On Nov 11, 2014, at 12:24 PM, Dan Asimov <dasimov@earthlink.net> wrote: I have a nice iMac...
What I've read about computer graphics on my iMac in Apple documentation sounds w-a-a-a-a-a-a-y more complicated than it used to be, with all manner of platforms upon platforms.
Is that really necessary? After all, there's a form of Linux on the iMac and I'd be happy to program with that.
No, it isn't necessary. No, there's no Linux on the iMac. What's on the iMac is Mac OS X, which is Unix. Officially certified (see here <http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/apple.htm>). Anything that works on a real Unix should work on the Mac. Of course if you want it to run using the Mac's regular user interface, which has nothing to do with Unix, then you'll need to program all sorts of stuff for that. Or use something compatible. But if you're clear about what you want there are good places to ask for help. Of course as of now the only "nice iMac" is this <http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/imac-retina>, which is truly awesome. Regards, Jon