mac and webbuilding?

[wiggywag]

Hi!

I'm working as webdeveloper. My partner use macintosh OS X for prepress. I've heard the new OS X which is built upon unix is a great for web, because of possibility to use open source products like php and mysql.

I'm still a little sceptic to do a shift to mac and need some comments on this matter. Does anybody out there have any experience of using mac os X as a webdevelopment platform? I've been thinking about running Virtual PC on it to test the sites.

There are some benefits for me to run the same system as my friend but I need some suggestions here

Thanks!

[mindlessLemming]

...great for web, because of possibility to use open source products like php and mysql.


Both of those can easily be run under Windows using a package like
phpdev (http://firepages.com.au/). If that's your main reason for changing over, don't bother ;)

[Steven_Smith]

I develop 100% in OS X.

BBedit for all of my coding.
Transmit for FTP.
Those programs are great togeather.

Check out http://www.entropy.ch/home/ (this site) Lots of great info on OS X and web.

I use a Windows XP machine to test my sites. I ran virutal PC on my mac for a while, its a great idea, but I ended getting a PC so I wouldn't have to click so much.

-Steve

[wiggywag]

Both of those can easily be run under Windows using a package like
phpdev (http://firepages.com.au/). If that's your main reason for changing over, don't bother ;)

I use mysql and php on windows today. The reason I would like to make a shift is to have all the extra good stuff that comes with a mac (excelent for video and prepress) and optimal compability with my friend.

[bradyj]

100% Mac -- it's unix interface comes built for MySQL and PHP -- I use:
BBedit
Fetch (Transmit is just as good)
CS Suite
MX Suite
...and various other applications for Print Design, Digital Printing, 3D. Fantastic platform with many great features -- and I've loved the fact that I can work with my Print Design AND web design multi-tasking.

I often just use a select group of people to test my sites on their PC to be for sure.

Been on mac since 92', switched to PC for a few years when they went to clone, as soon as I saw Mac OS X coming, I switched back and don't plan on going to PC anytime soon. Have one at work, and one at home for freelance. Do you have specific questions other than if we like it?

[wiggywag]

I have a couple of questions:

If I have virtual PC running on a mac will virtual PC display the colors in windows gamma?

If I have a webserver running on mac and I use virtual PC for testing site in internet explorer for PC is there any problem to directly work through the the webserver on mac? EX I need to test a site made in php and mysql, and I want to use virtual pc to test it.

Thanks a lot

[rhs]

If virtual PC does not display with PC gamma, for your testing you can easily change the gamma on the mac by creating a Color profile with a gamma of 2.2. Its just a matter of seconds as far as changing the color profile is concerned, just go to displays in the system preferences and choose the appropriate color profile created by you.

Just on thing I have noticed personally, Mac's color display is far superior to the PC (I do not intend to start a PC - Mac debate) this could be just a personal experience.

Design an html page and preview it on both the systems

regards

RHS

[bradyj]

I have a couple of questions:

If I have virtual PC running on a mac will virtual PC display the colors in windows gamma?

If I have a webserver running on mac and I use virtual PC for testing site in internet explorer for PC is there any problem to directly work through the the webserver on mac? EX I need to test a site made in php and mysql, and I want to use virtual pc to test it.

Thanks a lot

rhs is right, it's under system preferences, display. Under Panther, you can add an icon by your clock that will let you change your color gammut and resolution with a single click. This change will effect your virtual PC and the Mac (unless you get two monitors like I have -- I make the right one a PC gammut and the main one a Mac gammut, you can control both and test on both).

And, to answer your first question, no problem. Virtual PC will allocate room and files for it's own setup, you can work on your Mac and virtual PC at the same time. You can test anything on the Mac through Virtual PC as it's own server, there will be no conflict.

If you're going to get Virtual PC, get the latest one. I swear it's 10x faster, and it's much more efficient.

[wiggywag]

this have been a real help for me

thanks

[mindlessLemming]

Just on thing I have noticed personally, Mac's color display is far superior to the PC (I do not intend to start a PC - Mac debate) this could be just a personal experience.

I wish you were wrong, but having worked in a labratory evironment where all colour calibration was done with high end equipment I have no choice but to agree :(
(PC user if you couldn't tell :o)

[rhs]

Thanks buddy,

Mac's are considered second best to only Silicon Graphics machines which are highly expensive.

So go ahead and get a Mac wiggywag , I promise you will never repent.

:thumbsup:

RHS

[liorean]

Actually, Silicon Graphics has recently fallen behind in that (too). Most 3D outfits actually seems to think that Sun is the best. (With one obvious exception...)

[bradyj]

Actually, Silicon Graphics has recently fallen behind in that (too). Most 3D outfits actually seems to think that Sun is the best. (With one obvious exception...)

Not Pixar, when I did freelance over there, they had just started to replace their rendering with G5's. I cried tears of joy :)