Welcome! Here is a little introduction to this blog...

First I want to say I'm in computer support. I work for a major University and I am a "Support Specialist". I support computers. That means I can do multiple platforms (both hardware and software). I am well versed in Mac, Windows and Linux (and multiple versions of each). Lets get something straight, if all you support are windows boxes you aren't in computer support, you are in windows support. So please don't tell me you are in computer support, such a limited knowledge means nothing. Want to be in computer support? Then get it through your head that there is more to the world than just micro$oft and learn and USE something else on a regular basis as well. Otherwise your opinion that windows rules and everything else sucks, is worthless. Period. Like the republican party, windows doesn't need more pundits out there towing the party line and spewing tired and over-rehearsed talking points. But that is a prelude to another rant...

Don't post comments with flames, anything but Micro$oft sucks (there are more than enough pundits for the shit Redmond puts in a box and calls products), pro Republicant, or anything else I might disagree with, I'll just delete it. If I want your opinion, I'll give it too you!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Why I'll Miss Open Firmware

There are many reasons to mourn the loss of the PowerPC Mac (though my MacBook is fast and solid), one of the main ones is Open Firmware.
What could be better than a fully programmable interface for booting the machine, etc. Open firmware can be used to trick a machine into booting a Leopard CD by telling the Mac it is a different speed than it really is. It can blast that pesky PRAM better than the command keys, and even help eject a stuck CD. It was also used at one point to boot some Mac Linux distros.
One Of my favorite tips was using open firmware to boot the machine from a USB 2 device (something Apple does not support, though they did USB for some strange reason).
Most of all Open Firmware was a good trouble shooting tool.
Thankfully Apple decided not to go the 1980's route and decided to use Intel's EFI rather than the overly antiquated BIOS no one seems to want to give up on. The 80's is long over and it is time to stop booting your machine in an 8088 emulation mode. Even Micro$oft has refused to support EFI in Vi$ta save for their 64-Bit versions (M$ of course took way too long to get into the 64-Bit Market, but that is for another article). In the words of William Shatner (on SNL), "Get a life!" lose the BIOS guys. It has been at least 25 years, get over it the technology is dead. Then again PC's and M$ alike always did like beating dead horses.
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1 comment:

The Stenz said...

The OLPC uses Open Firmware. At least it is still out there somewhere.

December 20, 2007 at 11:05 PM

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