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What would you run on your Mac if OS X suddenly became unavailable?

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Not that I can imagine how or why this would happen, but it's just a thought experiment to see what people would choose if they had to & what their reasoning would be...

Most of the OSes above have things going for them, and things going against them; so it's not a clear-cut situation...
 
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I'd probably run some form of Linux.
 

dtravis7


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Probably Windows 7. I can't stand Metro for a DESKTOP computer OS. It's fine for a tablet and phone.

Also I would have Open Suse there also.
 

vansmith

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late 2011 mac Mini, 2.3 GHz core i5, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3, Sierra, Retina display iPad, Iphone 5S
I came from the Linux world to Mac OS X last year. It has become my primary desktop machine for my every day use. I still use several varieties of Linux for some custom software that I haven't ported to OS X yet. So, if OS X were to disappear, I would probably just go back to Mint.

Bill
 

CrimsonRequiem


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Unix Based OS. :p
 

vansmith

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I like all the Linux love here. Although, I suppose if you exclude Windows from the conversation, there's little left except for maybe a BSD.
 

RavingMac

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Put me down for Linux too, though I might have to dual boot windows. ;P
 
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I'd sell my mac, assemble a gaming rig with Windows and get a small netbook dual-booting Windows and some form of Linux. I have been messing around with Mint and it is really clean--far surpassed my expectations.
 
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MacBookAir5,2:10.13.6-iMac18,3:10.13.6-iPhone9,3:11.4.1
SUSE Linux with a Windows 7 partition for iTunes and the like.
 

vansmith

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Put me down for Linux too, though I might have to dual boot windows. ;P
Give the machine enough RAM and you could virtualize it. I suggest this because why would you not want to be running Linux if it was installed? I mean...c'mon! :p
 
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I'd use Linux primarily, but at some point I'd probably have to dual-boot Windows for certain tasks...

Either way, I'd use computers far less than I do now.
 
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Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
Will let you know when, and if, this happens.


Considering still see machines running OS 7.6 a long long way off.
 
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MacBook Pro.
Being an old codger, I'm probably a bit different from most folks on this forum. I've been using Linux since '97. I've not had a Win product since then. And never missed it. Not one bit. So if I was to lose my OX, Linux is my choice. Matter of face, I still have an older HP laptop that runs Mepis. Still working like a champ. And still use it. Yes, Linux is still a viable option for me. But since I receintly came over to the Mac world, I think I'll be an Apple fanboi for some time to come. Love my iPhone and MacBook. But it won't keep me from using Linux. Never. Love Linux and all the choice it offers as well as OX.
 
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Probably Linux, but I am a bloody beginner when it comes to compiling programs and editing config files...
 
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I like the Parker "Jotter" ballpoint pens, w/black ink fine tip. I also really like the Papermate Logo II mechanical pencils in .5mm, HB lead.
 
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Probably Linux, but I am a bloody beginner when it comes to compiling programs and editing config files...

A mini lesson on installing programs for Linux: Keep to programs made for your distro. Use only those in the repos for the distro you are using. Not only is it easy to install and delete programs but it's safer as well.

I too could never wrap my brain around compiling tar balls (compressed programs from non-approved sources). So I never used them. On the other hand, programs from approved sources (official repos) are no sweat to work with. Most distros have GUIs to do all the work for you. Just point and click.
 
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09 MBP 8GB ram 500GB HD OS 10.9 32B iPad 4 32GB iPhone 5 iOs7 2TB TC Apple TV3
Ubuntu or Mint
 
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Ubuntu or Mint

Both are very good distros. And both use the Debian package manager method to do the work of installing and deleting packages. One has the option of using either a terminal or the GUI (Synaptic) version to do the work. I love Debian based distros. It so darn easy to mange your Linux OS. It really is.

As to the two you mentioned, Ubuntu is a great distro and easy to tweak. It prompts you when needed. Lots and lots of forum support. But for my money, Linux Mint is top notch especially for anyone new to Linux. While you'll have to install certain things in Ubuntu - which it will prompt you to do - Mint has it all. Very little to add to it. Truly one of the few 'works out of the box' distro out there.

Now if you really want to get geeky, try the granddaddy all Debian distros are based on - Why Debian, of course. A bit more work and hair pulling and gnashing of teeth to do. But not all that much more. Of course it's the package manager that makes all this possible. Just can't beat the Debain package manager. Bar none! EX: Via the terminal, 'apt-get install package'. apt-get delete package'. Of course the GUI (Synaptic) is just a matter of point and click. I'm currently using Mepis on my HP laptop. Another Debian based distro worthy of your consideration.

And while I'm at it, download/install packages designed and provided for the Linux you are using. Stay away from those nasty tarballs. Ugh!

Visit Distrowatch for a listing of just about all the distros available - hundreds!. From the most popular to the most obscure one man operations. distrowatch.com
 

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