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Macintosh…Help me understand why
ZDnet ^ | May 27th | Christopher Dawson

Posted on 05/28/2007 7:40:29 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing

I can feel them…the flames…they’re coming. But I have to ask this question again (yes, I’ve asked one very much like it before) in light of recent events. The recent events, of course, involve the release of a particular Linux distribution with a funny African sort of name and, maybe more significantly, the first tier-one vendor’s adoption of said funny-sounding distro as an OS choice. Macintosh, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly focused on consumer appliances (oh yeah, AppleTV, that has applications in the classroom), notebooks (even their “budget” Macbooks are running Core 2 Duos), and high-end workstations (rumors are flying about the demise of the Mac Mini and the 17″ iMac). While I’ll be the first to admit that OS X is a truly elegant operating system and that both Mac hardware and software are full of useful little features and innovations, so is Kubuntu. And Xubuntu. Sorry, not loving Gnome so much lately, so I’m leaving the actual funny-African-named distro off the list, but I can’t say enough good stuff about Edubuntu. Several readers have mentioned recent innovations in Mandriva that they believe makes it even better than the ‘buntus; I’ve had great experiences with Fedora Core and OpenSUSE. I know a bunch of former Mac owners who think Yellow Dog Linux is about the best thing since sliced bread. So with all of these innovations and really refined interfaces, with so many great alternatives to Windows, why would I stretch my budget for a really pretty case? Why would I buy a really expensive laptop with JUST ONE MOUSE BUTTON??!!!

(Excerpt) Read more at education.zdnet.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: apple; linux; mac; multibuttonsince90s; os10
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There's one major answer. Third party commercial software. But other than that, linux has it all.

For those guys who clammored for macOS for all computers for the longest time, Linux delivers. Apple seems fine being a niche. So let them have it.

1 posted on 05/28/2007 7:40:32 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

Have you ever even been to apple.com?

Are you even distantly aware of Apple’s super mouse?

It reads like an advertisement for why Apple reactionaries are so wrong?

The one click mouse is such a 90s argument about Apple.


2 posted on 05/28/2007 7:45:00 PM PDT by lonestar67 (Its time to withdraw from the War on Bush-- your side is hopelessly lost in a quagmire.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

Bump for later.


3 posted on 05/28/2007 7:45:01 PM PDT by Paul Heinzman (Mr. Reagan I wish you were here. The country's changed a lot in 20 years.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing; Swordmaker

Because having a Mac is your ticket into a certain bar in Australia!


4 posted on 05/28/2007 7:45:47 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
5 posted on 05/28/2007 7:57:21 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

I would seriously consider switching to linux if there was a quicktime plugin and iTunes version for it. Everything else is great, but no iTunes support and not being able to watch all the videos on the internet is kind of a deal killer for me.


6 posted on 05/28/2007 8:09:05 PM PDT by Mr. Blonde (You remember my guitar? That is where it gently weeps.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
I'm a regular Fedora Core user. Never had one problem with it.

My Windows workstation is another issue altogether...

7 posted on 05/28/2007 8:11:58 PM PDT by Bosco (Remember how you felt on September 11?)
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To: martin_fierro

LOL!


8 posted on 05/28/2007 8:22:31 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: 1234; 50mm; 6SJ7; Abundy; Action-America; af_vet_rr; afnamvet; akatel; Alexander Rubin; Amadeo; ...
Why Mac? PING!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

9 posted on 05/28/2007 8:26:15 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

Why the Mac OS defaults to one mouse button (though it has supported and made use of two button mice for over 15 years now):

1. Programmers on Mac OS must assume that the user has only one button and may not have two, so this forces them to put commands in the menu bar at the top of the screen - not bury them ten levels deep in context menus and make them otherwise inaccessable.

2. Ever try to teach grandma to use a computer? Or work tech support for newbies? “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?” “Left click or right click?”

Yeah, it gets really annoying for user and instructor. Having one default button gets around that and reduces support costs.


10 posted on 05/28/2007 8:35:52 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

I’ll stick with XP pro the greatest OS I have ever had.


11 posted on 05/28/2007 8:39:59 PM PDT by miliantnutcase
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To: Swordmaker
Thanks for the !
12 posted on 05/28/2007 9:09:37 PM PDT by vox_freedom (John 16:2 yea, the hour come, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God)
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To: martin_fierro

LOLOLOLOL


13 posted on 05/28/2007 9:10:01 PM PDT by vox_freedom (John 16:2 yea, the hour come, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God)
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To: martin_fierro
What do you call a singing fish...

An iCod

14 posted on 05/28/2007 9:22:27 PM PDT by tubebender (Large reward for person offering leads to my missing tag lines...)
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To: Swordmaker

Do Apple laptops come with a mouse? The ones I have seen just have a scroll pad...


15 posted on 05/28/2007 9:25:38 PM PDT by tubebender (Large reward for person offering leads to my missing tag lines...)
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To: tubebender
Do Apple laptops come with a mouse? The ones I have seen just have a scroll pad...

No, but they all work with multi-touch and two fingers... tap two fingers and you get right button functionality, tap one finger and scroll with the second finger. Double tap-hold one finger and get click drag... doesn't take very long to get used to it.

Also, you can plug in any multi-button input device and it will be recognized and work.

16 posted on 05/28/2007 9:44:33 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE)
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To: Swordmaker
I’m using a 3 button Logitech mouse with a scroll wheel on my iMac. The scroll wheel saves a little hand/wrist movement.
17 posted on 05/28/2007 9:54:52 PM PDT by tubebender (Large reward for person offering leads to my missing tag lines...)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
Brace yourself...anything less than a glowing review for Macs is considered "FUD" and results in flames and negative comments for the original poster.

I got criticized once for posting that Macs did a given task somewhat better than PCs; my compliment wasn't complimentary enough.

18 posted on 05/28/2007 10:32:33 PM PDT by Turbopilot (iumop ap!sdn w,I 'aw dlaH)
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To: lonestar67

He said the laptops, which only have one button. But he obviously hasn’t used one because the two-finger trick gives you that right button without there physically being one.


19 posted on 05/28/2007 10:37:02 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Turbopilot
Brace yourself...anything less than a glowing review for Macs is considered "FUD" and results in flames and negative comments for the original poster.

That's because they usually contain Fear, Uncertainty and Dis-information just as this one contains falsehoods and dis-information published as fact.

In addition, this particular writer replicates the arrogance of Microsoft:

"Most of my readers agreed that I probably could have made a sounder IT choice by just making him use Windows, since we’ve standardized to a Windows platform everywhere else."

Microsoft'll just FORCE everyone to use Vista... despite the obvious problems and poor quality.

If you read his replies to those who disagree with him (he really doesn't want an explanation) in the commentary following the article, you find him spouting other falsehoods that demonstrate his total unfamiliarity with OS X.

This IT guy's job is to support the users... not foist his preferences on users who want something different.

20 posted on 05/28/2007 11:29:15 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE)
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