I am satisfied in so far as I can go with this current unit. however, for my purposes, it is starting to show it's age.
for most multimedia purposes, it works ok. for email, its great. however, for web browsing in OS X, it sucks (too old for the newer versions of the apps). this is not the case in Linux, but I have limited apps available I can use there (firefox, sea monkey, thunderbird, and perhaps a few others). unfortunately, mozilla has changed the engine behind firefox, so its new quantum product is virtually inaccessible with any screen reader technology regardless of platform. grrrr.
-eric
from the central offices of the Technomage Guild, lamentations Dept.
On Dec 8, 2017, at 1:04 AM, Victor Odhner wrote:
> Hi, Eric.
>
> I’m not too sure what you’re saying; you speak of a newer mac mini but sound pretty satisfied with what you have.
>
> I decided against Mac Mini, but Fry’s has one for $378 this week, in case you have a way to do that, and in case they haven’t sold out yet. (I could help you get it, logistically, but I can’t offer any money.)
>
> My son talked me out of buying that, saying that Mac is too expensive (he used to be an Apple fan), and I’m definitely going to build a conventional Linux desktop now.
>
> As for VLC, I do understand it’s the most popular. The one I use through a projector is MPV (thanks again to Aaron for the tip) because it was the first one I found that lets me come up pointed at the projector’s screen, full-screen mode, and waiting for a keystroke to begin. At the end, it has an option to freeze the last frame rather than quitting. And it lets me project nothing but the video, with all control stuff appearing to the local screen: I run it from the command line. MPV is perfect for my needs, so I can’t beat that.
> _________________
>
> On 20171207, at 19:37, Eric Oyen <eric.oyen@icloud.com> wrote:
>
> well, if soeone is willing to help me get a newer mac mini (my budget won't support it anytime in the next century).. I am running this old macbook (2007 whitebook) and it is capable of playing virtually any audio or video content. that's just on OS X Lion. I have tried Linux on here without too much difficulty, so I know it works. btw, VLC still has a player for linux, so there is your player app of choice.
>
> btw, the battery on this unit toasted a long time ago, so I run it strictly on the included PSU. It's a low wattage unit. about the only things needed to be done here are to clean the keyboard/case and probably the display. I am blind, so I have no idea how cruddy this thing has gotten over the last 6 years.
>
> -eric
> from the central offices of the Technomage Guild, Sales and Trades Dept.
>
> On Dec 6, 2017, at 10:46 AM, Victor Odhner wrote:
>
>> OK, I’ve decided on Linux. (No longer OT!)
>>
>> I need recommendations on an adequate PC to run stereo music and videos (1920x1080 projector) for a church.
>>
>> I decided that Linux would be best to ensure that we can have good performance and up-to-date software for this well-defined application. We wouldn’t be at the mercy of Apple or Microsoft dragging us around a sharp corner. My main backup guy has been using Linux (Mint, like me) for some years, and the apps are basic enough that our other users would be comfortable.
>>
>> I’d like to keep this as cheap as reasonable, concentrating on solid quality (e.g. really adequate power supply) so that we wouldn’t have to worry about it for 5 to 10 years. I’d want all parts to be brand new, or almost.
>>
>> Is there still a Linux systems store in the Valley? Should I just put together a box with parts from Fry’s or the Web?
>>
>> Hey, is there someone out there who would like to give me a quote for an assembled box? (I have kb, monitor and mouse.)
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Victor
>> _________________
>>
>> On 20171130, at 14:55, Stephen Partington <cryptworks@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> well if you are looking to maintain portability you can look at the Intel NUC. but really this relies entirely on what your budget is.
>>
>> Looking at your existing application Digital Performer installs on Windows or OSX, also you can look into the Hackintosh. there are some build guides out there that run with a fully tested hardware configs to consider.
>>
>> But the Mac mini is a viable system even with the age of the device.
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 12:26 PM, Carruth, Rusty <Rusty.Carruth@smartm.com> wrote:
>> I’m not very happy with Micro$oft’s product, especially 10 (have you actually tried to install 10? I have. Goodness, talk about a step back into pre-history! It refused to install because there was a CHANCE that it wouldn’t boot – even though I had just proven that it WOULD boot in that configuration – and no way to override their ‘help’!)
>>
>> So, for me, its ‘buy the most powerful, RAM-loaded system I can manage (with SSD if possible), and install Linux Mint.
>>
>> But that’s just me ;-)
>>
>> From: PLUG-discuss [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces@lists.phxlinux.org] On Behalf Of David Schwartz
>> Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2017 12:23 PM
>> To: Main PLUG discussion list
>> Subject: Re: OT: Mac Mini obsolescent? When next release?
>>
>> I’d be tempted to get an all-in-one Windows machine (most seem to have touch-screens now) or a small iMac.
>>
>> AIO Windows machines are well under $1k.
>>
>> Stick to the KISS principle here. :-)
>>
>> -David Schwartz
>>
>> On Nov 30, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Victor Odhner <vodhner@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> Spun off from the Genius discussion:
>>
>> The Apple CEO reportedly says Mini is still part of their product line, but he won’t say anything about the next release.
>>
>> I was another Mini shopper, for supportability and video resolution reasons. Our church music team needs to update a 2009 Mini. I want to get a new desktop (laptop wouldn’t fit our config): my goal is to give them hopefully 5+ years of reliable operation. Any comments would be welcome.
>>
>> Now looking at ditching the Mini, going to Windows or Linux to drive our video projector (MPV rocks) and an MP3 player. The Mini is where our Digital Performer lives (music synthesizer), but I’ve converted most of our library to MP3s and I can still use the old Mini if I need to get creative.
>>
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