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This Mac thing is just a phase. Between the dominance of Windows and the energy of the open source desktops, it's hard to believe it will last. Nice hardware though - assuming it wears well. The following are some notes on trying Mac OS X on a Macbook Pro.
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== Software ==
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=== open source essentials ===
 
VLC - http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html - Isn't it cheesy how Quicktime only shows video in a tiny window, and Microsoft doesn't provide a media player for the Mac anymore? This player plays almost anything, with full resizing.
 
NeoOffice - http://www.neooffice.org/ - Mac OS port of OpenOffice
 
AdiumX - http://www.adiumx.com/ - multi protocol instant messager
 
Virtue - http://virtuedesktops.info/ - virtual desktops - a few glitches but decent
 
Shell - Built in ;) - but iTerm - http://freshmeat.net/redir/iterm/49825/url_homepage/iterm.sourceforge.net - is better
 
=== other required software ===
 
parallels - http://www.parallels.com/ - if you need to run windows for testing or basic games, as well as having a Linux 'sidekick' OS for self contained server work.
 
I installed Win2k since I had it lying around. Basic install, update, no usage. Noticed it was acting funny. Run the MS Malicious Software Removal Tool and it has over 1000 infected files. Go windows.
 
[http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fearth.google.com%2F&ei=7dm7RNuOB4ei-gHIxoirCg&sig2=DskMyUhfHU8rFCIYJTgaLw| google earth] - the most interesting way to view the earth
 
== Best Shortcuts ==
 
Amusingly, the Mac has some of the most complicated and inconsistent keyboard shortcuts ever invented.
 
=== Type a directory location ===
 
- in the finder, and saving files using the default open/save dialog
 
Cmd-Shift G
 
=== Copy screenshot to clipboard ===
 
Cmd-control-shift-4 - press space if you want to switch to the "window" camera, then use the mouse to select your capture area.
 
== Peeves ==
 
Too many to list. Let's just say "overrated" is probably going to be the summary after a couple of weeks of dedicated use.
 
- An article on UI that pointed out how valuable edges are - so much easier to "select" than any screen area (since when you overshoot you've still got it) - really turned me onto the sensibilites of a good UI design. So why, then, are the shortcuts for ejecting a CD and opening the insipid Front Row located in these key positions? (the latter is miskeyed when using the switch-between-windows key)
 
- Cursor keys - different combinations in every app. Why?
 
- The whole keyboard muddle makes switching between operating systems especially frustrating.
 
- Frustratingly, the guideline of there being "no maximized windows" is upheld in apps such as firefox, where you can't "press f11 for full screen mode."
 
- Speaking of function keys... what the #($((#*?
 
- There's a limit of ten connections to your host for file sharing, for more you have to buy an add-on.
 
In September the 64bit Merom mobile chips will be out, and I have to wonder how much support there will be for 32bit macs considering their window will only be a year. Wish I could have waited, in addition to the 64bit potential (more registers, more future ready) Merom is supposed to be 20% faster at the same clock speed and can throttle the CPU down way lower when not in use for a cooler and longer running notebook.
 
 
== Looking forward to ==
 
- https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=145890
 
- http://kberg.ch/q/
 
- [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/| TASpring on Mac]
 
 
- Decent power management/external screen support for Linoox
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