Wake up Apple
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- jox
So I've been thinking about setting up a file-/ web- / mail-server at home. Right now there are no other alternatives than Apple.
Not because it's design in this case (hell, it's in the closet) but the fact that it communicates so well with my other machines.
But why-oh-why is the only alternative a maxed-out Xserve for 5+ g's licensed for three-digit users and 24hr tech support included? Surely there must be plenty of smaller companies who would want a smaller setup? (hell, most design agencies are 1-10 ppl)
Like hell am I gonna pony up that kinda cash for a neater alternative to a firewire disk.So here's an idea, Apple. Feel free to use it: iServe. Same setup as the new iMac but without the screen. User-friendly interface (no terminal) and as easy to install as OSX. 512 megs of ram and 200 gig drive, all necessary server stuff included. Tagged around 1500 EUR.
I could name 10+ firms without giving it any thought that would purchase instantly, not to mention all the clients I have who would want it, but feels that the Xserve is overkill. (and it would save my day not having to tech support their stupid PC servers)
Who else wants some iServe?
- rabattski0
you could also take a regular G5 desktop and turn it into a file, web, mailserver. or an old dual G4 and install linux on it.
- Peter0
Apple would no longer be "cool" if it was inexpensive. Then everybody would have it.
- jox0
I thought about that too. But that would ruin the point of simplicity. "i could also.." applies to everything.
- jox0
Well it still wouldn't be "cheap" so to speak, in comparison to the PC market. Only the invited would get it, hence win-win.
Quit it, yew sceptoz!
- rabattski0
"i could also" is giving you a more affordable alternative than you're looking for. you can bitch about apple shit being too expensive or way too over the top for your needs or you can just look into alternatives.
- jox0
That's the point. There are no alternatives. This isn't hardware-only, I am talking about something that would change the entire server world, something that would go with the tagline "set up and ready to share in 10 minutes".
Having a sweet serverized iMac is just a bonus.
- rabattski0
aha now i understand. yep a cheaper apple server alternative would be appreciated. but it has to be cheap though. and apple and cheap is somehow a contradiction. most small offices i know who run a server just modded an apple desktop for the job, cheapest alternative still around.
- ribit0
I'm using an old G4 for Apple File Sharing and currently trying out a fileserver solution 'XCNetwork' which does user permissions, file history, versioning, check in-out etc... I just have the G4 set never to go to sleep, and it seems to work fine.... But have been wondering if I should use OSX Server instead of the standard OS, or what functionality is missing compared to xServe (apart from all th eobvious speed and stuff), if you are only doing basic sharing for a small workgroup (local and remote)?
- rabattski0
osx offers you a lot more by default than classic os. mysql, php, apache etc. quite easy to setup ftp as well. pop i'm not sure if that's easy, prolly is.
- ribit0
No I meant 'OSX Server' vs standard 'OSX'...
- ribit0
OSX Server
http://www.apple.com/server/maco…I just don't know if this is much more useful than ordinary OSX capabilities, for a workgroup of 4-5 people and occasional contributors...
- rabattski0
dunno what the difference is either. my guess it that it has more server stuff standard installed or something.
- ribit0
well, yes...and lots of admin stuff.
I guess I'll have to read through all the description... but what I mean is... Is this overkill, or am I better to go with another approach altogether based on a plain old G4 with OSX standard, or get a used Linux or xServe server, or maybe just use a NAS server (like the LaCie Ethernet Disk which I already have, which does HTTP, Apple File Sharing (uses MacLan), Windows, and FTP sharing. It runs on Windows XP Embedded, which is a pain as it has Windows filename limitations, but I'm getting used to that.... It's actually useful also as a remote Windows box for testing, logging in from the Powerbook (with Microsoft Remote DesktopConnection) when travelling to test sites on Windows IE...
too many options.... What are the average small firms (3-4 people) using out there?