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RSSGadget geek of the week – Chris Mills
November 25, 2009 | Interviews | 35 Comments
Christopher won South Africa’s best Technology Blog award for the past two years running for his Cape Town Blog www.imod.co.za – When he’s not blogging, he’s working as Operations Manager and Search Engine Specialist at The Forge Web Creations or tweeting @ChristopherM
What cellphone are you currently using and which apps are you using on it?
I’m currently using the Nokia N97, which was given to me by Nokia. I use AccuWeather, Gravity and Nightstand – I’m still waiting for more applications to be launched, hopefully, via the Africa Nokia Developer Competition currently happening. I have an iPhone 32GB 3GS being delivered to me towards the end of the year, so who knows which direction I’ll go.
Do you own any gaming platforms and what current games are you enjoying?
I actually don’t, believe it or not. However, this Christmas will present me with the choice between the Wii, PS and Xbox. I’m not looking forward to deciding!
If you had 30k to spend on gadgets, what would you buy?
I’d start with a new computer, I’m in desperate need of an upgrade. I would then go for a gaming console with tons of games and if there was any budget left, I would get a good camera – I think that might be stretching the budget though 
Oldest gadget you own that still works?
I’ve got a Nintendo, the old school one which came out with the first version of Mario, this must have been in the early 1990s if I recall correctly! I’ve also got a Sony Ericsson 388, a tape drive that I used to play games on my first computer in about 1986/7 and a few other random devices.
Current camera?
I’m actually using the 5MP camera, which comes with the Nokia N97, but I also have a Cybershot from a couple years back. I’m currently in the market for a good SLR.
Thanks for your time Chris! Other than your iPhone thats on the way, any other Apple gadgets you possibly would be interested in?
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For the record, I have received my iPhone and I have to admit that it’s the best mobile device I’ve ever owned hands down!
Nice one Chris! So now that you have fallen for the iPhone, maybe we’ll see you getting a mac one day.
To be honest, I’ve had a look at the Macs, I’m just not convinced yet; I understand that the operating system is really great, but for the same cost that a Mac is going to set me back, I could get a turbo-charged PC ..
That has always been the argument to not get a mac.
Specs of machines these days aren’t making that much a difference. Once you start spending R10k+ on a laptop, they do the job (well!) no matter the side you choose.
Desktops on the other hand are another kettle of fish. iMac’s are way more expensive than their PC counterparts, but then sexyness sells!
What about gaming on a Mac?
A know a few guys that run Windows in a VM on their mac to game. Obviously if you play games every day, then you not going to get a mac, but for the odd session or multiplayer here and there, it does work!
Ye, I think Windows in a VM is a good move, but now the question is – how much is a Mac that can play the new games coming out going to cost? From the GFX card to the memory, ouch!
I have to say I also use to stay away from Mac but after getting an iPhone and Macbook pro about 3 months ago I have to tell you I would really struggle to go back to a PC. I don’t know about the Gaming side of it but personally like gaming on a console and working on my Mac. I suppose it depends on you personally. I have to say VM software like Parallels Desktop works really nice an means you are able to run anything you can on a PC with it feeling like you are running it on a PC. I even run resource hungry programs like mssql and IIS for development. Well that’s just what I think. Would love to hear what you guys think. Maybe we can get incredible connection to sponsor you with Macbook to review
Ye Chris, thanks for sharing that opinion. I’ve been a PC boy since as long as I can remember and the thought of changing does scare me, I’ve heard there’s quite a learning curve involved?
I’m not a big gamer, I mostly use my computer for work (SEO, operations, etc.) and watching movies, chatting and, dare I say it, social networking.
My worries come in with these topics:
1. Will I suddenly need to use different versions of apache, mysql, etc and will the setup be a nightmare? Ok, I’ve done this before on a Mac and it wasn’t bad, what I didn’t look for was a MySQL manager application, are there free ones available for Mac?
2. Is all software very expensive or are there free items like Filezilla for Mac?
I guess my concerns really do boil down to software and how much of a mission it would be to get started up effectively.
Next year I will be buying a new computer and I’ll definitely be considering a Mac, no doubt about it. Pity they so darn expensive!
I have to say there is a bit of a learning curve but having worked with any distribution of linux makes it easier. After you get the hang of it you really enjoy it. I find there is one or two things I miss from PC but overall the benefit far outweigh it for me.
I’m currently using a version of Mamp which is the mac version of Wamp which is pretty much the same thing. I don’t know what manager you use for MySQL but phpMyAdmin comes standard with Mamp and it’s has everything I need. There is another package like this but can’t remember the name though. You could also manually setup MySQL, apache but I think it’s just easier to using something like mamp.
Software should not be a worry at all. As Mac is based on the unix system almost all opensource software has a Mac version. I use Ms office for Mac but you could use Openoffice just as well. It’s funny you mentioned Fillezilla as I just switched over to it. If you are worried about certain pieces of software just have a look at Apple site. In the downloads section you can look up any software that you might be worried about and download a lot of them for free.
Price is always something that people look at but I have to say if you look at the specs closely you’ll find that they really put premium hardware in. Like the LED screens that other manufacturers are only phasing in now. Oh and what won me over was 6 hour battery life on 17inch screen.
But before I sound like a Apple rep I think I should stop.
Hoped that helped.
Would love to hear what you miss from Windows.
Ye, I used Mamp and phpMyAdmin when I was setting things up on a Mac once, phpMyAdmin is great and I often use it, so that’s not a big issue.
Ah, thanks for the tip on the download page bro, I’ll definitely check that out!
Ye, I don’t think I’d be going for a Macbook, rather an iMac (desktop), which brings me to another question, would I be able to use a normal monitor for a dual screen?
So much the explore, so little time!
Thanks Chris
Well one thing that Mac hasn’t got and I really don’t know why is cut function for files. It has cut for text and everything else just not for that. Can’t really thing of anything else right now.
Not quite sure about the screen but would logically think you would be able use any other screen as you can use a mouse from any manufacturer. I have to say there is just something about the iMac and it’s screen. Oh and the new mighty mouse that is standard with new iMac.
Cheers
That’s strange!!!
Ye mate, I’m sure it possible. Talking of mice, we got one of these in the office the other day – http://twitpic.com/qmnls – magical!
Yeah is quite.
Great! I haven’t played with one yet but only been hearing good things.
Ye, the mouse is wicked!
Interesting conversation going on here!
Chris M, Most iMac’s do allow you to hook up an external monitor – and it doesn’t have to be an Apple monitor in order to work.
Regarding the applications, there are a number of free apps out there for FTP, managing mySQL and other text / dev apps. However, there are also a number of seriously slick applications for a mac that you actually want to pay for. When I was a windows user, I never paid for any software, but now that I’m on a mac, I actually have bought software. Weird, but true!
I think you should chat to Digicape and get them to lend you a Macbook for a week or 2 and blog about it.
Well that’s good news indeed!
Interesting, very interesting. What sort of price range are we looking at for applications. I realise that’s like asking how long a piece of string is, but could you give an idea of some dev software you paid for and it’s price perhaps?
Yar, I could take that approach indeed, although, I don’t “borrow”, I keep
Jason I have to agree there is really some cool apps that are worth the money. Parallels is one of does for me and that was around R600. But as you said Chris M it depends on what kind of app you are looking for.
I have to say I also never bought apps on PC but I think it’s the fact that Apple made it so easy to buy things from them ie iTunes etc.
How interesting is it that we are discussing a company’s products that not to long ago almost went under….
In terms of price, the most expensive app I bought was Coda. Its a full on code editor, FTP and SVN all in one and extremely slick. 99 Euros. I use it every day, so it was and is well worth the price tag.
Other than that, the other apps I’ve bought range from $10 – $50.
Most of them do have free alternatives, but the paid ones just look so sexy and are really easy to use! (http://culturedcode.com/things/ as an example)
Chris,
I knew this would happen when you got the iphone….
xx
Cath
Chris, I used to be a massive PC fanboy gamer and to some degree still wish I had my “beast” but since I made the switch my work has been a pleasure! Honestly can say that the last 2 years of web dev has been better than the other 6 thanks to my MBP. I dont bother with games anymore, except for CS Source at the office on my Mac. I get my gaming fix from my XBOX now. Much cheaper and more rewarding gaming experience than PC imho. The social aspects are awesome! X-Box Live FTW!
@Chris Calitz – I took the plunge and bought Parallels as well but didn’t want to shell out again for the upgrade to 4.0. I now use VirtualBox and its MUCH better with resource management. I can run Windoze all day long and not even know it. (MBP 17″, 2,33GHZ, 3GB RAM)
You know what I think Chris
As Jason said, Coda rocks for development, and if you run games *Battlefield* in VM on a new iMac you’ll get better performance than your current spec pc. You might miss Outlook because mail on mac is a little more rudimentary. But to anyone who spends a decent amount of time in front of a computer, you will find that being on a Mac will be a hugely more pleasurable, slick, and painless experience.
Brendon speaks sense! Give the man a medal please!
@Jason – Really good advice on the apps and costs, Coda is magical, I’ve used it before!
@cath – Yaa yaa, what can I say
@Paul – The interesting thing for me is that I’ve been looking into buying a console for a couple months, so that would fix the game situation. Then again, I’m not a big gamer, I play Battle Field 2 only.
@Brendon – it certainly sounds that way indeed. About the email, I’m sure there are some brilliant mail clients. I’m very much a GMail fan, it’s only work where I use a client (I have my reasons).
This has been a good chat, bit off topic and all, but hell, lots of good knowledge for everyone!
@Paul – If I had one, I’d turn around and hand it to him
@Chris M, Nice one consider the medal given then!
I would go for the XBOX if I were you. I have the Wii and the XBOX and love them both but would have to go with the XBOX if I had only one choice. The PS3 is not even an option after all the horror stories I hear from my editor friend over at G.E.A.R Mag. SA is not ready for the Bandwidth hog and PS3 exclusive titles dont leave anything to be desired. You can also continue your BF2 crusade on the XBOX! FTW!
Ye mate, I’ve had a number of people to tell me to go for the XBOX, so it would be that one. I’m off to Botswana in a few weeks, so right now I don’t have the income to throw out on a console, but come early next year I’ll be making a plan
Thanks for the advice!
get the xbox chris…
trust me.
@halicon – You told me to get the 3GS and we know how that worked out, so the XBOX will be my choice
@chris m
thanks
The PC still wins for me. The software wins for mac by far, but I game quite often and therefore a pc will always win tho. The pricing is also another major factor. If i could simply run OSX on my pc with games I would definitely do that, but it is not that simple.
But you could have a Mac running Windows on VM ..
Or even better you could just install Windows using Bootcamp to dual boot so that windows could have your full system resources.
You probably only need this for really resource hungry games.
Paul is my tech and gaming man – he convinced me to get an XBox too, and whenever I need help with my Mac, he is the man to talk too!
Definitely sounds like he’s a good resource hey!