Any comparison to Snow Leopard - or later OSX systems - although I get the feeling the reduced footprint on Snow was the last positive thing Apple did with OSX
Have seen blurbs that Linux can be used on a Mac - but not much else -
Would like another option outside of OSX - which is now concentrating on things I don't use.
Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Mac OS X and Linux are not the same. If you like Linux, then it is possible to replace Mac OS X with Linux. Or you can install a Virtual Machine and run Linux as a guest operating system.
I use Linux at work, and while Linux is great as a server, I do not really want to use it for my home use.
I do like that there is a Unix operating system under Mac OS X which makes it easy for me to use my Mac connecting to Linux systems for work, and sending X11 windows back to my Mac.
Why do you not want to stay on OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard?
This is THE best version of what OS X used to be and Apple should've stayed the course in that direction.
I am still running and very happy with Snow Leopard.
It maybe is not getting a s many security or software updates any longer, but Apple still sells it and it doesn't negate the fact that this version of OS X is STILL, IMHO, the best OS X version Apple EVER produced. OS X 10.4 Tiger is my close second.
Both are/were really thought out and developed well.
Why change?
If it still does eveything you want this OS to do for you?
Snow Leopard is not getting any updates at all - Apple is selling it on media because you need it to go to Maverick.
Apple is stuck in the 1990's when it comes to hardware and software sales and updates.
Instead of charging a yearly license fee for software updates (like malware software $26 a year to keep the updates coming)- you have to get new software which may or may not be backward compatible.
And gee so what if your expensive hardware works fine -- you need new hardware now! now! now!
Throw in the fact that they don't offer an alternative to downloading the new releases (media instead) and don't help you determine other software requires update - makes one get disgusted with apple.
Went to Apple because windows always came overloaded with Junk.
So looking around for alternatives to Apple.
(I did realize Steve Jobs was all about the hardware - although most of the ideas seem to come from Paramounts star trek series - although the watch is Dick Tracy -- was hoping Apple would take a breath and start supporting all of its users instead of only those who stand in line for hours in order to get the latest toy) (Last Paramount idea = Earth Final Conflict devices with a screen that rolled out)
So...
You have a perfectly running OS already installed on your Mac.
So, no additonal security updates.
Are you having any security issues with Snow Leopard currently?
I am still using Snow Leopard. I can't afford to use Mavericks or Yosemite on a regular basis for many of the same reasons you have mentioned.
Does this bother me? It gives some concern, but it is not enough to warrant me to stop using Snow Leopard and jump up and down and rant about Apple and how, somehow, they have abandoned me? Really?
You can choose to upgrade your Mac if it is new enough, but you are going to have to update some of your installed software.
This is nothing new to any computer on any OS platform.
I have had to update and upgrade software all the time when OS X versions no longer support older software.
I have seen other posts by you and some of your other rants.
I am not sure how old your Mac is, but if your whining because your Mac is a 2006 model and you are stuck with Snow Leopard or Lion, technology marches on, computers will only last so long before their technologies fall behind the latest and greatest technology.
Whenever you. bought your Mac and whatever you paid for it then, you have gotten, at least 5-6 years (possibly more) of productivity out of your Mac.
One computer IS NOT going to last a lifetime. Maybe 10 years or so, maybe, but not a lifetime.
Computers are not cars!
You can moan and groan like you are doing or learn to live with your Mac's limitations and just continue to use and enjoy your Mac ac as is (I lived with an expensive PowerMac G4 model for 8 freakin years before I had the means to, finally, buy a newer, used Mac to play some catchup with technology) OR you can
decide whether to purchase a new or "newer" (used or refurbished) Mac with better specs.
You paid a premium price for a computer from a premium computer/technology company.
This doesn't imply that the Mac you purchased is supposed to last 10 or more years.
It means that you paid a premium price for the best and current technology available at that time.
Technology companies need to keep developing new technologies to stay in business.
How what Apple does really affect you?
You are the one with this issues...not Apple.
Go back to using a PC if your dislike/disdain for Apple is that intense.
I thought I was helping you by telling you that your current OS is, by far, better than the current OS X offerings.
I didn't anticipate getting an entire rant from you.
Apple is trying to merge elements of iOS and OS X across both of these platforms and it is changing OS X that are different from what older versions of OS X was trying to accomplish.
If you are feeling left out of the upgrade path, I given you possible alternatives that will not break your bank account.
You do not always have to purchase a brand new Mac,
Apple sells older refurbished computers with full warranty coverage that are discounted. There are authorised Apple resellers who sell older Macs for much less than Apple.
Technology changes and is constantly moving faster and faster.
If you don't get over this fact, you are going to be disappointed with every computer or technology purchase you make.
Has anyone used Linux on a Mac recently?
