On May 19, 2005, at 11:44 PM, Craig H. Block wrote:
While on the subject of alternative desktop software,
I use Debian Linux on my personal server, but I'm thinking in terms of getting away from the Billyware on my desktop systems. At this point, I'm not sure if I want to take the plunge into Linux as a desktop operating system, but I do like it a lot on my server.
I have a fair amount of i386 hardware and I don't want to switch
platforms for quite a while. Is MacOS ported to i386? If not, will it
be? Something like that might be an alternative for me.
##### I don't have any inside information to share about a project to port Mac OS to i386, however, I do know that it has been discussed at Apple. It could very well happen. I sure hope so. Somethings even my friends at Apple are not free to discuss with me.
The other thing is it seems software developers only care about Windows.
Most of the time, specialized software is not available for any other
operating system. What to you do about software you need that is only
available for Windows?
##### Of course, that has always been a problem--everyone always develops for the "standard", most widely used OS. It is a matter of economics.
In retirement, I develop custom databases using FileMaker Pro. FMP is available for Mac OS and Windows only. FileMaker Server 6 was available for RedHat Linux, however, I have not heard even a peep about FileMaker Server 7 being available for anything but Mac OS & Windows. Being a member of the FileMaker Solutions Alliance, I never pass up a chance to promote FMP and FMS for Linux and BSD. If it ever happens, it won't be free or open source due to the huge development cost, but it'll be available.
Thanks,
- Craig
-- "Jay"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Clifford J. ("Jay") Schaffer, Owner
* JayTecTro, LLC (http://www.JayTecTro.com)
* 1000 Zolezzi Ln (Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED])
* Reno, NV 89511-7756 (Phone 775-853-3338)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *----- Original Message ----- From: "William Roddy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Jay Schaffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Reno Linux Users Group" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 6:30 PM Subject: Re: [RLUG] The need for the RLUG
Hi, Jay,
Thanks for checking in. It's good to know that there are, indeed, some chronologically-gifted folks out there. I don't mind being old . . . until I try to put my socks on.
I want a Mac real bad. I love Linux and am just getting into BSD and, for me, it's all hobby, except that I do use the computers for writing and the other regular stuff.
But I'm on a fixed income (and I didn't fix it) now, so luxuries and
even some necessities often are not possible. I used to be one of the
misguided who thought BeOS stood a chance. I caught the BeOS mystique
and was disappointed when they laid it in its grave -- even though a lot
of people are trying to clone it.
I guess, having seen the third world, and some poorer parts of our own
nation, I have the hope that Linux can provide a means by which people
who are otherwise disadvantaged can have access to computers. And now,
it even looks as though, if some of our schools are to keep computer
programs, so of us Linux enthusiasts are going to have to strongly
suggest they try it, even though -- and this is the ironic part, because
people are suspicious of things that are free (perhaps that's why part
of the world is suspicious of people living in free countries) -- it
comes with no cost and little or no overhead.
I've said it a hundred times, and I'm going to say it again: The
open-source community should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Here
is one of the most workable examples of how problems can be solved
peacefully by individuals who give of their time and knowledge and who
come from all corners of the world.
Got to stop yammering here. People are probably already sick of me. But
Linux is a good thing. And so are people who support it.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm really enjoying hearing from the
folks out there. It sounds like a strong community of Linux users. That
makes me very lucky.
William Roddy Quincy CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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