Linux and OS X

[cgratti]

I have an iMac G5, is it possible to install Linux on it and dual boot?
What is the best version of Linux to buy? Red Hat?

 

[Flying Llama]

I have an iMac G5, is it possible to install Linux on it and dual boot?
What is the best version of Linux to buy? Red Hat?

First of all, why do you want to install Linux on it? Curiosity? Server? IMO Tiger is much more "polished" and integrated. For example, you wont be able to use your Airport Extreme card, if you have one.
Second of all, why do you only want paying ones? Debian is nice, though very "verbose" and not much eyecandy, Gentoo if you want a real challenge and have a lot of free time, YellowDog for the most PPC compatible one, and Ubuntu (my favorite Linux distro) for simplicity and beauty. Ubuntu is based on Debian, it uses apt-get, and YellowDog is based on Red Hat, so it uses RPM packages. All of these are free, however the choice is yours, mine is Tiger.

llama 🙂

 

[ITASOR]

Yes I would recommend Ubuntu for PPC. It's a nice OS, but Tiger is much better.

 

[Willy S]

MacOS X beats all Linux distros. That´s why I´m getting rid of my PC.

Ps. Ubuntu is the flavor of the month and it´s free. You can also try Kbuntu or have them both at the same time. The only difference is that Ubuntu is Gnome based and Kbuntu is KDE based.

 

[Flying Llama]

Ubuntu is much more simplistic and "Mac like". Kubuntu is just so... windoze with plastic eyecandy. Ubuntu > Kubuntu.

Some Screenshots:

Kubuntu: http://www.vcubells.net/imatges/kubuntu.jpg
Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/include/ubuntu2.png
YellowDog: http://www.ppcnerds.org/albums/album09/snapshot7.png

llama 🙂

 

[Westside guy]

Fedora Core 4 has a PPC version, is free, and will coexist with Mac OS X. I believe all the distros mentioned will coexist w/ OS X quite nicely.

Main thing you need to remember is install OS X first, and be sure to leave enough free space unallocated so your Linux partitions can be created.

 

[trainguy77]

You can use X11 if you just need a couple apps running, then you can also have KDE running in it if you want.

 

[Flying Llama]

You can use X11 if you just need a couple apps running, then you can also have KDE running in it if you want.

I believe you can even use Gnome in X11.

llama

 

[toothpaste]

MacOS X beats all Linux distros. That´s why I´m getting rid of my PC.

Ps. Ubuntu is the flavor of the month and it´s free. You can also try Kbuntu or have them both at the same time. The only difference is that Ubuntu is Gnome based and Kbuntu is KDE based.

OS X has a more polished GUI, but for real power Linux is unbeatable. 😀

I am an OS X user and g5 owner so you know, and i'm not starting a flame war.

 

[Willy S]

No flame wars here!

I like Linux and have used it a lot, but nothing compares to OS X IMHO. 🙄

 

[iindigo]

No flame wars here!

I like Linux and have used it a lot, but nothing compares to OS X IMHO. 🙄

Ditto. Both OS X and Linux have plenty of power IMO, but in OS X that power is a heck of a lot easier to get a hold of.

 

[eva01]

well i just tried a live CD boot for ubuntu and the trackpad doesn't work all that well can't control click for right click, and wireless internet doesn't work

:/

 

[dubbz]

well i just tried a live CD boot for ubuntu and the trackpad doesn't work all that well can't control click for right click, and wireless internet doesn't work

:/

Try F12 for right-click, F11 for middle-click.

Wirless support may never come, since the people who made the wirless chip hasn't been very forthcoming with specs and info.