Apple's latest operating system for the 21st century
Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) has been in the business of building and selling its own brand of computers to run its original classic Macintosh operating system (MacOS) ever since the first Macintosh computer was sold in 1983.
Throughout this time, the MacOS evolved from the simple point-n-click with basic Finder commands to a sophisticated multitasking system, more colourful fancy interface, and slightly better stability, for doing essentially, well, the same thing as before except with more bells and whistles.
Sometimes the MacOS had no choice but to improve simply because it had to handle new hardware features such as the PowerPC processor in 1995-96 and to make life easier for customers such as the multifinder capabilities of System 7. At other times, Apple's marketing and accounting arms saw the need to make improvements to MacOS because it needed to make a serious profit after 1996 thanks to its large base of shareholders demanding to see improvements in their dividends. So they tried ways to force people to buy the latest technology from Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.).
Then came the concerns of software piracy and copying commercial DVD movies to name a few at the turn of last century which saw the need for Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) to improve the MacOS to handle this situation. Another issue for Apple was the way the company was lagging behind in creating a stable OS compared to its major competitor known as Microsoft (through its Windows NT/2000 and latest XP version).
MacOSX is no exception to this philosophy. Apple has seen the need to create a new OS capable of handling all these situations in one relatively easy to use and fancy-looking software known simply as OSX.
What will I find in OSX?
You will get a fancy interface for organising your files and folders and accessing your applications. If nothing else, you can let it show fancy "photographic-like" screensavers and so make everyone who sees it think you are doing something professional with it. Why else would the average user spend US$129 (A$229) for it?
Below this fancy stuff, OSX's reliance on the UNIX-based operating system known as Darwin means it comes with reasonable improvements in the areas of memory protection, pre-emptive multitasking and advanced memory management:
Memory protection
A feature designed to protect the memory allocated to applications such that in the event one application crashes, all the other applications including OSX does not crash as well. Although the classic MacOS8.6 had some ability to do this, OSX is the true OS capable of doing this properly.
Preemptive multitasking
This feature is about allowing a number of applications to run at the same time by allocating processor cycles to each application as they are needed. It is something that was borne out of a desire by business professionals to use their time wisely by achieving more things at once with their computers. For most others, it is a fancy technology.
Advanced memory management
This feature is primarily to protect the operating system's space and keep it separate from a user's space. In this way, the operating system can never be trashed accidentally or deliberately by a user. The user can only work in the space allocated to him/her by the computer's memory management system.
And, of course, you will get to enjoy some animated icons and ready-to-use applications in OSX such as AppleWorks, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes and QuickTime.
Makes you want to run out to your nearest Apple store to buy a copy! Now where's that Windows XP CD...
The hidden features of OSX — logs, caches and preference files
But beyond these features are extra things you might have second thoughts about having the latest OS from Apple.
For example, OSX is designed to store all sorts of potentially incriminating things you do with your computer inside log, preferences and cache files. The log files considered important for Apple are usually invisible and tend to be held in the private-->var-->log folder. Cache files can be held in various visible and invisible folders. For example, the invisible secure.log file stores information about all your successful and unsuccessful attempts at login. One can understand from a security point-of-view why someone would want to know when and who unsuccessfully made a login if you have multiple users. But why successful logins as well? How many people would want to know this unless you work for a clandestine organisation or for the purposes of incriminating people for certain actions (what is Apple trying to figure out)? Consequently, your hard disk will quickly get filled up with logs, caches and other files explaining your exact activities you were performing on your OSX computer.
Other ways to incriminate people if they are not doing the right thing (eg. software pirates) or people who are doing the right thing by testing some software and then removing them, is how OSX now stores details of all the software you use since OSX was installed in various different files. For example, when installing new software, information about the software gets stored in a number of files such as:
.GlobalPreferences.plist
com.apple.finder.plist
com.apple.help.plist
com.apple.recentitems.plist
Also check the invisible Private folder at root level.
The hidden features of OSX — delays in responding to your actions
Because of this updating of logs and checking things, OSX is a rather unresponsive or slow operating system between actions. You can select a command in the Finder or try to launch an application and there would be a delay before it finally gets going.
You will need a minimum of 1GB and preferable 1.5GB or more to make OSX seem relatively fast again.
And consider using the Activity Monitor utility in OSX to inspect hidden processes running in the background and give them the flick with the old magic quit button. But be careful not to quit critical system processes (process names with lower case letters or where the Information Panel does not reveal the "Open Files and Ports" message next to them). Choose only those processes such as PowerPC applications on Intel machines, processes whose names are the same as the parent applications you have installed, diskimages processes, and those taking up very high CPU usage. If you are not sure, you should leave the processes alone.
The hidden features of OSX — security risks with Apple
You will also get increased security against third party hackers but lower security for the makers of OSX and the major software applications (eg. Adobe) until the hackers realise how it is done.
For example, OSX is forcing users to accept the existence of a Documents folder at the root level of the Macintosh file directory. This means you can no longer tell OSX where you want to place this Documents folder (or whether it should exist at all). This is actually a dangerous precedence in the IT industry because all it takes nowadays is for an unsuspecting computer user to place important documents inside the Documents folder because it makes sense to do so. Then some smart arse in the world could send the user a special Word document that will attach some of the important files in the Documents folder without the user being aware of it. And when you send the Word document back to the sender, your privacy will be seriously compromised. For further information about this security issue, click here.
The hidden features of OSX — learning UNIX
To get the most from OSX, you will also need to come to grips with UNIX. This is the foundation on which OSX is built. All the features you see on the surface through OSX's fancy interface including its underlying stability rely on UNIX to some extent. But if you want to get around certain Apple restrictions within the Finder, you will have to know something about UNIX. Nothing like typing a few useful commands on the screen to get your pleasurable hormones racing through your body once more! Really riveting stuff for the average consumer! (We suspect this was included to attract UNIX and Linux users to the OSX platform).
You will need to use the Terminal utility of OSX to type UNIX commands.
However, thanks to the UNIX underpinnings, OSX is a very stable operating system. As Boris Yamnitsky, president of Boris FX, said:
'The Unix kernel in OS X has the potential to boost the overall system performance and stability' (1)
In the early days of OSX, one of the biggest disadvantage was the sluggish performance. Now users are finding the speed of OSX increasingly more bearable thanks to the new Intel dual core processors (and throw in enough RAM). Then again you have to ask yourself just how fast OS9 could have run on the latest processors if it was recompiled?
Should I buy MacOSX?
If all you'll ever need to do is send emails, type a few letters on a word processor, and perform graphic designing work, MacOS8.6 or 9 is perfectly fine. OS8.6 is particularly stable whereas OS9 has been deliberately designed to have some flaws to make you upgrade to OSX (as you can't go back to OS8.6). But if you know what to do, you can solve the OS9 problems.
In a nutshell, MacOSX is really designed for those less-knowledgeable first-timers to the Mac world ready to splash money around and who think they are getting a better OS.
Admittedly, there are some improvements in stability (thanks to its reliance on the UNIX operating system underlying the core of OSX) and other features designed to attract publishing and design professionals. But anyone else who is on a tight budget (eg. schools, families etc) will not find a major benefit in paying for the latest software technology and for the extra hardware requirements to run it. You are better off waiting or purchase a second-hand Mac that already comes with OSX.
NOTE: You may have no choice but to upgrade to Apple's latest OSX. However if you are smart enough to wait, you can buy heaps of second-hand Apple computers and software able to run on OSX at a very good price. There is now no need to buy the latest Apple computers and software at the full retail price.
Do we have a choice?
Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) had been nice enough to include a classic OS9 emulation environment to help users run their older software for PowerPC computers (until the Intel machines were released). Actually, Apple was nice enough to let people choose which OS to boot into on their favourite Macintosh computers (eg. the titanium G4 laptops). But after putting in a few unspoken bugs into OS9, updated the ROM, and in building a wrath of new fancy-looking Apple desktops and laptops designed to never boot up in OS9 from September 2002, the consumer is no longer being given a choice.
"Start getting rich and upgrade to MacOSX, or be left behind," is the message coming out of Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.).
We say, "If you must use an Apple computer, read up on the latest news concerning Apple products and purchase the best second-hand Apple product with the least amount of problems you can find."
To make it more of an incentive to accept MacOSX as the default and permanent OS, more and more software manufacturers have decided to produce software products compatible with OSX only (eg. FileMaker Pro 7). Therefore anyone with a Macintosh computer will have no choice but to either buy and run OSX, or purchase new PC software to run on their emulation program (eg. RealPC, Insignia SoftWindows, and Microsoft VirtualPC).
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
January 2004
Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) has kept quiet on the specific models made just after May 1998 which will work under MacOSX. For example, the PowerBook G3 Series "Wall Street" can run OSX but many users will experience unusually high numbers of OS errors. We strongly recommend a G4 processor to solve this problem.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
March 2004
Apple has kindly left behind numerous bugs and problems to help OSX users see the benefits of constantly updating and improving OSX (and so give Apple a more consistent level of profit). It is our recommendation that you wait long enough until an OSX version comes out which is considered stable and fast. For example, OSX 10.3.9 is a reasonable version to begin with. OSX 10.4.x Tiger stability has yet to be reached.
Is Apple selling enough OSX?
On 16 July 2002, media reports were indicating how Steve Jobs, the CEO at Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) in Cupertino, California, USA, was not quite happy with the number of MacOSX system software sold to consumers.
According to media analysts at the time, there was apparently an official report stating that less than half the expected number of MacOSX products have been sold (there is a figure floating around at the moment that as little as 20 per cent of the products have been sold).
Later evidence to support the media claims had surfaced from software manufacturers with the likes of Microsoft and Corel expressing their anger in the insufficient numbers of people using MacOSX given the investment they have already made to making OSX-compatible software. For example, Microsoft has managed to sell only about 300,000 copies of Microsoft Office v.X (and absolute pittance in Microsoft's language) compared to the expected 750,000 copies according to Apple marketing.
As reported in the July 2002 edition of the Wall Street Journal, the head of Microsoft Corporation's Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) Kevin Browne said:
'If things don't dramatically turn around, we'll be evaluating this business with Apple.' (2)
Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, Phil Schiller, has attemped to counter this argument by saying the high price for Microsoft Office v.X is what's stopping many people from buying the product. And to toe-the-line for Apple so to speak, Schiller has said Apple is right on target as far as selling MacOSX is concerned for the company. (3)
However, this seems to contradict the view that Steve Jobs is not very happy with MacOSX sales.
Schiller also makes the point that other software developers are happy with OSX. He mentions the software manufacturing giant Adobe Systems, Inc. as a case supporting his view. Well yes, considering that Adobe happens to develop its popular software for the Macintosh first (and thus makes most of its profit in this area) before making a PC version and with nearly all of their major flagship software such as Photoshop and Illustrator already converted to MacOSX native "carbonised" form, Adobe is certainly not complaining. "Bring on OSX anytime!" as they say.
But what about PC software manufacturers deciding whether to convert their software to run on either MacOSX or MacOS9?
As of June 2006, Apple has convinced Microsoft and Adobe to support OSX more strongly. For example, on 11 September 2002, Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) spoke of disabling the ability of Macintosh computers to fully boot up under MacOS9 at the Apple Expo in Paris. This occurred in 2003. As Steve Jobs said:
'...it's time for Apple and our third-party developers to focus all of our resources exclusively on Mac OS X, rather than dividing them between two different operating systems.' (4)
Mr Jobs expected this would solve the problem of PC software manufacturers deciding whether to develop their PC software for the MacOSX or MacOS 9 environments.
Then Kevin Browne, general manager of the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation, supported the decision by saying:
'Mac OS X has really come of age with the release of 'Jaguar', and we think the combination of OS X v10.2 and Office v.X for Mac provides our customers with the power and compatibility they're seeking' (5)
Nothing like getting a little positive support from Microsoft to boost Apple sales of MacOSX version 10.2 in order to sell more Microsoft Office X packages to Mac users. Of course, we hope MacOSX will be more useful than running Office X.
Add to this the new Intel Macs, and the whole OSX experience is only now becoming bearable. Users are coming to accept it, warts and all. But at the same time, small third-party software developers are making emulation software to allow users to run their favourite software programs under the latest OSX.
Now the only issue for Apple is getting enough people to buy Intel Macs given the amount of new software some users may have to purchase to make them work on the new systems.
We do have a choice!
Since the release of the Intel-based Macintosh computers in 2006, users are being given a choice of booting into OSX or Windows XP. And with a swathe of free classic OS9 emulation programs for Windows XP (eg. Basilisk II) and OSX (eg. SheepShaver 2.3), you can pretty much go back to the Mac OS system you've always wanted without all the fanfare of OSX or the latest Windows OS.
History of OSX
Yes you can. There is a freeware control panel utility for installing OSX on most of the older PowerPC Macintosh computers built before May 1998. Remember, always backup everything on your hard disk before attempting to use this utility when installing OSX. And be prepared to find some problems when running your new operating system. For example, the sleep function on OSX does not work properly on PowerBooks older than May 1998 and may in fact crash the system. You have been warned!
I want to buy MacOSX. What's the best version?
Here is our view on the major OSX updates so far:
(i) Updates for OSX 'Puma' 10.0.1 to 10.1.5 — These updates are really designed to cover gaping and rather obvious cosmetic and underlying programming flaws in OSX, especially in network security, wake up problems for classic environment (ie. it crashes OSX a lot) and general interface drawing problems. Clearly not designed to bring OSX to any era of real stability and speed for what is supposed to be a modern OS. Anyone who have bought OSX of this version were people who never used a Macintosh before and/or early adopters who thought Macs are the best thing since sliced bread and OSX was a good-looking piece of software to have.
(ii) Updates 10.2.0 to 10.2.8 — Known as the 'Jaguar' update, version 10.2 is a big improvement. Unfortunately the responsiveness of OSX is still sluggish due to the extra processing requirements to draw the unusually complex OSX interface and other features (some hidden thanks to Apple's own agenda when handling certain users of the piracy-kind). Plenty of security problems with 10.2.x. You will need version 10.2.8 to get many of the security bugs fixed. You will also need a G5 computer (or a very fast G4) to make OSX version 10.2.x seem fast and responsive.
(iii) Version 10.3.0 to 10.3.9 — The 'Panther' updates are designed to improve the responsiveness and speed of OSX and fix a plethora of yet more security bugs (you should try version 10.3.5 for fewer security problems and the least amount of restrictions from Apple and for the most stable OSX ever produced to date). Now, for the first time, OSX is capable of running at almost the speed of OS9 (even without a G5 system)! Some hidden secrets from Apple are slowly emerging from these updates. One of the biggest secrets from version 10.3.5 and up is how Apple has decided to force users to buy the latest Apple computers. How? The updates draw more power from the battery and AC power adapter to run the older Mac computers for some strange reason. This may be because some USB devices need extra power. But it is also a way to reduce the lifespan of various computer parts (mainly the TFT screen and the rechargeable batteries of Apple laptops). Networking to OS9 and 8.6 machines in 10.3.5 is still very sluggish, especially after the first time. You usually have to restart the machine to get OSX to notice other computers. Version 10.3.9 is better in this regard. But you will lose out in other areas (see this document). OSX starts to get flaky in behaviour in versions 10.3.6-10.3.9. If you're on 10.3.6, move straight to 10.3.9. Otherwise stick to 10.3.5.
(iv) Version 10.4.0 to 10.4.9 — Known as OSX 'Tiger', this upgrade is characterised by new measures to record the contents of your hard disk using a new search tool, to hide from users the invisible Apple system files, to create additional hardware problems on older Macs in the hope users would return them to an Apple reseller or purchase new Macs etc. For example, the new search tool called Spotlight (to replace Sherlock) won't allow users to find invisible files. And Spotlight forces users to accept indexing of the hard disk. More bug fixes, mainly in Java as required for stability in running Safari. And Apple no longer allows users to network with Macintosh computers running MacOS8.6 (OS9 is fine for now). Tiger also comes with a new file format and certain features designed to force many users to do lots of upgrading and updating of applications including Apple's own software such as Mail.app. If you must go for Tiger, wait for a reliable and stable update (at least version 10.4.6 or 10.4.8 is reasonable).
(iv) Version 10.5.0 to 10.5.9 — Known as OSX 'Leopard', this upgrade is characterised by structural changes to OSX to prevent PowerPC users from running the Classic Environment and added a wealth of new software tools such as Time Machine to attract new users to OSX. This is necessary. The ability to boot into Windows XP and Vista on Intel Macs using a hack and later Apple introduced Boot Camp means there is little incentive for users to stick to OSX except for the hardcore multimedia, graphic designing and advertising specialists. Many users can now enjoy Windows XP/Vista and perhaps use a freeware utility such as FlyakiteOSX 3.5 to turn the Windows XP interface into an OSX interface look alike. Clearly Apple needs to get its act together and supply a stable and high quality OSX by this time. Unfortunately the structural changes has also resulted in some instability and a reduction in performance, especially on older and slower machines.
(v) Version 10.6.0 to 10.6.9 —. Known simply as "Snow" or in some quarters as "Snow Leopard". This OSX will be designed to handle the new 64-bit architecture of Intel's Core 2 Duo processors and the new 64-bit Apple computers to be released late in 2010. It will also focus on improving performance and, hopefully, greater stability. Most professional Apple users are waiting for this version to come out.
What do other people think about MacOSX?
The reaction has been mixed. Some people say MacOSX is the best thing since sliced bread. Admittedly these people are the ones with money to splash around so they can easily afford to upgrade their software to ensure compatibility with the latest operating system. While other people supporting OSX are generally first-timers who think Apple computers today are great.
Then there are the average mums and dads, the school principal, the person who just needs to type a letter and send an email who are feeling left behind and are realising how much it costs to support the latest Apple policy on constant innovation. Many of these people are still not quite sure whether Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) did the right thing when developing and selling their latest operating system.
Then there are Macintosh experts who ask what is the benefit of moving to OSX? If the third-party software applications are stable, why do we need OSX?
Part of the problem lies in the fact that MacOSX is such a radical departure from any previous version of MacOS that people are now discovering how all of their investment in software running on older MacOS is quickly becoming worthless when moving onto the latest MacOS.
And with Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) determined to stop people running older software on MacOSX after 2003 (eg. QuarkXPress 4.x), it would appear not enough people are embracing the new operating system with sufficient gusto as Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) would like (we can only wonder why!?).
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
June 2004
With no choice given by Apple in the type of OS available for the Macintosh, there has been a relatively large exodus of Mac users to the PC and Linux world in an attempt to gain some stability while enjoying the flexibility of choosing a larger range of increasingly cheaper PC and more open source software from shareware and freeware developers.
While other mainly experienced Mac users are learning to fix up deliberate hardware faults on older Macs and choosing to stick to them and their most important older Macintosh software for as long as the Macintosh computers can survive. For these people, PC emulator programs are integral to keeping them relatively up-to-date in the software department. Yet other Mac users are learning to buy or build emulator programs to handle all MacOS on Linux and PC systems. In fact, LInux can now emulate MacOS8/9 with the help of the ROM contents from a Macintosh computer without any problems.
For those who have never used a Macintosh computer, they will probably never know what the fuss is about (as apparent from last Christmas Mac buys and how much fewer OS9 software is on offer at places such as http://www.versiontracker.com/macos while an explosion of OSX shareware and freeware software is now coming online). It is these innocent people who appear to form a significant portion of the OSX customer base and profit for Apple. Anyone else using OSX are doing so because they have to as part of their work requirements (eg. printing shops, multimedia studios etc).
The rest are moving onto Linux (or PC) and running all their older and newer PC and Mac software as they want.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
June 2006
The plethora of OS emulation utilities are helping to bridge the gap between the old world OS and the latest OSX and Windows XP systems. By now you should be able to run any version of Windows from 3.1 to 2000 and MacOS6 to 9.0.1.
Can OSX run on Windows "Intel" machines?
Yes it can. Developers have tested a beta version of OSX 10.1 and realise with a little tweaking OSX can run on a PC. So why aren't consumers given a choice of machine to install OSX?
Simple. To avoid trending on Microsoft ground and to maintain profit in selling Mac computers. Apple needs to keep OSX on its own Macintosh systems to stop real competition which could get nasty and hurt Apple in the long term. But as one user said:
'I would MUCH rather run Mac OS X on a PC. I'm holding out for Apple to give their blessing. With Apple running a Intel processor now I don't see what the problem is. People that can afford a new Mac will still be buying them. Then the poor old people like me can afford a newer computer.
I remember 32 years ago when my class mate and good friend Randy Williams said, Hey man, come and work at this new place where I work, you'll get hired right away. It was a very small building on the outskirts of Santa Cruz CA across from the only other building out there, the gum factory. I thought that he was making a big mistake at a dead end job. The place looked like it would be lucky if it kept the doors open one more week.
The little building was Intel. I said no thanks cause I wanted to go do woodworking. At that time computers were evil and most hippies stayed away.
If you know anything about Intel, then you know who Randy is.
Life's a funny thing. Always think hard before you jump.' (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/29549)
He will be waiting for a very long time.
What's the purpose of OSX?
Lots of young MacOSX fanatics appear to be touting how wonderful OSX is online as can be observed at popular software download sites such as Versiontracker.com (could some of them be working for Apple?).
One of the main arguments for moving over to OSX, according to the younger OSX user market — apart from the operating system's reasonable stability and general good looks — is because it is the only way you can enjoy one day the new 12GHz machines when they come out in around ten years from now. None of the older operating systems will run on these superfast machines (assuming no one makes an emulator to run all the older MacOS). Well, let's face it, you'll need OSX eventually!
Interesting argument. Then there are the more experienced Macintosh users who ask these young OSX fans, "What exactly will you do with a 12GHz machine running OSX in ten years time?"
It would be no surprise if the answer is, "Play more awesome and realistic 3D adventure games!" or "Watch interactive DVD movies."
The slightly more professional group of young or forceably converted OSX users will probably answer a little differently. They would probably say, "To churn out more realistic 3D animations for Hollywood films in a quicker time."
At the end of the day, it is just to see people get more entertained or to make a profit from creating the entertainment.
But what about making books designed to solve world problems, or creating simple digital designs in 3D or 2D to aid in education for the masses? Do you really need a 12GHz machine with OSX to achieve this goal?
One should bear in mind that making books using a desktop publishing software can be easily done on the earliest colour Macintosh computer (eg. a PowerBook 540c) and a copy of Aldus PageMaker 5.0a. Creating 3D illustrations and movies can be achieved within reasonable time on a slightly more modern machine such as a PowerBook G3 Series or a titanium G4 PowerBook running OS9 and Amorphium 3.0. 2D illustrations, on the other hand, don't need this amount of modern computing power just to create top quality pictures.
Even the art of creating movies on a computer in a quick and efficient manner (and of the Hollywood-quality variety) is already possible on OS9 using a titanium powerbook or less given the quality of movie editing software today and modern hard disk storage capabilities.
The same is true of audio editing software. All you require is very precise and reliable hardware (not so much the speed of the machine) to ensure multi-channel sounds are synchronised correctly.
In the end, practically anyone can achieve all the digital visual, audio and textual information they will ever need to create in life using a 1993-1999 Apple computer and MacOS operating system if one really wanted to.
So why move over to OSX? Is it because it looks better than OS9? Is it the stability that makes OSX better (although one can argue that if software manufacturers learned to create truly stable and reliable software applications for OS9 — including Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) which has now been discovered to be deliberately removing important code in some system extensions needed to make them compatible with G3 systems in favour of G4 systems — the stability of OS9 can be as great as OSX if not greater)?
Or is it because young entrepreneurs believe their business demands the best and think the way to get ahead of the competition is to own the very latest operating system and computers?
Or is it because Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) says you should because this ultimately helps (i) the company's bottom-line; and (ii) to solve the problem of illegal activity on a computer such as software piracy etc?
And as an extra incentive for you to change, some of the big players such as Microsoft have decided to dictate to the customers which popular applications under OS9 will be ditched and which ones will continue to be developed under OSX?
According to the more experienced Macintosh users, you must decide exactly what it is you wish to achieve in life before investing in the latest technology. If your business happens to run OSX on its computers, then you may have no choice but to buy the latest stuff (now you can buy them secondhand at a fraction of the full retail price). But if all you ever want to do is create movies, draw some awesome 2D illustrations, or produce quite effective 3D pictures, as well as have access to the Internet and perhaps type up a few letters or a book, then OS9 (or OS8.6) using any of the older G4 or G3 PowerBooks or desktop machines is perfectly fine. Why would you want to move over? To give Apple more profit?
Rubbish!
Maybe Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) needs to have another reality check and start remarketing OSX and the latest Apple computers to only the young, creative multimedia professionals with more money than sense. Forget about the experienced and/or older Macintosh users who know what they are doing. They will decide when and how they wish to use Apple's new operating system.
If an experienced Macintosh user ever wanted to use an OSX machine, he/she can always get a second-hand copy of OSX (now available in abundance, probably thanks to Apple's decision to create obsolescence in its products) and install it on a partition of his/her hard disk and/or purchase a recent second-hand Macintosh computer to meet all the requirements of certain businesses. Let the young guns spend all the money they like on the latest new Apple equipment, let them resell the equipment when they've had enough (ie. when they see the problems), and let the smarter Macintosh users purchase the equipment at ridiculously low second-hand prices (at least 60 per cent off normal RRP or more). We can be sure the younger market would be happy to help Apple make a profit.
And if having the latest software is so important to the experienced Macintosh user, then we can also be sure the user will be happy purchasing PC versions of the software and run them on RealPC 1.0.9 (which incidentally can run Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP or higher) or another PC emulator program. At the end of the day, it is the final result after using the software which really matters, not the OS.
MacOSX is not the goal in life. It is just wasted space designed to fill up your RAM and hard disk thereby forcing you to buy extra RAM and a new hard drive. The purpose of an OS should not be to make you spend more money to the point where you have to replace every single piece of older software and hardware you have. Rather it should be designed to let you run new features in newer third-party software on any hardware without sacrificing the ability to run the older software you may want as well.
And most importantly, it should do nothing more than organise your files and allow you to launch them and give you access in the easiest way possible to all the features on your computer.
In the end, Apple has to remember who it is helping — themselves and their shareholders, or their customers?
