Linux on PowerPC Mac: Yes or no?

Compiling XMMS Kubuntu Jaunty Jackalope

Installing Windows 98 Kubuntu PowerPC

In this article I will give some insights about Linux for PowerPC laptops/deskops.

Linux is good for servers, and for x86 desktop computers, however for the PowerPC architecture is not quite usable for the regular user.

Based on my experience, Linux was somehow useful. You have to take into account that I was very patient and have some knowledge with Linux. The years I used Linux on the PowerPC, makes me state that you have to stay away from Linux on PPC. Here's why:

Web Applications

Yes, some will state that you will get a 'updated browser' with Linux. However this is somehow true. You will get almost an updated browser, with flaws and no Youtube support at all and a louse Java support (if there's a Java for the PPC Linux installed) Not only that, the browser will feel old and sometimes it will crash for no apparent reason.

None of the Gmail Apps are supported

Wireless Connectivity

If you are lucky enough, you will find a Linux Distro that will fully support the Airport Card. Most of the Linux distro I tried were not compatible with the Airport card.

Office Applications

Open Office is the best thing you can get. Period. It is not that good, it feels old and depending of the Linux Distro some don't support .docx .pptx .xlsx files. Even worst, Open Office will just die on you.

Stability

Linux on PPC crash very often. It will crash on you, it will crash hard and if you are not experience enough, you will have to say goodbye to your documents. Even if you are installing an application available at the Synaptic, if you are not careful enough, it will crash so hard that you will have to reinstall everything.

Not only that, if you have an iBook that has a battery problem and every time you restart the date goes back to 1962(?) you won't be able to get into Linux. It just won't.

Applications

The useful apps available in Mac won't be available in Linux. You will have to get used to the alternative apps that you can get from the App Installer, of course if the installer doesn't crash or if the servers are down. There's no way to go to a site, download the app and use it.


For all those reasons, I don't recommend users Linux. I don't want to make them frustrated, or make them lose everything.

There's actually a good Distro that is more than functional, and it is Optimized for the PowerPC Architecture, and that is Yellow Dog Linux 6.x That's the one I used before switching to Kubuntu/Ubuntu and by far the best. I switched because I wanted to try what was all the buzz about.

I hope this blog helps you to choose whether or not you want to try Linux.