it down to the documentation/utilities provided by the app? Either way, there are also apps out there which are far easier to install on OS X than they are on *nix. One point to note here, you are picking and choosing points from both *nix and Windows and comparing against OS X but you don't compare all three platforms on any given point, give the average windows user an application in source code form and have them install it on their Windows box, it's a pretty safe bet they'll still be there for several days (at least) trying to gather together all the info required to carry out the install.
In my experience owning a Mac and working on one at work, everything thing seems to cost more on a Mac.redmonkey wrote: 5. Not every commercial app has to support every OS, there are always going to be applications that are platform specific or don't support a particular platform. I haven't as yet come across any app which has been more expensive for OS X than it's windows counterpart that's not to say they don't exist. I'm sure any difference in price is down to some equation of time to adapt the app's code base for the platform vs expected sales.
- jyhm
- Forum Contributor
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It's easy to display hidden files on OSX. On the command line:Or make a handy little applescript with it on your script menu bar or what ever.
As far as Linux vs. OSX goes, I know that for some people it is nice
to be an admin and not have to leave their macs all day.
echo 'redmonkey' . 'OS X for desktop and *nix for servers.';
But it's hard to resist those cool linux desktops for tinkering around in!
EDIT: I know this is like a 2 year dig but I was searching forums for 'fink' and I had to take this survey!
Code: Select all
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles ONCode: Select all
display dialog "How Do You Wish Finder To Display Hidden Files..." buttons {"Cancel", "Visible", "Hidden"} ¬
default button 1
copy the result as list to {buttonpressed}
if the buttonpressed is "Hidden" then
try
tell application "Finder" to quit
do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles OFF"
delay 1
tell application "Finder" to activate
end try
else if the buttonpressed is "Visible" then
try
tell application "Finder" to quit
do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles ON"
delay 1
tell application "Finder" to activate
end try
end ifto be an admin and not have to leave their macs all day.
echo 'redmonkey' . 'OS X for desktop and *nix for servers.';
But it's hard to resist those cool linux desktops for tinkering around in!
EDIT: I know this is like a 2 year dig but I was searching forums for 'fink' and I had to take this survey!
- daedalus__
- DevNet Resident
- Posts: 1925
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:52 pm
- daedalus__
- DevNet Resident
- Posts: 1925
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:52 pm
how can joo say dat linux doesnt roxorz teh desktop ??!!!111 lolzz!!11 rol!!1!11???!!!11foobar wrote:|-|0\/\/ (4|\| j00 54`/ |)47 |-1|\||_|>< |)035|\|7 |20><><0|2Z |=0|2 73|-| |)35|<70|° ??!!!111 |_0|_ZZ!!11 |20|=|_!!1!11???!!!11
thats the last time i ever put myself through reading noob-speak that thick