So, who are you? Mac, PC, Linux…

So, who are you? Mac, PC, Linux…

Posted on 08. Mar, 2009 by admin in Business, Design

An emotive question, no doubt about it.

But one that is often a topic of conversation at the vast majority of any tech MeetUps, Open Coffee events and blogger get-togethers. Thinking about the technology, the raw computing power and the webapps we all take for granted these days, it is startling in the extreme to look back at what once was the norm.

Here at Hull Digital, our first memories of the home computer are the good old BBC Model B (and yes, we did get to Elite ranking on that classic Beeb game Elite!). Friends had Spectrums, Amigas, Acorn Electrons and Commie 64s, which led to Atari STs and for us, a Windows PC back in 1997. The days of dial up modems, floppy disks and those first forays onto the web remain vivid and we often shake our head to realise just how far we have come.

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Which leads us onto now, and a confession. Yes, we are very much Apple fanboys here in the Hull Digital “command centre”, and have been since early 2002. A second generation iPod led to the very first Mac arrival, a 17″ iMac G4, which is now resplendent in the kitchen and working brilliantly! From there, the coffers of Apple and Mr Jobs have been lined handsomely, from PowerMac G5s, to MacPros and MacBook Airs, not to mention Apple TV, Apple HiFi (massively underrated) and 30″ screens.

Why so engrossed in Mac culture? For us, ease of use and design are 2 for starters, along with fun to use, amazing UI and the strength of the Apple brand itself. Yes, we are pretty smitten, and, being honest, possibly a little blinkered. In our minds, no one can compete with the design / hardware of Apple, but we are very interested to learn about other OS alternatives, especially with Windows 7 coming soon and also the emergence of Linux being more popular than ever.

windows7With Vista leading to new entries into the Oxford English Dictionary (“Visaster”) ;-) it is going to be interesting to see how it is adopted by personal and business users. It seems that they have learnt their lesson and have gone down the route of less is more, something we are a big fan of. We’re not quite sure about the advertising campaigns just yet, but we guess imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery.

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Linux is something that Sean Kelly is going to be talking about at the next MeetUp, and we’re really looking forward to this. Out knowledge of this OS and all the variations is limited to say the least, so education is sorely needed!

Amongst us all, there will some strong devotion to all the Operating Systems, whether OSX, Ubuntu or Windows. What we thought would be useful is if people would post up what OS they use, on what hardware, and why. That way we can make it easier for people to know who to contat if they have a problem, a question or need some advice. Also, it would be very interesting to know if you have different preferences or platforms between work and home….

Please fire away in the comments!

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26 Responses to “So, who are you? Mac, PC, Linux…”

  1. Slate512

    08. Mar, 2009

    Ah but did you buy your shiny Apple goods at your local Hull Apple store on Carr Lane? They’re a friendly knowlegeable (knowitall?) bunch… Give em a try!

  2. admin

    08. Mar, 2009

    Hmmmm not many purchases made in Hull yet, we must admit! Very nearly popped in there the other day to see if they fancied coming along to our MeetUp…

    If you know them, please let them know about http://www.hulldigital.co.uk! :-)

  3. Monica Tailor

    08. Mar, 2009

    These days I’m a PC but it’s for practical reasons. I use a PC because most client’s so and it means I can see what they are seeing.

    However, I am in my heart of hearts a mac-fan. I remember being very small playing games on my Dad’s Mac, but the the love affair really began when I got my first job in a design agency and they asked what colour iMac I would like, what a fantastic way to sell a job? (I chose a green one btw). In those days I had a great excuse to be on a Mac full-time, my main client account was Apple Europe.

  4. Dave Foy

    08. Mar, 2009

    At work and at home we’re all Mac and wouldn’t have it any other way.

    I regularly used (tho sadly didn’t own, due to the expense) a series of Macs from the late 80’s to the mid-90’s when I worked in schools, as they were an education staple (along with the mighty BBC) before Microsoft took the cake and ate it. I loved Macs then – simply, they were easy and fun to use.

    Subsequently used PCs for a good long time, including when I started up my own business in 2003. Soon bought a Mac though (all my subcontractors and colleagues had them) and honestly, my productivity went up enormously.

    Currently own 3 Macs (Macbook Pro, Mac Mini, iBook G4) though have also owned a PowerPC G5 and iMac, plus the Apple Hi-Fi (I agree Jon, can’t believe it was discontinued), 5 Airport Express units, iPhone, 3 iPods, etc, etc.

    If I’m going to spend my working and personal life immersed in and surrounded by technology I don’t believe that the experience should have to be grey, dull, soulless or hard to use.

  5. @nthony

    08. Mar, 2009

    Download yourself a copy of Ubuntu Mossman, and have a play with the live CD on a windows machine (it will not effect the OS installed – and yes you can start using it then and there while the OS is installing). Redhat and SuSE have gone down the filthy lucre route, embrace those still free – Fedora and Ubuntu first – representing the .RPM and the .DEB families.

    The main issue for years has been the level of understanding required to use it, and while that’s obviously a plus point to any community, they are going to greater lengths to make it easier – and equally importantly supporting more hardware.

    Proper computing concepts are key, and lets face it Wintendo is only starting to grasp concepts of permissions and multi users. Apple use a unix kernel… so we are in a way whether you like it or not – brethren.

    It’s all about right tool for the job. Many mates find themselves using a Mac running a windows emulation or VM for work, as I do from time to time within Linux. It’s a necessity.

    Get some hands on, and have an opinion mate ;o)

    *shhh – not strictly Hull either – shhhh.

  6. @nthony

    08. Mar, 2009

    Background for me: zx81, Spectrum, QL, Nokia XT, IBM AT, [sea of Clones], Sun Ultra5. SMP machines from about 1999 onward, and Linux at home and work since 2000.

  7. admin

    08. Mar, 2009

    WOW! A great response already – thanks! :-)

    @monica – what a wonderful story and incentive for joining the agency – I know some companies are starting to give people the choice for what laptop they have, but not many!

    @nthony – I know, I should get my hands dirty and have a bask with Ubuntu or Fedora. If Apple don’t release a Netbook soon, I may consider getting one with Linux on to have a play with. Mr Cleary is rather knowledgeable in this area, so will look to him for some guidance.

    @ Dave – we are so on the same page here – use something which delights, looks good and is a joy to use and not the opposite. I’m a BIG believer in this for anything you use on a daily basis, from coffee machines, to light switches to home phones.

  8. Shaun Turner

    08. Mar, 2009

    Well @ home we are Windoze desktops with Linux development servers (Ubuntu and Fedora).

    I would LOVE to migrate to Linux fully but I guess I am too lazy to want to:
    a) spend so much time configuring drivers and downloading libraries just to get wifi working
    b) spend 5 days trying to show my family how to login in, browse the web, use Amarok, run Thunderbird and find everything in the sometimes obscure menu interface:P

    But Mac? No way, that’s like Voodoo man!

    I often find myself staring longingly at my framed Vic 20 sales brochure (complete with prices scribbled on – £189 for computer, £45 for tape drive) and missing the days of POKE and PEEK.

    Mac? :)

  9. admin

    08. Mar, 2009

    “Voodoo”?! ;) I think not, just beautiful and just works!

    Very impressed with the Vic 20 memorabilia. I am pretty sure I have some Knightlore and Alien8 boxes somewhere from my Model B days….

  10. Carl Plage

    08. Mar, 2009

    OK for me the days of computing started in 1980 with a ZX80 and progressing through ZX81/ Spectrum/ Sharp MZ80K/ Commodore 64/ Dragon 64/ Atari ST1024 then a little break before joining PC with a 386SX (not even a maths co-processor) and moving upto current PC and laptops.
    Jackie has her mac and we have various pc’s and 2 laptops in the house some running solo LinuxMint 32 bit and 64 bit and no issues for wifi with them Shaun so no real issue not to swap completely over if you don’t need certain apps or gaming.
    We also have Vista 64 and xp 32 bit on some machines and Jackie’s Imac so a variety of OS’s to play with in our household.

  11. Jamie

    08. Mar, 2009

    I’m a Mac and a PC. I own an XP machine, a netbook running Win7 and a MacBook as well as many other Apple devices. I don’t really get into the fanboyism, they all have their faults and they all have their uses. I much prefer Apple hardware though. Design wise I can’t fault it. Operating system wise, not really fussed either way.

  12. admin

    08. Mar, 2009

    Wow! @Carl, that’s a pretty wide spread of machines in the past and now :-) I had forgotten about the Dragon – I had a couple of friends who were rabid Dragon fans! Plenty of OSs too…. I think I would start to get confused…
    @Jamie Thanks for dropping by matey – how is the windows 7 on the netbook? Would be good to hear your thoughts.

  13. David Rinnan

    08. Mar, 2009

    I am pretty recent mac convert and fan. But I still know that I get the best raw computing power from my pc. It is still also used for games and similar stuff.

    The HTCP is running windows 7 which is working great. On the eee I have XP and easy peasy (ubuntu 8.10 adopted for netbooks).

    So Ive tried them all =)

    Even though I now consider myself a macuser I have many things I am disappointed with when it comes to the macs. Mainly down to the hardware, lack or ports, forced to buy stuff to even get things connected to screens etc etc. But the ux rocks!

  14. admin

    08. Mar, 2009

    David, welcome! Your first post here I think.
    Very pleased you have seen the light, once you go Mac, you never go back ;-)
    Looks like you have a really wide spread of OSs. Looks like I am a rare breed just running OSX.
    Regarding your lack of ports hassle, and screen woes, what in particular? I’ve never had any woes.

  15. WildelyCreative

    08. Mar, 2009

    Have always been a pc girl after working in too many UK office environments.
    Then I got an iPhone and if Mac’s are as intuitive to use as the iPhone then that’s my upgrade sorted next time round.
    Bit wary of changing to a completely different operating system and how quick it will be to work as I do with the pc now.
    Will probably need a good amount of advice from the experts… :)

  16. Neil Anderson

    08. Mar, 2009

    Macs all the way. They’re fun to use.

  17. Don

    09. Mar, 2009

    I’m a PC, Linux and Mac guy. In other words: I’m a Mac user who loves to run Windows and Ubuntu on my Mac, since it’s the only computer that can legally run them all.

    Personally, Linux is getting better, but still has a long way to go. Windows 7 looks promising, but once it is out it still won’t be quite as good as Leopard and with Snow Leopard ready to pounce, well, I don’t think I will be using OS X as my primary OS for a long time yet to come. More and more people, here in Canada where I live, seem to be switching to the Mac and none of them seem to be looking back.

  18. Mostly Harmless

    09. Mar, 2009

    Started off on PCs in 1986 running an IBM PC AT 286 monstrosity and Aldus PageMaker. Windows version 1 I think as well. Awful. It soon got booted out for a Mac IIx also running Pagemaker and Freehand. It was at this time I came across the only Mac virus I’ve encountered.

    I now run the IT system for a small company in Beverley – all Mac based now, as we had a policy of ditching the Windows PCs. My maintenance workload dropped by over a half. We still run some Windows applications, but in virtual environments.

    Macs are not without their faults, but overall they are far easier to live with, more or less keeping out of your way. There is also the power of raw Unix tucked away should you need it.

    It’s Macs all the way at home – using Garageband for some serious recordings of the band I’m in for example. Shameless plug:
    http://www.myspace.com/fearofbicycles

  19. admin

    09. Mar, 2009

    @WildelyCreative – very happy to help out if I can with your move over to Macs :) I was stuck with a PC in my old corporate job and almost summed up the company – bland, boring and stuck in the 1990s!

    @Neil – well summed up!

    @Don – I think that running, or being able to run multi environments is a HUGE plus for Macs. Many thanks for dropping by from Canada!

    @MostlyHarmless Welcome to the site! Interesting to hear the support side if things from you. Hope you can make the next MeetUp – would be good to meet you.
    PS Thanks for the music link – good stuff!

  20. Dave Harding

    08. Apr, 2009

    I was converted to Ubuntu Linux about a year ago. Moving from Windows, at first I was wary that the step might be too great, and retained a dual-boot on my (self-built) machine.
    However after about a week I realised that I had hardly booted into the XP partition, and now XP has been consigned to VirtualBox, and only geats booted if I have to refer to something when helping someone out with their Windows problem (although the first piece of advise I give is ‘get a decent operating system!’)
    That said I will be interested to see what the new Windows 7 has in store. However whether or not I’ll be interested enough to fork out the cash for an actual disc – that’s another question!

  21. admin

    10. Apr, 2009

    Dave, welcome to Hull Digital, and thanks for your comment! :-)
    I’m also interested in Windows 7, but have not seen it at all yet. If Apple fail to deliver a netbook, I MAY be tempted to get one with Windows 7 on for a bit of fun…
    Maybe! ;-)

  22. Jon Gibbins

    13. Apr, 2009

    Hi guys, another newbie!

    Old-skool computer geek alert but have settled on the goode olde PC for current day use. ;)

    I’m PC on both sides of the fence; Nix for work, internet etc & Windows for games and … that’s about it really.
    Dual booting at home but purely Linux at work. Ubuntu being the OS of choice because it just installs and off you go!

    I’m a bit of an OS junkie. I’ve tried lots of weird and wonderful stuff in the past with varied measures of success but since 2002 Nix has more or less had it sorted for me. Seven years later, I’m just still yet to decide on which distro I like best!

    If I had my way all my computing today would still be done on my absolute favourite; my Atari ST1040f !

    As for Macs … never used them. Looked at one once … got confused by the interface … opened up a command prompt. Bingo!

  23. admin

    13. Apr, 2009

    Jon, welcome to Hull Digital!
    Sounds like you know your stuff, and I really need to read up on Nix! The Atari ST brings back some memories – I’m wondering if I have my BBC Model B somewhere?! A few friends had those and Dragons! :-)

  24. Ethan Gibson

    03. Jul, 2009

    I used to dual-boot Windows XP with Fedora 9, until I had a few problems upgrading to the latest version of Fedora (and more notably a Hard Disk failure).

    Linux is defiantly a different experience and would probably will get allot more user friendly. (in the end I spent allot of times on forums trying to install my graphics card). But I will defiantly be re-installing it later this year when I get a new computer.

    One thing I did notice at college was that, all the business orientated staff would say that Windows was better because of the standards they set with their software, and the programmers always preferred Linux/Unix because of the stability. I’m guessing this reflects in places of work.

  25. admin

    03. Jul, 2009

    Hi Ethan, thanks for your comment. Interesting views on Linux – I need to try it soon.

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