Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

What are some good websites to get me acquainted with the OS? Also, do you recommend any websites for purchasing Mac products?

Would you suggest I get the 400Mhz or 500Mhz TiBook? I will be using it for HTML, some PhotoShop, general business computing, and watching DVDs on flights. No games.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I haven't found much on the internet that was good for me in regards to becoming familiar with the Mac OS. I had my wife bring books from the library. After I got a feel for what was going on I jumped on the sites mentioned previously in this thread. If you're going to watch DVD's it looks like your only option is the 466mhz model. I'd go with that one anyway just because you may not think you're going to play games, but how long does that actually last? Even outside of games the extra speed makes it worth the price increase. All this is just my opinion, though.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Note that the higher-speed titanium powerbooks are not yet shipping. Hopefully soon!

Any of them would be fine for what you are doing...just get the fastest you can reasonably afford.

As for getting aquainted with the Mac OS, pick up David Pogue's book, OS 9...the Missing manual:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...8849075-1028515

There really isn't that much to get used to if you know how to use a computer. Use the Apple key instead of Control, remember that ALL windows share the same menu bar, a program can be running but not have any open windows, you need to OPTION-drag files to copy files when attempting to copy to the desktop, you are stuck (at least for now) with 32-character file names, and you throw your removable disks in the trash to eject them. Other than that, the basics are pretty much the same.

Oh...if you are used to using Allaire's Homesite to write your HTML on the PC, you'll want to switch to BBEdit on the Mac.

Some apps to consider:

http://www.poweronsoftware.com/products/ACTIONGomac/

GoMac adds the Windows START bar to your mac ($29)

http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/t...arch.html?b=mac

Quicklaunch is a program launcher similiar to the program launcher you get with Office (Free)

http://www.proteron.com/liteswitch/

Lite switch is a nifty little program switcher that is a bit better than Windows Alt-tab shortcut (Free...it also comes with GoMac.

http://www.connectix.com/products/vpc.html

Virtual PC...keep your PC software (though I'd strongly recommend that you get Mac-Native graphic apps such as Photoshop)

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I missed the T in TiBook. Forgive the oversight. I agree with homer, go as fast as financially possible. I'd also suggest going with mac native apps for sound as well as visuals. But that's just my egocentrism coming to the fore. If sound quality is essential to me it must be to everyone else, right?

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

Basically you will be paying the same price for the Ti Powerbook wherever you get it, its an Apple thing. The only place you'll get a "deal" on a Mac product is Outpost.com and that is only because you won't have to pay tax or shipping. They just changed their free shipping policy for smaller items (see my thread), but I believe the free shipping still applies to large purchases. I purchased my system from them and they have a nice 30 day MBG if you decide you don't want it (you might want to double check if it applies to the Powerbook).

If you want to customize the Powerbook and pay a premium for the service you can order it from the Apple Store, but I wouldn't recommend this unless you have money to burn.

Check http://www.ramseeker.com for the latest RAM prices. I've gotten RAM from Memory to Go and haven't had any problems with it and they usually have the cheapest price listed on ramseeker. Even if you don't think you'll need it, I would suggest getting more memory, especially with the prices so low at the moment.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

Thanks for all the tips!

Do Macs use the same type of ram as PCs? Apple shows that the Powerbook uses PC100 SO-DIMM RAM. Does that use a standard DIMM socket?

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

I forgot all about this thread...

They use the same type or RAM, but some of the extremely cheap generic RAM doesn't work. I think the PowerBooks use a low profile (small) RAM chip, but it isn't that much more expensive. I'd just buy from a Mac site since the prices are comparable and you know it will work.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

Linux and Macs

Way back at the beginning of this thread, someone asked about Linux for Mac boxes. Although OSX is not Linux, there is a Linux port - see

http://www.linuxppc.org/

I haven't used it, but I know people who do. Some of them are even considering using G4 Macs for large linux clusters; although the individual boxes are more expensive, the higher performance of the G4 chip makes it worth considering (or so they say - I'm not an expert).

For the kind of application I'm talking about the higher cost of Macs vs. PCs is irrelevant. Apparently when you fire up all 500 processors on a real job the expensive part is the new air conditioning system you need to keep everything from overheating!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

If I wait to get a PBG4 until around 3/24 will retailers start giving away OSX at that time? I know it won't come pre-installed until later this year, but I want to have one by PCExpo in late June.

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James Hromadka
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

According to Steve Jobs, March 24 is the day you will be able to purchase a copy of OSX. The new OS will not come preconfigured on new systems until July.

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My blog: Pocketfactory

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
According to Steve Jobs, March 24 is the day you will be able to purchase a copy of OSX. The new OS will not come preconfigured on new systems until July.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I'm assuming they would, but I can't say for sure. I would think it rather odd if they didn't. I'd also suggest getting the AppleCare Protection Plan. I've found it a necessity living in the boonies of South Dakota, but I think it'd be useful even in Houston.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.