On Jan 22, 2:46 pm, "Mac User #330250" <macuser330...@gmx.net> wrote: > ---------- Original message ---------- > Subject: Re: Why are you (still) using PowerPC-based Macs? > Date: Freitag 22 Januar 2010N > From: "Da'Birdman" <sa...@defalcos.com> > To: "G-Group" <g3-5-list@googlegroups.com> > > > I've seen a lot of good, well thought-out replies on this: "They work > > well for my needs," "It's what I can afford," or even, perhaps, > > "They're fun to upgrade and play with." (Obviously, I'm paraphrasing > > here.) But, no one has asked the obvious question, "Why would anyone > > join a group dedicated to Power PC G machines and ask why you are > > still using them?" Duh! If you didn't have a reason, wouldn't you > > just move on to a Mac Mini (I own two, but still love my Power PC's) > > or an iMac and leave this group? I'm not trying to flame on here, but > > I just think it's odd that a G-List member would question the reasons > > for owning and working on the very kinds of machines the list is > > dedicated to. I mean, I wonder why there are people still working > > with System 6, but obviously they have their own reasons. I wouldn't > > join the group and then question why they are doing it. It just seems > > a bit odd to me. Does it seem strange to anyone else? > > Would it have made sense to ask this question in another group? > Would, for example, the Intel-Group have answers to such a question?
Perhaps so, but apparently nobody else thought that this was odd other than me, so I'm guessing this was the right place to pose your questions. > To explain myself: > 1) I am not a native speaker, so the language barrier may be an issue. I don't think so. Your English is better than a lot of Americans! :-) > 2) I started using Macs of any kind about two years ago. So my knowledge of > Macs is very new to me, but "old" (in lack of a better word I cannot cum up > with right now) to others. > > 3) I recently got some older Power Macs, got infected by their design and them > being different, e.g. NOT Windows and NOT Intel. You're beginning to answer your own questions, then! > 4) I come from a Linux background. Updates come regularly and Linux can be > used on old machines as well as on new machines. But the point is, as long as > you go with supported distros and supported open source software projects, > you'll always recieve updates and security fixes. But no Linux distros come from the manufacturer of the hardware. Apple has a financial incentive to move people up to new hardware. The Linux distros don't. > 5) I've just finished installing Mac OS X and I'm working with it a little bit > now. I like Mac OS X and in my oppinion starting with Mac OS X 10.3 Panther it > is really a great and reliably operating system. I think Tiger is the ultimate OS for Power PC G Machines, but it does love ram. Is your Blue & White maxed out at 1024 megs of ram? It makes a noticeable difference in performance, and even though it is not intuitive, I find Tiger performs noticeably faster than Panther. > 6) Now I'm looking at it -- with the Linux background -- and come to see that > Panther really isn't safe anymore. And that is not the worst. If I use > Panther, I cannot use a lot of free software that I would like to use (like > Firefox, VLC, OpenOffice, and so on). What good is an operating system without > applications? That's like buying the "I'm a PC (and I'm cheap!)" But, of course, then you have to buy a bunch of programs to run on your new, stripped PC. These would have been included in the more expensive Mac. Where's the value now? As for as the inability to run the free software on the older G Machines, I think you just have to bite the bullet and go with Tiger and load the computers up with lots o' ram. > 7) A lot of people replied that they are using old software that runs quite > happily on their Power Macs (and not at all on Intel-Macs). Well, my situation > is different since I don't have and never had older Mac software. But, this does explain why they are using the older G machines. You asked - they answered. > 8) And last but not least -- I wanted to ask you G-users what you are using > your Power Macs for. And if you don't experience the same difficulties > regarding software as I do. > > No? Then I'm sorry. Maybe it is the language, or I'm just crazy. If you run Tiger, I think you'll find fewer issues, at least for the time being. Of course, it'll just be a matter of time before a lot of the freeware out there will require Intel and Leopard, Snow Leopard or OS 10.7 (Garfield?). > Either way I want to thank you all for your participation and your time. I > really appreciate it. I've read a lot about people using Macs since decades > and running their old but still functional software on them. I've read that > people would like newer Macs but the money issue stand between wanting and > getting. And I've read that I shouldn't tell people what the are gonna do or > not do (for which I still feel responsible and I'd like to apologise). No apology necessary. You have definitely sparked a lot of thought and responses. Good luck, Andreas! Scott Birdwell DeFalco's Home Wine & Beer Supplies Houston TX www.defalcos.com -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
