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Linux, I Try to Love You
Friday, March 21, 2008
I've seen a lot of comments here debating the legitimacy of Linux as an operating system as compared to Mac OS X and Windows. Neither of these systems is inherently a "better" system for the world, Linux is great for servers and high-end workstation computing, Windows is the platform for most business activities and gaming, and Mac is for media creation and home use.
That said, I use all three operating systems on a regular basis, and I really cannot justify not using a Mac as my main machine (I do a lot of media stuff though). Windows can really be a pain, even when you know what you are doing, but it is really the platform to use for games. And Linux... well, that's a different story.
A lot of people have mentioned that it's not the fault of Linux for having trouble with certain hardware, saying that it is the fault of device manufacturers for not providing Linux drivers. True as this may be in theory, this explanation does nothing to help the less computer-savvy part of the market that can't tell the difference between Google and the internet. They are simply going to want their computer to work. They are not going to find solace in blaming device manufacturers for their computer not working. They are not going to use a complicated string of terminal commands to enable their wireless card. They are not going to buy a machine based on how Linux compatible it is. And they sure as heck are going to be pissed off when they find that they can't run any of their applications without a crazy amount of hackery/magic/good luck. Linux is fine for those who know what they are doing, unfortunately, we are the small minority. Until either device manufacturers decide it is economically feasible to develop Linux drivers, or the Linux community makes it much easier to find the exact driver for your device and install it without a hassle, Linux will remain a tool for geeks only.
As much as I would like to see more people using Linux, there are just a few too many issues for most people to deal with right now.
Labels: computer, linux, mac, software, windows
Distraction Free - A Writeroom Review
Monday, February 25, 2008
Writeroom
One of the problems of owning a Mac is that it can be easy to become distracted by all the shiny buttons and slick programs. Sometimes, there is just too much "stuff" cluttering up the screen and drawing away attention that needs to be elsewhere. Fortunately, there is a cure for this problem.
Enter Writeroom ($24.95, Mac only) from Hog Bay Software. Writeroom is a bare bones text editor with a sense of style. The secret agent-esque green text and black background lend themselves fully to the sense of coolness that envelops you when you use this program. It is definitely the best solution I have yet found for coping with the everyday distractions of having a Mac.
Writeroom 1.0 was indispensable for taking notes during class, and version 2 has taken it up a notch. With the ability to do both plain and rich text, I don't have to worry about reformatting things later on.
I'm interested in the "Edit in Writeroom" feature, which allows you to edit text from other applications in Writeroom, but unfortunately, this feature does not work in Leopard yet. However, the developer appears to be working on a solution.
There also seem to be a lot of features "in the pipes" so to speak, so I await them eagerly. Personally, I'd like to see an option to temporarily disable the internet connection while the program is open, set adium/ichat status to away, and silence all system and growl notifications.
If you have a Mac and want a "distraction free" writing tool, I highly recommend you take a look at Writeroom.
For Windows users, there is a similar program called Dark Room.
On a final note, I would like to point out that this review was done with a promise of a free license for this program; however, I have used this program (at least, I have used version 1) for quite a long time.
Labels: apple, computer, software
One small step for man...
Saturday, February 09, 2008
One giant leap for web design.Well, I've done it. I've really done it. I have switched over to hand coding my websites. I plan to hand code all my future design jobs.
Why?
Dreamweaver on Mac is still very slow, even though it is now Intel-compatible. It also lacks a native interface, which is somewhat detrimental. I decided to go cold-turkey and create a tiny little test site (http://dmdzine.net/codatest) entirely with Panic's Coda, one of the nicest pieces of software I have found yet. While it is still missing a few key features (automatic link management and templates/library items), I am willing to put up with that because of the nice interface and quick workflow. I may end up using CSSEdit (which I got in the MacHeist bundle) for my stylesheets, but overall I really like Coda.
The switch from visual to code has not been as difficult as I imagined so far, though only time and a large multi-tiered website will tell.
Labels: coding, computer, development, mac, software
The Most Awesome Little Utility
Saturday, December 01, 2007
This article answers one of the biggest problems I have had using Synergy to control a non-Macintosh computer: Since my MacBook is my main machine, I use it the most, and have gotten very fond of using the command key rather than the control key... Of course, when using synergy, the Apple ctrl key maps to the Windows ctrl key, even though in reality, the Command key on Mac is the brother of the Control key on Windows. So, after a long period of frustration (as the Command key by default maps to the windows Alt key), I stumbled upon the above article. I have since started using this script, and I must say that it makes things so much easier and more seamless. Hip-hip-hooray for AutoHotkey!
Labels: computer, mac, software, windows
Cool Mac Software
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
One of the things that has impressed me most about using a Mac is the large amount of very high quality free and opensource programs available for the platform. Unlike with Windows, where most programs are junk, or otherwise useless, it seems that the Mac community is a lot pickier about the software they use. In celebration of what appears to be a time honored fashion, I am now going to list a few really great pieces of free software for the Mac that have been quite useful to me.Cyberduck - Powerful FTP Client
Handbrake - DVD Ripping Tool
Max - Audio Format Conversion Tool
Bean - Simple Word Processor
Smultron - Fast Text Editor with Syntax Highlighting
Vienna - RSS Reader...Until I get Leopard Mail
Writeroom 1.0 - Distraction Free Writing, for Free. The newer versions are not free. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find version 1.
CocoaMySQL - MySQL Database Manager
Schoolhouse - Invaluable homework manager
Labels: computer, mac, software
Leopard
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Since the release of Mac OS X Leopard--I mean, since I got my MacBook, I've been looking forward to the release of OS X Leopard with great anticipation. Now that it's been released, I've been anxiously anticipating being able to afford a copy. Meanwhile, I've been eagerly devouring every bit of information about the new system that I can get my hands on.
So, without further ado, here is what I'm looking forward to most:
Coverflow in Finder and Quicklook. Finally, filmstrip view on the Mac. As a graphic designer, the inability to simply browse my photos and designs through the finder has been a real PITA. It is perhaps my biggest complaint about Tiger, and seems to have been more than adequately delt with. Quicklook in particular appears to have some really powerful applications.
Faster performance. Always welcomed.
True 64-Bit computing. The implications of this will probably become evident sometime next year as more developers take advantage of the enhanced performance and security of 64-bit computing. The stuff under the hood may be the most significant improvements in the entire system.
The new Mail.app looks promising, and will hopefully address my main complaints with Tiger Mail.
Spaces. Appears to be the most viable virtual desktop system for the Mac to date. Should be useful for laptop use.
Time Machine. This is more exciting to me in that it makes the Mac by far the best desktop system for any home use besides gaming. Though it has already garnered complaints from some power-users, this application seems to be more useful for the casual computer user crowd.
There are a lot of other things that make this upgrade worth it to me at this point, which I won't go into, but it has occurred to me that perhaps what excites me most about this system is the load of little things that will make my computer more useful, more powerful, and more fun.
Labels: anticipation, apple, computer, mac, new stuff, software
Now the Tides Turn
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Not too long ago I talked about how I had just gotten a Dell Desktop and was running Windows XP on it. Well, over the last week, I took a blind leap and installed Debian Linux on it. I then installed XAMPP and VirtualBox. So, ironically, the tides have turned and it is Windows that I am running in a virtual machine on top of a Linux box.Things have gone fairly smoothly, and I am really enjoying the many similarities in functionality between Linux and OS X, though I do miss some of the ease of use that Windows and Mac still have a bit of an edge on. But altogether, this seems much more stable, safer, and more powerful than the previous XP system.
Labels: computer, debian, linux, software
Linux. Is it Ready?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
With the release of Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon, the question is once again raised, "Is Linux ready for the mainstream?" For year after year that answer has been "no," much to the disappointment of the Linux faithful.This time, however, things are different. Though I have not yet used the new system (I'm downloading it as I write this), a look at the "New Features" page showed me enough to get me excited.
It looks like Linux is finally taking a major step into the realm of mainstream desktop computing with this latest release. Though I am a die-hard Mac user, I would be willing to switch my Windows desktop entirely to Linux if I can get my Netgear USB wireless chip to work with it.
There are some real quality features in this release that seem to make it accessible to a much larger audience.
But...
I do think that, for the average user, this is not the right system...yet. Emphasis on "yet." From what I can see, by the time the next major version of Ubuntu is released, it will be ready for just about everbody. There are a few things that might keep inexperienced users (or advanced users who, like myself, just don't have enough time at the moment to work out major issues) from wanting to switch, but the latest steps towards better and easier driver integration are promising. I'll be crossing my fingers and hoping... Meanwhile, I'm Linux or Mac proselytizing to everybody I can. Keep up the good work Ubuntu team!
Labels: computer, new stuff, ubuntu
Virtualize This
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Virtual Box
Originally uploaded by dmdzine
I just finished setting up an Ubuntu virtual machine on my new desktop, and thought I would share with you the cool little program I did it with.
VirtualBox, provided by Innotek software, is a very cool and very free program that allows you to run virtual machines within a Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X (Intel only) environment. The program supports practically every OS supported by its expensive brethren, and has some nice little features packed in. I previously used it on my MacBook to run Windows until I got my new Dell.
Check it out... it's very cool
Labels: computer, software, ubuntu, virtualization, windows
I love that new computer smell
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
*Sniff* Ahhhhhhh... There's nothing quite as satisfying as that new computer smell.I just picked up a new (for me) Dell desktop that my aunt was getting rid of, and I am jumping for joy. Although I am a Mac user to the core now, it is still important to for me to have both a Mac and a Windows PC available to me easily.
Now, the specs:
Dell Dimension 4400
1.70 GHz Pentium 4 (Fast enough for my uses. Video editing, photo processing, and music recording I do on my Mac)
1 Gb RAM (sweeeeeet!)
40 Gb Hard Drive (kind of small, but ok for what I'm doing)
Radeon 9800 XT 256 Mb (best graphics card I have ever had!)
SoundBlaster Live! (better than the integrated crap that normally comes on Windows PCs)
Windows XP (no Vista please)
I'm now using it as my testing server, replacing the aging Dell that I had previously been using.
Labels: computer
NJ, the land of WiFi
Saturday, October 06, 2007
I'm visiting my grandmother in New Jersey this weekend, and just got back from a day at NYC where I went to the Natural History Museum (which incidentally is absolutely nothing like the one shown in the Ben Stiller movie, A Night in the Museum) and experienced NYC driving from the passenger's seat (which was plenty for me, I can tell you). I'm now blogging away from the upstairs bedroom of her house. Now, it is important to note that my grandmother is the farthest from technically savvy as it is possible to be (a TV is pushing the limits), so she definitely is not maintaining an open wireless network in her house. But I still have pretty good connection to at least 2 open wireless networks!Of course, I'm being a bit more careful about entering passwords and such, but I must admit it is pretty cool!
Labels: computer
Yay It's HERE!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Yay It's HERE!
Originally uploaded by dmdzine
Got Logic Express 8 last week and have been playing around with it a bit. It is definitely a major improvement over the previous version. It's easier to use, more powerful, and more...Mac. I'll check back in when I have had more time to use it.
Setting up a Testing Server
Monday, October 01, 2007
After a recent decision to learn PHP, I found myself in a predicament: It takes far too long to upload each minutely changed file to the web just to test a small change. So, I decided to set up a testing server in my studio.I used an old Dell XPS (933MHz PIII, 128Mb RAM, 40Gb HD) as the platform, installed Windows 2000 Pro on it, and downloaded the amazing XAMPP Server-in-a-Box (Apache, PHP, MySQL). The installation went smoothly, and I was soon up and running. After installing a wireless USB dongle, I connected the computer to my home network. I then went into the XAMPP install folder and changed the share permissions of the "htdocs" folder to allow network control, which is the internet folder for XAMPP.
Next, came what appeared to be the most difficult part of the operation: connecting the MacBook to the server. My experience with connecting two Windows XP boxes to each other and getting the permissions, firewalls, and access controls to be friendly made me dread the thought of inter-OS sharing. Actually, this part ended up being the easiest part of the entire process. If Macs integrate better on a Windows network than Windows computers do, Microsoft definitely has a big problem to deal with.
After connecting the two computers via wireless router, I proceeded to download and install WordPress in a folder on the testing server. I'm planning to learn how to create WP templates, and this should be a much faster and easier way to do so...
I have not yet connected Dreamweaver to the testing server, but I plan to do that the next chance I get... I'll write more about this once I get a chance to use it a bit more.
Till then...
Labels: computer, software, website
Bloggin from my Dashboard
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Just downloaded the Google Blogger Dashboard widget for mac... pretty cool.
The Mac, Part 2
Monday, August 27, 2007
Continued from Part 1...Software
One of my requirements was to be able to run my essential design software, such as Dreamweaver and Fireworks. Luckily, these two programs come in Mac versions, and I didn't have to buy anything new. I was also able to find Mac versions or equivalents of all the software I need. Naturally, I immediately installed Firefox, which I find is somewhat faster on the Mac. I got Adium for instant messaging, and was amazed at how much better it is than any of its Windows counterparts. For recording, I decided to invest in new software rather than run my stone-age copy of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 through a Virtual Machine. I purchased Logic Express 7 along with the computer, and while I still have a long while to go before I have really learned how to use it, I am impressed by what I have seen so far. On a related note, I also am quite impressed with GarageBand '08, which is really good for quickly stitching stuff together. The included software instruments are also spectacular. iMovie is also quite good for quick jobs, though it lacks some really important features, and can be a bit frustrating in its simplicity. For example, I find its automatic transition length feature to be annoying and difficult to turn off.
Complaints
As much as I love my new MacBook (and even though it's as close to perfect as I have yet seen a computer come), I do have some complaints. Possibly the biggest problem I have is the lack of a filmstrip view in Finder. I would like to second Molly Wood of Buzz out Loud in saying that I am astonished that an OS that is so graphically oriented would lack such a useful feature.
Also, it can be a bit annoying for a former Windows user to realize that clicking the Big Red Close Button doesn't exit the program, but merely the window. To actually quit the program and free up RAM, you have to click the Application name in the Finder bar and click quit or click Cmd-Q. As I use the computer more, I am starting to not mind this so much... it's just a matter of getting used to it.
The only other annoyance I can think of is the lack of a "start" type app menu... While the dock is great, it is more comparable to Windows desktop icons, and opening the application folder a billion times can get a bit annoying.
Wrap Up
I'll make this short... I really like my MacBook (as I'm sure you could tell) and am now a loyal Apple fan. This computer is for people that are serious about computing, but is also easy enough for beginners to use. I'll write another analysis after I have used it longer.
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P.S. I really like the Expose feature and find it beats the crap out of Aero's "Flip."
The Mac, Part 1
Monday, August 27, 2007
All right... so earlier I said I'd do a sort of review of my new machine...and I wasn't lying. So here goes Part 1 of what will be a continuing saga chronicling select parts of the life of my new MacBook.The Box
My MacBook arrived in a brown cardboard box courtesy of FedEx... I must congratulate Apple on the superfast buildup and shipping times, they saved my life. Inside this corrugated brown box was the elegantly designed MacBook box. I must admit that Apple sure has style like no other. I rabidly tore through the outer packaging and beheld my bride (sort of). Lookwise, it's totally awesome. From the glowing Apple logo on the back of the display to the lights on the caps lock and num lock keys on the super-smooth keyboard, this is a computer that just begs to be used.
First Impressions
I hurried to flip open the notebook and turn it on. After using it a few minutes, I was pleased to see that even though I have been a right clicker since I was three (or thereabouts), I did not have too much trouble getting around. I immediately was taken in by the slickness and smoothness of the entire experience. There is just something about this computer that makes it work. While it is super fast, it is not jerky, like Windows can sometimes be.
To Be Continued...
Wow.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Alright. I admit it. Windows sucks...compared to a Mac.I just got my MacBook yesterday, and it totally rocks. It's smoking fast and absolutely gorgeous... I'll write a fuller review later...
Dying of Anticipation
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I just ordered my Macbook last Thursday, and have been in a state of anticipation ever since. It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning...wicked fast, Apple! It will be my first Mac, and I have very high expectations. It's the white 2.16 GHz model, with 120 Gb hard drive and 2 Gb of RAM. It will have Logic Express preinstalled (I've been using an ancient copy of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 up to now...time for something...modern...and Mac compatible.) As a student, I also get a $200 rebate on any iPod $200 or more, so I bought a 30Gb white iPod with video (just arrived via FedEx...beats the crap out of my old Zen V Plus in almost every way...love it). And I also got a $100 rebate on a $100 printer... sweeeeet! Well, I've got to get back to waiting... and getting my accumulated mess of files into order for transfer onto the new machine...Maybe I'll write a review...
'Till then,
Happily anticipating.
Labels: anticipation, apple, computer, mac
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