The Macintosh computer is commonly referred to as a “Mac”. Apple Computer has produced a PowerMac, an iMac, and a PowerMac G4, and the PowerMacG5. The operating system of the PowerMac G4 or G5 has undergone revisions. Each major version also has a name: OS X version 10.2.x is Jaguar; version 10.3.x is Panther, and the version 10.4.x is Tiger. The Apple PowerMac computers(the G4 and the G5) have two processors (for parallel processing) instead of just one, and there is space inside the computer to upgrade to 4 hard disks in a RAID array to give more power to the computers functioning as a server. Sometimes the computer tower is called a “box” which is a slang word for “the computer”. You could say, “there are two processors inside the box.”
There is software specially designed for the PowerMac computers to help move files from a Windows 98, ME, or 2000 system (XP is not listed on the box) to the Mac OS X. This software is called Move2Mac and is a product of Detto Technologies. I found my copy of the shrink-wrapped software on a shelf at a large Fry’s Electronics store. A lot of computer software can be purchased using a credit card with a secure connection over the Web, then downloading that software to your own computer. I prefer having a CD or other disk with the software on the disk.
Downloading via FTP is the process of moving files from another computer over a network connection to a local computer (like your own home computer) using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). If working at school or on the job you have to get permission to download files, for security reasons. You can download files using a Mac or a PC computer. Both use File Transfer Protocol.
The Macintosh has excelled in the commercial graphics and publishing industries and thousands of people prefer a Mac for home use rather than a PC. The PC computers currently have a much greater market share and there are millions in use in homes and businesses throughout the world. When you attend college the college will specify which type of computer, Mac or PC, will be in use at the college for faculty and students. Some colleges use just Mac computers in campus buildings and for the faculty. Other colleges use PCs.
Each PC running a specific operating system such as Windows 2000 is able to use any software that says WIN95/98/NT/2000 on the box. The Windows2000 operating system can also run any software specified for WIN95/98/NT/2000 as well as any software specified as Windows 9.x/NT/2000. If in doubt about buying the correct software for your system, the store clerks will be happy to assist you if asked. If you are using Windows XP, make sure that the software you buy has Windows XP included in the “System Requirements”, usually found on the side panel of the box for shrink-wrapped software (boxed software).
(In the following paragraphs I use OS to mean “operating system”)
Prior to the Macintosh OS X operating system the Macs used an operating system based upon a single processor (computer CPU) which processed data and ran applications using what was called cooperative multitasking. Cooperative multitasking allowed programs to sometimes take control of the central processing unit. Now with the newer Macintosh operating system, OS 10.2.x (Jaguar) and later versions there is a UNIX-like kernel in the operating system, two processors and the central processing unit processes data with symmetric multiprocessing (uses both CPU’s or “chips” to process data) and it uses preemptive multitasking, not allowing any application to take control of the central processing units.
If users want to run older software, the PowerMac G4 is a dual-booting machine meaning you can either boot into the older OS 9.2 or a version of OS X. (This is called “dual bootable”.) Software written for the OS X (pronounced OS ten) will not run in the OS 9 environment but older legacy software is capable of being run while booted into the newer OS X, just that the newer features of the OS X will not be available when running applications designed for the OS 9 or older operating systems. The Mac G5’s and newer versions of Os X have more multimedia features than the earlier G4’s with the older versions of OS X. Get to the Apple Computer Web site for what’s new now. The computer industry is not standing still… changes are rapid and one article online cannot capture what is now current.