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Spyda · 04-23-2003, 03:05 PM

I know nothnig about Mac, i need your help seriously!!

I have to compare windows XP and Mac OS for their;

file systems/handling of files/securtiy/integrity
support for USB
the extent to whch the desktop can be personalised
what specialist music editing software is available for this platform

I need to do a comparison for someone wanting me to decide on a computer for them, they will pay me handsomely

when you get a new house, you are advised by an estate agent, im like their computer agent.

I have to take into account that the person using this computer will be using it for professional music recording and editing

She has quite bad coordination and slow reaction time, so a trackerball mouse needs to be installed and larger size icons on the screen,
also she cant type too well and the biggest problem she has is multiple characters typed as she cant move her finger off the keys fast enough

while i can sort all of this out on a windows platform, i dont have a clue about Mac. This was a blindside for me as i didnt have a clue she even knew what a mac was, but some of her 'friends in the business' use Macs and say they are very good for the job.

Would you please be able to tell me if all these things are possible in a Mac system..

Thanks so much

**Force Flow** · 04-23-2003, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spyda
support for USB

In my opinion, Macs blow away PCs with USB support & ease of use.

I don't know how cusomizable O/S 8.x - 9.x is, but I know O/S X is.

Spyda · 04-23-2003, 04:58 PM

OSX is the one i would need to know this stuff for, and if you know what programs are available, would be great

Mac Medic · 04-23-2003, 05:02 PM

Yes, all that stuff can be done in OS-X. As to software, very good packages are available for music editing on both platforms. If she get's a Mac, Post again and i'll provide instructions for all those things you want to do. Although she'll figure out how to do it herself in less than 10 minutes with OS-X.

Mac Medic · 04-23-2003, 05:04 PM

Pro-Tools comes to mind first and foremost, although it's expensive.

**Force Flow** · 04-23-2003, 08:19 PM

I thought Pro Tools was free.

http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/

Mac Medic · 04-23-2003, 09:45 PM

Thats the limited free version. Limits the number of tracks and track length. Plus you can't use the free edition for commercial projects.

**Force Flow** · 04-24-2003, 12:17 AM

Rats.

Where did it say that?

Spyda · 04-24-2003, 05:31 AM

can you connect instruments to a Mac and record the input, like you can in windows?

Mac Medic · 04-24-2003, 05:12 PM

Yes, Midi interface is a cross platform spec.

sleepypost · 04-24-2003, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spyda

the extent to whch the desktop can be personalised

Windows can be FULLY overhauled. Using the right hex programs you can make the desktop work ANYWAY you want. I dont know about OSX.

Spyda · 04-25-2003, 04:58 AM

yes i know what can be done in windows, Mac OSX, what can be done in that, as far as i kow, nothing

sleepypost · 04-25-2003, 11:01 AM

yea. thats true... oh wait! you can change the desktop. and rename certain things, except the trash...

Spyda · 04-25-2003, 12:27 PM

Can the desktop icons in Mac OS-X be made bigger? so there is more clicking surface to each icon?

sleepypost · 04-25-2003, 12:37 PM

I think so, i THINK i remember doing that way back in the days... not sure though...ask oem_guy, he'd know.

Mac Medic · 04-26-2003, 08:59 AM

Yes, the Icons can be made whatever size you want. The Desktop can be customized with Wallpapers, New Icons, Dock Replacements, GUI Enhancements ets.. And if you really Geek out and install X-11 you can even port over KDE and Gnome.

Mac Medic · 04-26-2003, 09:04 AM

Never mind Geeking out. Fink have done the work for you.

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0205/31.kde.php

04-23-2003, 03:05 PM	#1
Spyda snowboarder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,462	Mac OS/XP comparisons help!!! I know nothnig about Mac, i need your help seriously!! I have to compare windows XP and Mac OS for their; file systems/handling of files/securtiy/integrity support for USB the extent to whch the desktop can be personalised what specialist music editing software is available for this platform I need to do a comparison for someone wanting me to decide on a computer for them, they will pay me handsomely when you get a new house, you are advised by an estate agent, im like their computer agent. I have to take into account that the person using this computer will be using it for professional music recording and editing She has quite bad coordination and slow reaction time, so a trackerball mouse needs to be installed and larger size icons on the screen, also she cant type too well and the biggest problem she has is multiple characters typed as she cant move her finger off the keys fast enough while i can sort all of this out on a windows platform, i dont have a clue about Mac. This was a blindside for me as i didnt have a clue she even knew what a mac was, but some of her 'friends in the business' use Macs and say they are very good for the job. Would you please be able to tell me if all these things are possible in a Mac system.. Thanks so much Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Antec Sonata - Abit IS7-E - P4 2.4/800 @ 3.0 - 1GB OCZ Gold DDR500 - FX5950 Ultra 256MB - Audigy 2 - WD JB 80GB - XP Pro

04-23-2003, 04:58 PM	#3
Spyda snowboarder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,462	OSX is the one i would need to know this stuff for, and if you know what programs are available, would be great Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-23-2003, 05:02 PM	#4
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Yes, all that stuff can be done in OS-X. As to software, very good packages are available for music editing on both platforms. If she get's a Mac, Post again and i'll provide instructions for all those things you want to do. Although she'll figure out how to do it herself in less than 10 minutes with OS-X. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Better to use a Mac and be THOUGHT a fool, than to use Windows and REMOVE ALL DOUBT

04-23-2003, 05:04 PM	#5
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Pro-Tools comes to mind first and foremost, although it's expensive. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-23-2003, 08:19 PM	#6
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,385	I thought Pro Tools was free. http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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04-23-2003, 09:45 PM	#7
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Thats the limited free version. Limits the number of tracks and track length. Plus you can't use the free edition for commercial projects. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Last edited by Mac Medic; 04-23-2003 at 09:48 PM.

04-24-2003, 12:17 AM	#8
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,385	Rats. Where did it say that? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-24-2003, 05:31 AM	#9
Spyda snowboarder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,462	can you connect instruments to a Mac and record the input, like you can in windows? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-24-2003, 05:12 PM	#10
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Yes, Midi interface is a cross platform spec. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-25-2003, 04:58 AM	#12
Spyda snowboarder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,462	yes i know what can be done in windows, Mac OSX, what can be done in that, as far as i kow, nothing Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-25-2003, 11:01 AM	#13
sleepypost Member (11 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Orinda, California Posts: 1,863	yea. thats true... oh wait! you can change the desktop. and rename certain things, except the trash... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-25-2003, 12:27 PM	#14
Spyda snowboarder Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,462	Can the desktop icons in Mac OS-X be made bigger? so there is more clicking surface to each icon? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-25-2003, 12:37 PM	#15
sleepypost Member (11 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Orinda, California Posts: 1,863	I think so, i THINK i remember doing that way back in the days... not sure though...ask oem_guy, he'd know. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-26-2003, 08:59 AM	#16
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Yes, the Icons can be made whatever size you want. The Desktop can be customized with Wallpapers, New Icons, Dock Replacements, GUI Enhancements ets.. And if you really Geek out and install X-11 you can even port over KDE and Gnome. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

04-26-2003, 09:04 AM	#17
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	Never mind Geeking out. Fink have done the work for you. http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0205/31.kde.php Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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