Re: PC Astronomy Software Running On Macs

From: Tom Polakis (polakisgroups_at_cox.net)
Date: 12/21/04 

Date: 21 Dec 2004 10:10:20 -0800

John Steinberg wrote:

But recall that you also stated you were not interested in Mac native
applications, many of which do what your favorite PC programs do. You
thereby insured that the replies would be tailored to supporting your
implied argument (even if you weren't aware of it.)

Chris clarified:

> The point is, there are Windows programs that are very good for
astronomy, and which don't necessarily have great analogs in the Mac
world. Maxim is arguably the best camera control and guiding app
around, on any platform. TheSky+TPoint is arguably the best telescope
control app around, on any platform. The fact that there might be
similar_ programs doesn't mean that everyone would necessarily want to
change. Certainly, if I were planning on switching to a Mac as my
primary platform, I'd be concerned about keeping Maxim and TheSky. So
Tom's question was very reasonable, and certainly no troll (John-
you've been on this NG long enough to know that Tom is a responsible
and valuable poster). If he switches to a Mac, no doubt most of the
programs he runs _will_ be native Mac apps. But he obviously feels that
a few of his astronomy programs are too useful to get rid of, so what's
wrong with considering emulation, and asking about emulation
performance?

And then I tried again, trembling and nearly in tears*:

Thanks, Chris. Perhaps your very clear rewording of the precise intent
of my message will satisfy John, and warrant a more reasonable reply.
John, is the clarification that Chris posted a troll?

By the way, I *am* interested in Mac native applications such as
Voyager III, which was only reluctantly written for PC after many years
of being Mac-only. I use Photoshop and the MS apps quite routinely,
and appreciate that they may run even better on the Mac. I just don't
want to give up on specialized applications that run only on a PC, and
don't want to spend time learning Mac equivalents, if they exist. So
again, and without any ulterior motive (at least none that I am
consiously aware of), is a PC emulator satisfactory for my purpose?

Tom

*Not really; actually, I was mouthing the words associated with the
letters WTF?!?

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