Comment Just my 2(e^-iPi) units of currency (Score 1) 756
As someone with a good amount of Linux, Macintosh, and Mac OS X experience, let me share the following insights.
1. LinuxPPC is one of the most used Linuces, but not the only for PowerPCs. Debian is quite good, even on the iMac, MkLinux is essentially a Linux version of Mac OS X's core components, and Yellow Dog/Black Lab Linux is alleged to be better configured than LinuxPPC. As someone currently running LinuxPPC R5 on my 7500, I can tell you that anyone looking to get a good Linux box should look into the PowerPC.
2. The G4 is available from Motorola for $475 in quantities of 1000+. The specs for a modern MB are available FREE from IBM. Now, if only someone with enough money and a good track record would take advantage of this...
3. The Mac OS X/G4 server might be the thing someday soon. Not quite as cool as an Alpha, but still much better than IA-32, the architecture formerly known as x86. IA-64, though a challenge, should it ever be implemented properly, is causing M$ headaches due to its 64 bit nature, just as Alpha did. Thus, unless you want to spring for an Alpha or wait on the Linux port to Merced (which I am sure is underway, but I don't recall hearing much on it), get a PPC or an Athlon.
4. The likely reason for Apple not going with a Matrox card is lack of drivers, if I am not terribly mistaken. ATI has drivers for Mac OS, Win32, and even Linux. I don't know that Matrox has drivers available for the Mac, not does it seem likely they would develop some if they did not. The G4 looks to be a milestone in computing, somewhere beneath the migration of Linux from the x86 to other platforms but somewhere above Billy boy getting pied.
5. This machine is beautiful, both externally and aesthetically, and internally and structurally. While there are still areas in need of improvement, this DieHard computer user is going to snatch one of these up, soon as OS X is available with them.
Flame away!
R_DH
1. LinuxPPC is one of the most used Linuces, but not the only for PowerPCs. Debian is quite good, even on the iMac, MkLinux is essentially a Linux version of Mac OS X's core components, and Yellow Dog/Black Lab Linux is alleged to be better configured than LinuxPPC. As someone currently running LinuxPPC R5 on my 7500, I can tell you that anyone looking to get a good Linux box should look into the PowerPC.
2. The G4 is available from Motorola for $475 in quantities of 1000+. The specs for a modern MB are available FREE from IBM. Now, if only someone with enough money and a good track record would take advantage of this...
3. The Mac OS X/G4 server might be the thing someday soon. Not quite as cool as an Alpha, but still much better than IA-32, the architecture formerly known as x86. IA-64, though a challenge, should it ever be implemented properly, is causing M$ headaches due to its 64 bit nature, just as Alpha did. Thus, unless you want to spring for an Alpha or wait on the Linux port to Merced (which I am sure is underway, but I don't recall hearing much on it), get a PPC or an Athlon.
4. The likely reason for Apple not going with a Matrox card is lack of drivers, if I am not terribly mistaken. ATI has drivers for Mac OS, Win32, and even Linux. I don't know that Matrox has drivers available for the Mac, not does it seem likely they would develop some if they did not. The G4 looks to be a milestone in computing, somewhere beneath the migration of Linux from the x86 to other platforms but somewhere above Billy boy getting pied.
5. This machine is beautiful, both externally and aesthetically, and internally and structurally. While there are still areas in need of improvement, this DieHard computer user is going to snatch one of these up, soon as OS X is available with them.
Flame away!
R_DH
