Different operating systems on a Mac 
First, a word to the Windows users who visit this web-site and are in doubt whether to switch* to the Mac yes or no.
Well, there's no reason for doubt anymore; you can use Windows on your Mac too. Let's look at a screen-shot of this web-site, both in Explorer (Windows XP) and Safari (Mac OS 10.5), taken on my iMac:
(*'switching': a transfer from working with the Microsoft Windows platform to the Apple Mac OS X platform)
Bootcamp (Intel Macs only)
This is a program that comes with Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. It makes an Intel based Macintosh computer boot on Windows XP SP2 (!) or Vista. You can choose between the two operating systems by pushing the Option-key while booting or rebooting your Mac:
Make your choice: X or XP!
This means you'll need to reboot your Mac when you want to work in the MS Windows environment. Both operating systems use their own partition on the main hard disc. Windows can work 'native' like this and so you can use programs that use the computer's hardware directly. This makes Bootcamp very suitable for games.
It is not necessary to format your hard disk first before installing Bootcamp. Apple has made a neat installer that does the work for you: it creates a partition without disturbing your original Mac data:
WARNING
You need to follow the user instructions BY THE LETTER!
It's wise to print the instructions before you start!
Make sure you have a recent backup of your files!
WARNING
MacMeep can understand that there are Mac users who are not keen on making Mr. Gates any richer than he already is.... So they might go to a neighbor to lend a Windows installation cd.
Whatever you do: beware to be sure that you use an XP SERVICE PACK 2 disc. Any older system can cause irreversible damage to your EFI (firmware = instructions in a chip on the motherboard) and then your Mac WILL BE DEAD.
SWITCH TIP
In Bootcamp, both systems work independently. So, exchanging data can be a problem. It might be an idea to format your disc into three partitions, with one formatted as 'FAT32'. This partition can be accessed form both Mac and Windows, so you can share some data. Another option is to use a special program, called MacDrive to read HSF+ discs in Windows.
TIP
You are not obliged to use Windows XP or Vista. You can also use it for a Linux distribution.
WARNING
A Mac with a Windows operating system is as vulnerable as any other Windows based computer for viruses, hacking, Trojans, worms, et cetera. Be sure you install good anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-who knows what and firewall software!
Parallels Desktop (Intel Macs only)
With this program you can use Windows without rebooting your Mac. Parallels creates a so-called 'virtual machine'. On this machine you can install the operating system of your choice (you can create several for different operating systems from Window 3.11 to Linux to Vista). However, Parallels Desktop isn't suitable for large games, because it uses the hardware indirectly. So in case you're a gamer, it's better to use BootCamp instead.
Installation and configuration of Parallels Desktop
The 'OS Installation Assistant' will lead you through installation and makes it very easy for you. Just follow the instructions:
Note: beginners choose the 'Express Windows OS" installation. More experienced users can choose the 'Custom installation' for example to install Linux.
Et voilá:
Configure Parallels
Use the Configuration Window to configure your Virtual Machine (menu 'Edit' => 'Virtual Machine'):
For example: click on 'Memory 512 Mb' to open the Configuration Editor at the Memory option :
In case - for security reasons - you don't want Windows to go online, use the option to shut down the Network Adapter:
Other examples of emulating software are:
VMware Fusion
Run Windows applications alongside Mac applications. Switch between Windows and Mac applications quickly with Exposé. Minimize Windows applications to the Mac OS X Dock.
CrossOver Mac
This program does not use a complete Windows operating system. You can use MS Office, Explorer directly on your Mac. No emulating required. Please visit their web-site for supported software.
iEmulator
Has been tested with Windows 95, NT 4.0, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista beta 2 and some Linux distributions, but the manufacturer advises to use Windows 98 of 2000.
GuestPC
Emulates an X86 pc. You can install Windows on it, from 3.11 to XP
Darwine
Open source project.
Dosbox
For the folks who like antiques.
*Virtual PC (not on Intel Macs, *ONLY POWER PC)
VPC has been around for a long time. Mac users without a new Intel based Mac can use this instead. The principle is the same as Parallels Desktop: Virtual PC creates virtual machines. You can use as many as you like:
Virtual PC isn't very fast, so do not use it to play the latest games.
Let's resume:
Which Windows emulation you choose depends on:
a. whether you have an Intel Mac or an older PowerPC machine
b. what kind of software you want to use
LINUX
There are several Linux distributions that work on a Mac. For example: Mandrake, Suse, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xunbuntu, Debian, Gentoo, Yellow Dog, Mandriva. Check first which one is suitable for your Mac's hardware (Intel or PowerPC processor).
For example: this is a screen-shot form Ubuntu (thnx Nemo):
- at the upper left you see an open program menu
- Finder window called "nemo - File Browser"
- the 'Synaptic Package Manager', an user friendly way to install new software
- a transparent terminal window with the first few rules of the 'top' command.
TIP
Another Graphic User Interface for the Mac: X11
As explained in the UNIX chapter, Mac OS X is a Unix based system. Apple made their own GUI - Graphic User Interface - called 'Aqua' and gave UNIX the user friendliness of the Macintosh.
However, the UNIX community has created its own GUI with the Xfree86 project: the X-window system.
Apple adapted this project for the Mac and called it 'X11'. With X11 you can use all those thousands of X-windows programs on your Mac. X-Windows die-hards can even decide to use X11 as a GUI instead of Aqua.
For more information, visit: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/x11/
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