[andyr2120]

Hi, I guess you could call me a switcher, but I'm more of an admin and techie type than a typical user. I work in I.T. and I am learning OS X on my own, with the expectation that it is more and more likely to be useful for me on a professional level.

I started with a used G4 Mini, and I intend to pick up a new mac later this year, as well as something used that could run OS X Server. The three macs will be for testing and learning OS X in addition to "normal" uses.

I am not a developer per se, but I would be working with server-side apps quite a bit. I might do a little scripting or try Xcode -- maybe I'll create a website. I am mostly interested in seeing how mac clients and servers work together.

Here is a plan I am considering: if I sign up for ADC at the Select membership level ($499), Apple will give me a discount on new hardware as well as copies of OS X desktop and server editions, plus additional s/w and tech info. The hardware discount would result in about $100 in savings right off the bat, but what I really want is access to OS X Server and other apps.

As an alternative, I can get OS X Server for anywhere between $149 and $499 or so on ebay, but there may be some question about the validity of the licenses. And the ebay purchases definitely wouldn't come with extra stuff.

If anyone is a member of ADC, am I making any bad assumptions here? Will I be able to set up a simulated small business Mac network using the s/w and info available from ADC?

[Chuckit]

You can get Server cheaper than that if that's all you want. But really, ADC practically pays for itself if you're actually going to use it.

[andyr2120]

True, I could probably even get Server for free on some kind of torrent (I haven't looked and probably won't), or tossed in with some used hardware. The ADC membership was appealing because I figured it would include useful information and because I assume I'd be able to get 10.4 now and 10.5 later, as long as I kept up the membership. I just didn't want to drop $499 without some positive feedback from people who have used the package.

[King Chung Huang]

In addition to having access to release versions of Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server for development and testing purposes, you'll also get access to some WWDC 2006 sessions. You'd probably like the Information Technologies track.

[smitty825]

I don't know if the Select Developer package is for you or not. While you can save lots of money by purchasing a Mac through that program, you should abide by the Terms of Purchase (It is supposed to be used for developing an application you plan to sell, plus it can't be sold to someone else for at least 1 year)

[brokenjago]

From everything I hear, the ADC membership pays for itself very, very quickly.

[Chuckit]

It's a mathematical fact that ADC pays for itself if you use it. I think Apple really wants to make it easy for people to develop for OS X. Of course, as Smitty said, there are terms you need to abide by. You weren't very specific as to your intentions, so you'd know better than us whether you want to use it to develop things for the Mac.

By the way, FYI, you can get Mac OS X Server for $499 straight from Apple. No need for eBay.

[andyr2120]

Smitty825 -- you may be right about the terms of sale. My goals are somewhat askew from the stated terms. While there is no chance that I would try to sell any equipment that I purchased using the member discount, it is also extremely unlikely that I would create an application that would be offered for sale. It is somewhat more likely that I might create something that could be purchased for $0.00, technically complying with that part of the agreement.

They also state that you may only use equipment purchased via the ADC for development.

I think I will try to talk to someone at Apple about my interests and see if they have any ideas. I can imagine a situation where I could fully comply with Apple's terms, but that's not exactly what I had in mind.