Re: [WinMac] Don't you ever get enough of this? (was: Email Choices)

Tim Scoff(casper[at]nb.net)
Tue, 23 Mar 1999 12:17:14 -0500

At 10:27 AM 3/23/99 , you wrote:
> Well Dan,
>
> It seems you have a very hard time looking past the 'cool package'.
> What do you mean by 'rugged & reliable' anyway, do you wanna take it
> out to the ballpark? I'd like some arguments on this, so we can have a
> fruitful discussion, rather then some semi-juvenile prejudices.
>

        Unfortunately I have to agree with him. When I install a server I
want a hardware RAID controller, enough room internally for at least 6 hard
drives, and hot swappable drives. I also would like to have at least 6 PCI
slots for extra RAID controllers and network cards. Multiple internal
modems for low end servers are another feature that I can't get with a Mac
server. Another nice feature is the ability to disconnect the mouse,
keyboard, and monitor from the PC servers and lock them in a closet.
        With Apple's current product line you are limited to 3 PCI slots
(ok, that's a second NIC and 2 SCSI cards.), 1 or 2 internal hard drives,
no hot-swap capability, & no hardware RAID. Plus the Mac doesn't support
multi homing across multiple NICs, so I can't have redundant network
controllers. And let's not even talk about multiple, hot-swappable power
supplies.
        Then you need to start looking at the Mac OS (NOT Mac OS X, but
every other one) as a server OS and you find some major faults also. Those
faults make it a better OS for a desktop user, but a worse OS for a server
for the most part, so I am very happy with them. However the point remains
that the Mac was not designed for multiple users to be accessing it at the
same time. It was designed for a single user. Try accessing a Mac Server
when someone is sitting at the server with the mouse button held down. It
can not be done because the OS sits there and waits for the mouse button to
be released before processing any other command. On NT this results in
dialog boxes and messages (I administer a network) popping up when you're
using the mouse and popping to the front of the screen, disrupting your
work. For a workstation that is terrible, but for a server where everyone
needs equal access at the same time it gives ever process access to the CPU.

        My point isn't that the Mac isn't a great computer with an even
better OS. My point is that the Mac OS is not designed as a server and
neither is Apple's hardware. They are designed as desktop workstations and
are great workstations. They aren't designed as servers, so there are some
weaknesses.

> Do you really need to use every opportunity you can (or can't) get to
> rant & and rave off topic towards Steve Jobs and where he's steering
> Apple? Just because he axed something (clones) you had just advised to
> some of your customers. C'mon, everyone saw that one coming a wile
> away.
>

        P.S. I am a fan of Steve Jobs. He's doing some wonderful things
for Apple and he's keeping the Mac OS going.

> Apart from that, thanks for all the useful comments.
> Regards,
>
> Pascal Nieuwland
> Macintosh systems administrator
> Packaging Technology, World-wide
> Cordis, Johnson & Johnson
>
> per address:
> Oosteinde 8
> 9301 LJ Roden
> The Netherlands
>
> phone: +31 50 50 22 488
> fax: +31 50 50 22 409
> home phone: +31 50 58 90 540
> email: pnieuwla@crdnl.jnj.com
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> "You think it's a conspiracy by the networks to put bad shows on TV.
> But the shows are bad because that's what people want. It's not like
> Windows users don't have any power. I think they are happy with
> Windows, and that's an incredibly depressing thought."
>
> Steve Jobs, Apple iCEO
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>______________________________ Reply Separator
>_________________________________
>Subject: [WinMac] Re: Email Choices
>Author: ,Daniel L. Schwartz [SMTP:expresso@snip.net] at NCSBEEXT01
>Date: 1999/03/23 14:56
>
> <snip>
>
> However, I kind of agree with your Novell jock about ASIP 6.x [and
>OS-X],
>but for another reason: The lack of robust hardware. The Mac evangelists
>will be screaming and jumping up & down, but there is NO COMPARISON between
>a toy plastic blue & white Mac and a ProLiant. Say what you want about x86,
>but the commercial servers from IBM and Compaq ARE rugged and reliable...
>Something that Apple's industrial design staff seems to have overlooked to
>produce a "cool looking" package. [I say this as I'm looking at my IBM
>IntelliStation Z Pro workstation and making a mental comparison to the guts
>of a blue & white G3 Mac...]
>
> Yours truly,
>Dan Schwartz
>
>
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