New South Wales Traffic Authority Switches to Macs 350
MacGyver writes ""In what may well be Apple Computer's largest coup in the Australian enterprise space, the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) will deploy 1200 G4 iMacs across 140 registry offices." This isn't just a Mac story: the RTA statement noted, "The Apple rollout is a continuation of RTA usage of open standards-based software and systems. The further adoption of open source is being undertaken to provide more choice of vendors and to guarantee RTA systems are providing value for money."
Good job Apple... (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
Providing more vendor options? (Score:2, Insightful)
thats like saying your moving from california to idaho for a better selection of produce.
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:5, Informative)
Since Macs run just about everything people use Windows for (Office, E-mail, calendars, accounting, etc.), and can run almost all *nix software, they are the #1 platform for variety of software choice. There isn't even room for debate.
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:5, Insightful)
more or less all of the big commercial software
lots of high quality shareware & freeware
most of the open source software with a recompile or via fink
a Unix that even your grandmother can use
not on Windows, not on Linux
I can run Microsoft office, while browsing the web using Lynx in a Terminal Window, use Adobe's great software and also run KDE, KOffice (betas recompiled using the native QT port now even run natively and don't require X11) and all the other goodies (btw even MPlayer is better on OS X http://mplayerosx.sf.net)
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:2, Insightful)
They're 64 bit, though. And just as proprietary and single-company-sourced.
Both are the wrong choice if you want the most vendor options.
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, but what other computer can double as a lamp? :)
While OS X is not as open as, say, Linux, it is more open than Windows. Unlike other options like Solaris, it can play nice in Windows environments, and most of the time can read Windows formats. While Linux can do this, it takes more work to get Linux to do this. Since these machines are destined for decentralized offices, ease of use is probably a must.
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:3, Interesting)
"We care so much about getting you the best tools available that we've spent a little more on computers, bought Macs. Hopefully this'll reduce your stress a little compared to Windows machines, and help you work more efficiently. You no longer need to worry about viruses, rebooting, malware, or frustrating difficulties."
Plus they're renowned for being the simplest things to do support for. They probably have 2/
Re:Providing more vendor options? (Score:3, Informative)
Wow. Was Apple always right???
This is EXACTLY what Apple needs... (Score:5, Interesting)
I think Apple can make an excellent case given the rising amount of spyware, viruses, and worms on the PC as well as selling their BSD-based OS.
Good deal and hooray for competition! It's about time (again).
Re:This is EXACTLY what Apple needs... (Score:5, Interesting)
Those commercials would be so great right now. Have ones of people getting viruses, or spyware problems, or just the usual PC headaches too. Apple's got a great platform, they need to ADVERTISE it.
Re:This is EXACTLY what Apple needs... (Score:3, Interesting)
"To the neighbors'. They have a Mac."
Diversity in computing! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Diversity in computing! (Score:2)
You meant: "about their G4 iMacs."
Re:Diversity in computing! (Score:2)
You meant: "about their G4 iMacs."
Dude, you're being totally pedantile.
Re:Diversity in computing! (Score:2)
Re:Diversity in computing! (Score:2)
Kudos to the Apple sales dude... (Score:5, Interesting)
So they are using full blown Macs for a cash register, attaching a laser printer for receipts and certificates and running some specific software. Seems to me a cheaper solution might be found using a dumber device and a web app or two.
Re:Kudos to the Apple sales dude... (Score:2)
funny. (Score:5, Insightful)
The irony here is, there wouldn't be a mac/apple story if it weren't for Apple having gone to OS X and a more open software philosophy. It looks like, were it not for open source, much of the revitalization that Apple has undergone in the wake of OS X would not have occured, and "Apple is dying!" would be all over slashdot - as it as prior to OS X. Haven't seen those trolls for a while, so maybe it's telling.
Of course, now there'll be 15 replies with, "Apple is dying!" or "BSD is dying!" or such, just to spite me.
the 'openness" of Apple (Score:5, Insightful)
My guess why they went for Apple is probably because Darwin is bassed on BSD and the source is available. It may not be open in the sence that Linux is but it is more open then Microsoft ever will be.
Also, with Apple meing a majoe vendor they have a certain sence of security when it coemes to future support. Apple have a better chance of sticking around than some shop making custom Linux boxes
What value? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What value? (Score:4, Interesting)
the x-term + back-room server model works great if you already have an IT staff on-site for other reasons. but it involves running the server and keeping the terminal hardware up. again, x-terms are great. i've admin'd sites with that model, and it's wonderful to be able to just replace the whole unit and have to do near-zero config when one breaks. but they do break. on our floor of ~30 NCD x-terms, we swapped out about one a month.
note, also, that x-terms aren't as cheap as you'd think - i'm constantly surprised by how expensive they are, actually. that is, if you're buying from a reputable vendor, but the dirt cheap ones usually have a corresponding increase in problems.
i've done the x-term thing, and i've admin'd mac networks. for about 90% of the applications, the later has better cost factors. not to mention usability factors. remember that the most expensive thing in this question is almost always human time.
oh, and i've also admin'd large Win32-based networks. that makes sense about 0% of the time.
Re:What value? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:What value? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What value? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:What value? (Score:3, Informative)
Cool! (Score:3, Funny)
That means I get to listen to iTunes next time I go to fail my license exam.
There is a precedent (Score:3, Informative)
Or at least they were in the 1990s. I'm a bit out of date on my Mac info.
Good, yet bad. (Score:5, Insightful)
That being said, the Macs are a better choice when compared to PC's... they might be a bit more expensive up front, but the build quality is excellent and people find them easier to use, so the cost of maintaining and supporting them is going to be lower.
One of the interesting things in the article is that they can use the swivel mount to show people their license photos easily. Pretty nifty.
Of course, I have no idea about why they made the decision because I don't work there - I also live across the border in SA.
Sunrays have another cool feature (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm a real fan, provided you aren't using intense applications. If your stuff does a lot of graphics, you'll quickly find that the CPU and memory it requires makes the servers more expensive than just getting dedicated computers. However for centralized data entry (as they'll be doing) Sunrays rock.
Re:Sunrays have another cool feature (Score:2, Interesting)
Only if you insist on buying big iron (Score:2)
You can deploy a similar, X based archtecture using Linux, or indeed Sun/HP/IBM kit. Make the desktop cheap diskless systems which support PXE booting, put in a load balanced array of smaller and cheaper servers on the back end instead of a large server, individually they work out very much in the same price range as a desktop PC. Examples would
Re:Good, yet bad. (Score:2)
My two-week-old 12" Powerbook has a broken keyboard and Airport Extreme card. Excellent build quality my ass :(.
Re:Good, yet bad. (Score:5, Informative)
The fact that they are a UNIX-based system by default is great, and after the hardware was all but decided on there was some talk of running Linux on them, but that never eventuated.
We tried Sunrays, but they didn't suit what we wanted to do. We looked pretty seriously at them, since we are replacing Javastations in this rollout (generation before Sunrays), but the didn't do everything we wanted.
Re:Good, yet bad. (Score:2)
Xterms? you gotta be kidding: they always been overpriced and underpowered (this has to do with the X spec, not hardware design btw).
As one of the decision makers on this... (Score:5, Informative)
The main reason for choosing iMacs over a Linux/BSD/whatever solution (which we did try side by side with plenty of others) was OH&S.
Yes, Occupational Health and Safety. They took one look at the screen design, the way each individual user could move the screen where they wanted it and they were pretty much sold. We approached another supplier for a similar solution, only to get a quote for a movable screen of equivalent specs that put it about AUD $1000 over the price of the iMacs.
We were keen to Switch to Macs from our Javastations because they make a great product, they are supported by a "big" name (the rest of our our system is Solaris), and we can perform remote admin and stuff easily.
Other big-name suppliers were pushing to get in on this but someone with the authority to make such decisions said "no Windows in registries" after Blaster/Slammer/et al took out most of the rest of the organisation while our Javastations kept on kicking on.
As with any public-facing organisation, the amount of customers we would have had to say "sorry you've waited half an hour already, please come back tomorrow, assuming we've fixed it by then" to if our registry network was taken out would have made for a bigger news story than this one by far.
On another note, the press release that seems to have made it out mixes two different things we are doing - changing to the iMacs here, which running our custom Java app (plus Mozilla and a few other bits and pieces), and investigating open-source as a general concept. There's plenty of OS there all throughout the registry network, but the corporate desktops are all still Win2k/Office/Exchange/Novell jobbies, the replacement of which is being investigated with closed and open solutions from varying vendors.
MOD THIS UP (Score:4, Funny)
Nothing like inside information to set all the wild theorising in slashdot to rest. Oh yeah. Slashdot. Sorry, continue the wild speculations!
Re:As one of the people who helped with the bid ;) (Score:5, Informative)
Another reason the iMac's moveable screen was such a hit was that it allows the RTA staffmember to show the customer an image of their licence photo before the licence is printed, which happens at the registry. (New South Wales driving licences are pinted on demand on a plastic card the same size and thickness as a credit card, and include a passport style picture. A transparent holographic image is then laminated on top to make them harder to forge.)
But if YOU were given a spec that looked like this: Replace our EOL'ed Javastations, must have
LCD screen on movable arm
fast, reliable Java implementation
strongly prefer UNIX
can't be Windows
Easy integration with head office wintel software a bonus
Would you pick anything but an iMac?
surprise surprise (Score:3, Insightful)
Which shows a lot of people who shout RTFM all day are above RTFA. I think it's pretty cool to see macs deployed in open source situations. Best of two worlds and such...
The funniest posts of course are in the vein of "they should of called my cousin Ned" (translated from "build yourself").
Which shows a lot of people don't know what "Cost" and "Cost of ownership" and associated factors are.
Even with Apple's recent track record, I doubt self-built kits will outlive a bunch of macs without blowing some fuses and minds, but whatever.
I think the appropriate response to Apple and NSW TA would be "Good on ye, mate!"
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Ummm... (Score:2, Insightful)
Mac's prices are based on the fact that you have a stable system because, again, they control the hardware. If their goal was truely as stated, buying 'off-the-shelf' parts and installing Linux/*BSD would be just as effective and far cheaper...
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, since when does off the shelf hardware not have a warranty?
Seriously, something like this is planned, they can buy in bulk and it is most definitely less expensive both in the short term and long term. There is no comparison on price so find another point to argueRe:Ummm... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, I can buy hdds in units of 50-500, even 1000 no problem. I am covered under an enterprise warranty. If a drive goes bad I ship it off to Maxtor or whoever I choose to go with after learning the environment they will live. Its not different from any other setting where you buy the computer whole. You're argument over space is irrelevent as well since there are both monitors and cases designed to be like Macs. If you assum
Re:Whoa! (Score:3, Interesting)
The same is true for my 600Mhz G3 iBook - that's younger, only 2 years old, but she's still pretty much as good as new apart from having a 'lived in look'. Structurally sound and everything feels as solid as it did when I used her for the first time.
We use a Dual 450 G4 as a Final Cut Pro 4 edit suite to this day (alongside a dual 2 gig G5 box
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
I guess you've never heard that 10.3 (Panther) is the current OS version. And running OS X Server isn't all that difficult.
On OS X Server setting up Samba and have all Windows machines authenticate via OS X takes an hour or two (the install itself taking most of the time). And it takes no expert to do that.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
In most corporate or enterprise systems the machines are replaced every two years not because they are going bad but because they are going off warranty and new cheaper better hardware is available.
MacOS X and BSD (Score:2)
Xix.
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Insightful)
You're right about most of your other points, but don't hold the ancient history of deliberately closed hardware at Apple against them in this day and age.
NuBus (Score:5, Interesting)
And it was used in more than just Macs.
Honestly, when Apple selected NuBus, they had no real choice.
There were two other major busses available at the time.
One was VME Bus (used by Sun, amongst others). This was in wide use, but card support was strange, selecting drivers was often difficult. Also, you had to remove jumpers when you put in a card and put them back if you ever took it out. As an aside, VME Bus was "unfair", giving priority to some cards over others. This was not a big deal, although it was made out to be at the time.
The other was IBM's AT-bus (later ISA). This was incredibly slow and it was tied closely to the architecture of the Intel 80x86. Trying to make it work on a Motorola processor would have been difficult, and even if done perfectly would have produce very slow throughput since AT-Bus was only 16-bits wide. And, as we all know, installing more than one AT-Bus card at one time was incredibly dicey, requiring lots of jumper settings.
In short, Apple chose the only alternative they could have to accomplish their goals.
As to ADB, well, they could have used the PC keyboard connector (PS/2 wasn't available or in wide use at the time). It wasn't well suited to international keyboards (as you couldn't detect what keyboard was attached very well) and Apple wanted international support. It was key to gaining the desktop publishing market, which they did very well.
ADB also allowed the mouse to be plugged into the keyboard (reduced connectors) and allowed the machine to be turned on from the keyboard, which was nice.
All in all, I think your complaints are misguided. The technologies you speak of actually show less protectionism than the issues of the motherboard ROMs at the time.
As to Microsoft not working with competitors' hardware, Microsoft doesn't sell hardware. Well, usually they don't, and when they do it, they do it poorly (witness their current failed attempt to enter the 802.11 market). Anyway, there were 3rd party solutions to make 3rd party CD drives work. I don't get what the big deal is.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Informative)
lets take a looksie
windows has the registry. apple has xml files
outlook and outlook express use a proprietary database format. apple uses mbox
windows uses a proprietary network file sharing protocol. apple uses nfs
windows has a closed kernel. mac uses a freebsd kernel (of which you can download on apple's website).
microsoft uses it's own proprietary messaging protocol. apple uses oscar (which may not be open, but it's a hell of a lot more used and standard)
microsoft's browser defaults searches to msn. apple's browser defaults to google.
microsoft's browser is based on a non-standards compliant closed source engine. apple's is based off the open source khtml library.
microsoft's compiler and IDE is closed and costs thousands. apple's is free (xcode) and based off an open source compiler (gcc).
microsoft's backing
microsoft uses a closed source web server. apple ships os x with an open source webserver, apache.
microsoft implemented a proprietary api for game development, directx. apple bases their display system (quartz extreme) off opengl, and supports openal now as well.
x86 machines use proprietary bioses for each motherboard. apple uses openfirmware, developed by sun and ibm i believe.
i think i've made my point, but believe me, there's more. that sounds a lot more like open-standards based than microsoft.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2, Insightful)
They ported in a FreeBSD userland to provide the core userland. They planted it on top of a Mach kernel based on NextOS, a proprietary closed-source OS. They piled on top a GUI layer that is closed source.
Saying MacOS is 'based on FreeBSD' is like claiming a Windows 2000 machine is 'based on GTK' because you installed the Win32 port of the gimp on it.
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Informative)
"NextOS" doesn't exist, but Mac OS X is somewhat derived from OPENSTEP, from NeXT.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
So, yeah.
blackhole has reasonable prices. It's still about $300 for OPENSTEP. I've been trying to modernize my 3.3, but I may give up in a couple of days.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Re:Huh?... (Score:2)
With your logic if I take all the userland utilities from Linux (which are basically GNU) don't use the kernel but rather use a Mach based kernel then I have created a Linux fork?
Don't make me laugh.
Actually (Score:2)
The difference is that MS has released all the specs of its protocol and people can write their clients, whereas Oscar had to be reverse engineered. So next time, please don't let your Mac favouritism cloud the facts.
As far as search engines go, neither MS nor Apple force you to use their default choices, which of course goes for most of things you have mentioned. Yes, Google is better than MSN, but I suppose being free and all stops when it has to do with Google, right?
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Actually, Apple uses AFS (Andrew File System) as distributed file system, but I'm sure Apple works well with NFS as well.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Interesting)
then use xmms, gimp, mplayer, avidemux, evolution, and openoffice. there's not much stopping you with fink/darwinports and x11. there are plenty of native mac equivalents to those. the difference though is these programs are all included in the cost of the OS ($129). this is not so bad a deal considering all you get.
Apple makes sure that everything that goes into their computers has their logo and their stamp of a aproval on it. They insure that you cannot purchase components directly from the supplier so that they make as much money as possible, another great way to support open standards.
this is far more a problem with the industry than it is apple. if there were several cpu manufacturers, several mobo manufacturers, etc, then economies of scale would allow you to build a ppc os x compatible machine. don't complain to apple for this, complain to the hardware companies for not offering more solutions.
Their OS while based on Unix can only be installed on Mac hardware while its base suggests that it could be run on X86 machines and other formfactors becides their own.
windows can only be installed on x86. why can't i install it on ppc? that sure is vendor lock in! don't give me that crap. apple doesn't make money off it's OS. it makes money off it's hardware. if you want os x for intel, keep dreaming. if it wasn't made for ppc only, apple would probably go out of business.
And just as MS pushes MSN and
um, those have nothing to do with each other.
If anything, it is Apple that is the worst infraction to open standards computing, since they make sure that their standards are open only to other mac users. In essence, Appe takes from the open source community, mutates its function and intent, and then spits it back out with a high price and fruity colors. Going Apple is okay if thats your thing, but heralding their openness is like saying you purchased Windows for the stability
so would you rather apple implement a proprietary closed standard for EVERY SINGLE THING they do? i know a company who does this.. they are called microsoft. go look up your history books sometime. the fact that apple leverages open source is an ADVANTAGE. it means they spend less time concentrating on OS security bugs, and more time producing great software using the power of all this open source. if you don't like the fact that it costs more, then don't buy it. if you don't like the fact that it looks better than windows (because aqua does) then quit bitching and apply a theme (go to uninsanity's website). yes, i AM hearlding their openness. because they are 100 times more open than the most proprietary, monopolistic company, on the planet.
The Finder (Score:3, Informative)
Just pop in a blank CD, drag files to it and pull it to the trash (which turns into a burn icon)
Alternatively, you can use Disk Utility, located in Applications > Utilities.
Personally, I think it's worth the money for Toast Titanium.
You can download a freeware Toast-a-like from versiontracker that does pretty much everything Toast does. It's called Firestarter.
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Informative)
This is like saying, "I would be tempted to believe you if Linux wasn't so GNU-centric. Mac=Apple=Mac. I don't see your point.
Apple includes proprietary Mac OS X only programs for everything: music, photo, movies, DVD player, email, contacts, and office programs.
iTunes isn't Mac OS X only. And Apple doesn't make an Offi
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Informative)
Ummm... Since when did Micro$oft start basing Windoze off of an open source OS (As Apple has by basing OSX on Darwin (which itself is a FreeBSD derivative))? Does Microsoft give away development tools like OS X's Xcode?
Wouldn't a Linux or *BSD solution, ultimately, be what they should have gone with?
You could definately say that OS X is a *BSD solution.
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Apple's niche is built on being able to know what their hardware is, and better write software for it so that the computer, as a whole, is more fluid. How f-ing dare they! Linux can be built on a system where they have complete control of the hardware. Hell the lycoris guy just started a company to do just that. What is wrong with it? You mean it would be bad for Sun to sell an OS on a non-intel chip and write software that is tuned in such a
Re:Ummm... (Score:2)
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Insightful)
If their data is cross-platform, then it doesn't matter if they are using Macs, Linux or glorified iPods..they are not "locked in" to a particular vendor.
So why choose Macs? Maybe for them it was a lower TOC. Maybe for them it is easier to get a locked down system for iMacs. Maybe they just want their offices to look nicer? Who knows..maybe the question was answered in the article...
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Ummm... (Score:5, Informative)
If you'd RTFA, you'd know that the "open standards" referred to are Java and Unix, which OSX interoperates with much better than Windows, which (apparently) was used previously. The iMacs run a Java virtual terminal and Mozilla browsers. Is that open enough?
Re:Ummm... (Score:3, Funny)
Forgotten about SCO already?
Re:WHAT? (Score:3)
Ya, them damn Mac people. Buy good hardware, get a beautiful GUI ontop of an open kernel using many open tools.
Re:WHAT? (Score:3, Insightful)
Um HELLO!!!! (I copied that bit off your post)...proprietary computers don't cause lock in....proprietary data formats do. If the data is OS/hardware agnostic, it hardly matters what hardware they use on the desktop.
If using Macs helps with that transition (remember they probably need MS Office) then lucky Apple - they make a sale.
Re:WHAT? (Score:2)
Btw, you did go on "for a while"
Re:WHAT? (Score:5, Informative)
The projects I worked on: Communications Toolbox, AppleShare 2.0, AppleShare PC, AppleShare IP, PC Exchange, Copland, MacTerminal, quality lead for the Scriptable Finder, iTools (later
I could go on for a while, but suffice it to say that I know Macs.
With all I know, I will always purchase new Apple hardware. I'm recommending Apple hardware to everyone for whom it is appropriate.
I can rebuild a Mac from parts I buy at WalMart (monitors, CD and DVD drives, external Zip drives, speakers, mice, keyboards, hard drives, routers (wired and wireless), USB and FireWire cards in both PCI and PCMCIA flavors), RadioShack (memory, USB keyboards, mice and hubs) or Office Depot (miscellaneous). As long as the equipment is up to spec, I don't worry about compatibility.
Apple isn't perfect. It has its quirks. But I fix more Macs more quickly with less hassle than just about any Windows shitbox you could put in front of me. And they stay fixed.
End of story.
Re:Who the fuck cares? (Score:5, Insightful)
-B
Re:Australia: Microsoft-Centric (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:iMac & open source (Score:2, Informative)
Maybe there's quite a bit of OSS software for Windows, but have you ever tried to compile some yourself? Unless shipped with specific win patches, it won't be easy -- or even possible. Compiling for OSX is, on the other hand, mostly just
As Han Solo once said... (Score:5, Insightful)
Stability is a tricky thing - just like vendor relationships. Apple knows their hardware as well as their software. Whenever I hear the word, "Custom", as it relates to a large project like this, I cringe.
Does 'Custom' mean that you never have to:
- Patch it?
- Update various included software?
- Include new hardware support?
Of course not! Even if you're not paying for the software, you're going to have pay for the support for the software - however you figure it. Just ask IBM - that's their new business model. Think their customers are getting off any cheaper than Apple's? Don't bet on it.
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:2)
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:3, Informative)
I think this is one of the big issues with Linux on the desktop. Not all IT managers are dumb. They realize if they have a few thousand operations employees, a switch to Linux is going to involve training, countless hours of help desk support, on site PC support, etc. So what, you save a hundred bucks a head or something by not
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:5, Insightful)
Going with Apple gives them the ability to run OSS software on top of a supported, performant, supported, off the shelf platform. It reduces the risk and is therefore a good thing from a taxpayers point of view.
The cheaper hardware isn't a big deal here either. As a government agency they would have to go with a big supplier, one that's going to be able to supply and support them and has a track record of doing so. When you are dealing with these volumes I would guess that the Apple kit won't come in much more expensive than say Dell or HP etc.
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:2, Informative)
Lets put it this way:
for the cost of the MS per seat license for this one company ($15 million per year), is enough to pay for the majority of the hardware transition (if you buy in bulk). The rest of the cost can be handled in the savings on electricity in the first year and then after that it is putting a couple million bucks back into the corporate coffers. The cost of the Mac license is WAY less then 1/2 of 1% of that. Sure rolling your own has no license
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:2)
Re:If they really wanted value... (Score:3, Interesting)
Hell, it's very fair in the prices set for consumers - $130 for Panther or $199 for a 5 user "Family" licence.
And note, Apple doesn't force to upgrade every time they release a new OS (Puma, Jaguar, Panther).
Apple doesn't have forced upgrade contracts with customers, making payment and upgrade of OS and Office suite mandatory.
Ok, it's not as cheap as free, but someone has to support you
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Actually... (Score:2)
- "Your Mac's been upgraded AGAIN" is an informal contraction of "Mac has."
- "Mac's" can also be the possessive form of "Mac."
Sorry to be pedantic, but you started it.For example, "My Mac's rather dirty; it likes to be spanked."
Re:Actually... (Score:2)
For example, "My Mac's rather dirty; it likes to be spanked."
Sorry to be pedantic, but you started it.
Unfortunately, that isn't an example of possessive, but another contraction (for "Mac is").
"My Mac's hard disk is dead" is a possessive.
Re:Actually... (Score:2)
there is, in current english, no difference in meaning between "while" and "whilst". the former is older, and the later derives from it. the exact form or time of the derivation is not known, but the leading theory is that it originated in southern england based on confusing the -s ending (whiles) with the -st ending (thus, whilst). the -s ending was
Re:This isn't just an apple story? (Score:5, Interesting)
So, what is it then exactly about the current breed of MacOS that locks a person in? People don't tend to be terribly concerned about
Name one thing about apple software that currently locks a person into MacOS. I'm genuinely interested. Look here [slashdot.org] if you have any doubt that apple is, indeed, embracing a more open approach.
In all honesty, I'd wager that you're likely to have better "hardware portability" with PPC stuff and macs in general in the future than with x86, due to the fact that there are many fewer variants of macs compared to PCs, and there seem to be a lot more shitty components that lack multiplatform support on PC (winmodems, nforce chipsets, and what have you).
So basically: it's wintel monoculture vs. everything else, discount or no. "choice of vendors" makes perfect sense, as when there's a monopoly with over 90% market share (hint: it's microsoft), everything else -is- a choice, if it works.
Re:This isn't just an apple story? (Score:2)
Completely irrelevent. These boffins are buying several hundred computers for a large organization. If they went with PCs, the vast majority of them
Re:Great. (Score:2)
So yep, whoever installs it doesn't know what they're doing
Re:hmmm (Score:4, Informative)
Probably because it has outsourced it's IT to Compaq, and then HP (With IBM GSA Doing application design in the wings) disentangling the incumbent MAC components has been a nightmare for them, predominantly because of hardware vendors more focused on selling new widgets than working out what flavour of widgets the customer required.
But then, this is the same company that has a Billing System that runs just fine on VAXes, that they haven't been able to "beat" with applications runing on Sun E10000's and HP Superdomes...
Re:What about the roads? (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, but now you can have Macs and go swimming too! Yahoo!
Re:Fags (Score:2)
Re:Fags (Score:3, Informative)
OS X is not just a pretty UI running on top of a FreeBSD kernel, but saying that it is not based on FreeBSD is also wrong.
Re:Open my ass (Score:3, Informative)