Category Archives: Low End Mac

Analysis, advice, editorial, opinion, and commentary.

OS X from a Linux Perspective

Jason Walsh,  Low End Mac, PPC Linux - 2002.06.13 -

Apple’s Mac OS X has been gaining a lot of column inches in the computer press, and for good reason. As you are no doubt sick of hearing, the new Mac operating system is not just another revision of a bloated and moribund, though elegant, desktop OS. It is Unix – BSD Unix to be […]

Open Source Reality Check

Jason Walsh,  Low End Mac, PPC Linux - 2002.06.06 -

You would be forgiven for thinking that the open source in business debate had been finally put to bed with the likes of IBM backing Linux and even the notoriously secretive Apple opening parts of Mac OS X to the public. However, you’d be wrong.

Beyond Linux Apps: Mac on Linux

Jason Walsh,  Low End Mac, PPC Linux - 2002.05.30 -

We’ve all heard it: Linux has no applications. Despite the availability of many professional desktop applications for Linux, such as Star Office and Corel WordPerfect Office, the rumour of the dearth of applications for Linux persists. In fact, it does have some truth in it, at least for users of nonstandard versions of Linux such […]

How a Colour Classic Became My Only Desktop Mac

Stuart Bell,  Low End Mac, My Turn - 2002.05.28 -

2002 – It all started with the purchase of a refurbished iceBook three months ago. No longer would I have to retreat to my study to check my emails – instead I could sit in the lounge, keeping half an eye on the TV, and being part of the family at the same time. Other […]

Bring Out the GIMP

Jason Walsh,  Low End Mac, PPC Linux - 2002.05.16 -

The Mac. Graphic Design. These phrases are practically inseparable. Before 1984 there was an entire career option missing, that of “Mac operator.” The next generation Unix OS, Mac OS X will no doubt cement Apple’s domination of the creative industries further with its improvements to the system such as the Acrobat-based Quartz display layer, preemptive multitasking, […]

Xserve G4 (Mid 2002)

LEM Staff,  Low End Mac, Tech Specs, Xserve - 2002.05.14 -

After years of repackaging off-the-shelf Macs for use as servers, Apple introduced Xserve in May 2002 as its second attack on the server market – and the industry’s first 1U dual processor RISC server.

This Old Mac

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, The Lite Side - 2002.05.14 -

We’re here at the workspace of John Quimble, a Mac SE/30 owner who is seeking to upgrade. The crew of This Old Mac is filming John’s renovation of his old computer into a new machine.

Why Linux Instead of OS X?

Jason Walsh,  Low End Mac, PPC Linux - 2002.05.09 -

Anyone with an interest in computing – especially in Unix-based OSes – cannot have failed to notice the hype surrounding the release of Mac OS X. OS X is a whole new ball game in Macintosh computing. For many years Apple have been trying to find a suitable replacement for their sophisticated (but rapidly dated) Mac OS.

Toxic Computer Waste

Adam Robert Guha,  Apple Archive, Low End Mac - 2002.05.03 -

One of the problems facing the computer industry today is the fact that so many computers are thrown out each day. You might think that when you toss your old 286, it’s gone for good. Think again – the world has probably not seen the last of your ancient PC.

Left Behind, the New Computer Game

Stephen Van Esch,  Low End Mac, Mac Scope - 2002.05.01 -

2002: It’s a game we play – you, me, and Apple. Every once in a while, we all have to upgrade or replace our computers. Apple products are consistently great and always a good buy, but timing is the issue.

x86? Apple Has Other Plans!

Anne Onymus,  Low End Mac, The Rumor Mill - 2002.04.05 -

2002 – Aren’t you sick to death of everyone on the other platform telling us how Apple has to adopt “x86” (i.e., the same Intel and AMD processors used for Windows and most Linux boxes) to survive? I know I am.

Using an iBook Cart in the Classroom: Training

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, Mac Lab Report - 2002.04.04 -

2002 – This week’s Mac Lab Report is an annotated outline based on the presentation I did two weeks ago for our school. We have purchased several iBook laptop carts, and my job is to configure the carts for classroom use and train teachers on how to use them. Only teachers who have received the […]

Waiting for the Knockoffs

Stephen Van Esch,  Low End Mac, Mac Scope - 2002.04.03 -

2002: The new iMac G4 is a hands-down winner. No one questions there. From the gushing reviews in the Mac press to the gushing reviews in the PC press and to the gushing reviews in the non-tech press, Apple has pretty much wowed everyone. Even absolute Luddites I know have seen pictures of it and […]

Peak Performa

Anne Onymus,  April Fools, Luddite Mac, The Rumor Mill - 2002.04.01 -

It’s not often I get to write anything but groundless rumors for Luddite Mac, but the opportunity to look back at one of Apple’s finest computers ever got my interest.

Playing the Game of Hype

Stephen Van Esch,  Low End Mac, Mac Scope - 2002.03.27 -

2002: Apple is one of the few companies that can really get the hype machine working overtime. Both hardware and software have received the treatment as Apple has released each new product as the one thing that will bring world peace, alleviate famine, and abolish old age. The problem is that the sizzle-versus-steak ratio can […]

Improving AppleWorks

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, Mac Lab Report - 2002.03.21 -

2002 – AppleWorks is a fine Office suite. As it is, I like how well integrated the suite is and the fact that it runs smoothly in Mac OS 9 and OS X. Additional features, such as the slide presentation module (added since version 5), have been most welcome. However, I still feel the need to retreat […]

Configuring an iBook Cart, Part 2

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, Mac Lab Report - 2002.03.14 -

2002 – This is one part of a multi-part series on setting up laptops for use with Apple’s iBook laptop cart. Today’s article deals with mechanical issues and configuring the AirPort base station.

Why I Live Microsoft Free

Charles W Moore,  Low End Mac, Miscellaneous Ramblings - 2002.03.11 -

I didn’t always shun Microsoft software. Indeed, for half of my decade as a Mac user, Microsoft Word (first version 4, then version 5.1) was the application I used most in those pre-Internet years.

Configuring an iBook Cart, Part 1

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, Mac Lab Report - 2002.03.07 -

2002 – In a few weeks, I have to train my colleagues how to check out, use, maintain, and return one of several iBook carts our school has purchased. In the meantime, the carts have to be prepared with certain multiple user settings, passwords, site licensed software, and network settings.

Bring Back the Cube

Stephen Van Esch,  Low End Mac, Mac Scope - 2002.03.06 -

2002: My recent articles have focused on the need for Apple to somehow convince consumers that they are playing in the personal entertainment realm as well as the computer business. There are several problems with Apple’s current strategy. For those who haven’t been tuning in regularly, the main one is that a computer, in the […]

4 Apps for Your Science Class

Jeffery Adkins,  Low End Mac, Mac Lab Report - 2002.02.28 -

2002 – Here are four free (not shareware) programs you might find handy when teaching math, physical science, astronomy, or biology. Everything works under Mac OS X either natively or in Classic Mode except as noted. Enjoy!

Apple’s Digital Hub Disadvantage

Stephen Van Esch,  Low End Mac, Mac Scope - 2002.02.21 -

2002: As mentioned in my previous article, Apple has been attracting the attention of the mainstream press with its latest iMac. The gushing is much deserved, and hopefully, more people will see Apple in a different light.

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