Updated: 13 September 2004
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Macintosh and the World Wide Web
My favorite Mac pages
Mac OS X information (new)
My Macs
Final notes
I have been intending to fill out this page with Macintosh-specific information for quite a few years and now I am finally getting around to it. Initially it will only include a link to my complete list of Macintosh Web browsers, and lists of my favorite Mac sites and the Macs I use and own.
Real Soon Now I plan to add many additional pages on Macintosh-related topics that interest me: the use of Mac OS X as a server on the Internet, working with Unix commands in the Terminal, the use of Netatalk on Linux, the use of Internet Connection Sharing on Windows 2000, the shareware concept and a list of Mac Internet program recommendations, fighting viruses & spam with some suggestions for "safe surfing", and finally, publishing with a Macintosh on the World Wide Web. Any feature requests will be gladly accepted and considered. The next incarnation of the page will include many links to subject-specific pages.
The Mac is not just another personal computer, it's a way of life.
The best list of Macintosh Web browsers on the Internet
An outdated list of Macintosh Web server software
The following sites are those that I consider to be the best sources of information and software for Macintosh. They are presented in no meaningful order. Visit the sites and decide for yourself what should be bookmarked for repeated visits. That is, except for AtAT, which features some of the best writing available on the Internet. Click on the link and go there now.
General Information: Macintouch |
Rumor & show sites: As the Apple Turns |
Software: HyperArchive |
German sites: |
What is Mac OS X?
Mac OS X from Apple Computer is currently at version 10.3.6. It's quite a departure from the "look and feel" of past Apple operating systems (System 6, System 7, Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9). It is also based on FreeBSD, meaning it has solid roots to Unix systems and is source compatible with most other POSIX systems.
The top-most layer of the system architecture is the graphical user interface called Aqua, appropriately named because it features swathes of watery-blue color.
Users of previous Macintosh systems should be able to quickly get accustomed to using Mac OS X. It will take a Windows user a bit longer to master the basic operations (i.e. to get his work done) and he'll definitely learn this faster than on Windows. Anyone using Unix, BSD, BeOS, Linux, QNX, or just about any other POSIX system will instantly recognize the parts of the system that are typically hidden from the average Joe user. A special note to Gnome or KDE users: Aqua represents these concepts done almost completely right.
I will be writing a number of articles, tips, simple observations, etc. and linking them to this section of my Macintosh page. Come back soon for more. I have many topics in mind: using the terminal, common errors and troubleshooting, how X differs from 9, server administration, security, and lots more.
In the meantime, I can highly recommend the OSX FAQ site and the book Mac OS X, The Missing Manual, by David Pogue.
I'll have to admit it: Although I use Windows 98, Windows 2000, BeOS 5.03, Red Hat Linux 7.2 and a few other operating systems most every day, my favorites are Mac OS 7/8/9 and Mac OS X.
The most expensive computer I have ever bought was my first, the Mac Classic in 1990. I am not a person that always has to have the latest gear and from the list you can easily see that none of my Macs were at any point "top of the line" models or even professional computers.
A Mac can be used for many different purposes: creating and playing music, programming, playing games, doing business tasks, creating graphics, etc. I primarily use my Macs for human communication and, as my luck would have it, that doesn't typically require vast amounts of MHz or RAM.
Here is Another Silly List © of the Macs I Own and Use:
Should you by chance also own one of the models listed, I would be happy to exchange information about it with you.
I also own four PCs, which I have named "dPC", "dPC2", "dPC3" and "Home PC". I have no respect for PCs, but they sometimes work long enough for me to get work done on them. And all of them are used as extensions - backup servers, routers, CD burning stations - for my Macs! My kids alse each have an old PC for running educational games (or so they tell me).
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