Donn wrote: > > > On Thu, Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52 AM, Austin Godber > wrote: > > Kevin Faulkner wrote: > >> I beg to differ, OS X is very different from Windows. It sells > for a fair > >> price and it works. > >> > > > > Well its kinda hard to place a price on OS X when it comes > bundled with the > > machine itself. I don't even know how much it sells for. I think > Windows works > > > > > OS X is $129 > > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB427Z/A?mco=MTIyNzA > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > Thank you Austin. That was part of my point. OS X has ONE Price and One > version. It also has none of the typical Windows issues with Registry > hell, reboot after sneezing hard, corruption of basic services by > applications (at least typically), etc. > > As far as 'Free' or Open Source' vs. proprietary software is concerned, > I try to take a realistic view. It is somewhat irritating to me to hear > 'but that is proprietary software!' as if something smelled bad. I am > not trying to be argumentative here, I just want to make a point. I > agree on principal in the building block theory of Open Source software, > that is that knowledge should be shared and move us all forward without > wasting effort in constantly recreating code to do the same things. This > is an admirable goal. I try to support open source software that I use > and appreciate. I generally do not use free software, since it is > generally, but not always worth what you paid for it. > > What I don't agree with is the Microsoft method of market domination by > intimidation. I have a great deal of admiration for what Apple has done > with their products in most cases. They are not beyond draconian methods > either, but the shear elegance of some of their hardware and software is > difficult to argue with. No one else in consumer electronics even comes > close, except possibly Nintendo, and very rarely Sony (believe it or > not). I have a 24" iMac and it is the best piece of hardware (and > software with Leopard) I have ever owned. At their core, Microsoft seems > to be about one thing, holding on to their 'lands and titles' like the > Nobles of old. Apple seems to aspire to something better in every > product they sell. They don't always hit the mark, but in my mind, the > aspiration is the thing that deserves recognition and admiration. > I have to agree with Donn on this one. All of us have our own reasons for our interest in Linux. Some don't like proprietary software. I don't care so much about that issue - if it works and has a fair price, no problem. Proprietary, secret data formats _do_ bug me. My other motivations are: - I strongly dislike monopolies, and MS is pretty close to being one (but hopefully losing ground. :-) ) - I cut my proverbial teeth on Unix, and Linux incorporates those features I've always appreciated in that venerable OS. BTW, I finally decided on a Dell Latitude D830 - _almost_ top-end on all the options, for $1600. (Yes, it has XP, which I can use in conjunction with my job.) Nice thing about getting a popular model like that, I have found detailed instructions for installing Ubuntu on it and I know about all the gotchas before I encounter them. I _really_ considered the Mac this time, but just couldn't justify spending $600 more for the equivalent machine. Maybe next time. Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions! I knew I could get a lot of help from you guys! Vaughn > These are more words than I have ever written on this list, and I > apologize for the diatribe. Please take no offense. > > -- > Donn > There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." > -- Dave Barry > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss