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bally199
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:52 pm
Posts: 1036
Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
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...To install Linux on.  No seriously. I'm considering buying either a PPC or Intel Mac Mini to install Linux on to use as a media server. Mac Mini because it's small enough to stash away in a cupboard somewhere. But my question is: How hard is it to install Linux on a Apple machine? (BTW, Nothing against OSX, it's just I don't like it at all. ) Thanks! _________________ Kimmotalk is where all the cool people hang.
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| Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:32 pm |
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ProfessorF
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
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I'd imagine it's about as difficult as installing it on any other machine, tbh. Boot off a DVD and get on with it, I'd expect! I can't really see the point in purchasing a mini if you're not using OS X - why not get another micro-atx PC to stick Linux on for less? 
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| Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:46 pm |
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bally199
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:52 pm
Posts: 1036
Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
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Because a friend has a PPC Mini just laid about doing nothing that I might be able to wangle out of him. Thanks a lot Prof.  _________________Kimmotalk is where all the cool people hang.
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:05 am |
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ProfessorF
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
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Ah cool. Go on - give OS X a try first... I dare you! 
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:50 am |
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forquare1
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:36 pm
Posts: 5150
Location: /dev/tty0
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You may not get the best media experience out of a PPC Mac Mini. I know there are Linux PPC ports, but I'm not convinced how long they'll stay around for, or how well supported they are (in terms of applications, and updates)...
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:02 am |
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tombolt
Spends far too much time on here
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:38 am
Posts: 2967
Location: Dorchester, Dorset
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If it's PPC, you'll be much better off using OS X on it.
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:58 am |
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saspro
Site Admin
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:53 pm
Posts: 8603
Location: location, location
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bally send it to me  I'll send you a nice small mini itx box in return that runs linux like a dream (& has more HDD space)
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:26 am |
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Nick
Spends far too much time on here
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:36 pm
Posts: 3527
Location: Portsmouth
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I dare to say that the reason you don't like OS X is because you've been using it hacked onto a PeeCee. If you do end up with a Mini, why don't you try using OS X for a week or two first? _________________
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:18 pm |
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forquare1
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:36 pm
Posts: 5150
Location: /dev/tty0
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Plus, why settle for an imitation when you have certified UNIX already on the box? I know several users here don't like the UNIX side of OS X, but it's there, and you can interact with it as much as you want to, just like Linux. Many Linux apps should work, or have free alternatives...
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:24 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm
Posts: 7173
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I'm gonna gun for Linux here and say use Linux, not OS X. There are plenty of PPC distros. about - Yellow Dog immediately springs to mind, but there are others about too. Who needs proprietary rubbish? Use free (beer & speech) software and seize control of your machine! EDIT: A nice list of PPC disros. for you: http://penguinppc.org/about/distributions.php
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:32 pm |
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ProfessorF
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
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To quote big_D, OS X is what Linux wants to be when it's grown up.
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:43 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm
Posts: 7173
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Dear God I hope not. I'd rather use Windows frankly.
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| Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:16 pm |
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big_D
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:25 pm
Posts: 10691
Location: Bramsche
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Given the choice between OS X and Linux, I'd use OS X. Linux is fine, but it misses some of the polish, especially for multimedia playback.
Linux is fine, I used it as my main desktop between 2002 and 2006, but OS X is better. I just wouldn't pay the price premium for a new Mac at the moment. It seems that I managed to buy in the sweet spot, where Apple's pricing was competitive with mainstream Windows PCs, but Apple's prices have remained constant, whilst PC prices, in general, have sunk 60-70%...
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"Do you know what this is? Hmm? No, I can see you do not. You have that vacant look in your eyes, which says hold my head to your ear, you will hear the sea!" - Londo Molari
Executive Producer No Agenda Show 246
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| Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:41 am |
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ChurchCat
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:57 am
Posts: 1652
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Strangely that more or less ties in with what has happened to company profits. Macs more or less constant PCs sunk 60-70% http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dell-prof ... html?.v=10_________________A Mac user 
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| Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:02 am |
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Nick
Spends far too much time on here
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:36 pm
Posts: 3527
Location: Portsmouth
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When I bought my Mac (a first generation MacBook) it was cheaper than PC's with the same CPU, HDD & memory. Nevermind all the extras, it was cheaper just on the basic configuration. After adding in the FireWire, Bluetooth, InfraRed for remote and everything else it was a bargain. I initially bought it in the frame of mind "well it's cheaper than anything else so I'll give it a go and if I don't like it, I'll put windows on it" I never looked back.  _________________
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| Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:09 am |
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