I love my Apple mac....

when it's running linux.

[guytheninja]

I have two questions.

1. What distro is this.
2. What does /proc/cpuinfo say. (I've never had a mac -- much less a mac with linux).

[phatlip]

Actually that system and all our macs have since gone to charity (only because I just wanted to support just one platform and I could get faster intel machines for free), but it was a ppc based (not intel) g3-333 and the distro was ubuntu hardy heron. The video on it was a pain to set up, because the drivers had not really been open sourced completely yet. Now it would or should be a cinch to set up. Fedora, Debian, Slackware (slackintosh), Ubuntu all support the ppc mac. Yellow dog linux is or was yellow dog slow on it. New world macs such as the blue macs are the easiest ones to install linux. Just boot and install. That being said, you have to use the ppc version of linux and not the intel cd's (unless you have and intel mac) for installation. Older systems require some gymnastic hacking to get it installed (penguinppc.org). I used one of my g3's as a web and media server running linux.

http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora-ppc
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...owerpc/iso-cd/
http://workaround.ch/download.html
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/9.04/release/

Want a cookie

If you have an older mac and realize that Apple no longer supports those units or you no longer want to pay an Apple tax, Linux is a great way to re purpose machines. It's not about me. It's about helping people especially in these times. G3's also make great servers and diskless clients (with a server to boot from).

[phatlip]

Originally Posted by computoman

If you have an older mac and realize that Apple no longer supports those units or you no longer want to pay an Apple tax, Linux is a great way to re purpose machines. It's not about me. It's about helping people especially in these times. G3's also make great servers and diskless clients (with a server to boot from).

Yeah, but that applies to all PC's. Not just Apple computers. I just saw it the same way I would if Linux were on a Dell. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me personally.

Originally Posted by Phatlip

Yeah, but that applies to all PC's. Not just Apple computers. I just saw it the same way I would if Linux were on a Dell. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me personally.

Not for an allegedly tech savvy guy like you, but there are many people who do not know. Rice university In texas was selling imacs for pennies on the dollar and then going back and spending thousands of dollars on brand new machines. Most of them were being using in a library as just a web browser. Colleges wonder why they can not keep costs down. Duh.

[guytheninja]

Originally Posted by computoman

Actually that system and all our macs have since gone to charity (only because I just wanted to support just one platform and I could get faster intel machines for free), but it was a ppc based (not intel) g3-333 and the distro was ubuntu hardy heron. The video on it was a pain to set up, because the drivers had not really been open sourced completely yet. Now it would or should be a cinch to set up. Fedora, Debian, Slackware (slackintosh), Ubuntu all support the ppc mac. Yellow dog linux is or was yellow dog slow on it. New world macs such as the blue macs are the easiest ones to install linux. Just boot and install. That being said, you have to use the ppc version of linux and not the intel cd's (unless you have and intel mac) for installation. Older systems require some gymnastic hacking to get it installed (penguinppc.org). I used one of my g3's as a web and media server running linux.

That is quite an old computer you have there. The first gen iMacs were manufactured around 98 -- my IPCOP router is that old. (Heck, my router is so old it has an AT motherboard). Computers that are under 400 Mhz have rather limited options now-a-days. They can be routers and print servers, but they are so old that hardware failure is a real concern. I can see why you decided to give it away.

Originally Posted by Phatlip

Yeah, but that applies to all PC's. Not just Apple computers. I just saw it the same way I would if Linux were on a Dell. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me personally.

I think this is rather interesting because PPC, as we all know, is a RISC chip. RISC has lost out on the desktop and server market simply because it is much more convenient to code for Intel's CISC architecture even though it is less energy efficient. RISC is still used in embedded applications because of low power consumption, but its not really in the desktop/server environment anymore.

[cabster21]

True. This would be fine for someone who wants basic computing needs. If I had a new Mac, I wouldn't change the OS. This brings life to an old system which supports the needs for few people, especially Mac users. It kind of reminds me of a friend getting Windows 95 on a dual CPU set up. Nice that it's done, but for little reason.

[guytheninja]

Originally Posted by computoman

Actually that system and all our macs have since gone to charity (only because I just wanted to support just one platform and I could get faster intel machines for free)

BTW, where do you get your intel machines for free? Do you work for a company that gives the old machines to the employees? Or do you know something that I don't?

Used to be able to smell a free computer a mile away. Where do I get them from? Dumpster diving, but I have quit doing that. Things left at the curb for the garbage man. Though I kind of stop doing that for what ever reason also. Local computer user group meetings where disgruntled Microsoft users just leave their old stuff for the taking. Mostly clients and friends I do computer work for who have upgraded so it is a cheap gift for them. Women who have just broke up with their husbands or boyfriends are a good source too. You need to keep up with the social network and be ready to pay condolences. Affluent MSWindows users who blindly upgrade at the drop of a hat are also good beneficiaries and I make sure to forget to mention linux and what it can do. They are just happy you are taking the old stuff away free. Been a bit lucky too. I went into a computer store to buy a used case. The owner just gave it too me free. It was a Corvette case that originally sold for $100. I just had to clean the skull and crossbones off of the case though. Some of the units given me had to be fixed and others junked for other uses. You are playing roulette in a way. Had a chance to get a lot of free Sun computers, but passed on them. Right now I have too many toys, but I want a new computer so bad, but don't need it. That being said I have spent a pretty penny on parts and other computer toys. If you are good with computers, I promise that people will go out of their way to take care of you.