Need use for old iMac G4

Need use for old iMac G4 What to do with an outdated beauty

#1 falcore91

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 50
Joined: 16-March 11

Posted 30 October 2011 - 10:00 AM

Hello all. About a year ago I picked up an iMac G4, and I believe it is one of the single best looking computers ever created. I can't help but to whisper "swivel" every time I touch the monitor

. However, I have a problem: I don't know what to do with it!

First off, my primary computing needs are covered by my MacBook Pro. Secondly, the iMac came with OS 10.1 (I believe), to put that in context it still comes packaged with Internet Explorer. (Btw, IE on a Mac shows some weird stuff when you go to Facebook).

My two big priorities are what role can it play and what software should I back that role up with?

I have tried putting Linux on it (I got Ubuntu 9 compiled for PowerPC installed on it, but seem to have problems with anything later than that). I have also considered leaving OS X on it (if nothing else it can support older Mac PowerPC applications, or devices with drivers that weren't updated for the Intel architecture.)

The next big thing for me is the role. I can see two primary role groups: offline or online. Offline means I can use older but still sturdy software and accomplish a lot, but not have a lot of networking capabilities (it takes a surprising amount of updates to keep up with the current Internet!). Offline roles I thought might work well would be as a dedicated typing station or media importer (I have an older scanner that would fit well with this role).

Thoughts?

(Instructor) You put a Linux machine within a Windows machine within a Mac? That's great! Now where is that paper on BitTorrents vulnerabilities that was due last week?

#2 computerxpds

Bleepin' Miner

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 3,316
Joined: 27-November 09
Gender:Male
Location:Farmington NY also Rochester NY

Posted 31 October 2011 - 12:06 PM

Well first things first what are the specs of the machine? How much ram does it have? How big is the hard drive. Are you willing to maybe spend a little money on it? It can still be a good computer. Heck I run a little iBook g4 (with a ram and hard drive upgrade of course.) But the one thing I suggest is to get a copy of either os x tiger or leopard as those two are the most supported builds at this time for older apps. Now when I say older apps I mean apps that have been updated but you can get away with using an older version that works with PowerPC. Such as Microsoft office.

-Welcome To BC!! Follow me on twitter:

Please DO NOT PM me for personal help or advice, that is what our forums are for.
If I have replied to a topic and you reply and I havent gotten back to you within 48 hours (2 days) then PM me by going to my profile and clicking the PM button.
Some important links: Malwarebytes|BC Rules|