[DM-MUG] Fwd: Re: [MacLaw] Mac Mini

[Dave Reed]

For the record - the software to make a bunch of Macs into a super=20
computer already exists, and runs on both OS 9 and OS X.  It has a=20
Command Line Interface, like unix and not a GUI like the mac.  But it=20
is easy enough to do that a 6th grader turned his school computer lab=20
into a (small) super computer.  On his own.

On Jan 11, 2005, at 9:16 PM, Victoria L. Herring wrote:

> from another list...
>
>>
>> Oh my credit card is aching for an imac mini.....
>>
>> Here's a few thoughts from my blog .. www.latenightpundit.com
>>
>> Here=92s my prediction =85 apple is going to sell millions of these=20=

>> things. Millions=85.
>>
>> I can come up with about 10 different uses for this besides a simple=20=

>> computer. At $500 it breaks the psychological price point barrier so=20=

>> that every kid in america who wants an imac will be able to convince=20=

>> their parents to buy them one (Apple also introduced the ipod shuffle=20=

>> - a flash mp3 player for $99 and $150 today. This is the new hip toy=20=

>> that you=92ll see hanging around the neck of every kid this summer).
>>
>> For example, if your a unix developer for $500 you can have an imac=20=

>> unix box (Mac OS is based on unix). Just add a KVM switch, hook your=20=

>> monitor, keyboard and mouse to the switch - then put the imac mini on=20=

>> top of your PC beige box and presto! Instant unix development=20
>> environment. For that matter, if your a mac user at home but forced=20=

>> to use the PC at work, you could do the same thing. At this price it=20=

>> might be worth it to you to carry the tiny imac back and forth to=20
>> work (there=92s going to be a hell of a market for imac mini cases).
>>
>> Here=92s another example. Get an imac mini. buy the $29 TV connector=20=

>> (if it doesn=92t come in the box). Hook the imac mini up to your big=20=

>> screen, LCD or Plasma TV. Throw in a bluetooth usb dongle and a=20
>> bluetooth keyboard and mouse and your surfing from your couch without=20=

>> a laptop. Add in the fact that the imac mini comes with Apple=92s=20
>> enhanced digital media package, iLife =9105, and the imac mini =
suddenly=20
>> becomes a simple media accessory for your TV. I expect someone (maybe=20=

>> elgato technologies) to come up with a small tivo like add on for the=20=

>> imac mini. The imac mini is probably the begining of Apple=92s answer=20=

>> to the Microsoft media center. Just like the original imac the imac=20=

>> mini will spawn tons of add on hardware products like this.
>>
>> Yet another use - the imac mini as a simple server. Load up Mac OS X=20=

>> server, attache a couple of firewire external hard drives plug it=20
>> into your home ethernet and pow! a simple server for you home=20
>> network. The think is so small you could probably stash it - well=20
>> anywhere. Yet another imac mini 3rd party opportunity - a wall mount=20=

>> for the imac mini.
>>
>> Still another use=85 buy a bunch of imac mini=92s, connect them all, =
add=20
>> the appropriate software (someone will have to write it - but I=20
>> predict it wont take that long) and suddenly you have an imac mini=20
>> super computer.
>>
>> By not including the monitor, Apple has really opened up the things=20=

>> you can do with OS X. There are some downsides to the imac mini - the=20=

>> airport card and probably the RAM are not user installable. As time=20=

>> goes on, there will be ways around this (maybe even as simple as=20
>> taking it to your local apple store) and people will figure out how=20=

>> to do it.
>
> --
> Victoria L. Herring, Des Moines, Iowa - Owner,=20
> http://www.JourneyZing.com - and Attorney at Law,=20
> http://www.herringlaw.com.  iChat AV: victoriaherring [@mac.com].
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>
Dave Reed
Freelance Computer Tech
Mac or Windows, New or Old, I can help.
http://www.rodbeard.com  - davereed@rodbeard.com - 515-277-6890