Foo - Any mac users?

I have a MBP and I just love it. I'll never go back to windows ever. My girlfriend just picked up the macbook along with her sister. They've been having a blast with the iPhoto and video iChat. Steve Jobs annouced that Leopard the new OS for apple will be released in Spring of 07. Anyone else as happy and excited as moi?

FreeBSD == Good!

FreeBSD == Good!
I'm a *NIX guy here, running SuSE w/ XFCE at home. One thing that I haven't been able to get used to is the fact that my pro-audio applications don't work outside of Windows, even with WINE, so I don't do much hobby recording on my PC anymore.

One thing that piques my interest about OS X is the fact that it's based on the Unix Kernel... and it has widespread developer support (for everything except gaming). In terms of what I'd like to do with my computer, that would be like having my cake and eating it too. Unfortunately for a comparably powerful Mac workstation with a dated G5 CPU, I'd be shelling out big bucks that I don't have...

I'll stick with Linux for now, but consider me a prospective Mac user!

[edit] just checked Apple's site after posting this and omg! they actually released the new Powermac replacements with the Intel chips! *droooool*
Now if only I had the cash ... http://www.apple.com/macpro/

I have been a mac users for several years now and right now I'm using a G4 swivel-display iMac and a new black macbook.

I'm pretty excited to hear more about Leopard but I haven't seen anything that will make me fork over the money for an upgrade yet. 10.4 is working great for me so far so there is going to have to be more to leopard to get me to change. The multiple desktop program they called Spaces does seem really cool though.

[edit] just checked Apple's site after posting this and omg! they actually released the new Powermac replacements with the Intel chips! *droooool*
Now if only I had the cash ... http://www.apple.com/macpro/

They released Intel XServes as well.

Last time I ran a windows box was when 3.0 was out. Been Linux/Unix ever since.
Mac is great, although no desktop manager beats KDE/Gnome. (Umbuntu has promise, I hear it's Swahili for "Can't install Debian--only linux-author will get that joke)
As soon as Mac went to BSD Unix I hopped on board, love my Mac. Even programs that run on other platforms run better on a Mac. When I have to use Photoshop on someone's window box, I suffer.
Macs rule.

--A

I'm a *NIX guy here, running SuSE w/ XFCE at home. One thing that I haven't been able to get used to is the fact that my pro-audio applications don't work outside of Windows, even with WINE, so I don't do much hobby recording on my PC anymore.

One thing that piques my interest about OS X is the fact that it's based on the Unix Kernel... and it has widespread developer support (for everything except gaming). In terms of what I'd like to do with my computer, that would be like having my cake and eating it too. Unfortunately for a comparably powerful Mac workstation with a dated G5 CPU, I'd be shelling out big bucks that I don't have...

I'll stick with Linux for now, but consider me a prospective Mac user!

[edit] just checked Apple's site after posting this and omg! they actually released the new Powermac replacements with the Intel chips! *droooool*
Now if only I had the cash ... http://www.apple.com/macpro/
Zinn, you have enough HD to go dual boot? That was my solution, since my wife refuses to learn linux! I upgraded to dual HD and run them as a dual boot system, with C Drive for Windows and D for linux, 500gig each. I still use thew windows side myself for audio and video apps, but for hard number crunching and most other stuff, I use Ubuntu linux in terminal. Man it's a hot system that way, especially with paired AMD 64 processors! The biggest problem I had was configuring the linux to recognize all that HD Space and the addidtional RAM I dropped in!(2.048 gig total RAM)

Zinn, you have enough HD to go dual boot? That was my solution, since my wife refuses to learn linux! I upgraded to dual HD and run them as a dual boot system, with C Drive for Windows and D for linux, 500gig each. I still use thew windows side myself for audio and video apps, but for hard number crunching and most other stuff, I use Ubuntu linux in terminal. Man it's a hot system that way, especially with paired AMD 64 processors! The biggest problem I had was configuring the linux to recognize all that HD Space and the addidtional RAM I dropped in!(2.048 gig total RAM)
I am dual booting on this box, I just hate booting to Windows because I run server / folding apps in Linux that it interrupts. I really just don't like using Windows if I can avoid it. Windows assumes I am an idiot which infuriates me (I take stupid things personally)

Sounds like you have a nice rig though. I did up until I sold one of the HDs and two of the video cards to pay off some bills.

I am dual booting on this box, I just hate booting to Windows because I run server / folding apps in Linux that it interrupts. I really just don't like using Windows if I can avoid it. Windows assumes I am an idiot which infuriates me (I take stupid things personally)

Sounds like you have a nice rig though. I did up until I sold one of the HDs and two of the video cards to pay off some bills.
I agree 100% on the Microcrud OS's in general! You know the joke about OS's and airlines?

If Microsoft was an airline, you'd get to 30,000 feet and the plane would explode...in addition, your parachute wouldn't open unless you had service pack two installed!:eek:

If Linux was an airline, all the passengers would show up on the runway with aircraft parts and build the plane right on the runway... It mightr not be real fancy, and might need some tweaks here and there, but it WILL work!http://forum.gamestar.de/gspinboard/images/smilies/muhaha.gif

Computer user since 1990. Mac user since 1991.

I have been useing windows since they sat me in front of one in 5th grade computer class (1998), But I am about to make the switch to MAC this spring when i get my new computer for college. Im just saving my money so i can buy the best thing on the market right when i leave for college.

I have been using mac since the 512K - ya, that long! :p I was 8 or 9 if I remember right.

I have a G4 powerbook now, and looking into the new macpro's, although I do use windblows sometimes (I have a 3.0GHz quad (dual dual) core Xeon System with 4 GB FB-DRAM, and 1 TB storage), but I perfer mac 100%. There is almost nothing now you can not do on a mac that is avalable for PC (except maybe mathcad for one) - the main reason for a pc.

I :love: Mac!

I've been a Mac user since 1989 -- went from a Mac Plus to LC475 to beige G3 desktop to Pismo Powerbook. I recently replaced my beloved but dying Pismo with a black MacBook (yes, I fell the colour scam), and am enjoying it except for two things: the clicker is smushy and my built-in iSight camera has stopped working. I still much prefer using a Mac, but have lost the rabid love that I had for them in the mid-to-late 90s when I was swept up in the Mac evangelist movement and was a loyal attack dog for Guy Kawasaki's EvangeList.

Or it could just be that bikes have replaced Macs as my primary objects of desire :)

I agree 100% on the Microcrud OS's in general! You know the joke about OS's and airlines?

If Microsoft was an airline, you'd get to 30,000 feet and the plane would explode...in addition, your parachute wouldn't open unless you had service pack two installed!:eek:

If Linux was an airline, all the passengers would show up on the runway with aircraft parts and build the plane right on the runway... It mightr not be real fancy, and might need some tweaks here and there, but it WILL work!http://forum.gamestar.de/gspinboard/images/smilies/muhaha.gif


The line about the Mac airline is that all the stewards, stewardesses, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look the same, act the same, and talk the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are told you don't need to know, don't want to know, and would you please return to your seat and watch the movie.

In 1988, I bought my first Mac. It was an SE, and it cost $2,750 (state of the art then). I also bought a massive (!) 30 meg external hard drive that cost another $750. I also bought a screaming 300 baud modem. I also bought a laserwriter II NT that cost $3,500! I am still using the laserwriter (300 dpi) today, and it has 98,000 copies on it. Works like a charm. My SE is packed away in my closet. I can't bear to part with it. Prices sure have come down!

I am now using an iMac, which I like very much, but it is five years old and way behind the times. My daughter will be attending college this fall, and I am thinking of getting her an Apple laptop. I called a dealer, and he said it would run around $1,200, including a wireless feature and two operating systems -- mac and windows. My only fear is that she will leave it on a park bench -- she is kind of forgetful. I understand some laptops have a feature where they can track down a lost laptop. Does this sound like a decent price?

Arch linux is teh bomb. Pacman owns all. The end. Part two.
trmcgeehan, I bet you could use a really stripped down linux distro and have it stream mp3s. Of course it'll cost you more to use in power than it's worth, but hey, it's cool. :D

Get a bigger HD and Doo ettt! (http://www.jagshouse.com/Linuxm68k.html)

Arch linux is teh bomb. Pacman owns all. The end. Part two.
trmcgeehan, I bet you could use a really stripped down linux distro and have it stream mp3s. Of course it'll cost you more to use in power than it's worth, but hey, it's cool. :D

Get a bigger HD and Doo ettt! (http://www.jagshouse.com/Linuxm68k.html)
Agreed, slackware or real tiny linux might be an option!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_37.gif

I have been using mac since the 512K - ya, that long! :p I was 8 or 9 if I remember right.


My first computer was pre-Mac, an Apple ][c. My brothers were all better at the games we had for that thing, so I'd just hack into them and put my name at the top of the high-scores list.

I guess I grew up with macs, and had one myself at home until a few years ago when it quit working - after that, I didn't bother with a home PC for a while, it didn't seem necessary since I could bring my (Windows) work laptop home when I needed to. Then, about a year ago, a friend told me she didn't want her computer any more because it had so many viruses it wouldn't even boot right (you guessed it, a Windows machine. A pretty good one too, for basic use.) So I took it, wiped it, and installed Linux.

I guess I'm happy with Linux, and I don't mind all the tinkering it takes (I'm learning a lot.) I'd probably be happy with a Mac too, but it wouldn't really be all that relevant since all my work computing is on Windows (or very rarely, Linux.)

So, I'm just gonna come right out and say that I don't have any sort of OS preference. I'm happy on anything, and I think I understand the problems and limitations of each platform well enough to still get use out of each. This will probably piss a lot of people off, or lead to people making conclusions about my tiny intellect, but I don't really mind working on Windows every day in the office. If I had to buy a brand new computer, I'd probably get a low-end mac. If I could assemble from scratch for my next machine, I'd just do another Linux box.

I have been using mac since the 512K - ya, that long! :p I was 8 or 9 if I remember right.

Whoa, you guys were RICH. My first Mac was a 128K Plus, but I didn't settle for the basic model - I upgraded it with an external floppy drive (and in doing that, doubled the disk space since there was no HD). It was in a completely different league compared to my first computer, which was a Sinclair Spectrum 16K. The games in Mac left me staring in awe, particularly "Captain Magneto", where characters actually talked to you using the MacInTalk speech synthesis.

Nowadays, I use Linux (SuSe) at home and Window$ at work.

--J

Zinn, you have enough HD to go dual boot? That was my solution, since my wife refuses to learn linux! I upgraded to dual HD and run them as a dual boot system, with C Drive for Windows and D for linux, 500gig each. I still use thew windows side myself for audio and video apps, but for hard number crunching and most other stuff, I use Ubuntu linux in terminal. Man it's a hot system that way, especially with paired AMD 64 processors! The biggest problem I had was configuring the linux to recognize all that HD Space and the addidtional RAM I dropped in!(2.048 gig total RAM)

+1 on Ubuntu...

- one way to enjoy the benefits of good software if you must use Software From Satan™ is to delete as many MS clients off a fresh install as possible, then roll Cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com) onto the system (very easy to do, btw if you have broadband, and no repartitioning is required)... you can then put X on the system and you have X running on top of your box...

- if you have another Linux or *BSD boxen on your lan, you can then put a KDE or GNOME menu on top of your Windows desktop:

ssh -X my_remote_box
[login]
kicker <- for KDE
gnome-panel <- for GNOME

Linux: It's All Good!™

I am a former Mac user. Don't get me wrong, I think Macs are OK. However, a combination of personal interests, career path, and poor customer service from Apple has unconverted me.

Been a novice Linux user for a while now. Still learning, but becoming more comfortable with it every day. As far as the devil (M$), I use it when I must.

First Mac was the Classic. sold that to a friend who used it in his recording biz; now he's got a way better set up. I then got a PM7100/66 with 15" monitor and laser printer. That got me through grad. school and my stepdaughter through college. I gave it to a friend so he could give it to somebody else.

I've bought two Bondi iMacs, upgraded one to G4 with 500meg RAM and 30gB HD. Then got a Rev. A iLamp G4 iMac; stepdaughter has that one. Got the Rev. A G5 iMac with 2gB of ram, BT, wireless. Life is good. So good I haven't bothered to get Tiger yet.

My wife just HAD to have a windows laptop so I got her one. She hardly ever touches it; prefers the Mac.

I have the Airport basestation connected to the cable modem in the garage. The printers are connected to the iMac and the Dell prints wirelessly. The iMac is never turned off so that works best. I bought an Express and connected it to my main stereo rig. I can stream music across the house.

I will most likely be getting a new iMac in the next 6 months. My wife is due for a new computer tax write-off. My other stepdaughter will likely get the G5 iMac; she does a lot of photo stuff and her husband's pc is total crap.

The line about the Mac airline is that all the stewards, stewardesses, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look the same, act the same, and talk the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are told you don't need to know, don't want to know, and would you please return to your seat and watch the movie.
Thanks, I couldn't remember that part and didn't want to misquote!:D

It was the windows OS that I got tired of. I tried looking into Linux and realized I was way in over my head. Went and head and opted for the MacBook Pro RIGHT when it was released and waited 6 weeks for it to show. It came, it saw, it conquered. Girlfriend fell in love with it and wanted to still it so we got her one too. I have to say that the interface is real easy to operate.

Whoever said it was harder going from Windows to OSX is a moron.

+1 on Ubuntu...

- one way to enjoy the benefits of good software if you must use Software From Satan™ is to delete as many MS clients off a fresh install as possible, then roll Cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com) onto the system (very easy to do, btw if you have broadband, and no repartitioning is required)... you can then put X on the system and you have X running on top of your box...

- if you have another Linux or *BSD boxen on your lan, you can then put a KDE or GNOME menu on top of your Windows desktop:

ssh -X my_remote_box
[login]
kicker <- for KDE
gnome-panel <- for GNOME

Linux: It's All Good!™
I've got the Gnome desktop on the linux side, but it's actually easier for me to not use the GUI and just run in terminal most of the time! Feels like the old DOS days and Unix days!http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7355/00173ev.gif

It was the windows OS that I got tired of. I tried looking into Linux and realized I was way in over my head. Went and head and opted for the MacBook Pro RIGHT when it was released and waited 6 weeks for it to show. It came, it saw, it conquered. Girlfriend fell in love with it and wanted to still it so we got her one too. I have to say that the interface is real easy to operate.

Whoever said it was harder going from Windows to OSX is a moron.
Key to going from Windows to Linux, just for future reference.....
1) Linux isn't Windows, that was the biggest issue I had was I tried to treat it like it was!
2) Linux isn't Windows
3) Refer to 1 and 2! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_37.gif

i currently own:

Plus
SE (x2)
Classic II (x2)
Color Classic
Mac TV
IIcx
IIci
IIsi (x2)
IIfx
Quadra 650
6100/60 AV
7300/180
Umax S900
PowerTowerPro

Duo 230
Duo 280
PowerBook 5300ce

Newton Message Pad
Newton Message Pad 110

QuickTake 100

and a //c.

there may be more stuff kicking around. not sure.

o/c, i'm posting this on an AMD/Win XP Pro system, fwiw.

Do you still use the Newton?

I have been tempted many a times to get a Mac since OSX debuted but have always retreated back to my FreeBSD homebrews. To be honest, I really don't like the Aqua interface. I prefer to roll my own. And starting with a FreeBSD base gives me the freedom to customise my environment and my system to the way I like it.

That said, I'm of course a big believer in Macs (especially for the masses) because of their now unix lineage. Of all my home systems, the most prevalent are Solaris and *BSD (FreeBSD on x86 platforms, OpenBSD for security-sensitive platforms, NetBSD on obscure hardware). I also have what some might consider the predecessor to the current OSX based Macs... a NeXTCUBE. I do have a couple of Windows boxens... mainly because I need to run Visio.

As for linux, I don't run it on my general purpose machines but I do have a bunch of embedded linux platforms such as my Wi-Fi controller box, my TiVo, my Sharp SL-5500 PDA and a slew of embedded linux reference platforms that I use to develop routers and network appliances.

Curiously enough, the one Windows-based platform I use the most often is my Windows Mobile 5 based phone (HTC Faraday aka Cingular 2125).

Do you still use the Newton?

not really; both the Message Pad and MP 110 are pretty much toys. the software is so limited, they just aren't much use.

now, if i could score a MP 2100 or an eMate, i'd be in hog heaven.

I have been tempted many a times to get a Mac since OSX debuted but have always retreated back to my FreeBSD homebrews. To be honest, I really don't like the Aqua interface. I prefer to roll my own. And starting with a FreeBSD base gives me the freedom to customise my environment and my system to the way I like it.

That said, I'm of course a big believer in Macs (especially for the masses) because of their now unix lineage. Of all my home systems, the most prevalent are Solaris and *BSD (FreeBSD on x86 platforms, OpenBSD for security-sensitive platforms, NetBSD on obscure hardware). I also have what some might consider the predecessor to the current OSX based Macs... a NeXTCUBE. I do have a couple of Windows boxens... mainly because I need to run Visio.

As for linux, I don't run it on my general purpose machines but I do have a bunch of embedded linux platforms such as my Wi-Fi controller box, my TiVo, my Sharp SL-5500 PDA and a slew of embedded linux reference platforms that I use to develop routers and network appliances.

Curiously enough, the one Windows-based platform I use the most often is my Windows Mobile 5 based phone (HTC Faraday aka Cingular 2125).

Run the Mac from the Terminal. I check out the command-line sites for OS X and get commands on tweaking the system, changing Aqua, etc. Tons of stuff out there. IIRC, you can download Darwin and run different UI shells on top, but don't quote me on that. Most of the command line stuff is too deep for me; I like to make the shell window transparent so I can see the lines I need to type in from the browser.

Family computers that I considered predominantly "mine":

Mac SE (connected to our laser printer and file sharing network, now doing bookkeeping for my dad's office)
Performa 6300 (gathering dust)

My own computers:

PowerMac 8600/250 (in storage in case I ever again need its analog video in/out or my SCSI scanner)
PowerBook Duo 230 (bought used, installed updated OS over a network, used until it wouldn't start up)
PowerBook G3 ("Lombard", 400 MHz, on "permanent loan" from a company I consult for, now used mostly for web surfing)
iMac G5 (17", 1.8 GHz, my primary computer)

My dad told me he'd buy me a new laptop for my birthday back in June. But I'm holding out for a Merom-based MacBook Pro.

I've heard the MeromBook Pro would be coming out possible in October when Apple has another Keynote speech in Paris but thats just rumors.

Could some of y'all post up screenshots of your Linux GUI's? I'm curious to see how they look.

I've heard the MeromBook Pro would be coming out possible in October when Apple has another Keynote speech in Paris but thats just rumors.
It had better come out by September, or else I'll probably end up waiting for the next gen motherboard with a faster front side bus that's due out in Spring 2007. I don't need a new laptop, so I can hold out a long time if I keep sniffing something better "just around the corner".

Could some of y'all post up screenshots of your Linux GUI's? I'm curious to see how they look.
These aren't off a linux box but they're from a unix box...

My main desktop: Solaris/SPARC running on a dual headed Sun Ultra2/2300. Window manager is fvwm2 with a lot of customisation. The desktop environment is Gnome2. And I'm also running a bunch of WindowMaker dockapps.

display :0.0
http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/2003_03_20_163114_shot.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/2003_03_20_163114_shot.sized.jpg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/xine_screenshot_2.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/xine_screenshot_2.jpg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/2003_09_28_125713_shot.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/2003_09_28_125713_shot.sized.jpg)

display :0.1
http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_2_0_1.thumb.jpeg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_2_0_1.sized.jpeg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_1_0_1.thumb.jpeg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_1_0_1.sized.jpeg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_3_0_1.thumb.jpeg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/espresso_3_0_1.sized.jpeg)


My laptop running FreeBSD. Windowing environment is set up similarly to my desktop.
http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_0_0_20041201.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_0_0_20041201.sized.jpg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_neebu_net_2004_01_04_074606_shot.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_neebu_net_2004_01_04_074606_shot.sized.jpg) http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_neebu_net_2004_01_04_075315_shot.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/mocha_neebu_net_2004_01_04_075315_shot.sized.jpg)

[Continued in next post]

Here's a recent addition to my stash of machines. This screenshot is off my "guest" laptop. This is a laptop I loan out to people who are visiting me and didn't happen to bring their own laptop but want to hop on to check email and browse and such. It's an old IBM ThinkPad X21 (ultraportable). It sports a 600MHz Pentium-III, 192MB of RAM, 10GB HD and a 12" display. I stuck a cheapo 802.11b wireless card I had laying around in it. It's loaded with a stock install of FreeSBIE (http://www.freesbie.org/)-1.1 LiveCD. This is a FreeBSD-5.3R distro with a bunch of goodies all wrapped into an ISO that can be run on a diskless machine. It's similar to the idea behind the Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.org) Linux distro. However, you can also choose to install it to the HD if you want. It's a quick way to build a fully working out-of-the-box FreeBSD laptop. The install took me less than half an hour. I just popped the CD in, hit the enter key a few times and off it went. The window manager is XFCE4 (FreeSBIE also comes with Fluxbox) and I'm running both Gnome and KDE servers underneath to support any apps that need those. Running FreeBSD makes this pretty snappy for such a relatively old and limited machine. Windows 2000 was a dog on this thing. And XP was simply painful.

http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/Ovaltine_0_0_1.sized.png (http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/Ovaltine_0_0_1.png)

This second set of screenshots are from my Cingular 2125 phone running Windows Mobile 5. I've highly customised it which is fairly easy to do since all the screens and such are configured via XML.

http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/Travelmug_homescreen.png http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/Travelmug_start.png http://www.neebu.net/%7Ekhuon/albums/screenshots/Travelmug_pocketplayer.png

I noticed that you have Terminal open on just about every screen shot. Any reason why?

I noticed that you have Terminal open on just about every screen shot. Any reason why?

I do most of my work through a shell prompt. Menus, buttons and icons can be too limiting...

We're getting a Mac Pro at work soon.

Could some of y'all post up screenshots of your Linux GUI's? I'm curious to see how they look.

Click (http://www.box.net/public/rc453jjijy) me (http://www.box.net/public/3ubdrr399z).

A pic of my linux desktop (1920x1200)
http://www.zinn-x.com/temp/linux-thumb.jpg (http://www.zinn-x.com/temp/linux.jpg)

This thread has made me seriously want a Mac Mini. I think I'm going to trade my current PC in on one next month when I have the time. Then I can play with Windows, Linux AND OS X on one machine! :D

A pic of my linux desktop (1920x1200)
http://www.zinn-x.com/temp/linux-thumb.jpg (http://www.zinn-x.com/temp/linux.jpg)

This thread has made me seriously want a Mac Mini. I think I'm going to trade my current PC in on one next month when I have the time. Then I can play with Windows, Linux AND OS X on one machine! :D
Awesome desktop...definetly grab a mini, to cheap not to.

On another note, any websites where I can learn how to operate out of Terminal?

Awesome desktop...definetly grab a mini, to cheap not to.

I'd recommend this book.... On another note, any websites where I can learn how to operate out of Terminal?
Click the picture...

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/covers/1565924274_cat.gif (http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/unixnut3/)

If you want to dive into the guts of BSD then try The Design and Implementation of the 4.4 BSD Operating System (http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/design-44bsd/index.html).

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0201702452.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201702452/102-1848325-5872148?v=glance&n=283155)

Awesome desktop...definetly grab a mini, to cheap not to.
I want to get the cheapest mini, and then trick it out by upgrading the ram, hard drive and CPU far beyond what Apple would do for a higher price.

The fastest mini you can get from Apple is
Core Duo 1.667 ghz
2 gigs DDR2-5300
120 gigabyte 5200 RPM SATA drive
(all for around $1200)

The fastest mini I can make is
Core Duo 2.11 ghz (+500 mhz)
2 gigs DDR2-5300
120 gigabyte 7200 RPM SATA drive (as opposed to painfully slow 5200)

This would cost $1100 up front, but selling the Core Solo 1.5, a 60 gig drive and 2x256 DDR2 should net around $300. Oof! Of course with Intel set to release the Core 2 Duo for laptops at any moment now, it might be smarter to stick with the Core (1) Solo just one month longer....

Apple's warranties are crap anyway so I wouldn't have a second thought about voiding it!

Make sure you have enough juice in the power supply for the 7200 RPM drive. (Haven't looked into this myself.) And enough cooling. (Again, haven't looked into this.)