MacBreak Tech

Origin of the myth.  Dispelling the scary myth.

Macs are toys not good for “real work”

origin: Mac 128

changed: Mac II

today: UNIX based architecture very versatile.

Mac’s are for dummies.

origin: it’s really easy to use a mac. real computing is done with the command line

now: most of todays work is done with a GUI. 

http://lowendmac.com/lab/75.html

Mac is Expensive

origin: Mac’s were expensive. Quadra 950 retailed for $8K

now: there will always be cheaper alternatives to a Mac that on the surface seem cheaper. if you compare similar spec’d computers you will find a similar price. 

Market share isn’t big:

origin: Wall Street analysts that see success only as home runs

now: market share is a huge myth

look at specific markets to get an idea of true share

graphics development

movie industry

multimedia development

web development

_______ doesn’t run.

origin: lots of titles don’t run on a Mac.

now: Once you go Mac you can go Back and run whatever you want

depends on what you are doing.

content creation - no need to have two platforms

accounting - runs better in windows

Emulation can be done with:

Parallels

vmWare

CrossOver

<a href = “http://www.dosbox.com/”>DosBox</a>

2 Button Mice

origin: One button mouse.

now: second button and scroll wheel supported since OS 9 with the introduction of USB.

no standard ports: no parallel. no 9 pin serial.

origin: the 8pin serial port wasn’t hobby-ist friendly. hacking parallel is easy.

now: more input options then ever before.

usb to parallel

    to serial

    various controllers

http://sourceforge.net/projects/k8055mac/

Velleman K8055 USB I/O

    midi

    USB overdrive

http://www.usboverdrive.com/USBOverdrive/Information.html

    X10

    Xbox 360 driver

http://tattiebogle.net/index.php/ProjectRoot/Xbox360Controller/OsxDriver

    KeySpan

http://www.keyspan.com/downloads/

Big Sponsor Plug

Not good for accounting.

myth: Macs don’t have accounting software

now: check with your accountant first.

acctvantage

http://www.acctvantage.com/

MYOB

Inuit

You need Mac Specific _insert_whatever_here

hard drives

displays

printers

RAM

Mac is not compatible with the corporate network.

origin: NetBIOS, Novel, VINES and other networks didn’t have Mac drivers

TCP/IP doesn’t care what you are.

http://www.macvspc.info/websitePDFs/MACvsPCCombined.pdf

Mac’s are chatty on a network.

AppleTalk Phase 2, included with System 7, reduced the chattiness significantly.

  http://www.mac-guild.org/appletalk.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppleTalk

Don’t play games.

origin: the Mac had a Black and White screen until the Mac II which cost about $5K when it was released. so there weren’t that many games. 

dark castle, glider, solitaire, flight simulator.

truth: Mac’s don’t allow writing to the metal

now: lots of games but not always the newest games.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/

DS, PSP, xbox, ps3, ps2, Wii, Cube, N64… may be a better choice.

 

 Myths [106:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (731)

That’s what MacWorld Expo’s keynote brought us.

Backing up is something that everyone needs to do. Links on the next page.

Continue reading »

 

 Backmatic Automatic Backup [75:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (524)

Think about getting a new Mac.

usually don’t

the old one isn’t slow yet.

subscribe to something: MacWorld is obvious but even better is something like MAKE, 3d World, Photoshop like Layers or Photoshop User.

subscribe to a DO podcast like: MAKE weekend project, PhotoshopUser.TV, Russel Brown Photoshop tips or I should be Writing.

Use Automator more.

Get more RAM.

.Mac aka dotMac.

Backup my phone, PowerBook, MacBook, iMac.

Retire old hard drives.

Upgrade to OS X 10.5

Play with GarageBand.

Make a DVD.

Learn to use Smart Folders in the Finder, iTunes and Mail.

Change passwords.

Upgrade the network to Gigabit.

Spaces.

Sketch Up

http://www.apple.com/downloads/

Sell whatever you aren’t using. If you’ve got an old computer that still has some life in it, off it for $300. Don’t bother selling CRTs though. Just give those away. That way if they aren’t perfect, nobody will ask for the money back.

Schedule time to learn new stuff. Whatever it is. Python, AppleScript, GarageBand, or features of Word. Take just a small part of your day and figure out how to use features you didn’t even know where there.

Spend time at your local Apple Store Theater. The SF store has a amazing line up during Macworld. But there’s always something going on. Check your stores schedule. If something isn’t being covered, ask the store manager to schedule what you want. They really want to help.

No Apple Store near you? Don’t like to travel? Try online:

http://www.apple.com/seminars

Upgrade your seat. Not your software license, the thing you sit on. Make a point to shop in the chair section of your office store. Sit in a few chairs, but don’t buy right away. Compare those chairs with your old chair. Everyone’s butt is different so you have to find what fits you. For that reason don’t buy a chair “because it was a good deal.” If you have a real business, some chair stores will let you demo several for a week or so at a time. 

Get a new game.

 

 Standard Podcast [71:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (485)

If you’ve ever wanted to see a podcast in action you’ll get the chance to see a live recording of MacBreak Tech next week at MacWorld Expo. We’re on the Podcast Studio stage at 4PM on Tuesday. Here’s a link to the schedule. 

That was fast. Hello 2008!