[Gllug] OT: Mac OS X for a linux user

[Myke Lyons]

On 7 Sep 2006, at 07:46, Simon Morris wrote:
> OS X has some positive points in terms of usability ( as detailed by
> others in this thread ) but there are some quirks that I find really
> annoying with it. The Alt+Tab behaviour for one is a small niggle but
> it's an example of how it is different.
I fully moved from Linux/W32 to Mac in July and agree that initially  
the Alt+Tab/Apple+Tab awkward at first but now really get on with it  
because of the more enhanced features, i.e. mouse selection and being  
able 'Quit' applications.  Expose is a huge help as well.


> I also find the way it handles multiple instances of an application
> nasty. If I want to connect to 4 Windows RDP servers using the Mac
> Terminal Services client I have to create 4 instances of the
> application installation under /Applications whereas on GNU/Linux
> distros you just fire up the same application 4 times.
There is an application called RDCMenu that allows you to have only 1  
copy of RDC but still enable multiple instances.  Also I don't think  
this isn't a problem with the Mac but rather Microsoft's application.


> The issues regarding "preference files" and their corruption causing
> issues seems to be better than it used to on Mac but it's still an
> issue from time to time.
I have not seen this since 10.2 but can say that file permissions can  
cause headaches, although this isn't much different from other Unix- 
esk operating systems.


> It is possible to run Free software on OS X (aided by Darwin ports and
> the Fink project) but X11 apps just don't run as nicely as on
> GNU/Linux
I have had mixed experiences with X11 apps so I agree with ~sm on  
this one.  Although there are other applications available that  
aren't ports.


> And lastly - you are opting into the world of proprietary software
> which isn't really a good step IMHO.
This is going to be entirely up to you.  I think there is more than  
one way to promote open software, although as ~sm says you would be  
opting for more proprietary software.


.myke



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