IBM will commit to OS X, Intel Macs
updated 06:40 pm EST, Fri January 20, 2006
IBM commits to Intel Macs
Mac users have spoken and large companies are listening. IBM Software will announce updated Mac OS X support in the latest Notes client as well as announce a commitment to Apple's Intel-based Mac architecture at next week's Lotusphere conference, as Mac users refuse to be treated as second-class citizens. InformationWeek reports that despite the transition away from IBM's PowerPC chips--which may have caused a rift with Apple--IBM will announce "big-time support" for the new Intel-based Macs, as both battle Microsoft on many fronts. The commitment comes as one user says that the extremely small percentage of Mac users exert a great influence. "The older Notes 6.5 client supports Mac OS 10.3 but thus far the current Notes 7 client has not. While Macs comprise a small percentage of business desktops, their users constitute a very vocal and influential minority, solution providers said."
"Mac support for Lotus is a check-box item," said Jim Murphy, practice manager for Strategic Computer Solutions, a Syracuse, N.Y.-based IBM partner told InformationWeek. "We have a lot of health-care customers and maybe one percent of a company's research department is on Macs but they have 99 percent of the influence."
Headline should differ
01/20, 08:19pm reply
You already state in the article that Lotus Notes 6.5 works in Mac OS X. So the headline is misleading in the suggestion that it didn't support Mac OS X at all before. All this is, is improved support for newer versions of Mac OS X. Not brand new Mac OS X support.
abrody
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 1999
Too late!
01/21, 12:06am reply
Sorry IBM, Lotus Notes is such a dog. Our organization just switched to Exchange, yes we are a full mac shop.
IchiroBoston
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2003
Early adopters
01/21, 12:21am reply
Mac users are early adopters, that is why we have 99% of the influence.
logicalFrank
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
Condolences on Exchange
01/21, 10:44am reply
I've done both and let me tell you, Notes is far more robust, reliable, and scalable. It just is. Try restoring a mailbox on Exchange. Real PITA as it has to insert into the database. With Notes, it's as simple as restoring the file.
Replication is not as relaible on Exchange as it is with Notes. Then you have the tie and lock in of Exchange to Windows. With Notes, you can run your servers on AIX, Linux, AS/400, Mac (IIRC), and Windows. With Exchange, you need an AD infrastructure with lots of Windows servers. More $$ for MS.
It's no wonder the servers are 51/49 Notes. It's just more reliable and scalable - most big businesses use Notes....
The only thing Exchange has going for it is Outlook, which is really a mediocre PIM at best. Trying to be a jack of all trades, master of none.
Although the Notes client could use an overhaul!
itguy05
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
EXCHANGE???
01/21, 12:02pm reply
Good God. I feel very sorry for you. The ridiculous CAL policies and prices, and the bizarre, unreliable and painful excuse for a database are enough to have me desperately suggest WINDOWS shops abandon exchange. But a MAC shop?
Someone sold you a bill of goods.
gudin
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2000
Notes Support for Mac
01/21, 11:19pm reply
Good. Maybe they'll finally make a Sametime client for Mac. Mercury was never finished and I can figure out how to add contacts in Adium.
r00b69
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Joined: Jan 2006
Influenza and ebola
01/23, 08:40am reply
Comparing Notes to Exchange is like comparing Bird Flu to Ebola. Exchange is an integral part of the Exchange-Outlook-Windows virus acceleration technology and about as stable as a balsawood cathedral, while Notes is the poster boy for the User Interface Hall of Shame and using database replication for email makes it slower than molasses on pluto. Why anyone who actually has to use either of these applications would recommend either of them for anything but retirement is beyond me.
resuna
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Joined: Jan 2005
Hope you don't have ...
01/23, 12:09pm reply
Hope you don't have multiple addresses in Exchange's Global Directory. There's a major bug, actually, M$ doesn't consider it a bug, in the current version of Exchange. If a Global Directory entry has e-mail addresses that are outside of exchange, in addition to an Exchange address, it will not send e-mail to the non-Exchange account. Even if you address something to my.home.address@somplace.else.net, it will be delivered to your Exchange account and never be sent to address it was actually addresses to.
rayntosca
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Joined: Apr 2000