[fixingtheglitch]

I'm a brand new mac user who recieved a dual processor G4 tower as a gift from my grandfather. Photoshop is the main program i run on it.

Should i go ahead and spend he $130 right now on Panther or should i just put out $20 for Jaguar? Right now I only have 10.1.3, and i want to update to quicktime pro and get the safari browser. Everyone i've talked to so far though says that Panther has too many bugs. What do you guys suggest?

also, any other software good for my OS?

this is about my 3rd week on a mac, i'm going from years on windows and DOS based machines (THE MAC IS SO MUCH BETTER!)

[chris v]

If you think 10.1.3 is good, hold on to your seat. I'd say go for 10.3. Shouldn't be any probs with Photoshop, and it feels more responsive than 10.2, and launches faster, as well.

What model of machine did you get? A new one?

CV

[fixingtheglitch]

well, i'm enjoying this 10.1.3 just fine, but i want to update certain things like itunes, get quicktime pro and use the safari browser. i can't do any of that though until i get 10.2

this is a power pc dual g4. at least, he tells me it's a dual processor. anyway i can find out exact specs on this machine within the OS?

my grandfather only had it for a few months until then gave it to me. he bought a g5.

[mikemako]

go to 10.3. It does have some bugs, but it is totally usable & a bit more responsize than 10.2. Overall it is (in my opinion) a more refined and attractive OS. Apple is aware of many of the bugs in 10.3-10.3.1 and is working on updates that will make the system more stable.

Welcome to the Mac.

[fixingtheglitch]

thank you and thank yo ufor the welcome. i'm enjoying this quite a bit. even the forums are a lot nicer than those who use windows!

[mikemako]

Originally posted by fixingtheglitch:
anyway i can find out exact specs on this machine within the OS?

go to the blue apple & choose "About This Mac".. that will give you basic info. For more details choose "More Info" (to those using 10.1: does it have that option, I don't recall). Otherwise you can go to Applications > Utilities > System Profiler.

[fixingtheglitch]

on 10.1 the "more info" option isn't there, but i found system profiler fine, thanks.

[Appleman]

Should go for 10.3 = Panther. It's much more responsive, a bit snappier (tm) and nicer in general.
Even on my 5 years old original iMac (Bondi) Panther runs better than Jaguar (10.2).

Welcome to the Mac: you won't regret in a thousand years!

[Matt OS X]

two words:

Buy Panther, period.

It's snappier and I dont see a lot of bugs lately.

[SSharon]

If you are just transitioning now to mac for sure get panther if for no other reason then to save you time figuring the Mac out. No use learning Jaguar in and out and then doing it over in 2 months when Panther is (almost) bug-free. Congrats on the Mac of course.

To get you started here are some sites which may help you (find software) . . .

www.versiontracker.com then select OS X and find great stuff

www.download.com again select mac

www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/ believe it or not there's a lot of good stuff there.

Enjoy, and if you are looking for a specific program, or one to do a specific thing post here or just ask me.

[Dale Sorel]

Originally posted by fixingtheglitch:
Should i go ahead and spend he $130 right now on Panther or should i just put out $20 for Jaguar? Right now I only have 10.1.3, and i want to update to quicktime pro and get the safari browser. Everyone i've talked to so far though says that Panther has too many bugs. What do you guys suggest?

You'll have to let us all know how far your socks get blown off after you update to Panther

[zigzag]

I'd get Panther - IMO the additional functionality is worth it, and I haven't encountered any serious bugs. A number of vendors (MacConnection, Amazon) are selling it for $99.

Here's another idea: There's a new edition of "QuickTime For The Web, Third Edition", which is a fantastic reference book and comes with QT Pro included. Order it on Amazon for $42, and for that extra $12 you get QT Pro plus a terrific book.

Check the Software forum for the "Top Ten Shareware" thread for other ideas.

[fixingtheglitch]

thanks a lot for the help everyone, i really appreciate it! ^_~