08-08-2009, 03:27 PM

Hello. I'm a linux guy. Due to circumstance I've ended up without any computer, and a friend recently lent me an ibook G4. I've never used a mac before in my life. I have some questions. If anyone can answer any of them it would be much appreciated!

1) transmission downloaded an update for itself that was a version written for the intel chip. I tried to recall it by randomly downloading earlier versions but none worked. I can't find any other bittorrent clients the run on the PPC.. is this such a tall order?

2) For my work I need to run IE. Blasphemy, I know. My usual route of wine'ing it up is not available. I found an i86 emu called bochs but can't get it to work. I can't get anything to work.

3) How do I run multiple desktops and/or multiple terminal windows/tabs? I downloaded a desktop manager, but, as usual, it doesn't compile. I can't believe this isn't possible, or that there isn't at least an equivalent solution - mac users are always ranting about how great these machines are.

4) More generally, is this PPC stuff a problem for everyone else? Nothing seems to be supported anymore. Even on mac sites it suggests I download the latest intel crap for whatever I type in..
Generally, how do you know which version is compiled for PPC?

I've heard so many good things about macs, from tech savvy and illiterate alike... I want to believe all that!

Cheers for reading, sorry, I know it's a bit of a rant.
Oscar

08-08-2009, 03:32 PM

On the BT question, I use Vuze. It works with Power PC just fine. Here is a URL to a version that says Power PC or Intel.

Vuze 4.2.0.4 software download - Mac OS X - VersionTracker

Always look for that or Universal Binary. That will work on both Intel and PPC.

I am on my way out the door. I am sure someone else will help with your other questions. I am shocked Transmission does not support Power PC.

08-08-2009, 03:36 PM

I wonder what is up? I just went to this URL which is the main transmission page and downloaded the current client. Works fine on my Power PC iMac.

What version of OSX is on that iBook? The latest version of Transmission wants 10.5 Leopard.

Transmission

08-08-2009, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by ogga

3) How do I run multiple desktops and/or multiple terminal windows/tabs? I downloaded a desktop manager, but, as usual, it doesn't compile. I can't believe this isn't possible, or that there isn't at least an equivalent solution - mac users are always ranting about how great these machines are.

4) More generally, is this PPC stuff a problem for everyone else? Nothing seems to be supported anymore. Even on mac sites it suggests I download the latest intel crap for whatever I type in..
Generally, how do you know which version is compiled for PPC?

#3. What version of OS X are you using? If you are using Leopard (10.5), you can enable Spaces (System Preferences > Expose & Spaces > Spaces) which will give you virtual desktops. For multiple terminal tabs, simply go to Shell > New Tab or use the key combo Command - T. To move between tabs, use the key combo Shift - Command - [ (previous tab) or Shift - Command - ] (next tab).

#4. I don't have a PPC Mac but look out for PPC builds or Universal builds, which run on both PPC and Intel Macs. For some applications, you may have to settle for older versions.

08-09-2009, 10:33 AM

Alternatively, if you want to go the Linux way, SUSE 11.1 has a PPC version Software.openSUSE.org or POWER@SUSE - openSUSE to examine any issues related to installing on Apple machines

Hope this helps

Cheers

Hugh