squark

Mac

created: 1233833699|%e %B %Y, %H:%M

tags: computer gentoo kubuntu linux mac macbook osx suse ubuntu

I mentioned recently that I will write something about Mac and — to be clear — about different platforms at all. So, here we go.

I think that there's a straight path in using computers. Maybe it does not apply to everyone (especially Americans), but at least for most of more advanced users. The first contact with the computers usually begins with Microsoft Windows, that's obvious I think. There's no point in wondering why Windows is on the most of computers, it's also obvious. Then, there is a time when Windows is not enough, I needed security, ssh, console, I wanted a free software, much better in usual applications than MS Windows.

My first Linux was Gentoo. Gosh, that was something crazy. It's not an OS for begginers, definitely not. But with the help of Gabrys, few years ago I managed to learn how to do all the things and in not so much time I was able to recompile my kernel in a way I wanted :)

And here comes the big BUT (yeah, big but, with one 't').

I just got enough of this constant fights with Gentoo, recompiling this or that, ATI drivers problems, everything had to be done 'by-hand', in a console. More or less everything was working, but… more or less. Never flawlessly and in a way I wanted.

So I changed Gentoo to Kubuntu (there was SUSE for a short time in the middle). Wow, that was great, just after installing everything was working, configured properly and only some minor things were not ok, such as the constant problem of ATI drivers (yeah, thank you very much, AMD/ATI! :/). I'm still using Kubuntu (8.04 now, because I can't handle KDE4), but I start to get enough of it to. Not everything is working as I want. Not every software is working. Sometimes there are problems between GTK and QT libs, some windows look different than other and I couldn't fix it. My X server hangs when I want to shut it down (K -> Shutdown -> Power off -> It hangs), so I have to reboot my computer every time I want to restart my Xes. That's f$%@^g annoying.

And now, the solution is:

Mac

I know that there are many vices of Mac OS X. Some things are just too simple and too poor and if I want more settings, I cannot do it. But the ability to make everything in an easy way and the fact, that everything is working perfectly just out-of-the-box is making me calm. I don't have to worry if it's gonna work or not. I know that it will.

But wait. I can't use my favorite Amarok instead of iTunes, which I don't like? I cannot play my favorite game? What the heck? And here comes another solution: Parallels. And I can have Mac, Windows, Linux or one machine without rebooting, without BootCamp, with just a single keyboard shortcut I can change my OSes like gloves. And everything is working just as it should.

I think that new MacBook should handle three OSes at one time.

I'm getting old and lazy. I don't want to fight with the computer, I just need to use it.

And that's the best solution: have a MacBook¹, so Mac OS X will run perfectly as a main OS, Windows to play games, Linux to do other things which cannot be done using there two above. Well, Mac has a console, it should work even without Linux, but I have a sentiment to linux and I believe I will be using it for a long time.

Period.

Strange

created: 1233768644|%e %B %Y, %H:%M

tags: for found no page tags this

And suddenly some words came out of his head, without warning, without symptoms.

Mourner's lament in this evening, atone,
in the orchard we walk,
with a burden we die,
with the ivy veiled miserable tone,
I sung a last goodbye.

Productivity Day

created: 1233738075|%e %B %Y, %H:%M

tags: cg cintiq design graphic wacom

Yesterday I had a little bit of free time (Yes, Michał, but just a little :P). I have many new ideas and designs projects (hmm.. wasn't there a post called "many new things and ideas" yet?).

First of all I have designed some web projects with nice looking tech-design, which can be adapted also to Wikidot or any other site, it hasn't just been cut to CSS. I do not like post-production so much, so I leave designs just as projects until they'll be useful and necessary.

I can humbly call myself a CG, but I know I just have to learn fg a lot to be really good. That's why I'm spending my recent afternoons in learning vector & raster graphic design, light effects, shines, 3D fonts with polished metal, copper, glass look.

Furthermore recently I discussed and interchangeed the UI ideas and UI usability with several best designer and UI specialists. I'm glad how CG community is helpful and opened for new people and how they keep the world creation standards on a high level by giving tips and directing newbies paths' in a good way.

There is a lot to learn. Maybe it's not entirely creative, but I think that the best way to learn is to copy the best or be inspired by the best designers and their projects. These words were endorsed by designers.

To do / to learn:

• real advanced photomanipulation (I'm not good at it)
• change Inkscape to Adobe Illustrator
• change GIMP to Adobe Photoshop
• get a tablet, hmm… I wish I could get myself a Wacom Cintiq 21ux
• get a new computer, I'm thinking about a Mac, but I will write about it soon
• get a designer desk (drawing board — via Gabrys)