Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!van-bc!mdavcr!ewm
From: ewm@mdavcr.UUCP (Eric W. Mitchel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Rumor -> Loss of Mac's 20% advantage over Windows 3.0
Message-ID: <886@mdavcr.UUCP>
Date: 4 Jul 90 19:30:23 GMT
References: <40218215MES@MSU> <42382@apple.Apple.COM> <42383@apple.Apple.COM> <1990Jun27.180718.3155@portia.Stanford.EDU> <1990Jul3.143206.940@acc.stolaf.edu>
Reply-To: ewm@mdavcr.UUCP (Eric W. Mitchel)
Organization: MacDonald Dettwiler, 13800 Commerce Parkway, Richmond, BC, Canada  V6V 2J3
Lines: 69

In article <1990Jul3.143206.940@acc.stolaf.edu> sobiloff@agnes.acc.stolaf.edu (Chrome Cboy) writes:
>>I'm more used to Windows
>>(although I'm typing this between crashes on a IIfx) and find many aspects
>>of the Mac interface different, confusing, and at times limited.
>
>How so (esp. limited)?

I am a big Mac fan, but I am realistic enough to recognize the
deficiencies as well as the stregths of the Mac.  Among the limitations:

	- No standard command line interface.  A BIG minus for many power
	  users.  Try deleting a number of files in nested directories that
	  satisfy some search criterion with a single command.  Try opening
	  the directory window on your hard disk when the screen is filled
	  with a Word4 window (without moving/resizing the Word window).
	  Lets be realistic - the Mac interface is among the best, but has
	  many flaws too.



>--
>Global warming--what a crock! Remember 10 years ago when the cause of the year
>	was global cooling? Let's get some real evidence first, folks...

Ever seen any of the models that show what could happen if the global
warming projections are correct?  Some well founded models project a
"runaway" effect.  One of the concerns is as follows:

     Methane is one of the best greenhouse gasses.  It is produced by
	 rotting organic material (among other things).  The hotter the
	 environment, the faster methane is produced.  More methane means
	 even hotter environment.  Runnaway system. (I have radically
	 over-simplified this model).

My company does a lot of work with satellite image processing, and we
are involved in studying global change.  If you saw some of the models I
have you would realize that we *may* live in an unstable equilibrium.
If this is the case (it may not be), the right nudge can produce a
radical change in state in our environment (go study chaos systems for
relevant material).

We have a much more fragile ecosystem than most people recognize.
Some people seem to want to wait until the planet is visibly dying
before we start worrying.  That can be much too late.  Over the course
of a generation our planet could look like Mars.  * NO JOKE *

Remember, holes in the ozone layer were once a "crock".  Talk to the
Australians and ask how they feel about it now (note: I just returned
from there).



>Now, more than ever, we need SDI. Why? The threat isn't a massive strike by the
>	Soviets anymore, it's a couple of missles launched by a lesser power.

If lesser powers get N-weapons, the last thing we need to worry about is
missiles.  All they need to do is put a bomb in a suitcase on any cargo
ship steaming into New York harbour.  Lets face it folks, there ain't no
protection.  Spend the trillions on something useful.


Flame me if you will, but lets take it to email, or whatever.


Eric

===========================================================================
Disclaimer:  If I could get anybody else to accept responsibility for
			 my opinions, I would.