Howdy Macaholics!
I've poked in here (MacRumors) over the years to search out answers to questions - but lately I've been bitten by the bug to start tinkering with Macs. I started with having to update my wife's office computer (early 2009 iMac - tricked into running High Sierra and installed an SSD) and then revived and upgraded my unstoppable eMac... I've been a little obsessive, but since the misses says this one seems healthy, I guess I'm OK (for now...)
After watching the market for months, and knowing that my heart is stuck in the early 2000 Macs (there's just something about these machines), I took the plunge on what looks like a very nice condition FW800 dual 1.25. I have a very specific use that I want this computer for, in addition to tinkering with it. Be warned, it might be geekier than collecting vintage Macs, LOL.
I have been working on writing for Old School roleplaying games (pen and paper) and - honestly - I felt I needed a separate system so I wouldn't be monopolizing our main gaming and internet system (a late 2015 iMac that was BTO a few years ago, if you're interested). In addition to needing the universally available word processing mojo, I'm looking to build something that can reference/build PDFs with a bit of gusto. More importantly, I have a soft spot for a particular map making program called Dundjinni (www.dundjinni.com) that hasn't been supported since Core 2 Duos were new (and really doesn't like to run on anything after Snow Leopard without some Java tweaking). The program is very well supported by its fan base however, and some of the artwork developed is still pretty stunning in this day and age. I'm hoping to be able to run a campaign management database called The Keep under Virtual PC, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. The 512 limitation on RAM is the killer there, though I'm not sure how hard and fast that is (www.nbos.com). It's pretty basic, though useful.
The computer hasn't arrived yet, and the seller didn't seem to know Macs very well (if at all, if I hadn't done a generic search I wouldn't have found it) - yes, I took a serious chance because I recognized the ports and the condition looked pretty darn good. I knew I wanted a MDD FW800, because I didn't want to start tinkering on a G5 - it didn't seem quite as fun or have much room for additional stuff or mods. It also the computer that I wanted more than anything when it came out, but I was far from financially able to do so. Other than the traditional GPU slot, which looked stock from the exterior, there seems to be nothing added.
I am not looking for a gaming machine - but I need to be able to work with fairly large and layered maps. I'd like to break out my old photoshop version and tweak stuff. I think Comics Life has an old version that still worked in 10.5.8 - and it's long been my preferred layout program for this sort of thing. If need be I can of course transfer stuff to my main computer - but I like the idea of doing Old School RPGs on an Old School Computer. I like the DIY aesthetic as well, so professional layout software really isn't my top priority - but the functionality desired is probably similar.
Is a graphics card like the Radeon 9600/9800 my best bet here. My only PC is a laptop, so I'm not sure that flashing cards is really feasible. The only game I could see myself running on this machine is Baldur's Gate - which I've been into modding for years, so I do confess that I will undoubtedly do a build on this machine (as I have on virtually every machine I own). I've heard that different cards have different specialties - but googling 'DIY RPG publishing on a G4' doesn't really get you much, LOL.
I'm planning to install multiple SSDs, using the Sonnet or OWC interfaces. I have around 500gb of PDF files that I reference, with varying degrees of frequency. Is there anything I should know before jumping into that?
I know that upgrading the USB port availability would be good, especially as I am a fan of tactile keyboards - though I have an Extended II that is on my main computer that I might steal (iMate adapter). I find that writing without the tactile keys really, um, screws up my mojo. I wouldn't mind using my Razer BlackWidow on it either.
Is there a particular monitor that is easier on the eyes than others? I know that eventually I will end up with an Apple Cinema 30", because I've lusted after it for years... I may run two monitors for ease of map editing, but not sure.
Whew... Hope I haven't bored you to tears. I'm still a newbie to working on Macs, but I've been obsessively watching rebuilds on YouTube and I'm starting (STARTING) to feel a little more confident.
Thanks and I hope to cast my shadow here more often in the future!
Your's Ghouly,
Grimm Pickins
I've poked in here (MacRumors) over the years to search out answers to questions - but lately I've been bitten by the bug to start tinkering with Macs. I started with having to update my wife's office computer (early 2009 iMac - tricked into running High Sierra and installed an SSD) and then revived and upgraded my unstoppable eMac... I've been a little obsessive, but since the misses says this one seems healthy, I guess I'm OK (for now...)
After watching the market for months, and knowing that my heart is stuck in the early 2000 Macs (there's just something about these machines), I took the plunge on what looks like a very nice condition FW800 dual 1.25. I have a very specific use that I want this computer for, in addition to tinkering with it. Be warned, it might be geekier than collecting vintage Macs, LOL.
I have been working on writing for Old School roleplaying games (pen and paper) and - honestly - I felt I needed a separate system so I wouldn't be monopolizing our main gaming and internet system (a late 2015 iMac that was BTO a few years ago, if you're interested). In addition to needing the universally available word processing mojo, I'm looking to build something that can reference/build PDFs with a bit of gusto. More importantly, I have a soft spot for a particular map making program called Dundjinni (www.dundjinni.com) that hasn't been supported since Core 2 Duos were new (and really doesn't like to run on anything after Snow Leopard without some Java tweaking). The program is very well supported by its fan base however, and some of the artwork developed is still pretty stunning in this day and age. I'm hoping to be able to run a campaign management database called The Keep under Virtual PC, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. The 512 limitation on RAM is the killer there, though I'm not sure how hard and fast that is (www.nbos.com). It's pretty basic, though useful.
The computer hasn't arrived yet, and the seller didn't seem to know Macs very well (if at all, if I hadn't done a generic search I wouldn't have found it) - yes, I took a serious chance because I recognized the ports and the condition looked pretty darn good. I knew I wanted a MDD FW800, because I didn't want to start tinkering on a G5 - it didn't seem quite as fun or have much room for additional stuff or mods. It also the computer that I wanted more than anything when it came out, but I was far from financially able to do so. Other than the traditional GPU slot, which looked stock from the exterior, there seems to be nothing added.
I am not looking for a gaming machine - but I need to be able to work with fairly large and layered maps. I'd like to break out my old photoshop version and tweak stuff. I think Comics Life has an old version that still worked in 10.5.8 - and it's long been my preferred layout program for this sort of thing. If need be I can of course transfer stuff to my main computer - but I like the idea of doing Old School RPGs on an Old School Computer. I like the DIY aesthetic as well, so professional layout software really isn't my top priority - but the functionality desired is probably similar.
Is a graphics card like the Radeon 9600/9800 my best bet here. My only PC is a laptop, so I'm not sure that flashing cards is really feasible. The only game I could see myself running on this machine is Baldur's Gate - which I've been into modding for years, so I do confess that I will undoubtedly do a build on this machine (as I have on virtually every machine I own). I've heard that different cards have different specialties - but googling 'DIY RPG publishing on a G4' doesn't really get you much, LOL.
I'm planning to install multiple SSDs, using the Sonnet or OWC interfaces. I have around 500gb of PDF files that I reference, with varying degrees of frequency. Is there anything I should know before jumping into that?
I know that upgrading the USB port availability would be good, especially as I am a fan of tactile keyboards - though I have an Extended II that is on my main computer that I might steal (iMate adapter). I find that writing without the tactile keys really, um, screws up my mojo. I wouldn't mind using my Razer BlackWidow on it either.
Is there a particular monitor that is easier on the eyes than others? I know that eventually I will end up with an Apple Cinema 30", because I've lusted after it for years... I may run two monitors for ease of map editing, but not sure.
Whew... Hope I haven't bored you to tears. I'm still a newbie to working on Macs, but I've been obsessively watching rebuilds on YouTube and I'm starting (STARTING) to feel a little more confident.
Thanks and I hope to cast my shadow here more often in the future!
Your's Ghouly,
Grimm Pickins
