View Full Version : 'Tiger' roars into stores
New Mac operating system goes on sale Friday
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/TECH/ptech/04/28/mac.tiger.ap/vert.tiger.box.jpg
Tired of waiting while your computer slowly scours its hard drive for a document you stashed somewhere six months ago?
Sick of having to change how you work to conform with the computer's rigid way of organizing files?
Bored with the flat look of the desktop's graphics?
If you have a Macintosh computer, or plan to buy one, those issues have been tackled. They're addressed in the latest update of Mac OS X, dubbed "Tiger," which goes on sale Friday.
Despite a much smaller user base, Mac OS X has been steps ahead of Microsoft's Windows on key fronts since its first release in 2001.
It's got more advanced and polished graphics. It's less prone to malicious attacks. And Macs look better than nearly all Windows PCs.
Until recently, Apple has been dogged by a reputation for high prices. Its computers now start at $499, and the number of programs that run on them has grown dramatically. Tiger provides another incentive to switch from Windows.
Topping the list of 200 or so improvements in Tiger is a built-in search tool that goes a long way toward relieving one of the biggest headaches that's plagued computers.
That is, as hard drive capacity grows and our digital universe broadens to include text, music, video, e-mail, pictures and everything else, information gets lost in the shuffle of folders scattered across gigabytes of hard drive real estate.
Operating systems have been designed to pigeonhole that data into a hierarchy of folders.
But what if a document, song or picture fits into five or six different categories, each with its own folder? If you choose one, how will you remember it a year from now?
Spotlight search
Tiger addresses both problems with a search technology, called Spotlight, that also enables a new way of organization, called Smart Folders.
Accessed by clicking small magnifying glass icon, search results fill in as you type keywords. Spotlight doesn't just search filenames.
It also looks inside files -- into a document's text, a picture caption or tags linked to a music file, for instance.
And Spotlight's speed is impressive.
Like the desktop search tools available on Windows PCs from Yahoo, Google and MSN, Spotlight relies on an index that's created when it's first installed.
Instead of having to scour an entire drive in search of something, it just looks it up in the database.
Indexing with Windows add-ons is a more computer-intensive process.
Most are smart enough to do their work only when you're not working on something, but that means new information isn't always available.
After the initial index is built in Tiger, changes are made to it whenever a file is changed -- whether it's saved, deleted, moved or modified in another way.
And there's more. Searches can be saved and the results turned into folders that run a query each time they're opened, fine-tuned to display only certain types of files. Time variables can also be set.
Spotlight only searches for files on the local computer, not networked hard drives or remote shared folders.
Network file searching is something that's expected in Microsoft's upcoming next-generation operating system for Windows, code-named Longhorn, and Apple hasn't ruled it out as a future feature.
Tiger -- like previous versions of Mac OS X -- also sets the bar high in the graphics display area.
In its "Dashboard," small programs called "Widgets" overlay the screen at the punch of a button -- displaying the weather, stock prices, flight information and calendar info. More can be added, and they pop open with a rippling flourish.
But Tiger is about a lot more than look and feel. It's also about looking at more people than ever on your video screen live.
With Apple's iSight camera ($149) and Tiger's new built-in iChat AV program, you can set up and participate in video conferences.
It's visually stunning, with each person showing up in a panel, their animated faces reflecting against a black background.
Of course, it's impossible to judge how Tiger will compare with the next-generation of Windows, since Longhorn isn't available.
As more details come out, additional complaints of Microsoft copying Mac OS X will surely be heard.
Both Apple and Microsoft are trying to address the same problems: sifting more quickly through more and more data.
The onus is now on Bill Gates & Co. to see if it can one-up Steve Jobs' shop.
Source (http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/04/28/mac.tiger.ap/index.html)
nesman
05-02-2005, 09:36 PM
Go Apple 8)
Brandon
05-02-2005, 09:39 PM
This one should be very powerful...with their new Search feature and the introduction of Core Image, Core Audio and Core Video.
I like the fact that it's faster again as I thought that Panther was quite a fast and capable OS. How do Apple do it? :lol:
nesman
05-03-2005, 03:26 AM
Has anyone tries out the new upgrade yet? How is the performance?
Brandon
05-03-2005, 06:27 AM
Has anyone tries out the new upgrade yet? How is the performance?
I had a chance to play with it at the store, and it seems quite a bit more stable and noticeably faster than Panther. There are so many new features it's ridiculous. I can't wait to get a new Powerbook installed with Tiger in the next few months. Maybe the next OS X release will be called "Cheetah". ;)
Silver
05-04-2005, 11:28 PM
If OS X is a tiger, then WinXP is a 1-legged housecat.
Coded-Dude
05-04-2005, 11:41 PM
If OS X is a tiger, then WinXP is a 1-legged housecat.
ahhhh yes, that has got to be the funniest thing I have read all day!
thank you for the laugh. :wink:
nesman
05-05-2005, 12:24 AM
I wanna get a Mac so badly, too bad I don't have a job :cry: Damn community service hours :evil: Once I finish my volunteer hours I'll start lookin for a job. But I have to wait till next year since I have to be 16 to get a full paying job. :cry:
Spotlight is such a fantastic feature. I'd love to know how it's done and why Windows XP cannot offer the same. At least they've promised something similar in longhorn... :lol:
nesman
05-05-2005, 12:41 AM
What is SpotLight?
What is SpotLight?
I believe that this will explain it for you ::
Spotlight (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/spotlight/)
nesman
05-05-2005, 12:53 AM
Mac OS X Tiger is AWESOME! Thanks for the link specialpro :) WindowsXP doesn't have it cuz there wouldn't be enough RAM left :lol: It'd have too much spyware and viruses to sift through :lol:
Mac OS X Tiger is AWESOME! Thanks for the link specialpro :) WindowsXP doesn't have it cuz there wouldn't be enough RAM left :lol: It'd have too much spyware and viruses to sift through :lol:
It certainly is a great feature. It's just a shame that a lot of people out there won't get to try it! :?
nesman
05-05-2005, 01:10 AM
You know, its similar to how AOL ruined the whole Internet(in a way). They made Internet access cheap so anyone could access the Internet, thus slowing it down so much. Even today there a many AOL users. Windows made using a PC so easy but in turn made itself a target for hackers since everyone used Windows. The public seems to like Windows since its "easy to use". Most people I know say Macs are "slow and crash all the time" Oh the irony. But I think that distorted view is due to the dying Mac G4s in our school. The Dells are maintained constantly but no one could care less about the Macs. :evil: There is one teacher who's a Mac fanatic but he's cool. I use his Powerbook G4 and I was blown way. The speed is fantastic and the features you get FAR outweigh a Windows laptop. Screw Windows :twisted:
Brandon
05-05-2005, 05:21 AM
Even today there a many AOL users.
AOL is the master of brainwashing the average consumer into thinking their dial-up service is better and worth paying the same price as Cable.
Coded-Dude
05-05-2005, 04:28 PM
You know, its similar to how AOL ruined the whole Internet(in a way). They made Internet access cheap so anyone could access the Internet, thus slowing it down so much. Even today there a many AOL users. Windows made using a PC so easy but in turn made itself a target for hackers since everyone used Windows. The public seems to like Windows since its "easy to use". Most people I know say Macs are "slow and crash all the time" Oh the irony. But I think that distorted view is due to the dying Mac G4s in our school. The Dells are maintained constantly but no one could care less about the Macs. :evil: There is one teacher who's a Mac fanatic but he's cool. I use his Powerbook G4 and I was blown way. The speed is fantastic and the features you get FAR outweigh a Windows laptop. Screw Windows :twisted:
Windows is just something that is convenieant. Its been around and everyone is used to it, but it is in no way the most user friendly OS anymore.
WIth all the security leaks, and bugs, and sloopy code, I find windows to be MORE of a headache than anything else.
Its just too much trouble for the average lazy consumer to get off their ass and try something new. Windows was first, and thats why its so popular.
I'm Unix/Linux by choice
I can't wait until people start to use longhorn and get pissed becasue their friend has 98 and they can't communicate anymore.(just a guess, not actually fact)
Brandon
05-05-2005, 09:17 PM
Windows was first, and thats why its so popular.
Well technically it wasn't.
the legendary ice man
05-05-2005, 10:08 PM
The secret to Windows success is that they paid companies to bundle PC's with their craptastic operating System - until they were stopped, which was too late, the name was out and millions of PC's had the operating system most people don't like, but use anyway.
Apple's OS on the other hand is stable because they start small and develop onwards.
Microsoft, start with everything do-able, whether it works or not, patches it 3 years later and then releases a new OS full of various Apple Mac features two years later.
Server is about the most stable OS I've used from MS.
The fact is, the general consumer doesn't care if Microsoft have copied Apple or not. Microsoft have a very, very strong position right now and they can effectively do what they want. Hopefully Apple will get a better grip on the market, especially with the Mac mini.
nesman
05-05-2005, 11:05 PM
Microsoft copied Apple's GUI or graphical user interface. Macintosh was the first to fully support it and Windows copied it. Remember that huge law suit back in the day? :wink:
Coded-Dude
05-05-2005, 11:15 PM
Windows was first, and thats why its so popular.
Well technically it wasn't.
Well, Unix has been around since what `69? I know Windows wasn't technically first - I guess I should have phrased the statement a little differently.
Anywho, for the average consumer that didn't have a clue about computers, but wanted to learn....what else whas so widely available?
I thought Xerox was the first to have a GUI? Microsoft conned them out of it.
I'd better go freshen up on my computer history 101... :roll:
The Mac OS was not the first graphical user interface, but it was the first successful one. The reason for this is simple: affordability. The Xerox Alto cost $32 000 to build, the Xerox Star retailed for $16 600, and the Apple Lisa retailed for $10 000. The first Macintosh, on the other hand, retailed for $2 500. Because it was affordable by average people, it was immediately much more attractive than the GUI computers that came before it.
Source (http://www.macos.utah.edu/Documentation/MacOSXClasses/macosxone/macintosh.html#1)
the legendary ice man
05-05-2005, 11:36 PM
DOS isn't even a Microsoft thing is it?
something funky I found out about Bill Gates is....he never completed University!
one of the biggest GUI features of Longhorn? Originally appeared on Mac.
nesman
05-05-2005, 11:36 PM
[quote]The Mac OS was not the first graphical user interface, but it was the first successful one. The reason for this is simple: affordability. The Xerox Alto cost $32 000 to build, the Xerox Star retailed for $16 600, and the Apple Lisa retailed for $10 000. The first Macintosh, on the other hand, retailed for $2 500. Because it was affordable by average people, it was immediately much more attractive than the GUI computers that came before it.
Oops :oops:
DOS isn't even a Microsoft thing is it?
something funky I found out about Bill Gates is....he never completed University!
one of the biggest GUI features of Longhorn? Originally appeared on Mac.
He never completed university because he wanted to focus on his "business"... I think he made the right decision! :D
Brandon
05-05-2005, 11:41 PM
DOS isn't even a Microsoft thing is it?
something funky I found out about Bill Gates is....he never completed University!
one of the biggest GUI features of Longhorn? Originally appeared on Mac.
He never completed university because he wanted to focus on his "business"... I think he made the right decision! :D
Yeah, I'd have to say he did too.
the legendary ice man
05-05-2005, 11:44 PM
Have you seen Microsofts latest idea to get additional money though?
As for Tiger, I really want a Mac, I'm just not prepared to fork out that much.
Get a Mini (http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/)!!
Coded-Dude
05-05-2005, 11:50 PM
With all the money I've spent on my PSP, I could have bought a decent MAC or a lowend BOOK but NO..... :roll:
But really, I am glad I got my psp, it is way more protable, and sexier! :wink:
With all the money I've spent on my PSP, I could have bought a decent MAC or a lowend BOOK but NO..... :roll:
But really, I am glad I got my psp, it is way more protable, and sexier! :wink:
You're just saying that because I want one so bad... No fair... :P
While we're on the subject of generally speaking off Apple here I might as well post this...
New Powermac G5's
Professionals need superior tools to produce designs, music, high-definition video or the next scientific breakthrough. The new Power Mac G5 line extends as far as you require. Two 64-bit G5 processors reaching top speeds of 2.7GHz, room for up to 8GB of main memory, pro performance graphics cards and ultrahigh-bandwidth system architecture will give you more results than systems costing twice as much. Dual processing starts at $1999.
Drools... (http://www.apple.com/powermac/)
the legendary ice man
05-06-2005, 12:03 AM
I might consider the mini, but I'm not a fan of things which are small.
My 512Mb Memory Stick Duo has entered the twirling depths of my parents Washing Machine 19 times so far, and still works perfectly well.
Coded-Dude
05-06-2005, 12:10 AM
With all the money I've spent on my PSP, I could have bought a decent MAC or a lowend BOOK but NO..... :roll:
But really, I am glad I got my psp, it is way more protable, and sexier! :wink:
You're just saying that because I want one so bad... No fair... :P
I wish - actually I was thinking of getting a really nice powerBOOK(2.5K), but then I found out the PSP was coming out, so I held off.
2 - PSP's (my GF loves hers)
8 - Games
4 -Movies
2 - 512MB SONY pro duo's
1 - 1GB SONY pro duo(dell still on backorder)
1 - Pelican carry case
1 - Power Supply ( I though I lost mine, but then I found it)
1 - Car adapter
2 - Screen Protectors
I am sure there is probably more but I can't think of everything else.
Anywho, I know I am over 1K for sure
nesman
05-06-2005, 12:14 AM
If I buy a Powerbook I'd get the 12in one with the SuperDrive. The new Powerbooks have an upgraded SuperDrive, faster processors, and 512MB of RAM while keeping the cost the same. 8) Personally, I hate 17in laptops. They have no portability whatsoever. The 12in one is good enough for me. 8)
the legendary ice man
05-06-2005, 12:22 AM
I don't understand the point in widescreen laptops anyway.
Brandon
05-06-2005, 12:23 AM
If I buy a Powerbook I'd get the 12in one with the SuperDrive. The new Powerbooks have an upgraded SuperDrive, faster processors, and 512MB of RAM while keeping the cost the same. 8) Personally, I hate 17in laptops. They have no portability whatsoever. The 12in one is good enough for me. 8)
The larger ones supports much better graphics cards. And the 17 inch is still very portable. When it's closed it's only an inch thin, and it comes with a ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 w/128 MB DDR, and it supports up to 2 gigs of RAM. You can't tell me this doesn't look nice: http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/powerbook17_jan2003_480.html ;)
I like the 12" Powerbooks just because they're quite small and cool looking, but that's about it... *Gets on the phone to Steve Jobs about G5 Powerbooks...*
Brandon
05-06-2005, 01:24 AM
I like the 12" Powerbooks just because they're quite small and cool looking, but that's about it... *Gets on the phone to Steve Jobs about G5 Powerbooks...*
A G5 Powerbook would make my dreams come true. I've been thinking about that for quite some time.
They are taking their time about the matter... I shouldn't think that we'll have to wait much longer, considering that they did pack a G5 chip (now availble in 2.0Ghz)into the imac. I know it's considerably bigger than a powerbook, but in essence it should be similar enough.
Brandon
05-06-2005, 01:28 AM
They are taking their time about the matter... I shouldn't think that we'll have to wait much longer, considering that they did pack a G5 chip (now availble in 2.0Ghz)into the imac.
Yes I was thinking about that too. They're fitting the chip into smaller and smaller spaces. Maybe at the next Mac Expo, they'll give us a special treat by revealing the Powerbook G5. ;)
They are taking their time about the matter... I shouldn't think that we'll have to wait much longer, considering that they did pack a G5 chip (now availble in 2.0Ghz)into the imac.
Yes I was thinking about that too. They're fitting the chip into smaller and smaller spaces. Maybe at the next Mac Expo, they'll give us a special treat by revealing the Powerbook G5. ;)
You never know Brandon, fingers crossed! :)
Brandon
05-06-2005, 01:32 AM
They are taking their time about the matter... I shouldn't think that we'll have to wait much longer, considering that they did pack a G5 chip (now availble in 2.0Ghz)into the imac.
Yes I was thinking about that too. They're fitting the chip into smaller and smaller spaces. Maybe at the next Mac Expo, they'll give us a special treat by revealing the Powerbook G5. ;)
You never know Brandon, fingers crossed! :)
*crosses fingers too*
I love it when they surprise everyone at the Expo. 8)
nesman
05-06-2005, 01:48 AM
Too bad Microsoft has nothing to surprise anyone with other than new viruses :lol:
Too bad Microsoft has nothing to surprise anyone with other than new viruses :lol:
They don't even surprise anyone anymore, Windows should come with viruses just as it does Internet explorer and Windows media player. :roll: :roll:
Brandon
05-06-2005, 01:59 AM
I think Windows Media Player is actually a virus-installer program that plays movies on the side. Internet Explorer is a spyware magnet.
nesman
05-06-2005, 02:05 AM
I prefer WinAmp over Windows Media Player. Streaming radio rocks 8)
Brandon
05-06-2005, 02:17 AM
I prefer WinAmp over Windows Media Player. Streaming radio rocks 8)
I use iTunes as my main player. It also has streaming radio. ;)
I prefer WinAmp over Windows Media Player. Streaming radio rocks 8)
I use iTunes as my main player. It also has streaming radio. ;)
iTunes is fantasic, I'm using it as we speak... 8)
Brandon
05-06-2005, 02:22 AM
I prefer WinAmp over Windows Media Player. Streaming radio rocks 8)
I use iTunes as my main player. It also has streaming radio. ;)
iTunes is fantasic, I'm using it as we speak... 8)
It's funny how I'm using all these Apple products on my Windows PC [borrowing it until I buy a new Apple PC]. Quicktime 7 is coming out for Windows soon, and when that happens, I'm making it my default player.
nesman
05-06-2005, 02:24 AM
iTunes is great but runs so sluggishly on my Windows (Dell sucks buy giving me only 256MB of RAM) I'm seriously switching to Mac OS X.
I prefer WinAmp over Windows Media Player. Streaming radio rocks 8)
I use iTunes as my main player. It also has streaming radio. ;)
iTunes is fantasic, I'm using it as we speak... 8)
It's funny how I'm using all these Apple products on my Windows PC [borrowing it until I buy a new Apple PC]. Quicktime 7 is coming out for Windows soon, and when that happens, I'm making it my default player.
The ironic thing is when I got my Mac I wasn't to sure about certain things and didn't realise that I'd have to download Windows media player just to play WMA files off the Internet! I now use a wee player called VLC media player and it does the job nicely!
VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/)
Brandon
05-06-2005, 02:30 AM
iTunes is great but runs so sluggishly on my Windows (Dell sucks buy giving me only 256MB of RAM) I'm seriously switching to Mac OS X.DELL RAM is extremely cheap. There was a place that had 1 gig for $147. If you up your RAM, a LOT of things won't be sluggish anymore...they'll just crash unexpectedly...;)
The ironic thing is when I got my Mac I wasn't to sure about certain things and didn't realise that I'd have to download Windows media player just to play WMA files off the Internet! I now use a wee player called VLC media player and it does the job nicely!Thanks, I'm downloading it now. =)
Have you seen the prices that Apple are charging for RAM? It's quite expensive!
It is for a Powermac mind you, I'm not sure if the price for other models differ much ::
Link (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/90301/wo/pw3SJRHUvk9R3xGKVvXjw4ISsNF/1.3.0.6.9.0.5.0.1.0.5.0.1.3.1.1.0?60,47)
Perhaps it's just me, but I believe that's a little bit much!
Brandon
05-06-2005, 02:51 AM
Apple RAM is expensive, but not when you buy it with the computer. If you wait afterwards...it costs a lot. You can buy Apple RAM off of eBay for cheap.
That link doesn't work by the way. That link is only for your internet session, and gets canceled soon after you're done [some security feature or something]. But I know what you mean.
Ah right, sorry about that.
I check Dabs quite often to see if they have any reasonable offers going on. They had a 512mb module which was actually made for the powermac series going for £35. That's VERY cheap, almost too cheap! :?
Brandon
05-06-2005, 03:00 AM
Ah right, sorry about that.
I check Dabs quite often to see if they have any reasonable offers going on. They had a 512mb module which was actually made for the powermac series going for £35. That's VERY cheap, almost too cheap! :?Nothing's too cheap! Although that does sound suspicious. That's probably low-quality RAM.
The RAM was similar to this below, but I believe that this can be used in a Powermac as well.
Dabs (http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/memoryandaccessories/productView.htm?quicklinx=2NDG&mc=6)
Brandon
05-06-2005, 03:13 AM
Hmmmm...I dunno. You'd probably have to contact Apple to make sure the RAM is compatible with their hardware.
At that price I'd give it a shot, and if it doesn't work I'm sure my Dad could put it into one of his PC's.
Brandon
05-06-2005, 03:20 AM
At that price I'd give it a shot, and if it doesn't work I'm sure my Dad could put it into one of his PC's.
That's definitely worth the price. It couldn't hurt to try. =)
vBulletin® v3.6.7, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.