OS X Central

Debian Wheezy on an Older Mac Mini (Mac Keyboard Needed!)

2011-04-30T00:18:41Z

I’m trying to install Debian Wheezy on one of the earlier Intel based Mac Minis. I first tried pressing “C” a non-Mac keyboard, but that just didn’t work! Then I tried asking the system settings to boot off of the foreign operating system CD, but that didn’t work either - I guess I burned a amd64 version of Wheezy by accident…

Unfortunately, the system would not boot off the hard drive again. At least I was able to eject the CD by holding down the left mouse button upon boot. Still, I was presented with the “No Operating System Found” error.

Finally I figured I would try a real Mac keyboard. Wow - that worked! I was able to choose which OS by holding down the option key.

Now I’m using “diskutil” to resize the volume so I can have at least 10GB of space to work with. I may end up removing Mac OS altogether, even.

Actually, I’m running squeeze, and I like it because its super stable.

Helpful Links:

Debian Squeeze on a Modern MacMini

2011-04-23T14:48:22Z

Its been awhile since I’d built a MacMini with a completely free operating system, but I did so at work this past week. The hardware is a very modern MacMini, so when I was reading up about the process, I was pleased for two reasons:

The firmware for recent Apple Mac hardware includes a BIOS compatibility mode, greatly increasing the simplicity with which free operating systems can be installed.
The MacMini I installed onto already had the latest firmware.

Thanks to the awesome Debian wiki page about installing onto a MacMini - especially the inclusion of a Debian installer that had the necessary drivers, the process was straightforward, but I did run into a tough problem, actually two.

The first issue I had was getting grub to install. I just like grub more than lilo, OK? I could not install it from the debian installer, I had to execute a shell, apt-get install gptsync, run in, and then install grub manually. I installed it to both /dev/sda and /dev/sda3. I wish I took better notes on that part, but I will do this install again (on my own older MacMini hardware), and I’ll write down the steps by steps tasks I performed.

The second issue was with the video card. Its a new nvidia graphics card, and the installer included a kernel with support for the reverse engineered nouveau driver. For it to work, the kernel must have this passed to it upon boot:

nouveau.modeset=0

The debian wiki instructions include that, but without explanation. If that boot option is not included, the screen simply goes blank.

With it, the screen remains active, and even supports decent video modes. I was unable to use the screen resolution I wanted with the nouveau driver, so I ended up installing the proprietary nvidia dkms driver. Not optimal, but definitely usable. I even setup TwinView via nvidia-settings, which allows me to use two displays.

There is no doubt in my mind that Apple will benefit from the new firmware-powered BIOS compatibility mode they offer. I know many consumers and businesses who value the high quality and consistent hardware that Apple produces, but prefer similarly high quality and consistent free and open source operating systems like Debian.

$10,000 Prize? No Thanks, I'm Not Falling For That One!

2011-01-24T04:38:24Z

Seriously, who is going to call me up and tell me I’ve won ten thousand dollars?

I’ve seen it on television… you know - when the one millionth customer checks out and balloons fall from the ceiling? Apparently Apple has something similar for their app store - when the 10 billionth app gets downloaded.

The customer who downloaded the 10 billionth app gets awarded ten thousand dollars! Who knew?

Anyway, according to CNET, the household who won received the call, and promptly hung up, thinking the call was some B.S. telemarketer. Ha! Thankfully, Apple called back.

Droid X versus the iPhone

2010-08-17T03:39:46Z

I used to be such an Apple fan, and believe it or not, it was the iPod and its eventually closed-nature which bothered me so much that I stopped buying Apple products.

I expected its successor, the iPhone, to be a total failure, but I was wrong - it was a smashing success.

Still, I am wary to purchase anything made by Apple, so when Google came out with Android, I was very interested.

It wasn't until the Droid X came along that I found the opportunity to buy an Android-powered device, and I'm glad I waited! Thankfully its on the Verizon Wireless network, and it has some very useful apps.

Frankly, I'm not sure why anyone would bother with an iPhone anymore!! The Droid X can even do one thing that any iPhone certainly cannot: be a 3G mobile hotspot. :-)

Sorry Apple and AT&T Wireless, the Droid X is the phone for me.

Enter The iPad

2010-01-28T00:01:47Z

Apple has publicly disclosed its new tablet:

The iPad

What does it do?

Web, Email, YouTube, App Store: Good, but not astounding
Usual Apple media tools: iTunes, iPhoto, videos: Good, nothing new
eBook reader: I haven't used this or the Kindle, but I've seen the Kindle and it looks more specialized.
Personal Information Management (PIM): notes, calendar, address book: Yawn, boring!
Home screen: Why do they list this under features?

What I Don't Like About it Already

$499 base price is too steep
All proprietary hardware; no USB host?!?
No hybrid screen
No handwriting recognition??
No mention of what operating system it runs
Seems awfully proprietary
Requires an iTunes store account

What I Want to Know More About

A4 Chip
- Was it designed by PA Semi?
- Does it run on a PowerPC architecture?
- Might be... A4 is kind of like G3 / G4 / G5
- It could be the ARM platform
- Apparently it runs at 1 Ghz
Operating System
Battery

Without having tried one yet, I have to reserve final judgement, but so far I'm totally disappointed with it. To me, its less cool than the Newton, and the only reason Apple has for producing it is the their Multi-touch technology and the App Store. Might be compelling for some, but not at all for me. I'd rather get a Nokia n900 for a handheld, a netbook for a tiny computer, and a Kindle for ebooks.

More Apple Tablet News

2010-01-22T19:37:29Z

Wireless connectivity on the Apple tablet will be important for the device to succeed.

Probably not crucial though. I wouldn't consider switching to AT&T just to get an iPhone because in my opinion Verizon Wireless has superior connectivity - at least in the Northeastern part of the United States. But obviously, other people want an iPhone enough to use one anyway.

Regardless of which network has better connectivity, Apple is reportedly in talks with both Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless. I will be surprised if they go with both carriers from the outset.

We All Slate

2010-01-21T16:19:53Z

"iSlate, YouSlate, We All Slate, for iSlate"

I read an opinion piece supposing that Amazon raised royalty rates on Kindle ebooks in anticipation of the upcoming Apple tablet. In a lot of ways, that makes a ton of sense.

The Kindle is arguably the most successful personal digital gadget since the iPod and the subsequent iPhone. Is the much rumored iSlate Apple's response to the Kindle? Probably.

I've been thinking of it as a successor to the Newton, or a bigger iPhone. But its probably a lot different than those.

As I said in a previous post, I really expect the iSlate, or whatever it is called, to include a hybrid screen.

iSlate Might Be Incredible

2010-01-19T14:51:55Z

Apple has made some absolutely incredible, and successful, products: the ipod, the iphone, and of course their desktop computers.

Some products haven't been so hot, like the Newton. Its been years since that product was first launched and subsequently canned, but I got the feeling that its failure left Apple with such a bad taste that they would not try it again.

Rumors suggest the contrary - "iSlate" is supposedly a tablet in the works, about to be launched, by the Apple.

Technology has changed, evolved, improved since Newton, even the iphone would easily outperform it.

I see some critical success factors for an Apple tablet to succeed:

A tablet-specific app store
Long battery life (hybrid displays?)
Handwriting recognition

Which is Cooler?

2010-01-06T03:35:10Z

Its up to you to decide. Which is cooler:

A. Apple iSlate

B. Google Nexus One

New Laptop Notebook Computer

2009-12-16T00:20:42Z

I'll soon need a new laptop / notebook computer.

Why? Apple knows. I tripped over my power cable and while the resulting cable yank didn't cause the machine itself to break, it does have a difficult time staying connected to the power cable. I ofter have to jiggle the wire in the back, and its getting increasingly unstable.

This is a common problem which Apple fixed with their mag-safe power adapter. I'm tempted to go the Apple route again (I've owned several Mac computers - desktops and laptops - though now I run Debian GNU/Linux), but I'm also considering getting an Ubuntu powered laptop. Decisions, decisions!

I heard very cool things about Mac OS X Snow Leopard before it came out, but after it was released, very little. Maybe that's a good thing!

Even the refurbished Macbook cost about $900, and that's for a 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo. There are Dell notebooks available with a 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo with additional RAM for only $500. In these tight times, its tough to justify the additional expense. If it were OS X versus Windows, the choice would be clear: Mac OS X, but with Debian or Ubuntu available, its not so clear.

UPDATE: Hooray! Turns out it wasn't my computer's plug receptacle, but the power cable. Thankfully I have an extra one, so no new computer is needed right away.

Sorry Pystar

2009-11-16T00:43:28Z

Headlines today are reporting on the Pystar versus Apple lawsuit and the tone doesn't bode well for Pystar.

Will Apple ever allow clones again? I'd be surprised if they didn't, as I really think that more people would be willing to try a non-Microsoft operating system now more than anytime in quite some years, if forever.

Apparently people want to run Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware enough that they are hacking the software to do it, so much that Apple is stuck playing cat-and-mouse with them!

Nokia is Suing Apple for Alleged Patent Infringement by the iPhone

2009-10-23T00:55:07Z

I just read some headlines at news.Google.com saying that Nokia is suing Apple for patent infringement. Ouch.

Nokia is a pretty solid company as far as I know, so I bet that their claims carry substance.

More Information:

iDon't Believe its Not Butter!

2009-10-19T02:10:37Z

It got me at the first line:

"iDon't allow open development."

This is a commercial for a new phone called the Droid.

UPDATE: Apparently the Droid is a new phone powered by Android from Google. Its going to be on the Verizon Network which is totally ironic, because Verizon Wireless has a terrible track record for openness. They actually had a phone which was fairly open, and changed the operating system to force customers to have to use their network to download pictures! (See this and this for more information on the e815.)

The Flashless iPhone

2009-10-05T15:59:33Z

Its hilarious to me that the iPhone doesn't have Flash on it. Many rumors abound as to why, but do I care?

Nope - I don't have an iPhone and I'm not too keen on getting one. I have a fine cell phone which is able to get charged by a standard mini-USB cable. I have a netbook, a Nokia 800, and plenty of laptops.

I've been a huge Mac fan for years, especially when the went an open source route for their kernel and supporting userland tools. For Apple, keeping the iPhone tightly controlled and closed is a great idea. As far as I know, its making them oodles of money and has brought their brand and user experience to more users than I would have ever expected. For me though, its just not the right phone.

In the future, I'll probably get a phone with an open source operating system. In doing so, I'll get to be in control of hardware that I own. I'd also love to get a Nokia n900.

iTouch and Apple App Development

2009-08-28T18:00:01Z

My kind sister lent me her iTouch now that she has an iPhone. In exchange, I let her borrow my extra digital camera.

The itouch is great. I'm hoping to try out some development using the multi-touch API Apple has provided for it.

Its interesting that the app store is making money for its developers in a way that many developers have never seen before. I believe its due to the fact that the customers can bill the charge to their phone bill, instead of having to enter their credit card information. If Apple could make it as easy to do that with their laptops and desktop environments, the economic outlook for independent software developers would be much different.

The purchasing convenience is very important, but so is the ease of install - another big win for iTouch and iPhone customers. Its very frustrating to have to migrate applications when you buy a new computer, only to realize that you've misplaced the registration code somewhere. If Apple (or some trusted app solution provider) were to securely store all this information, migrating from one device to another would be a breeze.

Yes, this is where cloud computing is headed, but we're not there yet, not by a long shot. In the meantime, rock on, Apple! Keep foraging ahead!

NOTE: I no longer use Apple as my personal operating system. As I became more focused on programming and networking, Apple became more focused on entertainment. I'm pleased to learn that Snow Leopard is getting back to the basics. Maybe I'll get back to the Mac? Still, I'd miss ext3, LVM, and awesome. Shocking about ext3, I know, but it works. I'd love to see Apple switch to using ZFS instead of HFS+ altogether, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.