OSS for Macintosh

[Daleus]

Well my boss dropped a nice new MacBook on my desk a couple of weeks ago and told me I will soon be supporting them.

So, I know there are Mac users out there (hiding behind their PC facades) - can you point in the direction of some decent software? Or blogs that deal with such? Or technical troubleshooting sites specific to Mac? Or whatever you think I will need for this adventure?

Thanks loads!

[Edvard]

2 things off the top of my head...

Apple has their own freeware/open source software portal:
http://www.apple.com...sx/unix_open_source/

The Fink Project makes a large portion of the Linux/Unix goodies available for Mac OSX:
http://www.finkproject.org/

As far as support, I have no clue what the best would be.

[40hz]

Here's how we do a Macintosh "jump start" at my company.

---------------------------
Prerequisites:

1. Hie thee over to Amazon and do a search on: Apple Training Series.

2. Have your company score you a copy of the latest editions of:

• Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Support Essentials
  
  
• Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Deployment
  
  
• Apple Training Series: Desktop and Portable Systems
  
  

3. (optional) If you have a decent UNIX background, also check out this O'Reilly title: Mac OS X For Unix Geeks

------------------

Then do the "JumpStart Boogie":

• Get permission (if you need it) to take the MacBook home over a long weekend
  
  
• Stock up on your "favorite poison" and some healthy snacks
  
  
• Give each of the books a quick skim
  
  
• Buckle in, get working.* Do focused topic reading as needed.
  (* Mess with it, Break it. Reinstall it. Play with it!)
  

By the end of the weekend you'll be more knowledgeable than 75% of the people calling themselves "experts on the Macintosh." After you get 3-6 months worth of 'live' support experience, you'll blow the doors off 90% of them.

Luck!


<Edit:> Almost forgot to mention the most important thing. Be sure to have fun while you're doing all this. For all their shortcomings, Macintosh computers are interesting devices, even if you ultimately decide they're "really not your thing."

[ewemoa]

I found the following to be of some use:

  http://www.macports.org/
  http://osx.iusethis.com/

[Daleus]

Thank's folks!

I was able to add a few more sites to my growing list;)

40hz, thanks for the advice.  Yeah, I pretty much get to do what I want with this laptop, as long as I am learning about it. I have already ordered the Mac Support Essentials book you recommended, as well as another from O'Reilly that have been recommended. Interesting to see the Deployment and "Desktop and Portable" book as well.  I may have to get them as well, as issues of deployment are involved in this project, and they involve ahem desktops and portables

When they arrive, the breaking of the MacBook will commence!

As for the shortcomings of the Mac - well so far, they've been limited by my limitations..heheheh. I still looking for Windoze warez replacements for the Mac, and still trying to assimilate keyboard shortcuts and other things that become ingrained from the Windows world.

My biggest observation so far, as limited as it is, is that this Mac reminds me a *whole* lot of my Amiga days. Sigh...I must not think too hard on those days or I will get all teary

Thanks again folks!

Daleus