OFFTOPIC Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Parallel thinking
Adam Barbary
home at adambarbary.com
Wed Jun 18 21:26:23 EST 2008
I currently use a MacBook, and have not experienced any of the
problems mentioned earlier. This is my first Mac, and my MacBook is a
private model, purchased in October last year. I don't consider myself
a Mac "fanboi", the reason I bought a MacBook was that it was a known
variable when it comes to running Linux :) OSX is nice for noobs
though. Given that users will now have to move to Vista should they
choose the PC based laptops, I would suggest that it is a great time
to shift to Mac. If you have to learn a new interface, then why not
use one that doesn't suffer from virus and malware like Windows does?
However, I don't recommend dual booting, and instead recommend that
users opt for VMWare Fusion, then they can keep XP in a box. It's
quick and easy providing the best of both worlds, especially for
software from those companies who don't have the resources to port to
Mac. My main concern is how much RAM will be supplied with the
MacBooks. Does anyone know yet? I find that 512MB of RAM for the
Windows VM works a charm (I have 4GB of system RAM) as it saves
quickly and there is no performance lag.
As far as support goes at my school, we are a Microsoft shop with
Novell servers. However 2 out of the 3 IT support personnel use Macs
with Windows in a VM. We are in no way promoting a shift to Mac, but
are pro choice for those teachers who want to give it a go. As I
said, best thing is, by running VMs, the teachers get both Mac and XP.
Some other benefits of a MacBook I have found...
Better Wifi (N spec) (my home network, the schools are still G)
Faster processor
Excellent battery life (plus the Magsafe power connector)
Auto video switching when connecting to external displays (IWBs etc.)
although the external connect is a PITA.
Two finger touchpad (this is like the wow we all got when the scroll
wheel came out)
File viewing at the touch of the spacebar without launching an app.
You can see what is in that word doc without starting word.
Sure, stick with Windows if you don't adjust to change well (although
with the forced move to Vista, you'll get little comfort there), but I
reckon that there is a lot to be gained by a shift at the moment.
My ￥2
Adam Barbary
LOTE Japanese / Curriculum Software support.
Viewbank College
On 18/06/2008, at 5:37 PM, Meadows, Roslyn M wrote:
> Hi Robyn
>
> As DEECD offers the option of the MacBook I don't know whether you can
> prevent staff from choosing that option, and in fact I believe you
> MUST
> offer the choice AND the support to those who use macs.
>
> Staff at Bentleigh have been using department provided macs since 2000
> (remember the pretty bubblegum coloured ones??) with little support
> from
> the tech. Everything works, there are never any problems with them and
> considering the large numbers of mac users (about 25%) there is
> rarely a
> problem, compared to the several IBM's that we are forced to fix each
> day. Most staff who use the macs got them because they also got a free
> iPod, not because they were mac enthusiasts.
>
> I have emailed the notebook team to clarify the DEECD view on whether
> staff can choose (even if the school says no macs) and whether support
> should be given for those who choose macs.
>
> Cheers
> Ros
>
> Roslyn Meadows
> Head of ICT Implementation
> Head of Assessment and Reporting
> Bentleigh Secondary College
> | 9579 1044 | 0412 614 062 |
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email
> In some cases, all it requires is that you rationally point out that
> there is a problem.
> In others, all you can do is turn the other cheek.
> At the far end of the spectrum are those for whom the only appropriate
> response is to carve out their still-beating heart and force them to
> eat
> it. (Marc Carlson)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Robyn Dunn
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 5:04 PM
> To: itapps at edulists.com.au
> Subject: RE: OFFTOPIC Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Parallel thinking
>
> Just wanted to share with you something we have decided on. We are
> going
> to allow one person to be a guinea pig and let them have a Mac,
> something we have never allowed before. We will get them to sign a
> waiver saying we can't guarantee full functionality with our network
> (although we are fairly sure it will be OK) and see how it goes. I'll
> let everyone here know how it goes in about 6 months!
>
> Ms Robyn Dunn
> ICT Co-Ordinator
> Camberwell High School
> email: du at camhigh.vic.edu.au
> phone: 98360555
> fax: 98360194
> Please consider carefully before printing this email.
>
>
>>>> "Meadows, Roslyn M" <Meadows.Roslyn.M at edumail.vic.gov.au> 06/18/08
> 4:49 PM >>>
> Mark
>
> Did you have the MacBook or the previous iBook?
>
> The MacBook was only first released in the rollout of March last year,
> staff who are coming up for renewals now have the iBook.
>
> The MacBook is a long way ahead of the iBook as it is intel based, it
> has an eject key, page up etc keys, and the delete key works for me,
> and
> there are about 4 ways of right clicking. I have had no problems
> accessing wireless anywhere or anytime (school, cafes, airports etc)
> In
> fact I have had none of the problems you discuss.
>
> Maybe you were holding it upside down??? Lol
>
> I just know that to use my MacBook is a pleasure in every way. It's
> like
> driving a brand new BMW! The blinkers may be on the wrong side but you
> eventually get used to it! And then you find it hard to go back...
>
> Cheers
> Ros
>
> Roslyn Meadows
> Head of ICT Implementation
> Head of Assessment and Reporting
> Bentleigh Secondary College
> | 9579 1044 | 0412 614 062 |
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 8:45 AM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: OFFTOPIC Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Parallel thinking
>
> Hi all. This thread is offtopic, but as long as it doesn't hang
> around
> long we can live with it.
>
> While I'm here, I had a Macbook in the last rollout but have
> reverted to
>
> a PC:
>
> - I detest the Macbook dwarf keyboard (no true DELETE key [it's
> actually
>
> a backspace], no PGUP or PGDN etc, Control in the wrong place). I had
> to use a utility to remap keys to give me proper functionality.
> - The lack of a proper right-click
> -The way it shows every mark on its pristine white skin
> -The lack of hard disk space on each partition when dual-booting
> -The OS melt-downs (3 times in 6 months the whole Windows partition
> turned into tapioca)
> -And finally, the overheating which jams optical disks in the drive
> and
> refuses to eject them until it cools down! Of course a manual eject
> button would spoil the sexy look, the drive is not user-removable, and
> there isn't even an emergency eject hole for the paperclip manoeuvre.
> - And I never really needed the Mac side anyway
> - It amused me how Filemaker 8.5 would not run under Leopard, while
> Windows ran it fine
> - Installing Leopard instantly killed wireless access through Edupass
> - There was no Office 2007 for Mac
>
> I'm a happier camper now I've thrown off this Mac tendency, and a
> few of
>
> our Macbook staff are reverting to a Lenovo on the next rollout.
>
>
> Jock Garnsworthy wrote:
>> If you think about it, there is no choice !
>> I converted to mac in the last rollout cos I got a free Ipod - still
>> going strong.
>> Best marketing strategy for yonks.
>> Apple have it all covered.
>> Best of all worlds.
>> Have used Virtual PC for markbook, access and VB. YUK very slow and
> clunky.
>> Now with Parallels who can argue !
>>
>> Can't wait for the rollout to actually happen.
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Jock
>> __________________________
>> Jock Garnsworthy
>> Pasco St.
>> Williamstown High School
>> (03)93971899
>>
>>
>>
>> On 17/6/08 4:28 PM, "Russo, Frank R"
> <Russo.Frank.R at edumail.vic.gov.au>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I have always taught on Windows PC's and have only been exposed to
>> iMAC in the classroom this year I do remember teaching databases
> on
>> an Apple IIe but that was many moons ago.
>>
>> I have always opted for the Apple option with the Laptop Program
> and
>> have had no problems being able to do everything I have needed to
>> except for Visual Basic.
>>
>> Now with Parallels even that will be taken care of.
>>
>> Welcome to the club !!!
>>
>> As my schools Notebook Rep there seems to be a swing amongst staff
>> over to Apple (especially those whose Thinkpad died on a monthly
> basis)
>>
>>
>> Frank Russo
>> ICT ~ Teaching & Learning
>> Monterey Secondary College
>>
>>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
>> [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Roland
> Gesthuizen
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, 17 June 2008 3:54 PM
>> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List; eLearning
>> mailing list
>> *Subject:* [Year 12 IT Apps] Parallel thinking
>>
>>
>> With the current round of notebooks for DEECD teaching staff, and
>> after many years teaching VCE IT with Toshiba, ACER, IBM and then
>> Levono laptops, I have decided to opt for the Apple notebook
> option.
>> Last week I was really impressed with a colleague running
> Parallels
>> who was able to seamlessly switch between OSX to XP applications
> (or
>> Ubuntu Linux) using a little used feature called Coherence.
>> link to a blog entry with details about this feature
>>
> <http://lifehacker.com/software/parallels/hack-attack-how-to-run-windows
> -and-mac-apps-sidebyside-with-parallels-221002.php>
>>
>>
>> It didn't really matter what operating system we use .. shift
>> happens. I saw this myself at the VITTA conference last year after
> a
>> day long session demonstrating programming with Python in the
> Apple
>> lab. It didn't matter. A lighter weight and better design are also
>> factors I am considering .. bluetooth, perhaps Apple iPhone
>> integration??
>>
>>
>>
>> With due dignity to all users and systems, I do not wish to turn
>> this into a mac / windows flame or debate about incremental
>> advantages. Jokes about one or two button mice mean nothing when
>> both systems plug and play just about anything you throw at them.
>>
>> Somebody once described this to me as how we learn to play chess.
> It
>> doesn't matter if your pieces are made of finely crafted glass or
>> bottle tops. It doesn't matter if the chess board is made of ivory
>> or newspaper. What matters more is the game that you play.
>>
>> Is anybody thinking along the same path?
>>
>> Regards Roland
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
> School Phone +613 8520 9000
> School Fax +613 95789253
> kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>
> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
> IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
>
> A conclusion is the place where you got sick of thinking.
> If you Declare War - is it integer or boolean?
>
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> Teachers Association Inc
>
> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
> received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before
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> Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the
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> _______________________________________________
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> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/
> itapplications3-4.html -
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
>
> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
> received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before
> opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects.
> Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the
> negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly
> from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to
> resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or
> opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not
> necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood
> Development.
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/
> itapplications3-4.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
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