Just learning about a Mac

[357mag]

Since I've never used a Mac and don't really know anything about them, I asked the guy who works on my PC to enlighten me. I learned some neat stuff. I was not aware that you can actually run Windows software on a Mac. I thought that if you have a Mac you can only run software that says Mac on the box. I guess you can run the Windows software within a Virtual Machine or something called WINE? I'm not sure what those really are though.

But how do I know if the Windows programs I'm using with all work with this WINE in OSX? I'm currently using these programs:

EZ Drummer(drum software)
Adobe Elements(photo-editing)
Guitar Pro(software for musicians)
Reaper(recording software)
Atlantis Word Processor(word processor)

And what is Leopard? It says OS X Leopard. What does the Leopard mean?

I'm attracted to the fact that with a Mac you don't need to worry about downloading spyware or viruses. And you don't need to activate the OS either. But I would need to find out if my E-MU sound card will transfer over and if I can use my HP Printer with it.

[Force Flow]

There are viruses for the mac, but few in far between for the moment.

Leopard is the version of OS X (version 10.5). Other versions carry different names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X#Versions

You can run Windows programs if you dual boot, or run a virtual machine. Windows applications don't run natively on OS X. Some applications are developed for multiple platforms, however. For the applications you listed, you would either have to dual boot with windows, run a virtual machine, or acquire new licenses if they're available for the mac.

WINE is interesting, but currently not a great solution for OS X.

If you're locked in with using those specific applications, you're better off sticking with windows unless you're open to alternatives.

[357mag]

It looks like all my application are Mac-compatible except Reaper. He is working on a Mac version though. And Atlantis is not Mac-compatible, but I could replace that with OpenOffice.

If WINE is a little shaky, there is something called CrossOver Mac.

[Force Flow]

Is there a reason why you're considering a switch?

[357mag]

I really like the security aspects of a Mac. No need to worry about viruses and malware. Even though I have found out through experience that you can keep a Windows computer completely clean of that crap by just not going to malicious sites(and I know what those are specifically), because most of that crap is written to exploit Windows machines, a Mac is simply kinda desirable.

But I'm not going to switch until Justin releases the final version of Reaper for OS X. And even when he does, I'll spend a lot of time thinking about it.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by 357mag I really like the security aspects of a Mac. No need to worry about viruses and malware.

That's not entirely valid. Security by obscurity is not security at all.

You still need to have a firewall and basic protection on *any* operating system.

[fordyingseasons]

Alot of people I know dual boot using Apple's Boot Camp software you can read about it here. Force Flow is absolutely right, you still need a firewall and you are still just as open if not more so to phishing (tricking someone into typing their account info, or credit card #). If you want to know more about the OS Apple has videos and a list of features here.