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Accidentally bought a working 1.5GHz G4 Mini
- Thread starter MrCheeto
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I used this exact analogy no more than a week ago. I agree with the philosophy of not trying to cram a bottle-opener onto every tool you design. I do believe that browsers should be browsers (database servers), however I still consider it a slight hindrance that G4's simply cannot handle in-browser media since that will fundamentally BREAK some functions. We can talk all day long about work-arounds but there are certain roadblocks which cannot be overcome without unreasonable effort and knowledge. I'm glad that I do not rely on a G4 now the way I had to ten-years ago. I was aware of the work-arounds and optimizations of the time and they made my G4 useable. Was it easy? No. Flawless? No. Did it ultimately get the job done? It did with a pretty high success rate but not always.
Now that I have every toy in the box, it doesn't matter. The only things I will be doing with the web on the old boxes is collecting antique Mac software directly to skip the step of sneaker-loading the apps. Once I have a home network completely configured, even that step will be effortless.
My biggest hurdle is with my other project. Operation Norge has the goal of relying solely on Leopard on an Intel Mac. Since I'm the only one crazy enough to not "just upgrade to Snow Leopard" I have encountered unique obstacles. There are few to no resources for what I'm trying to do. Once 10.6 came out, Leopard was abandoned completely unless you were on PowerPC. Every issue and shortcoming was slapped away with "Just upgrade!". That is what makes my task so difficult.
LOL. The down-spiraling digression of an OS 9/Sorbet Leopard thread into my Mac Pro running Leopard forever thread. I was going to get around to asking people if they have any Leopard-compatible Intel software laying around on disks somewhere or the best resources to track them down and most importantly filter them. I'll reserve the task for that thread.
I'm taking all of these responses into account. As I learn more about what PowerPC apps have to offer today, I'll be able to give a more fair judgement of what this little machine is capable of.
Before owning this Mini, I've only ever personally experienced one G4 Mini. I repaired and optimized a G4 for a senior in retirement living who only had one computer and wasn't interested in changing. I seemed to recall it was slow and the work-arounds were difficult for the user to fully manage. This device has, so-far, surprised me. Maybe it's just the graphical side of things (twice the VRAM) but I am enjoying the performance and have to thank everybody that suggested the Mini for OS 9. I really feel it is a fantastic compact machine. It may not closely rival a DP PowerMac but it isn't getting winded either.
Perhaps in the U.S. but analogue broadcasts haven't completely discontinued worldwide yet.
For example, in South Africa the digital TV switchover has seen repeated postponements.
Also...
You can indeed. As you know in Europe it's possible to watch DVB-T broadcasts with an external receiver on a CRT TV via RGB SCART and in the UK, CRT TVs were sold with the DVB-T receiver built in.
Events in North America don't always define what happens across the entire world - although it can seem that way at times.
Actually, it's working fine. I tried a set of speakers with attached AUX chord and I get sound. Funnily, I have no system alert sounds! My games and music do play in OS 9 but I get absolutely NO eeps, quacks, or uh-oh's even when "testing" the sounds in the control panel. Quite odd.
I've been searching but these things are really winding down in stock. The only results I could find are from China and have been confirmed to be fake. Just wanted to pass this warning along to others that are shopping: DO NOT TRUST censored. This is a market that is known to glue empty walnut shells together and sell them by the bag.
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I've had the same experience in Chinese commerce - their business practices are brutal and absolutely feel no shame on reneging on business deals.
Conversely, I've had good experiences too and thus far, I've not been disappointed with eBay purchases.
Conversely, I've had good experiences too and thus far, I've not been disappointed with eBay purchases.
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As well, I’ve generally had good experiences with eBay and Aliexpress purchases, and I’m also mindful to do due diligence, as a buyer, to mitigate a bad experience, knowing full well that 100 per cent mitigation is not possible.
And as always, no matter where one buys — even in your own town — caveat emptor.
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Quite, see my paragraph below.
This behaviour is not exclusive to the Chinese (and in no way am I inferring that you were implying such). The Polish born and legendary computing figure - Jack Tramiel (who in my opinion is unjustly overlooked in his pivotal contribution towards making high quality products affordable for ordinary people) had a philosophy that "business is war" and was unswervingly brutal and shameless towards foes and allies alike.
Which has also been my overwhelming experience too. I bought this bargain from China via eBay as a little treat and the quality is beyond all doubt.
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No, not all but in my experience of many suppliers, they were the only ones who would repeatedly cause issues - some minor, some immense and costly. And there's the catch - they also offer unbeatable economy of scale which is their huge bargaining tool.
I just stumbled upon one of these the other day. I don't mind stuff looking "interesting"... as long as it works as advertised. But this thing does not.
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“If it sounds too good to be true, then there’s a sucker born every minute.” —P.T. Barnum, stumbling to remember the old saying and having this come out instead
Nonetheless, I’m very glad someone bought one of those and showed us the horror that would have been unleashed onto an unsuspecting buyer.
Nonetheless, I’m very glad someone bought one of those and showed us the horror that would have been unleashed onto an unsuspecting buyer.
This is why we still need consumer advocacy groups.