Re: [ccp4bb] Computer hardware and OS "survey"

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CCP4bb <-- 1999 <-- November 1999 <-- 30 November 1999

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Subject: Re: Computer hardware and OS "survey"
From: Jacob Keller j-keller2 {- at -} MD {- dot -} NORTHWESTERN {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2009-05-01

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Subject: Re: Computer hardware and OS "survey"
From: Partha Chakrabarti ppchak {- at -} GMAIL {- dot -} COM
Date: 2009-05-01

Subject: Re: Computer hardware and OS "survey"
From: "William G {- dot -} Scott" wgscott {- at -} CHEMISTRY {- dot -} UCSC {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2009-05-01

Hi Todd:

One option on Windows is to install Ubuntu in a mode that lets it run
nested as a guest in a window within the host operating system. This
is now one of the options on the (free) Ubuntu install CD. I've
actually not tried it, so I can't tell you how good it is, but my
guess is that it works in a way that is very similar to VMware of
Parallels on OS X.

But if you already have made the investment in OS X hardware, I really
would recommend standing your ground on this. The main arguments to
make, I believe, are the following:

1. Scientists really need to have ready access to unix-based
operating systems. OS X and Linux are two such variants, but the main
arguments in favor of each are the same. I'm flattered you liked my
website, but frankly I don't think its existence is a compelling
argument. (In fact, I made the thing originally as a publicly
accessible log/whine of my trials and tribulations in a do-it-yourself
sys admin environment. You could point out that if an idiot like me
can do this, anyone can.) You could probably get by with work-around
solutions on Windows, but why should you be forced to hobble yourself.

2. Your institutional bureaucrats should not, as a matter of
principle, dictate to you what your computer or other equipment needs
are. They are supposed to work for you, not vice-versa. As pointed
out, you probably only really need their IT support to give you
network access. You should be able to work with whatever operating
system your needs, tastes and ethics dictate. (The idea that the
institution would force you to use an operating system that has been
the subject of US Department of Justice litigation and would
simultaneously discourage you from using Linux, a Free Software
alternative, is particularly troubling).

Happy May Day. Time to raise the black flag and start slitting throats.

Bill

On May 1, 2009, at 7:40 AM, Link,Todd M wrote:

> My home institution, in effort to cut costs, is making an effort to
> push those of us on Macs onto PCs. Up till now they have been very
> generous via a lease program for computer hardware, but that is
> changing given the current economics. The institution currently
> does not support Linux so we are limited to Mac and Windows OS.
>
> We certainly make use of William Scotts crystallography on OS X
> (thanks so much!) so our main argument is that we would have far
> more support "out there" for crystallography on the Mac than we
> would have for on Windows. But to be fair (and hopefully bolster
> our argument) I should find out if that is true. I did not find an
> equal web support page for Windows.
>
> A volunteer survey will be distorted (probably by Mac fanboys like
> me) so I am asking for peoples best guesstimate as to what % use of
> Mac, Windows, or Linux is out there for data processing and model
> building. Our core programs are coot, o, pymol, cns, and ccp4 but
> we certainly make occasional use of other crystallography programs
> out there (solve, epmr...)
>
> Also what are the relative crystallography support for Mac vs.
> Windows.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Todd
>
>
> --
> Todd M. Link
> Assistant Professor
> MD Anderson Cancer Center
> Univ. of Texas
>
> (713) 834-6394
>

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CCP4bb <-- 1999 <-- November 1999 <-- 30 November 1999

Previous message:
Subject: Re: Computer hardware and OS "survey"
From: Jacob Keller j-keller2 {- at -} MD {- dot -} NORTHWESTERN {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2009-05-01

Next message:
Subject: Re: Computer hardware and OS "survey"
From: Partha Chakrabarti ppchak {- at -} GMAIL {- dot -} COM
Date: 2009-05-01