Linux is the future for PPC. And if you're good with hardware modifications (such as atx psu conversion) then a ppc mac (new world) should go for 7+ years
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Just how far can we go?
- Thread starter eyoungren
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I'm sticking with Mac OS as long as I can. I've tried Linux, and it comes nowhere near Mac OS X imo.
If you do like Linux better for whatever reason, MintPPC is what worked best for me. Wifi on my iBook worked out of the box, the only thing that didn't was sound, but there is a bug fix for that.
If you do like Linux better for whatever reason, MintPPC is what worked best for me. Wifi on my iBook worked out of the box, the only thing that didn't was sound, but there is a bug fix for that.
The thing that kills the Mac OS for me on these old macs is simply web browsing. I don't expect it to do anything insane, but it would be nice if I could open a page without constant stuttering.
I have a PowerBook G4 1.33 1.25GB ram that I run under Tiger, and I have two Linux iBooks - one is a G3 at 600Mhz and 640MB, the other a G4 at 1.07 at 512MB. Both of the Linux iBooks, even the G3 are faster than the PowerBook at web browsing under Mac OS. That to me is simply disappointing. You just can't match the development on Linux on these machines, it's current, it's secure, and all the packages are still being developed for.
TenFourFox is the last browser in development for PPC and it doesn't run so hot unless you have a great machine. When an iBook G3 at 600Mhz is faster at web browsing than a PowerBook G4 at more than twice the speed, it is a bit discouraging.
By the time I get to the point where the only way my Macs can function in a connected world is to be on Linux I will have long since switched to Intel Macs.
My PowerPC Macs run OS X and will never see a Linux install.
I think that it's great that there are continuing options for those that choose to remain, but OS X is a big part of the reason I prefer Mac. But if I'm going to run Linux, I can pick up a brand new cheapo netbook or desktop PC and install it on that.
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Do you have T4Fx optimized?
Any speed customization you see for Firefox can be applied in about:config in the same way in T4Fx. It's based on the same code. Pipelining, ngpaintdelay, animations off, etc. A bunch of stuff that can be edited in about:config.
Lastly, what about addons? NoScript, Request Policy, AdBlock Plus (or Edge)? Do you use any of those?
Granted, you'll never get the speed you'd get on say an Intel Mac, but there are plenty of things you can do to optimize performance.
Hear! Hear! I run Linux (I'm actually replying to this post on a ThinkPad running Linux) on PCs and OS X on my Macs.
Well said that man. There is a point to PPC Mac hardware and that point is not and has never been Linux.
Yes. Whether you are a Tiger fan, a Leopard fan, or even a fan of earlier versions including OS9, a big part that all of us share in common (and what drew a lot of us to Mac) is the Apple OS.
Take OS X (and OS9) out of the equation and you have a Mac that has no soul. It's merely Linux functioning inside a beautiful case, much like the way later versions of OS X function inside Intel Macs.
I applaud the Mac/Linux community. But, again, if I want Linux it's going to be a much better experience if I buy a dedicated PC machine for it.
Some things are just better suited for what they what they were originally designed for.
I don't know why you lot hate Linux. Mac is unix which Linux is a branch of. Keeping OS X on PPC is crazy. And you can make linux into anything you want GUI wise. I'm Running my eMac 1GHZ 512MB ram on MintPPC with XFCE and it runs everything fantastic. No crashes, no "can't load page" or jerky scrolling. Everything is snappy.
Don't fear the terminal, it's not hard after a week.
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Fine then.
http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/ppc.html
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if I want OS X it's going to be a much better experience if I buy a dedicated intel Apple machine for it.
At the end of the day, what ever I do to my eMac it will never be as good as my mac pro whatever I do with it, but I knew this when I bought it.
Don't fear the terminal, it's not hard after a week.
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Fine then.
http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/ppc.html
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if I want OS X it's going to be a much better experience if I buy a dedicated intel Apple machine for it.
At the end of the day, what ever I do to my eMac it will never be as good as my mac pro whatever I do with it, but I knew this when I bought it.
I don't think anyone hates Linux here. It's just that not using original Apple operating systems on beautiful vintage Macs takes away some of the feeling there is to having and using these computers – that's why we go to great lengths to make them work with Mac OS X/9. No one is arguing against Linux being faster or more up to date on these systems. It just doesn't feel right.
If you prefer feeling over function then I guess you'd be better of trying a different thing like making ale or whatever. This is tech, it's whole purpose is to function.
You can try with os x until you're blue in the face, but linux will still smash it 100x over.
My Linux PPC is blowing raspberries at your OS X PPC!
I think you're missing the point here.
As stated, no one here hates Linux. I certainly do not. My point though was that OS X was a major factor as to why I converted to Mac.
I don't fear the terminal. I use it all the time. My first PC was a 286 with DOS 3.something. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the Windows world because I wanted to use the command line. To this day, that previous experience still helps me when I need to do something on a Windows box that can only be done (or done easier) using the command line.
I like OS X though. So, when it comes time I will get an Intel Mac and keep using my preferred OS. But that doesn't mean I hate Linux.
My older Macs already have specific roles that they function well at aside from web browsing. As web browsing is my main reason for using Mac, an Intel Mac running OS X will serve just as well and I get to stay on OS X. So, it's not necessary for me to install an OS I don't want on my Macs, on my Macs.
Again, I don't hate Linux. It's just not what I wish to use on my PowerPC Macs. But I also don't look down on those who want to use it on their PowerPC Macs. If you or anyone else wants to use it and it makes you happy, by all means do so.
I have adblock, and a few other add-ons I don't have no script, I've tried some tricks in about:config such as the ones you mentioned, and they help a bit. The one thing I've tried to do without success is loading mobile version of webpages, I change the useragent using a useragent override string but some things don't work as well under TFF as in other browsers I've tried it on. FaceBook for example breaks under a mobile override in TFF, works everywhere else. I like OS X, obviously, I have Intel macs that run it beautifully. I keep these old PPC macs because they hold some sentimental value to me, as nonsensical as that may sound, and I use them for that purpose. However, after a short period of time I just start to get a headache when things don't work or are too slow on the web.
My Linux Intel is dumping on your Linux PPC from a very big height. Now what?
You have pursued a pointless pissing contest that you have no prospect of winning for what purpose, exactly? Especially as those you accuse of hating Linux have experience in it that probably vastly outdates your own. Mine goes back over twenty years almost to the beginning.
Eyoungren has said it better than I could. Sometimes it is not about the future of PPC OSX but enjoying what was for what it was.
For me, right now, my PMG5 suits my needs just fine. And just prefer OSX.
I'm not afraid of the terminal or Linux. My computer before this one was a PC running Linux, but I changed back to Mac becuase of the reasons above. It's not like my PC was slow or anything, the G5 is slower. But there's more than speed that counts.
If I was sitting with and old eMac, maybe then i would run (dual boot) Linux on it. Atleast if that was my main computer. And the main reason for that would probably be web browsing.
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If it was just about function, nobody would be using a PPC computer today regardless of its OS.
keeping in mind most of my PC usage is relatively... pedestrian.. no heavy graphics work or anything.. I've found my G5 handles Logic perfectly fine. As well as pretty much any site I throw at it.. only thing that's annoying is facebook videos are flash (I use tenfourfox).. everything else has been fine.
Now my intel Mac Pro is dumping on your intel Linux from a bigger height.
PPC is a few quid cheaper.
Guys, can we get this back on topic. I started the thread with the intent to ask how far we can go as PowerPC owners. Linux is just one option that we can exercise - if we choose.
We all have in common the same thing and that is to see how far we can make our venerable Macs go. What OS it's running is down to personal preference and arguing over what's better is irrelevant because of that. I'd hate to see an informative thread locked because we drew the mods attention.
With that said, would anyone care to speculate where we will be this time next year?
Personally, I think the part situation will deteriorate and prices will be going up, especially with all these idiot eBay auctions. And for the first time I'm wondering how many versions of T4Fx we have left.
We all have in common the same thing and that is to see how far we can make our venerable Macs go. What OS it's running is down to personal preference and arguing over what's better is irrelevant because of that. I'd hate to see an informative thread locked because we drew the mods attention.
With that said, would anyone care to speculate where we will be this time next year?
Personally, I think the part situation will deteriorate and prices will be going up, especially with all these idiot eBay auctions. And for the first time I'm wondering how many versions of T4Fx we have left.
Agreed, can we end this pissing match? Dumping from higher and higher heights on a forum serves no one.
I think that's what will ultimately determine how far we can go with the PPC macs. Personally, I was disappointed when Leopard webkit development ceased as click2plugin/click2flash was one of my favorite Safari extensions. PPC macs worked better under h264 HTML5 than the webm standard.
Yeah, it's my intent to keep replacing parts in this A1013 that I have. But that's predicated on finding parts at a good price. It's on it's second logicboard now and I've replaced a lot of other major parts since 2009 when I got it.
This time around finding a logicboard for under $100 was a trial though.
I didn't realize Leopard WK had been discontinued. Shame. I don't care for WK, but that's just personal preference.
This time around finding a logicboard for under $100 was a trial though.
I didn't realize Leopard WK had been discontinued. Shame. I don't care for WK, but that's just personal preference.
Really the only reason I use LeopardWK is because it's faster. I know you can tweak TFF but it's never been super fast for me. Other than that, it's an amazing browser. Last year at about this time, I was using 10.4 Tiger on my first iBook A1133. It was pretty snappy, although Leopard on my PB with an SSD is still faster, and not a lot has changed since then. I think PPC will be just as good as it is now, albeit the best year for the architecture was probably 2012.
Hands down for me in regards to speed is Demeter. I would so totally use that browser. Unfortunately, it was abandoned before they worked the bugs out and it does not have the features I like in T4Fx.
But for raw speed, Demeter blows away Stainless and Sunrise.
Coincidentally, I am currently awaiting delivery of a A1013 model PB that I paid £41 for in total. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy the whole caboodle than just the logic board.
As for Leopard webkit, the last commit was July 7th this year. I cannot see on the Google site that the project has been abandoned, however, it seems the be the work of just one developer and two helpers. Info is scanty.