The Mac Experiment

[stuffradio]

Hi,

I am semi interested in doing a Mac experiment. I own a PC and a Mac (Mac Mini). I only use the Mac Mini for my iPhone app development.

I think it would be interesting to see what I can get out of a Mac by playing with it more. No matter what happens, I'll still use my Windows machine more. If you were in my position playing around with a Mac and getting used to it, what would you do? What is it about the Mac that you love so much and what were you using it for that made you love it much more.

I don't want to hear things like less crashes and not as many bugs as Windows because I have first hand experience against this argument from my Mini purchased directly from Apple. I just want to know what it is you like doing on your Mac that made you love it so much.

Looking forward to some responses (Keep in mind I'm very much a developer, and I do it on the side of schooling)

 

[miniConvert]

I genuinely find OS X more intuitive, plus I think that the tightly controlled hardware/software combination does make for a better user experience.

A lot of it comes down to personal preference. I'd always been a Windows user. I bought a Mac mini after the Intel switch and it blew me away, the rest is history.

 

[dborja]

Some quick answers:

The integration of applications and utilities is magnitudes better on Mac OS X than on Windows. They work seamlessly with each other. Simple example: the process of creating a photo album DVD actually involves using iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD but, because those three are so well integrated, it feels like you're using just one application.

Also, because Apple actually wrote a human interface standard for writing applications, there's a lot of consistency across applications and utilities that reinforce the impression of seamlessness.

 

[Bitwise]

Xcode

A beautiful IDE for C, C++, and Obj-C/ Cocoa development. Sucks for Java though

Since you develop iPhone apps I'm sure you already have experience with Xcode though.

If you're into video editing then Final Cut Pro is a great deal of fun as well.

 

[stuffradio]

Xcode

A beautiful IDE for C, C++, and Obj-C/ Cocoa development. Sucks for Java though

Since you develop iPhone apps I'm sure you already have experience with Xcode though.

If you're into video editing then Final Cut Pro is a great deal of fun as well.

Yeah, I do use Xcode already

I have the Adobe CS4 Premium suite for Windows, so it includes Adobe Premiere.

 

[plasticphyte]

Some quick answers:

The integration of applications and utilities is magnitudes better on Mac OS X than on Windows. They work seamlessly with each other. Simple example: the process of creating a photo album DVD actually involves using iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD but, because those three are so well integrated, it feels like you're using just one application.

Also, because Apple actually wrote a human interface standard for writing applications, there's a lot of consistency across applications and utilities that reinforce the impression of seamlessness.

I want to re-quote this post because it mirrors my own reasons why I like Apple/Mac OS X.

Apple cares about the user experience, and this is clearly visible in both their hardware and software design processes. They don't get everything right, but in comparison to the Seattle Behemoth, getting 99% of it right is like getting 100% of it right.


As someone passionate about the way data and humans interact, I find it very pleasing.

 

[TheHumphries]

Whether it be surfing the internet or working on some sort of graphics or game, I just FEEL like OSX is helping me accomplish whatever I am doing and not hindering me. I feel so much more productive in OSX.

 

[MultiFinder17]

One thing - consistency. I'll admit that I'm a UI snob, and I find most UIs out there to be horrendous; but not only that, app developers on most platforms don't follow the UI guidelines stringently, which tends to make the whole system look even worse. Apple's UI guidelines are stringent and rigidly enforced - I like that.

 

[ABG]

Whether it be surfing the internet or working on some sort of graphics or game, I just FEEL like OSX is helping me accomplish whatever I am doing and not hindering me. I feel so much more productive in OSX.

Funny - I like OSX but using it it feels like going to an expensive hotel. All very nice but not quite the same as home (with all its clutter).

 

[stuffradio]

Are there any sexy widgets/themes I can install for Snow Leopard? By sexy I mean slick etc.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

There are a few themes, but not much more than changing the traffic lights and scrollbars.
As far as widgets go you are pretty much restricted to the Dashboard unless you want to learn how to use Geektool.

 

[HyperX13]

I am more used to Windows than Mac, even though at home I use Mac. Having said that, the Mac offers me more consistent environment. For example, my Windows loads in 1 minute one day, or 3 minute the next. No reason, no updates. A window that I closed with a specific view changes back to default view. These things drive me nuts. With the Mac OS, everything is consistent. I love that.

 

[frimple]

Xcode

A beautiful IDE for C, C++, and Obj-C/ Cocoa development. Sucks for Java though

XCode is a terrible IDE, though I grudgingly have to admit it's gotten better. Even Eclipse is better right now though (the system hog that it is ). If you've ever used visual studio 2005+ then you've seen what a good IDE can be, here's a case where should take a page from MSFT's book.

 

[stuffradio]

XCode is a terrible IDE, though I grudgingly have to admit it's gotten better. Even Eclipse is better right now though (the system hog that it is ). If you've ever used visual studio 2005+ then you've seen what a good IDE can be, here's a case where should take a page from MSFT's book.

I have Visual Studio 2008 Pro through University. Anyways, you can't really use Eclipse for iPhone development and Xcode is better for iPhone development anyways.

 

[frimple]

I have Visual Studio 2008 Pro through University. Anyways, you can't really use Eclipse for iPhone development and Xcode is better for iPhone development anyways.

True, true. And I'm sure I'm biased towards VS by working with it on almost a daily basis, however I think most people would agree it's a much more refined product.

 

[stuffradio]

True, true. And I'm sure I'm biased towards VS by working with it on almost a daily basis, however I think most people would agree it's a much more refined product.

Yeah, I'm not talking about Windows so it was never really an option to compare to. I do like it as an IDE though.

 

[mtnDewFTW]

Pretty much love OS X.
and that I can get better apps on a Mac than a PC.
Yeah you can go on and on about saying that PCs have "more" apps, but for me, it's quality over quantity.

Also that on a Mac, you barely have to install anything, you just boot up and start using it. Mostly everything you need is already pre-installed right there on the desktop.

And of course, Macs look fantastic. You can put it in a room, and it can make even the trashiest place look pretty good.

I also like AppleCare. They're friendly and if something were to go wrong with my computer, I have a legit place to take it to. Unlike PCs, where you have to be on the phone with customer care for hours, then ship it out somewhere across country.

So, this is just me. I find that I spend a lot more time doing things I love on a Mac. And I spend more time fixing a PC than doing anything else on it.

I've been using a Mac for years now. No bootcamp ever. Just don't care for Windows anymore. As great as some people think it is, I like OS X a million times more.

 

[tigereat]

Yeah, I do use Xcode already

I have the Adobe CS4 Premium suite for Windows, so it includes Adobe Premiere.

I'm a software engineer as well. I just ordered iMac 27 i7 and am waiting for it. So, I'm totally newbie on Mac

I ordered becasue the following reasons

1. I'm planning on building some applications for iPhone
2. I might move to work for Apple someday in the future Since I'm just 29 (It's possible)So, I better learn about thier products and systems.
3. I got a limited space in my apartment. So, I need an All-in-one computer and iMac is the only one offering the appropriate performance for my needs and daily works

Now, I'm interested in Xcode, where can i get this? is it Freeware ? or built-in this iMac?

Any reccommend for the newbie iMac user like me. For example, which appliccation(s) is a must for developing software on Mac?


My daily works often run mutiple servers (like MS Server Enterprise 2008, Oracle Application Server) and required-decent-powerful-computers software program (like MS Studio Professional 2008) at the same time.

Currently. I 'm using Java, C++ , C# with ASP.Net 3.5 and Silveright 3.0 for my jobs (web services) a lot

Any useful software programs to handle this kind of jobs on Mac?

 

[tigereat]

I have Visual Studio 2008 Pro through University. Anyways, you can't really use Eclipse for iPhone development and Xcode is better for iPhone development anyways.

I assume that you are a student. I'm a graduate student majoring at SWE.

I got a lot of free programs from MSDNaa website, including MS Studio Professional 2008 as well

Yep, You can't use Eclipse and Netbean for iPhone development,As far as I know

 

[tigereat]

Yeah, I do use Xcode already

I have the Adobe CS4 Premium suite for Windows, so it includes Adobe Premiere.

Which version you have ? Web Premium or Design Premium? Thanks I might want to ask you some questions based on your answer

 

[kfordham281]

I genuinely find OS X more intuitive, plus I think that the tightly controlled hardware/software combination does make for a better user experience.

Agreed!

I'd also add that Mac software is much better to look at! When I use Mac software, it just appears more polished than a lot of Windows software.