Listen to today’s show here! 
MC20050820.mp3 [19.1mb 41:45 64kbps]
A podcast about Macs done by a Mac geek for Mac geeks. Show 83. Apple’s 007 security update break 64-bit, new update available, Apple launches Repair Extension program for iMac G5s. Is Apple trying to temp you to upgrade pre-Intel? Apple Retail Stores having a negative impact on independent resellers and iPodderX now does Windows. More Mac OS X for generic PC debate, Tip on making a mightier Mighty Mouse. Will Apple ever produce a PDA? Tip on how to never forget to add a mail attachment again, comments on music on the MacCast, my opinion on why Apple needs a “try it, you’ll like it” program and announcing the eMacCast artwork contest. New music, Beautiful Drive by Tara Leigh Cobble.
Up in the sky, look: It’s a bird; it’s a plane… It’s Superman
Shownotes: HTML or OPML
Subscribe to the Podcast Feed or Get the MP3
Great Show! I do agree with ya on Apple Releasing OSX on Generic PCs but I dont think its going to happen for awile after the first Mac OSX x86 macs come out
Apple… many years ago… did a program very similar to what you descrbe called “Test Drive a Macintosh.” Unfortunately, it was widely considered a failure (see here, here , and here)because it did not produce the sales anticipated. I doubt Steve Jobs would be willing to give it another shot. I do think that your underlying theory, that exposure to the Mac line will produce interest is something that is true. I’m not sure if it would create sales, however.
Very good show, but please please please don’t include looong rambling commentaries by listeners – at least condense or truncate the verbosity. The guy who went on and on about how OSX is so much more stable than XP – my goodness, enough of that haggard controversy!
As Adam says, XP is as stable and secure as it is made to be by it’s user. I use XP and have not had a virus, BSOD or freeze-up since XP was first released. Of course, I know what the heck I’m doing and I use common sense.
I also use a 12″ Powerbook with OSX and I find value and benefits to BOTH operating systems and available software libraries.
If Apple is going to be the Great Unifier, I trust that they know exactly what they’re doing and that Apple/PC users are all going to benefit greatly.
I’m listening to the show right now and had to comment on the iMac G5 Repair Extension Program. Please note that this also affects the Rev B or 2nd generaton iMac G5s. I have a Rev B iMac G5 and it falls within the affected serial number range. I haven’t had any issues, so I just consider the program to be a partial extended warranty for free.
I’m a listener from Singapore and was listening to your latest Mac Cast.
You mentioned a “Try a Mac” idea? It’s been used here in Singapore, but not for the iBooks but rather the Mac Minis. We recently had a retailer with a 30 day money back guarantee on a Mac Mini.
I’m not sure how the response like for it was, but if I was looking to get a Mac Mini, I would be tempted.
Keep up the great show!
WooHoo! MacCast is number One on PodcastAlley- Congrats!!! Love the show.
If you believe that OS X will fare well on generic hardware, you have to believe that Apple programmers will be able to accommodate all the diverse hardware out there, as Adam feels they can. However, this would be a relatively small fish (Apple) going from say lake Michigan into the Atlantic Ocean without similar problems that Windows has with hardware/software conflicts. MicroSoft has some very intelligent people with vast, vast money in R & D. It is a miracle that Windows can run with the diversity of hardware and software made for it. I don’t think much of Windows problems are that MS is just so stupid that they can’t put out good products. I think it is more that making a product for such a broad market is a Herculean task. Apple would have similar problems unless they wield very tight controls on who can manufacture hardware for OS X.
One other thing…
I would not buy a new Mac now. If I had to get another Mac, I would buy used. If they come out with a quad-IBM G5 box (which would probably be ridiculously expensive) it will still be running x86 software in emulation mode. If x86 is the future of Mac, then any G4/G5 hardware is pretty much born obsolete. This is possibly especially true of notebooks, as they will most likely be the first MacTel hardware out there. (IMHO)
Jeff,
FYI. Software for the new Intel boxes will be compiled as what Apple is calling “Universal Binaries”. This means the same app will run in native instruction sets on either Power PC or Intel. No emulation.
My big issue with OS X on generic PC box is that people will install it on a generic PC box! Duh. Apple spends so much time getting its image perfect. It is an image of design perfection. What happens to that when OS X is running on some stupid-looking beige PC box?
Apple is about the software *and* hardware experience of using a Mac. It is the combination of the two that make me love my PowerBook and iMac so much. It’s designed well. It’s easy to use. It’s just beautiful to look at. I can’t imagine someone using OS X on some pedestrian Dell box. Can you?
As I said, I think it comes down to “choice”. Many of us will never install OS X on a generic PC, but some want to and will. Why are we saying Apple should intentionally limit their potential marketshare for OS X?
Name is pronounced “Teernin”.
Thank you for remembering the Newton! Viva la Newton!
I’ve got a 2100 that I still carry around with me.
Some of the problems with the Newton were that Steve Jobs not only has notoriously crappy writing but he hated John Scully, the guy who made the Newton happen. They’d just gotten it to a place where it was useful and they yanked the rug out from under it.
While it wasn’t perfect, it was years ahead of it’s time. I used to use the tag line “Tomorrow’s Technology Yesterday” in my sig on my Newton mail. :)
I just finished listening to my third podcast while sitting here at work.
I cracked up when you said that “Windows” (I assume you meant MS-Windows) was as stable as the Mac. The reason I was laughing was my system that the company makes us use for our desktops just did a bluescreen again!
When you measure the up-time in weeks you can claim stability, when you measure it in days or hours, it’s just a joke.
Gotta run for a meeting now.
Thanks for your podcast.
Maybe it comes down too experience. I also only said that XP was “almost” as stable as my OS X system. I have yet to see one blue screen on my XP box and I have been using it for about 2 years. I have had it lock up a few times, but my OS X box has done that once or twice in the same period too. I am just trying to be as objective as possible. Don’t worry I will bash Windoze when it is warranted, but not just beacuse I can.
There are continuing issues with downloading your podcasts from libsyn.com. The server is not very reliable. Any word on that?
People do silly things with the stuff they buy. I’ve seen crappy $500 automobiles adorned with with $5,000 rims and tires. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
That said, if a consumer wants to try OSX but doesn’t have lots of money for a new system (maybe just enough for a new OS), don’t kick him in the jewels for trying the Holy OSX on a cheaper beige-colored box. Not everyone needs brushed-metal bling, especially if OSX works well on both platforms like Stevie J says it does.
Of course, I like the new shiny stuff.
I do agree that Apple has limited the number of error/failure issues by being Hardware/Software Overlords. To closely manage and standardize components is the only effective way to minimize troubles and I applaud Apple for having the cojones to do so. (As a counter-point, it’s also a bit like Porsche putting out a new 911 but insisting that it only have XYZ-Brand tires, XYZ-Brand leather seating, XYZ-Brand cup holders and that it can only be driven on certain pre-tested & authorized roads.)
And I DO energetically agree with someone here that said Dell, Gateway et al would entirely hose the whole OSX support issue should those vendors ever license OSX from Apple. They can barely manage supporting Intel/AMD/Windows machines, much less an entirely new OS.
Adam,
Thank you for the heads up about Apple software written in generic code so that it will be able to run on PowerPC and x86, but will this be true of all 3rd party software vendors as well? (I would be surprized if this is the case, as why would all developers bother to write in Universal Binary if all new Mac hardware will just be x86).
So Rosetta is meant to carry “old” software that is written for PowerPC software into the x86 platform, but once MacTel hardware comes out, all Apple software will be written in universal binary? If that is the case, then only the software now written for PowerPC will be obsolete once MacTel hardware appears? I’m just not sure how this is planned to work out.
Thanks
rizzo,
There are issues every now and then, but it is probably the best option at this point for the MacCast, unless you have some money to put forward for some dedicated servers. :) But yes, there are periodic problems, but they usually go away quickly.
I have to agree with the try before you buy because I am setting up a small shop in my local town to make that happen.
The idea is that it will be like a club, a person will pay for a membership, maybe 30 euro and will be able to come in the “shop” and use the members Macs to do what ever, Garageband, iMovie or just surf the internet or send an email. I will give coupons to members to redeem in the shop – ie €10 off an iPod or a discount off a Mac Mini for example.
I will offer training to the members, both one to one and also scheduled sessions dealing with a specific topic. I am an ex teacher so the idea is not so alien to me.
I am actually a new switcher myself and I can relate to what it is like getting onto the Mac OSX. It started when I saw the onlne keynote that Steve Jobs did early in the year and I did say Wow to myself a few times because OSX just impressed me so. Not bad after more than 15 years using computers. The only time I used a Mac before was when I needed to go online in Dublin and the only place I could find where I was only had Macs.
I am sure that I will generate sales from the members when they need to use the Mac during times the shop isn’t open or just want to have one they own on their own office desktop. I might even do a short loan of Mac Minis for a weekend or a week after I have the shop runnning a while.
There are plenty of computer sellers in the area but none have Macs and none work from the angle that I am planning to work from. I am even planning to put a sofa and coffee table with some Mac magazines on it in the shop.
I do enjoy listning to the show and I like the music you choose each show also.
Another great show Adam. I understand where you are coming from with the OSX on a beige box argument, but as much sense as it makes to open things up it turns my stomach. I know, choice. But it just seems WRONG to run OSX like that.
I’d hate people’s first impression of using OSX to be a bad one because of hardware compatibility issues.