Comments on: How my computing needs affected switching to Linux

By: Switch Mac OS X to Ubuntu | openSYD

Switch Mac OS X to Ubuntu | openSYD — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:38:53 +0000

[...] suite est à lire directement sur le blog de Ian dans son post intitulé “How my computing needs affected switching to Linux“ Catégorie [...]

By: Hung Doan

Hung Doan — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:52:34 +0000

I appreciate your blog entries about migrating over to uBuntu, as it makes sense to you. I think our reasons are somewhat the same in that, you realized that you have found better (read: cheaper) tools to help you accomplish your tasks. In my situation, it is more that Apple has strayed from what I have found Macs to be useful for (my daily needs) these long years as a Mac user. I feel that Apple is catering to mass consumers (altogether, not bad) and the creative pros. I was a student when I started on macs back in primary school and am still a student, and I feel that Apple’s tools do not cater to my situation well. They make iWork, but it’s all eye candy. They make “affordable” machines but really my options are a crippled Mac-mini (that’s really an expensive AppleTV), a non-upgradeable iMac, or a really expensive Mac Pro which I don’t need. The laptops are stylish without substance (an expensive PC laptop). If I purchase a Mac Laptop, I might end up converting to uBuntu and forking over more money than I could have ever wanted just to use a Linux variant! It’s true that companies and consumers’ needs evolve and change, and it is good that Apple is so successful. What attracted Macs to me first just doesn’t seem to captivate me now. You’ve shed new light on this discussion, thanks!

By: Ian Betteridge

Ian Betteridge — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:03:28 +0000

Andrew, I hear what you're saying - and I think it perfectly illustrates why I care about open file formats. Whether an application is open source or not is a choice that is really just down to asking what the right way to get the job done is. I believe strongly in a "mixed economy" for development, with different methodologies competing and spurring on improvement over the whole industry. But when you're locked in to using a single product because the developer deliberately chose to use a format unique to itself... that's not encouraging competition. That's not encouraging innovation. It's just encouraging developers to sit on their behinds raking in the cash because everyone HAS to use their product. Incidentally, have you tried Word running under WINE? I'm told it's pretty good. http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?appId=10

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:58:19 +0000

The one thing that keeps me from using Linux is native file format, namely .doc and .docx. Yes, I know that OO3 and every other word processor under the sun can import and export to Word, but not with complex formatting, and definitely not legal pleadings with those funky vertical rulers in the document that MUST line-up perfectly with the text. I’ve tried them all Abiword, OO2, OO3, Pages, WordPerfect, Nisus Pro, Mellel, you name it, it won’t import pleadings without breaking the formatting. Sorry, I’m just not willing to waste 10 or 20 minutes on each and every document I receive for the privilege of using free software. Word for Mac will open both Mac and Windows generated pleadings without breaking the formatting. The day that the Mac version doesn’t open pleadings is the day I have to move to Windows (in Parallels, of course).

By: Ian Betteridge

Ian Betteridge — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:49:44 +0000

Blimey, didn’t know that Mackenzie – thanks!

By: Mackenzie

Mackenzie — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:47:50 +0000

If you do come across any professional graphics folks, Photoshop CS2 runs in WINE. Google paid the WINE devs to get that done.

By: Ian Betteridge

Ian Betteridge — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:05:43 +0000

I haven’t looked very hard because I’m not a pro video editor. Kino does everything I need to do, in a way that I understand and find easy to use. Isn’t that the definition of “right tool for the job”?

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:28:33 +0000

Though I would rather use a Mac and final Cut for video editing there are plenty of very good video editing apps for Linux. You haven’t looked very hard if all you came up with is Kino.

By: Charles Arthur

Charles Arthur — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:01:47 +0000

Interesting – and food for thought! Thanks.