[EdLUG] OSX sorry to be off topic

Edinburgh Linux Users Group edlug at lists.edlug.org.uk
Mon Jan 29 16:15:09 UTC 2018


Hi Anand

I doubt that updating to 10.6 will help much - that too is woefully out of
date, and later OS versions will likely simply refuse run on Core 2 Duo,
not to mention that the old peripherals (usb connectors, wifi [if
built-in], etc) will likely not have their drivers included in newer maOS
versions (and these are not typically downloadable like on Windows -
correct me if I'm wrong)

I *think* I've long thrown out my old OS X 10.6 DVD but I can have a look
just in case...



But 10+ years is pretty good service, and it might be time for a new piece
of kit *if* the user's goal is to stay connected online. The obverse: my
mother still uses her clamshell iBook from 1999 just for word processing
and printing (MacOS 9 !!), and that's still fine, but anything Internet
related goes through the family computer which refreshes every 5+ years...



Note that if they stay in the Mac ecosystem, your user will find themselves
with the same conundrum eventually, and probably much sooner than they'd
think. You might want to talk to them about their options, how much
longevity they want out of their machine... Jumping from OS X 10.5 to macOS
10.13 (latest) is quite a change in workflows in and of itself:

* interface has changed significantly enough that they will have to learn a
somewhat new workflow
* bundled/available applications will have changed, some you used to get
for free are now pay-for (iPhoto --> Photos)
* many applications will have morphed significantly since then, and there
will be /very/ new workflows to learn (office, any photo/video editing
suites)
* they'll need to re-purchase a significant proportion of their software
unless they switch to open alternatives such as LibreOffice

So there's enough room for argument that they could in fact consider
switching to say Debian or Ubuntu (standard or Xfce seem to be preferred
for conservative-style newcomers). installed on a new desktop PC (or at
least a refurb from the last 3 years - anything they want from the shops
with good build reputation, just not Apple). That should get them to
something that could last out the 10+ years, have upgradable RAM, and keep
pace with changes in browsers (and the underlying OS requirements that
browsers have). Given Debian and Ubuntu LTS's support cycle, they'll also
only need to upgrade OS around twice in the lifetime of the machine, and
will still keep apace with the Internet as it changes...

My 2c

Tai
dchtai / gmail




===
Tai Kedzierski
Linux Operations and Deployments Engineer

RHCSA # 170-060-834




I use LibreOffice <https://www.libreoffice.org/> , a free,
Freedom-respecting replacement for MS Office

*Open Source Free Software is a matter of liberty, not price.*
https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software


On 29 January 2018 at 13:31, Edinburgh Linux Users Group <
edlug at lists.edlug.org.uk> wrote:

> Hello all, and Happy New Year,
>
> I have been asked for help with an iMac of about 2005 vintage. It runs OSX
> version 10.5.8; hardware: Intel Core 2 Duo 2GB Ram, so capable of accepting
> later OS versions. The user's problem is that the most up to date Safari
> for that OS version now baulks at many websites. Flash Player and any
> reasonable modern browser fails to run or fails to cope with Flash-heavy
> sites.
>
> The installed OSX version will not communicate with Apple's Appstore (or
> whatever the damned thing is called. Although Apple no longer charge for OS
> upgrades, the only way to do so is by buying a DVD for £20 or more. Does
> anyone have access to a legal OSX 10.6 DVD which can start this machine on
> the upgrade path.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Anand
>
> PS I dislike using the word "upgrade" in this context. It is marketing
> nonsense and not technically meaningful.
>
> --
> EdLUG mailing list
> EdLUG at lists.edlug.org.uk
> https://lists.edlug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/edlug
>
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