"I think you will be crippled without firewire." Maybe - maybe not. I not only do not use firewire but only use desk top Macs, and adhere to the theory of 'semper paratus' (always prepared) with the master HDs not screwed in place but just residing in situ and do so for this reason. Once I shut down the CPU(s), It takes me less than 2 minutes to R&R internal master HDs and switch them from computer A to computer B assuming in the example you suggested that there is a computer B.
On the theory that something inimical somewhere, sometime might occur that I can't think of now does not therefore require me to use firewire as that same nebulous argument can be used to stop using firewire and switch back to being hard wired via cable. In your reasoning you've probably inadvertently employed a mix of several logical fallacies. Here are some of them: 1- the red herring (not on point), 2- equivocation (could be true or not for either firewire or no firewire), 3- assumptions (that it is true but not for firewire), 4- proof by lack of evidence (that it is true but not for firewire), and so on. The point of being a good samaritan in giving advice is to try to give equitable and ethical advice and not offer just an incomplete and a partial modeling of what is possible. It is not helpful to not mention that the solution offered is offered to avoid an improbability or that an alternate solution is available or that the status quo is not of lesser but is of equal consideration. For example isn't it well known that HDs eventually die and go to disk heaven (or hell) and that the data and software on those HDs can and do die with the HD? That realization is certainly not a reason for advising not to use HDs but it is a reason for advising that HDs be backed up periodically and it is a reason for being cognizant of a want or need to arrange to monitor the status of an HD using SMART Utility or equivalent so as to have better knowledge to predict when an HD should be replaced before it dies. Notice that I do not suggest how one cna know that but merely furnish the means to make a better or more comfortable evaluation. In responding to the original issue raised, the solution is not necesssarily to get rid of cables and switch to firewire but in switching to firewire to also CONSIDER the advisability of retaining the abillity to restore the original configuration or to install both if ossible and when one of the two dies use the alternative. Mel --- On Sat, 12/19/09, Jonas Ulrich <jonasulrich3...@gmail.com> wrote: From: Jonas Ulrich <jonasulrich3...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: To: g3-5-list@googlegroups.com Date: Saturday, December 19, 2009, 5:38 PM True, it is an assumption, and although you don't use firewire on your DA now, it may become necessary in the event of a computer emergency. For example: You may need to use target disk mode to retrieve files off of it for one reason or another, or use it to install an OS on another mac or to transfer files. You also may need to use the optical drive of another mac via firewire. -Jonas On Sat, Dec 19, 2009 at 5:23 PM, Mel <mll...@yahoo.com> wrote: "I think you will be crippled without firewire." Maybe. How can you know? I don't use firewire on my G4 DA and am certainly not crippled by that omission. Mel --- On Sat, 12/19/09, Jonas Ulrich <jonasulrich3...@gmail.com> wrote: From: Jonas Ulrich <jonasulrich3...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: To: g3-5-list@googlegroups.com Date: Saturday, December 19, 2009, 4:43 PM I think you will be crippled without firewire. I would NEVER buy a mac without firewire. Of course, due to all the unsolved problems with the new Macbooks and macbook pros, I wouldn't buy one at all. Or at least get the best warranty possible. I'm sticking with the bullet proof Aluminum PowerBook G4's!-Jonas On Sat, Dec 19, 2009 at 4:13 PM, Bruce Johnson <john...@pharmacy.arizona.edu> wrote: On Dec 19, 2009, at 4:36 PM, dorayme wrote: > But really, can one get by fine (even if it is a bit slower) with > mere USB for purposes of backing up to an external HD? Yes. USB@ is more than fast enough for this. > > What about problems making the backup bootable No more than making a FW backup bootable. > Not asking for > details now, just yes or no or 'with great difficulty' type answers. > With FW, I presumably can prepare an external FW drive on another > desktop Mac which one can use as boot for a Macbook Pro, but this is > not possible or so easy with a Macbook, right? As the macBook doesn't have FW, it's not possible. However, an external USB/FW drive should be bootable though either interface. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
