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Finding an Alternative to Mac OS X

bitcannon.net

61–70 of 342 posts

Re: Finding an Alternative to Mac OS X

#61

If a Macbook sshing into your work computer is good enough, why isn't a Windows laptop sshing into your work computer?

Ideally I'd only need a single computer and there are goals like being about view/edit the source code of my OS/apps that Windows doesn't tick. Still as mentioned in other comments I'm getting a Windows 2-in-1 later in the year so can try it then.

Re: Finding an Alternative to Mac OS X

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The key is gone. The touchbar can be set to always show virtual function keys, though. Not the best option if you touch type, of course.

The ESC key being missing gets blown out of proportion. Every time I hit it, I'm amazed at how it just works. Apple has made it so hitting any where in that vicinity basically triggers the ESC.

The key not physically being there is unnerving. There's no tactile feedback, _unlike every other key on the keybord_. As a touch typist, I found this extremely distracting during the week that I tried out the MBP 2016. Not every attempt to hit Esc worked, so I found myself constantly and instinctively hitting it 2-3 times "just to be sure", and then also constantly glancing down to see whether in fact I was aiming right. That's not great UI.

Another problem with the touch bar is unintended touches. I constantly found myself accidentally resting a finger on the Esc key, which of course caused all sorts of weirdness in various apps.

Finally, as a touch typist the touch bar was simply distracting. I never look at the keyboard, but the touch bar really wants you to look down, which is a source of distraction, especially when it changes contents in the periphery of your vision.

If the touch bar brought lots of utility, I might have learned to deal with it, but it is really is of limited value. Emojis? There's cmd-ctrl-space for that (the touch bar doesn't have search so you'll be scrolling a lot to hunt down the right emoji). Safari tab previews? They're idiotically tiny. And so on.

Re: Finding an Alternative to Mac OS X

#67

I think most people prefer Windows or MacOS. When I talk to normal/non-techies about this issue, they often see it as a non-issue and/or terrifying. Why not help Windows and Mac users by writing more software for the preferred environments? Installing a foreign operating system is like installing a different language on your PC. You must have other motivation than normal users.

Why doesn't Microsoft let people control updates or antivirus options? These questions run deep.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/medical-equipment-crashes-dur...

Re: Finding an Alternative to Mac OS X

#70
post #56
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I switched to Windows hoping to use the WSL - looks great for the most part, but there are still lots of blocking bugs. Ruby and Git install, but not OpenSSL, which makes Rails development difficult. Lots of niggles here and there, basically. Should be great when it comes out of beta, though - a good terminal and we'll be all set.

If you haven't tried ConEmu [0], it's pretty awesome. I use it with the Git Bash that comes with the full windows git installer and it Just Works for most of my terminal needs. Haven't tried it with WSL but it can most likely be rigged up. [0] https://conemu.github.io/

I use conemu with WSL... it's the best one available for Windows, but it still pales in comparison to the default macOS terminal, and even the one that ships with Elementary. The customziation, tabs, layout, fonts all work fine but seem a bit bolted on.
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