used it on other peoples machines with no end to the
headaches. I'm a long time mac user (since the
beginning, really), and still use osx as my primary
operating system. As much as I like Linux and believe
in free software, you can't beat apple for stability,
reliability and simplicity.
The second question is about your processors, I'm
assuming by your statement about the video card that
you're using an x86 mac. Working under that
assumption I would recommend debian for home use.
Imma slackware guy myself and would never wish it on
anyone else :D. Anyway, if youre on PPC stick with
the mac os-the speed hit of poorly optimized ppc linux
code will drive you nuts (apple has done 95% of the
development on gcc for ppc...they're pretty good at
getting their OS fast).
As for the question of Ubuntu vs. Debian... I
have to say they do abou the same thing and approach
the build with the same philosophy. To clarify, they
don't install by default the source code for the while
OS, the default login is graphical, there are many X
tools for hardware checking, it's for people
transitioning to linux who are used to graphical ways
of doing things. Just understand that under linux
you're gonna have nigh-unto-no 3d support for even the
most common cards and unless you've got a GeForce and
don't mind using nVidia's driver, gaming is
non-existent. (also you can boot windows on an x86 mac
for gaming so no big deal). Debian, IMHO, achieves
the same goals as ubuntu with less of a speed hit,
nearly inexplicably ubuntu is a runtime wastrel.
Debian by default uses GNOME, installing KDE is a
matter of opening Synaptec and checking a few boxes.
It's my opinion that KDE is easier to make mac-like
and is more intuitive and customizable, but Gnome is
in no way insufficient.
As far as specific tweaks go, most of what you've
mentioned should be readily accomplished. As far as
the Dock goes, the most elegant solution to
quick-launching programs and directories I've found is
to bind a menu to the center click...which assumes you
have a decent mouse of course.
That's my two cents worth, Just thought I'd
point out I've noticed agregious runtime wastes in
Ubuntu that aren't present in similar distros. Though
I have to say their goals are noble and I wish them
the best in their efforts.
--Adam Nuwer
--- Joe Auty <joe@netmusician.org> wrote:
> I'm considering switching from OS X to Ubuntu and
> have been trying to
> migrate my work over there this week. I have a few
> questions though, and
> I thought I would see if you guys can help since I
> know there are
> several knowledgeable users here that have helped me
> in the past!
>
> I posted this to the ubuntuforums site, but I'll
> reproduce these
> questions here (this all applies to Gnome)...
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> post/question set #1:
> > I have a volume mounted via SSH, and I'm noticing
> that the application
> > associations I have created in
> /usr/share/applications/defaults.list
> > don't seem to apply.
> >
> > Is there a way to fix this? Is there a way to get
> files opened from
> > network volumes to respect the associations in the
> defaults.list file?
>
> post/question set #2:
>
> > Here's the deal: I use Ubuntu at work and am
> contemplating a switch to
> > Ubuntu on my home machine too, but I'm kind of
> stuck with years and
> > years of Mac experience ingrained into my skull.
> To make the
> > transition a little less painless, I'm wondering
> what sorts of tweaks
> > are possible to make Gnome behave a little more
> Mac like?
> >
> > Here are some of the things I would like:
> >
> > * an OS X dock that doesn't require Beryl (I'm
> stuck with an ATI
> > X600, so no Beryl unfortunately), a shift to
> a more application
> > rather than document centric computing
> approach.
> > * key bindings remapped to use the smaller
> Apple style keyboard, so:
> > o control + A to go to the beginning of
> a line like in
> > emacs, rather than the "home" key (I'd
> happily remap
> > select all to control + shift A or
> something), control + E
> > for end of line (end key)
> > o backspace key for deleting mail in
> Thunderbird rather than
> > delete key
> > o switch between windows within an
> application (apple +
> > tilda on the Mac)
> > o control T for new tab in Gnome
> Terminal rather than
> > control + shift + T. A consistent key
> command to switch
> > between tabs in Firefox and the
> Terminal (e.g. Control +
> > Alt + cursor arrow rather than page
> up/page down)
> >
> >
> > I know I should probably just get used to doing
> things the
> > Ubuntu/Gnome way, but if there are ways to kind of
> ease me in that
> > would be fantastic!
>
>
>
> --
> Joe Auty
> NetMusician: web publishing software for musicians
> http://www.netmusician.org
> joe@netmusician.org
>
>
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