Re: Linux diehard hesitating at the brink...


kj wrote:
Hi everyone. Ever since Apple announced its switch to Unix, I've
been curious/tempted to give it a try. I'm now shopping around
for a new laptop, and I was ready to "take the plunge to Mac" this
weekend but I just learned from a co-worker that, in his experience,
Apple offers *no tech support at all* for Unix-related issues, not
even for "Unix-oriented" apps (e.g. Terminal or X11). Is this
true???

Without support for its Unix stuff, I find OSX *much* less attractive
relative to Linux. I know that not everyone finds this to be a
big deal, but it is for me. Huge... You see, I like Linux a lot.
The lack of adequate tech support is about the only gripe I have
with it. It really gets to me some times. But if Apple doesn't
offer something a whole lot better on *Unix* support, then it is
not worth it to me to change. (I have no particular interest in
the snazzy graphics, Aqua, iMovies, iTunes, iChat, Front Row, and
all that Mac-ish stuff.)

If this word-of-mouth report about Apple's lack of support for Unix
is true, I find it shocking, considering that Apple makes such a
big deal of the fact that there's "Unix under the hood". It borders
on fraudulent advertising. (Then again, I've also heard it said
that Apple brags about Unix only in tiny geek-oriented venues, but
keeps it carefully hidden from "The Base", so maybe my perception
of Mac's "Unix pride" is only an illusion, an artifact of my
geekitude, and "Unix shame" would more closely describe Apple's
actual behavior.)



"Support" is a very broad term. What exactly do you need unix support
for? Typically folks need support getting something to work correctly.
If it is third party unix software then obviously Apple will not
support it. If it is third party hardware then you should call the
hardware manufacturer. If it is Apple hardware or software that is
not working correctly then Apple will obviously help as long as you are
under the warranty period. But asking for "unix support" doesn't
really mean very much. Can you be more specific?

.

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