Thanks to Star Traveler for posting the article.
Mac with Windows in Parallel Ping!
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Posted on 08/25/2009 7:35:29 PM PDT by Star Traveler
You asked — What are the programs that people need such virtualization software for other than the games mentioned in the article? The only MS programs I run (Office) have a mac version.
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Yes, Microsoft does put out a Macintosh version of their “Office” package. So, that’s true for that one. But, there have been a few instances of where someone would have something proprietary (some program) which was made only for Windows (usually those aren’t your big packages). It could have been something built for a company for a special purpose, too.
In those instances, Parallels could come in very handy. And, at one time, I remember that NetFlix had their online viewing for Windows only, at first, and then later got the Macintosh version out (which it is now). And then, I’ve seen a few instances of some hardware which a manufacturer would have a “set up” routine what would run in Windows, but after it was set up, the hardware could be used by either Windows or Macintosh (kind of a stupid way for the company to do it, but I’ve seen that on occasion).
So, it’s various isolated instances of this sort of thing.
But, for the overwhelming majority of the average users, they will never need this sort of thing. I don’t have this now, but I would like to have it in the future, just to test out various things on the other platform and see how it functions.
I’m going to refer you over to “Swordmaker” for some information on that. He is very knowledgable about the Mac platform, and if there are things to know about that, I’m sure he can help...
Hey, Swordmaker... take a look here for “sushiman”... thanks...
Not really new. One year. Windows new “Vista” operating system finally got me to look elsewhere for a different OS and I wound up loving the Macbook.
There are a few small “windows” features I miss but again the MAC/Mac makes up for them in much greater areas.
I must admit however that downloadable software for the windows OS is much easier to find then for the Mac systems. More users I guess means more writers of the software. Simple economics huh ?
You said — I must admit however that downloadable software for the windows OS is much easier to find then for the Mac systems. More users I guess means more writers of the software. Simple economics huh ?
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I think you’ll find that Macintosh users get very picky about the type of software that is out there and that they expect it to be *good* (good user interface, not junky and works very well). Bad software writers get weeded out really quick and they don’t go anywhere. You better be good if you’re going to make software for the Macintosh and expect to get anywhere with it. So, that means that there are going to be fewer “versions” of software doing the same thing. Instead of ten packages doing one particular thing, you’re only going to find one or two or so, and that’s it, because it better be good or they’re going to go nowhere with it. Mac users will tell everyone in quick order that it’s *junk software* unless the guy does it real good (and these Mac developers know that).
I’ve seen companies on the Windows side just pop up a website, start selling a “rip off” of someone else’s software that claims to do one thing or another and sell their software, whether it’s any good or not. These guys are almost like “anonymous software developers” and you don’t know who they are, where they’re at and what’s going on...
But, with a lot of Mac software, you know who it is that is developing it or what company it is and they’ve got a “reputation” too. I”ve recently seen some of these “Windows style companies” pop up for some Macintosh software and I would never buy a single thing from them. You can’t tell who they are, where they’re from, how long they’ve been developing and there’s no way to contact them. You just buy the software and that’s probably the last you’ll hear from them... LOL...
That’s not so with the Macintosh software development community, it seems...
Anyway, check the following...
You can use these two web services for the various software that is out there for the Mac (a lot of small developers that produce very good software)...
Versiontracker for Mac OS X
http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/
MacUpdate
http://www.macupdate.com/
Then if you keep up on the Mac news and articles, they’ll introduce new software and also announce upgrades and so on...
Here’s one website for the latest Macintosh news and a list of various Mac websites at the bottom of the page.
MacSurfer Headline News
http://www.macsurfer.com/
There is another website that has a lot of Mac software on it (i.e., listing it so you know what is out there...), but I can’t remember that one right now...
ALSO, you might get on several of the major Macintosh forums around and ask around for something that fits what you’re looking for. And remember, don’t get *any Mac software* from faceless/nameless companies, unless they’re recognized and known in the Macintosh community and they stand behind their software... don’t buy junk from junk companies... (and that’s why you don’t find much of that in the Mac side of things).
Actually , Swordmaker and I have been in contact but not recently . Once before I was thinking of making the switch but after complaining to Fujitsu they ended up practically giving me a new computer so I put off the purchase of a new PC or Mac . This was , ummm , maybe a year and a half ago ?
The PC I am using works , but the monitor went ( for the third time ...I’m borrowing an old one from school ) and it is just too darn slow . I’m expecting a nice chunk of cash sometime in September so will take the plunge at the end of Sept. or early October .
I already use a system that runs all the software I want or need. And it doesn't have to be clever or cute or ovepriced.
It's called Windows, and if Microsoft doesn't back off the DRM-Vista BS I would try Linux way before Apple had a prayer getting my business.
Got my Macbook 2 years ago. Finally stopped using Microsoft for good a couple of months ago. Never been happier in all my years of using computer as a DAW. This Macbook ain’t the fastest or top of the line. It just flippin’ works!
Hey, I’ve got a question for ya... My HD fried thanks to MS’s last update. I purchased a new HD today, and upon trying to install Vista my installation disc keeps getting hung up for some reason. Seeing as this whole thing was NOT my fault in the first place (dang MS update crap), and Vista has decided it doesn’t WANT to install on my new Hard Drive, what would you suggest I do for an OS, now?
Keep in mind that while I can do SOME things, I am NOT by any means a computer “geek”. Plus, I’ve got old windows programs I really can’t afford to replace if they won’t run on a new OS.
I’m just sick of dealing with these issues — thank the Lord I didn’t update my daughter’s computer or we’d be completely screwed right now... As it is I’m down a 500 GB hard-drive and I’m quite P.O.’d at the moment. I don’t have money to shell out right now, but also I need my computer for my online business, and my daughters’ need theirs for school (not enough hours in the day for all of us to share 1 computer).
Perhaps I should make a separate vanity thread? Or, perhaps I should just take a few days to calm down so I’m not so upset and attempt to work with MS again? I already wrote a rather nasty little email to the tech guy I was online with for over an hour yesterday and told them of my installation problem, and said that if they tell me I need a new OS disc, it will NOT be MS. (I feel bad cause he was nice and patient, and apologized profusely for the problem). Didn’t think anything of it till I found out five people on my block alone have dead computers today due to the latest update. That’s FIVE on my one BLOCK alone!
Sorry for the rant, please ignore that part — I think I need a drink! Don’t understand how tech folks can deal with this stuff day in and day out!
In another thread about the Apple iPhone, it exemplifies the "idea" of it. The poster said...
My daughter has a Microsoft Mobile phone, and it almost causes me physical pain when I have to use the damn thing.One may be “better” than the other, but I will stick with the one that gives me joy instead of pain.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2324964/posts?page=23#23
Well, some people have to be “left in the dust” in order for others to “get ahead”...
[ ... hope you don’t mind the dust of the Apple Macintosh users, then... LOL...]
Glad to hear you’ve been talking to Swordmaker. If anyone knows the answer to that question, it would be Swordmaker. Of course, you could also go into an Apple Retail Store (i.e., their own store, not a third party store) and ask the “Apple Genius” there, too... :-)
Obviously a video that was made before the Apple iPhone... LOL...
Unfortunately , the nearest Apple store is over 2 hours away . But I will get up there one of these days . Hope to hear from Swordmaker soon .
I’m sure Swordmaker will, soon...
Talking about the Apple Stores... well, I was in Portland, Oregon for a long while and they had a bunch of Apple Stores up that way, and then I had to leave. And then I was in Dallas (Texas) for a while and they had a bunch of Apple Stores there, too... so I was glad.
But, then, when I visited up in Tulsa, Oklahoma (when in Dallas) they didn’t have a single Apple Store at the time, but then that changed finally. When the iPhone first came out, they opened a new Apple Retail Store in Tulsa and now that I’m up here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I’m glad there is one here now. I would have been disappointed not be able to go into the Apple Store... :-)
However, besides just getting your hands on different Apple products and seeing how they are, there are lots of other options available for buying Apple products.
Thanks to Star Traveler for posting the article.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Apple has a good presence in Japan. One of my friends' son was the Apple manager in Japan for a number of years. In 2007, with the release of OSX.5 Leopard, Apple's OS outsold all of Microsoft's. That shows there is great support and interest there.
Check out this article on the Kanji keyboard usage:
You might also want to read the Japanese Apple website information:
We are getting a mac laptop soon... Still trying to figure out what to pay and which one to get. I’ve given microsft yrs and yrs to perfect their system, and each upgrade is worse. I too would like to send microsoftjunk every piece of hardware we’ve had to get rid of because of failure or being obsolete @ their expense...and charge them and HP every time I am forced to speak to someone who lives out of country and can’t speak more than repetitive rehearsed scripted replies. I am no longer confident in pc’s regardless of backups. Wasted money..in their eyes, computers are expensive disposable toys. Do I sound bitter? ;-)
Office, despite having a Mac version, is still a virtualization killer app, just because the Mac version doesn’t include many of the components of the Windows version. No Vizio, no Access, and no Outlook. Well, Outlook is coming next year.
Ditto on the family pack. Now waiting for the touchscreen air to but my wife.
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