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Getting new Mac. Need software help!

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Tedesco!

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I'm going to buy my new G5 this weekend, and I wanted to know of any decent/cool software that I should get. So far I have:

Logic Pro 7
Final Cut Studio

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Tedesco! said:
Logic Pro 7
Click to expand...
this is what I was going to suggest :(

ummm photoshop.. :( erm

How about a bitchen Keyboard/Sampler, Firewire midi/analog interface and a 24 inch widescreen cinema display ;)
 
Yeah, wait till tuesday. You'll be a sad panda if you buy something on Saturday or Sunday and it becomes old tech by Tuesday.
 
The ONLY way I would order something today is via the Apple online store as the backlog will likely result in your order being upgraded (Apple does this if you have an order in the queue and they announce something new) and you'll get it before anyone else.

That said, I'd STILL wait.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Hmmm can someone suggest a robust free IRC client, my main feature of interest is unlimited, powerful, and easy to use ignore list. Thanks. :D
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Xchat Aqua is available off the major download sites, as I remember.
 
Spotlight (which is built in) can also be used to call up applications.

NetNewsWire Lite (Free) for RSS feed aggregation
MPlayer for video as suggested
 
Cool thanks. I haven't heard of this one.

ircle's presentation pisses me off.

Xchat is a little too -1995 Cleveland Freenet for my tastes.

And Snak is the sort of lame duck application that has PC nerds pointing at Mac users and spewing more crap. :P

I'll give Colloquy a shot. Thanks!
 
Thanks for the info guys. I did decide to wait until this week to see what Apple is going to reveal. Still, I had to buy something, so i bought a Nano to tide me over.
 
Tedesco! said:
Thanks for the info guys. I did decide to wait until this week to see what Apple is going to reveal. Still, I had to buy something, so i bought a Nano to tide me over.
Click to expand...

podbrixkeynote2.jpg

Excellent.
 
Tedesco! said:
Thanks for the info guys. I did decide to wait until this week to see what Apple is going to reveal. Still, I had to buy something, so i bought a Nano to tide me over.
Click to expand...


I know Tedesco! He has turned into the worst kind of Apple slut.
 
So let me get this straight. You waited to see what was going to happen with the Powermacs, but you didn't wait to see what was going to happen with the iPods? You have much to learn young padawan.
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
So let me get this straight. You waited to see what was going to happen with the Powermacs, but you didn't wait to see what was going to happen with the iPods? You have much to learn young padawan.
Click to expand...

No, not really. I have a Dell DJ, 20 gig. I just needed something that was easier to run with, and I am pretty confident that the big announcement won't be concerning the Nano.
 
Tedesco! said:
No, not really. I have a Dell DJ, 20 gig. I just needed something that was easier to run with, and I am pretty confident that the big announcement won't be concerning the Nano.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Dell DJ isn't the best workout MP3 player for sure. The iPod announcements are rumored to be larger drives (40 and 80 GB), smaller form factor, and new colors. (Probably iconic white and a black one like the new Nano) I don't have my 20 GB Karma full yet, so the increased size is not a big deal, but if they get the iPod smaller, I'll be interested in it for sure.
 
Tedesco! said:
My main concern was finding a MP3 player that didn't have a hard drive. The Nano was my best option.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I understand. I run with my Karma, but it's always in my hydration pack, so it never skips. What size Nano did you get?
 
I went for broke and got the 4 gig unit. I really like it so far, though I am still a bit stumped with iTunes. I've spent so much time using Musicmatch; I suppose it will take a bit of time to get used to iTunes.
 
Once you get use to iTunes, you'll see how easy and intuitive it is. Much better than Musicmatch imho. Just a different approach. iTunes + iPod + iTunes Music Store = Bliss!
 
I'm definately seeing an ease in the interface that was lacking with Musicmatch. I really don't want to delve into the depths of iTunes until I get my Mac set up, and that all hangs on tomorrow's announcement.....
 
Not only that, but I hope that whatever announcement is made can be quickly (read: same day) backed up by the Apple store near my house. Nothing would please me more right now than having the announcment of a better G5 made on Wednesday, and me picking up my new computer on Thursday. that, my friend, would be bliss.
 
Apple is actually pretty good about shipping out new products when they make these announcements, so you may just get to do that. Often times they have the new machines already in the stores before they announce it. Hope that happens this time for you.
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
Apple is actually pretty good about shipping out new products when they make these announcements, so you may just get to do that. Often times they have the new machines already in the stores before they announce it. Hope that happens this time for you.
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Yes. I managed to get an iPod nano the day after they were released/announced.

The accessories, on the other hand... >:\
 
CVXFREAK said:
Yes. I managed to get an iPod nano the day after they were released/announced.

The accessories, on the other hand... >:\
Click to expand...

Well, the accessories are often out of their hands, and they can take some time to get them in. Some of the third parties who make accessories for the iPod have to be pissed every time they create a new unit and it makes their stuff not compatible with the new models.
 
http://realmacsoftware.com/

RapidWeaver
AudioExpress

http://plasq.com/

ComicLife (so easy to use it should be a crime)


http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity (free sound editing software)


http://www.ethomaz.com/onlife/

OnLife (search your life, cool)

http://www.opensword.org/Pixen/features.php

Pixen (godly pixel artist software)

http://www.belightsoft.com/
Swift Publisher (nice lightweight desktop publishing app which in many ways rivals Pages)
ImageTricks ( nice freeware image editor)


http://www.dotpod.net/

iTunes webserver for sharing music
 
Zaxxon said:
Compared to Quicksilver, Spotlight is extremely slow.

VLC is the best videoplayer in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I ended up installing Butler again after dealing with Spotlight and have posted numerous performance related bugs with Apple.
 
I'm considering getting a Powerbook but before I take the plunge I would like to know how Macs are with 3d modeling programs. The reviews I've seen for Maya on the Mac are mixed. Do they even make 3d Studio Max for Macs? In general, how do Macs compare to PCs for 3d modeling and 3d animation?

When are the latest and greatest, Intel powered Mac's supposed to be arriving in stores? Isn't the Powerbook line due for an update soon?
 
Powermacs are expected to be updated (or at least announced) in the 'immediate' category. Intel Macs are all set for next summer or thereabouts. Personally I'm not buying anything until I see what the MacIntels look like (on the inside).
 
loxy said:
When are the latest and greatest, Intel powered Mac's supposed to be arriving in stores? Isn't the Powerbook line due for an update soon?
Click to expand...

New PowerBooks/PowerMacs seem likely to be announced tmrw at Apple's 'One more thing' press-conference. PowerMacs are likely to go dual-core, and PowerBooks to all go widescreen and HD resolutions.

Intel Macs June 2006 at the earliest, and it's not known what will make the switch first. If the pro machines do see a big update tmrw, then that would give more weight to the low-end machines switching first. Apple will probably show a roadmap at Macworld in January for the switch over.
 
Is it worth waiting for the Intel Macs? I plan on keeping the computer I purchase for about 2-3 years (assuming I can run all the applications I need to run) but I don't know if it makes sense for me to wait about a year. I need to upgrade now.
 
loxy said:
In general, how do Macs compare to PCs for 3d modeling and 3d animation?
Click to expand...

I don't know about the rest of your questions, but Pixar uses Macs for their movies and shorts....

Edit: I have the same question to ask as Loxy just did: I'm gonna get a Mac Mini soon....would it be better to wait till the Intel Macs are announced?
 
I have a feeling OSX will absolutely fly on the Intel Macs, but at the same time the 1st Gen. ones are bound to have teething problems.

The last of the PowerPC Macs are going to be very nice machines, as they are so well refined by now. The PowerBooks especially. If they see a big update tmrw (dual-core on the desktops and HD displays on the laptops will future-proof them for quite a while) I'd say go for it, if not wait.

I don't think I'm going to get an Intel Mac till the 2nd. Gen ones roll out, although it's always hard to resist anything Apple announces :)

Edit: The Mini is a very nice little machine. I don't think an Intel version would be drastically different but the main advantage would come from being able to dual-boot both Windows and OSX. If you are switching over from PC that would be a definite advantage, and that's one of the reasons why the Mini might be one of the first to go Intel. But we don't know that for sure till January at the earliest, and even then June is quite a long way away. See what's Apple's up to tmrw and if you like the sound of it then go for it. If it is video-streaming stuff then that will make the Mini an even better little box.
 
Thanks for that, Nash. I've used Macs a lot before (at school) so I dunno how important dual booting would be. (Plus I'm just over Windows now. I wish Apple would release a damn tablet so I could be done with it all-together) I'm mainly going to be using it for storing artwork from my tablet and for "rendering" Flash animations. I'll see what they bring out tomorrow, but it sounds like waiting may not be such a big deal. (And even so, it'll be a month or two before I get the Mini) Thanks again. :)

Edit: Of course, if they update the iMac significantly (like the built-in camera rumors) then I might just have to skip the Mini all together and wait for an Intel iMac.

Hmmm :(
 
No problem. Since the Intel announcement, it's probably the trickiest time ever to decide on buying a Mac. Looks like their will be interesting stuff announced tmrw though. From Apple's 4th quarter conference call:

- Hints at upcoming iPod-related announcements.
- Intel Based Macs still expected by June 2006. Some "very cool" PowerPCs in the pipeline.
 
I wanted to buy a new Mac... But I couldn't knowing the Intel Macs were coming :( Going to just build a pc instead I guess. At least I still have my Powerbook.
 
Personally, if getting aPower Mac I'd say go for it (after tomorrow of course). If wanting a Mac Mini or iMac I'd wait until the Mactels come out.
 
shantyman said:
Personally, if getting aPower Mac I'd say go for it (after tomorrow of course). If wanting a Mac Mini or iMac I'd wait until the Mactels come out.
Click to expand...

It really comes down to this.

If you are getting a machine with a G5 in it - sure go ahead. If you are getting a machine with a G4 in it - you might as well wait, in fact - you'd bee a fool to not unless you have NO machine.
 
Phoenix said:
It really comes down to this.

If you are getting a machine with a G5 in it - sure go ahead. If you are getting a machine with a G4 in it - you might as well wait, in fact - you'd bee a fool to not unless you have NO machine.
Click to expand...

Curses! I need a computer, and the Mac Mini is the best, most affordable option I have right now. (I'm using my tablet for everything at the moment, got a nice Apple keyboard and mouse plugged into it.) Damn Macs and their changes.

Ok, say I DO wait, and Apple releases some new special Mini. About how ;ong to Mac generations last? I don't mean how often do they add little tweaks, I mean like, how long would the space between say a G5 Mini and a G6 Mini be? (Or a G6 PowerMac and a G7 PowerMac)
 
Given the lack of an iTMS mail update, there's definitely something iPod related coming and TS is now resurfacing reports about video iPods. However, a Mac Mini update isn't likely as they just snuck out an upgrade to the Mini line, boosting them up 1.5Ghz G4s. Mac generations last about 4 years or so I believe, as for example, the current iBook style was introduced in 2001. We'll likely see a complete generation change with the Intel chips obviously, including redesigns across the board.
 
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