Apple Mythology and Desktop Security

Yahoo News ^ | Thu Apr 21, 2:03 PM ET | Paul Murphy, cio-today.com

[Spktyr]

MacPing!

[HKTechBoy]

Linux on a Mac, makes sense, macs are cooler than PC's.
Mac Guy in my youth, PC guy now. Was much cooler in my youth.

[Spktyr]

Come away from the Dark Side of the Force.... it's much better in the light....

(Mac OS X is BSD, not Linux).

[HKTechBoy]

When I get a couple of extra bucks, I'm going to buy the MacMini, or a 21-inch flatscreen.

The good thing about HK is tech stuff is so much cheaper over here (and the software is really cheap :) )

[ConservativeMind]

Please understand I like Apple and used to install and support many networks of Mac, NeXT, and PCs.

This article severely overstates the case for the Apple in the corporate environment.

A big part of supporting systems is the ability to centrally administer your computers. Additionally, auditing and the availability to access high-end business software are other big necessities. In short, these three are sorely lacking on Apple systems.

However, to Apple's advantage, you have an easier-to-use environment and the ability to run Windows software on Apple systems through emulators. Unfortunately, Windows XP is almost as easy to use as Mac OS X and emulation is a terribly slow approach raft with its own support problems.

In the end, Apple could only be well-suited for an environment of graphic designers or the like, with the premier programs only available on OS X. Such users enjoy the environment Apple has created over the years and have been conditioned to use them while in school (using the same applications then).

Ironically, the same reason holds as to why Windows is better for almost everyone else. We learn on PCs for the vast majority of other programs.

Apple has a long way to go before they can crack the installed base of Windows machines in the corporate environment. I hope they do, but it is not an appropriate choice any time soon.

[ConservativeMind]

I meant to say "rife" with its own support problems. Sheesh!

[Army Air Corps]

What about Apple clones to increase market share? I seem to recall an Apple clone in the early 1990s.

[aft_lizard]

YEah PowerPC's. Still didnt help

[newgeezer]

(and the software is really cheap :) )

Lemme guess... The smiley face is meant to say, "cheap" as in "pirated"?

[ConservativeMind]

I remember the licensing opportunities Apple once allowed. However, should they undertake this again, it will still be a much harder sell then getting Linux on the corporate desktop--and that is essentially free!

I love OS X. It is an upgraded version of the NeXT operating system and environment ("NeXTStep" then as "OpenStep") which I dearly loved. But the dearth of software will continue to hobble OS X regardless of hardware. Unfortunately, there's just so little incentive to rewrite an application for 3-5% of the total market (and probably less than 1% of the business market).

Linux has a much better case going for it, but it is not nearly as polished. But "free" and having an appeal to much open source-type software means that in time, freeware will allow functionality that software companies cannot otherwise justify investment in.

[Army Air Corps]

Weren't the Power PCs still Macs but with IBM PowerPC processors?

[Musket]

Yep. Windows is a business machine. Mac is a fun machine. Windows will manage an enterprise network. Mac will not.

[Army Air Corps]

BTW, I was speaking of the machine (IIRC) called Kangaroo. It was a laptop that looked like a powerbook and was offered as a Mac clone.

[Duke Nukum]

...Apple has a long way to go before they can crack the installed base of Windows machines in the corporate environment. I hope they do, but it is not an appropriate choice any time soon.

I hope they do too, but I'd prefer computers like those on Star Trek. Nobody makes them and therefore they run nearly perfectly and are only susceptible to attacks from more highly advanced civilizations and cheese. Although, the cheese attack is more an attack on the hardware, it still causes glitches in the software.

[Californiajones]

Great Mac luvin' article -- thanks

[cabojoe]

Macs use PowerPC chips.

[Army Air Corps]

All of them? I thought that some were still using Motorola chips.

[cabojoe]

The mini and the G5 for sure, that's all I googled. :)

[Army Air Corps]

Okay, no problem.