X11: Apple's secret formula X11:Apple's secret formula

[billbuckhead]

X11: Apple's secret formula
By Joe Wilcox and Stephen Shankland
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
January 22, 2003, 4:00 AM PT

Read more about Apple and Linux

Apple Computer has quietly extended an overture to the Unix community, with the release of software that would make it easier for Unix applications to run on the Mac operating system.

During Macworld Expo earlier this month, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company posted a beta, or test, version of the X Windows system, or X11, for its Unix-based operating system, Mac OS X. The X11 software provides a standard graphical and windowing environment on Unix and Linux, and makes it possible to run software developed for one version of Unix on another version. There are about 30 million X11 users worldwide, according to industry estimates.

More important, X11 support could finally move Apple closer to a long-elusive goal: attracting more mainstream business users to the Mac. While Apple remains wildly popular among artists, film editors and the like, the company needs to expand its appeal in order to grow revenue."

<http://news.com.com/2100-1001_3-981495.html?tag=rn.>

The recent Microshaft worm disaster makes a more compelling case than ever to switch.

[Syrinx]

1. I wonder if they improved the efficiency of X?

I often wished there was a version of X that didn't use the client-server model, seems like it would be more efficient that way.

[wtmusic]

4. The bells and whistles

take up processor time. Why did they go there? Good question--I think system 9.2 is far "cleaner" and faster. I would have like to see Unix incorporated into more or less the same interface, with some minor improvements. That approach would beat OSX hands down from a performance standpoint.

If you need pulsing lights and animation in your OS then I am just wrong.

[alfredo]

6. You can turn off the eye candy.

[wtmusic]

7. Didn't know that

and I'm buying a G5 as soon as I can get my hands on one, so that will be step one!

[dani]

9. the improved X Windows

is called Aqua ;)

I read somewhere that X11 was going to be built into Panther, so there's no need to download the 40 meg package from the 'net. I'm not sure if it's just a rumor or what.

[newyawker99]

12. Congrats dani!! 400 posts

:toast:

[alfredo]

14. Heard that too

It works well now.

BTW, Bluefish is terrific, so is GIMP

[Deja Q]

2. "Lower the price to compensate for leeching off open-source and I'll bite"

said the fish who owns a PC with Linux on it that had cost a lot less money to purchase.

Nice idea by Apple, but the core problem remains: PCs give a lot more power for the $$$, even if the G5 is technically superior. If businesses look at the "bottom line", they'll surely see that the $1200 Athlon 3200+ system with 1 GB RAM with Linux and a Geforce 5900FX Ultra costs a lot less than that $3000 G5 Mac with 512MB and low-end ATi Radeon 9600... :-( The extra CPU oompf the G5 offers is just not worth the cost. Yet alone to cost of a $500 Athlon 2100+ PC with 512MB RAM and a GeForce Ti 4600 (which runs as slick as a 2700+ system w/5900FX would in Windows.)

Apple has got to lower their prices to truly compete or find a real way to show they're worth the extra cost (good luck there).

As it stands, Linux is in a better position to prosper and flourish than Apple, even with the silly lawsuit that will fail. 94% of the computer users use PCs. Linux is free or very low cost. Compare that to a new $2000-$3000 Mac and the choice is amusingly clear cut.

[wtmusic]

3. Ask anybody with Sobig

how 'amusingly clear cut' the choice is.

What percentage of users use Linux over Windows? Windows is DOS with a bad toupee and will always be. Microsoft has prospered by intimidation and other unfair trade practices.

Give me some great apps written for native Linux? Any Adobe products?

Apple doesn't 'got to lower their prices' to compete. I'd gladly pay an extra $1G for a computer that has more native apps than Linux and is far and away more reliable than any Windows version to date.

On edit: maybe Linux should compensate Mac for 'leeching' off their GUI as well.

[alfredo]

5. Is turning over Darwin to the community

leeching? Is sending improvements to the Konqueror project leeching? So far Apple is doing their part.

If you can get by with one less person in the IT department, then the Macs will pay for themselves.

Look at another savings for business. If the machines produce less heat, use less power, the business has cut expenses.

If the design of the machine makes service so much quicker, you save money.

If your IT personnel spend much of their day battling worms and virii, and repairing damage from the latest MS patch, then Macs pay for themselves.

You can always do what the Navy did, Buy Apple's Xserve and run YellowDog Linux on them.

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/news/2003-08-06.shtml

http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/reviews/4862/

BTW, I run OSX with X11. I have KDE and a host of apps I used to use in Linux.

[Ein]

8. Go MAC!

I'm still using PC's, but I totally support thier open source leanings! I'm buying a new PC soon, only b/c MAC's are too expensive... but someday.

[retread]

10. Does anyone know where Apple's political contributions go?

*

[sujan]

11. here

http://www.opensecrets.org/softmoney/softcomp1.asp?txtName=apple+computer

[newyawker99]

13. Congrats retread!! 300 posts

:toast:

[myomy]

15. DonÕt know, but Al Gore is a new BOD member.

.

[alfredo]

16. Gore and Jobs are old friends.

You know Gore has to have a wild side if he hangs with Jobs.