Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

turntabletux · Apr 13, 2007, 02:25 PM

Hey guys,

For the longest time I have been messing around on my computer. I've went through numerous Distros of Linux until I settled on Suse. I am attending ITT for my Web degree. I am planning on getting the Macbook in the next week or so. I do have a question though, is there room for customization in the Mac OSX? I love using different visual styles on my windows box. I've heard many people on forums putting down Mac because of "no freedom."

I have a friend and he sometimes runs into problems trying to playback WMV files and other windows files like Word. Will I run into any of these problems OTB? (out of the box)
Thanks

Rumor · Apr 13, 2007, 03:12 PM

Welcome and enjoy your new Mac. If you do anything with video, I would suggest a MBP over a MB.

As for gui customization, look here.

shinji · Apr 13, 2007, 03:56 PM

For movies...just get flip4mac, I use that and the Perian - The swiss-army knife of QuickTime� components codec pack. Anything else I use VLC for and I haven't had a problem yet.

Kevin · Apr 13, 2007, 03:58 PM

You are a new soon to be sig re-sizer too.

residentEvil · Apr 13, 2007, 04:21 PM

how does one playback a Word file?

Gossamer · Apr 13, 2007, 04:32 PM

Check out the GUI customization thread for ideas on how to customize how your computer looks. Microsoft Office works the same on Macs and PCs, and Open Office can read Word docs for free.

peeb · Apr 13, 2007, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

how does one playback a Word file?

Using Word? Strangely, Word allows you to embed video, although I doubt this was what the OP intended....

besson3c · Apr 13, 2007, 05:41 PM

What kind of customization interests you? Several people here assumed skinning, but I'm not sure that is what you meant?

You won't find as much flexibility as you would under any Linux distro, that much is pretty safe to say.

Chuckit · Apr 13, 2007, 05:46 PM

There's a lot less room for GUI customization in OS X than under Linux or Windows. It's not actually supported by Apple.

peeb · Apr 13, 2007, 06:34 PM

There's also a lot less need for it. OSX is, on the whole, beautiful. Linux and Windows, well, what can I say.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Apr 13, 2007, 07:03 PM

Welcome to Mac!

(btw, you need to fix your sig)

besson3c · Apr 13, 2007, 10:41 PM

What makes you guys assume he is talking about GUI customization?

zro · Apr 13, 2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

What makes you guys assume he is talking about GUI customization?

Probably the term "visual style" was a clue?

besson3c · Apr 13, 2007, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by zro

Probably the term "visual style" was a clue?

heh... I'm a dummy.

Kevin Moon · Apr 13, 2007, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

heh... I'm a dummy.

I'll drink to that

msuper69 · Apr 15, 2007, 12:21 AM

Too bad. You fell for the ITT scam.
Waste of time and money.
Go to a real school like a good public university.
For profit schools are in the business of making money-not education.

besson3c · Apr 15, 2007, 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

Too bad. You fell for the ITT scam.
Waste of time and money.
Go to a real school like a good public university.
For profit schools are in the business of making money-not education.

This belongs in the Consumer hardware section.

Chuckit · Apr 15, 2007, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

Too bad. You fell for the ITT scam.
Waste of time and money.
Go to a real school like a good public university.
For profit schools are in the business of making money-not education.

Yes, lord knows nothing inspires large organizations to greatness like having no financial incentive for it.