OS X can i do what i want to do?

[herot]

i am considering purchasing an ibook G4...

currently i use an older vaio with ubuntu installed on it...

my question is can i compile apps from source, convert and install *.deb, *.rpm packages, use ifconfig, do everything that i am use to doing in conventional linux distros, in OS X??

what are the limitations of OS X compared with linux distros such as slackware, debian, redhat, suse, etc..??

can i do what i do now with linux?

i read this http://mac.oreilly.com/news/macosx_0301.html im just trying to get some more opinions

links to other opinions would be appreciated also...

[Cabhan]

Okay, well, Mac OS X is not a Linux distro, or even a pure BSD distro. You need to be aware of this. Mac OS X is an OS that has a Unix base, and so maintains a certain degree of compatibility with Linux, but not pure.

For example, you will NOT be able to use .deb packages unless you install a utility to do so. However, that may require certain Linux packages, and overall, it'll be quite complicated.

The same applies to rpm and ifconfig.

However, let's say you want to use ifconfig. If you grab the source code, install gcc and make (both are included in the Xcode program, I believe), you might be able to install it.

Also, many apps rely on the presence of the X Window system. This is available for Mac OS X, but needs to be installed separately.


However, there is no need to use such applications. I assure you that Mac OS X has its own network-managing stuff, its own IM clients, and all that.


In conclusion, Mac OS X is NOT a Linux distro. It is not intended to be, it never will be. Keep this in mind.

[chopin1810]

i am considering purchasing an ibook G4...

Good for you.

my question is can i compile apps from source,

If they are written for Mac.

convert and install *.deb, *.rpm packages, use ifconfig, do everything that i am use to doing in conventional linux distros, in OS X??

No.

what are the limitations of OS X compared with "better known" linux distros such as slackware, debian, redhat, suse, etc..???

Less expandability.

can i do what i do now with linux?

Nothing but shell programming, really. It IS based on UNIX (Darwin) but is NOT an equivelant to Linux. Any Linux programs will not work because you are on a different processor. If you are going to miss Linux this much then you might as well just stick with your current setup or buy an Intel compatible system. Otherwise Macs are very good systems and are quite stable. I believe you could install things like Firefox and probably change the Mac theme to make it feel more like "home". Like I said, if you absolutely NEED Linux then just stick with your current setup. Otherwise there's no reason you shouldn't switch to a Mac (unless you can't afford it...)

[SpaceSquad]

Wait for the Intel ibooks. They will drop around 200 dollars from the current series.

edit/ the MacBook Pro's are already out featuring dual-core intel processors.

[kbk]

My parents own a mac, and in my opinion, it's not a good decision. Macs are slow, at times it seems macs have less support than linux does . Yeah I just wouldn't go that route.

[SpaceSquad]

My parents own a mac, and in my opinion, it's not a good decision. Macs are slow, at times it seems macs have less support than linux does . Yeah I just wouldn't go that route.

They run wonderful out of the box. Great for people who want a PC that just "works".

And the higher end macs are incredibly powerful. They are mostly used for graphics work and video editing. The low end ones are just that, low end.

The new macs feature dual-core intel "duo" processors. Great performance.

OSX is beautiful, too.

[kbk]

I will admit that OSX does look very nice. However, like you said mac people just want a computer that "works" where I kinda like to play around with things for awhile before I get everything perfect and the way I want it. But eh, to each their own.

[herot]

okay i think what im seeing here is that OS X is not what i want...

i want to be able to compile programs from source, i LOVE using apt, i WANT my command line network utils like netcat, nmap, ifconfig, iwconfig, dhclient, ettercap, nessus, driftnet... all that sort of stuff...

i THOUGHT that since OS X was built on *nix technology and kernel that i would still be able to do all of this stuff as EASY as i can in ubuntu...

i also want to configure and compile/recompile my kernel anytime i want.

i am in the market for a laptop that is powerful and light (well thats the whole trick isn't it? and it's gonna cost you something extra...) i saw the $949 student discount price and thought "hey thats cheap compared to the IBM T42 or T43 's i was looking at... and it comes with OS X too! isn't that based on unix/linux?? i bet i could do all the stuff i want and not break a grand!!!

apparently it is still as it always has been... trade offs to everything. no big suprise! LOL!

oh well i guess ill pay up for the new (nice PC notebook) or put up with the old (my 600mhz vaio)

i mean i could buy the intel powerbook but whats the point?? the IBM's from what ive read are VERY linux friendly... and cheaper...

thanks all

[chopin1810]

i THOUGHT that since OS X was built on *nix technology and kernel that i would still be able to do all of this stuff as EASY as i can in ubuntu...

It can, it's just that most of the stuff you're used to isn't written for macs.

[Cabhan]

i want to be able to compile programs from source, i LOVE using apt, i WANT my command line network utils like netcat, nmap, ifconfig, iwconfig, dhclient, ettercap, nessus, driftnet... all that sort of stuff...

i THOUGHT that since OS X was built on *nix technology and kernel that i would still be able to do all of this stuff as EASY as i can in ubuntu...

i also want to configure and compile/recompile my kernel anytime i want.

You CAN compile programs from source. Simply that applications not built for Macs will be more difficult. Just like an application built for BSD might need some tweaking to run on Linux.

You don't need apt, because Mac software is different. Even freeware is simply downloaded and installed. The Apple site has an extensive list of downloadable software.

Network utils are available, simply not the ones you're used to. Again, I guarantee that you can configure your network in Mac OS X.

The Mac OS X kernel is based on Darwin, which is a fork of BSD. However, it IS proprietary (the BSD License allows reuse in either open- or closed-source projects). You can't recompile it, but there's probably little need: Apple software is built for the Apple architecture, since it's all made by Apple.


I'm planning to buy an iBook for college, though I'll be taking my Linux desktop with me. I have Linux to screw around with, and a sexy new world to explore in my iBook. <3.