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Will KDE 4 be enough of a Mac for me?

By Bryan - Posted on 13 May 2007
Those that have followed my writings (even from the WebCMSForum days) know I've spent about the past year or two dealing with an aging  PC.  Even the wife, who doesn't always appreciate the geek part of her husband, says it is time for a computer upgrade.  When she says it's time, you know the deadline is near to order up a new computer.

For the past several years I've configured my home PCs with a dual-boot of Windows/Linux.  While there are some things I don't like about Apple's propriety hardware for it's OS, the need for something different has me considering purchasing a Mac.  However, as I posted at the Open Source Community, I've started to wonder if over time the desktops for Linux and the Mac won't be that much different from one another.
KDE 4.0: Why I likely won't get a Mac -

Desktop Linux has an article and shapshots out on the first alpha version of KDE 4.0. The article is titled, KDE 4.0 alpha arrives!.

Features in this alpha version of KDE include:

  • A new visual appearance through Oxygen (think Aqua)
  • New frameworks to build applications with, providing vastly improved hardware and multimedia integration (through Solid and Phonon, spelling and grammar checking, to name just a few)
  • New applications that focus on a smooth user experience, such as Dolphin, the file manager, and Okular, the document viewer

There was a time that I liked the Gnome desktop for Linux, but over the past couple years KDE, in my opinion, has become more innovative. Looking at the KDE desktop...I really wonder [if] I'll ever get a Mac. Now if only we could get someone like Adobe to begin developing software for Linux...

Wouldn't really be great to not have to really worry about dual-booting or virtualization into Linux from Windows or a Mac?  To have a day come when all you need is Linux in the real world.  I know, I know...some of you are already only using Linux for all your computer needs.  I'm not that brave just yet.  However, I'm not looking forward to dealing with Vista and I'm not quite ready to be tied to the Mac OS that only works on one company's hardware, Apple hardware.

Oh, I'm so tired of my indecisiveness and ready to hear from others where my computer happiness will be in the next few years.  What are you planning to buy for your next computer and why?

Comments

#1 substantial upgrades

Frank's picture
Submitted by Frank (not verified) on May 14, 2007 - 2:37am.
I'm planning some substantial upgrades to my all WinXP home network. First, a Linux MythTV box; still have to decide between Ubuntu + MythTV or a distro like KnoppMyth. This box will likely also function as file/mailserver until I get around to setting up a dedicated box to replace the ancient FreeSCO box that died a while ago. Second, an iMac with all wireless keyboard/mouse, because the missus likes the looks and wants to get rid of the ugly box + monitor + wire mess that now sits on the beautiful new desk we bought for the living room study corner. Third, our two personal WinXP machines will move to the new 2nd floor study, where mine will be converted to either dual-boot Ubuntu + Windows or Ubuntu + Xen or VMWare + virtualized Windows. Heh... now that I look at that list, maybe I should do some project planning and management ;-)

#2 How many people live in your

Mike B's picture
Submitted by Mike B (not verified) on May 16, 2007 - 3:30pm.
How many people live in your house?

#3 Computers replacing TV

Bryan's picture
Submitted by Bryan on May 17, 2007 - 1:06am.
Over the years I've known people having several televisions in their house for just one or two people.  I suppose it makes sense as computer usage continues to replace traditional TV viewing that...the computers begin to outnumber the people and TVs in the home.

For myself, I actually have less computer hardware at home then I had in the 1990s.  Why experiment on an old PC at home when I can just lease a VPS and do my computing remotely?  It fulfills my periods of geek experimentation as well as the occasional nights of insomnia (like tonight).

#4 I am planning on buying a

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 21, 2007 - 7:24pm.
I am planning on buying a windows pc next, I want to run ms access, it is used at work and I want to become proficient with it. I currently have a couple of macs at home and in the past used windows and linux at work and home. I do not know if I will get windows xp or go with vista, I guess either one will do the job.
Bryan's picture

About this CMS Enthusiast

Bryan Ruby is the owner and editor for CMS Report. He founded CMSReport.com in 2006 on the belief that information technologists, website owners, and web developers desired visiting sites where they could learn about content management systems without the sales pitch.

Outside of his late night blogging hours, he is the Information Technology Officer for a field office in the federal government. Away from the computer he enjoys his family, bicycling, camping, and the outdoors.