Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!bu.edu!xylogics!transfer!crackers!m2c!umvlsi!umaecs!amh!amherasimchu
From: amherasimchu@amherst.bitnet
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Rumor -> Loss of Mac's 20% advantage over Windows 3.0
Message-ID: <9675.268bf3ee@amherst.bitnet>
Date: 30 Jun 90 00:35:58 GMT
References: <40218215MES@MSU> <42382@apple.Apple.COM> <42383@apple.Apple.COM> <1990Jun27.180718.3155@portia.Stanford.EDU> <22943@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> <2590@network.ucsd.edu>
Lines: 54

In article <2590@network.ucsd.edu>, pbiron@weber.ucsd.edu (Paul Biron) writes:
> Granted, MacOS has done a good job of standardizing what it means
> to be a windowing interface, but it does *NOT* define it.
> That brings up another point (which many MACofiles fail to realize).
> There is a big difference between the interface presented by
> a computer system and the computer system, itself.

To the hacker, yes.  To the end-user, no. One important aspect of the Mac that
I feel is being left out of the this discussion is how easy is really is to
use.  I used to train personnell how to use their computer systems.  Training
people on DOS based platforms takes twice as long, as the personnel understand
maybe 25% of what computers do.  Besides that, DOS machines are dull, boring,
and no fun to use.  Training personnel on the MacOs takes half the time, the
user is enjoying how much fun the Mac really is, and they actually *want* to
use the computer.  Apple started that.  Really started making comptuing fun,
exciting and enjoyable in a world filled with hacker machines.

I am sorry.  I just used Win 3.0 today to test run it.  It is an improvement,
but the first thing my non-hacker, total user friend said about Win3 was "Wow!
Neat icons."

> DOS has to be one of the DUMBEST OS's created to date (I've been
> known to make the sign of the cross when approaching PC's), but I
> would rather have a 286 running DOS than a Mac Plus, simply because
> of its increased computing power (and its cheaper, too :-)

What companies need are personnel who know how to use computers.  The computer
phobia age is finally breaking up because college students, who have been using
computers on a regular basis now, are graduating and infiltrating into
corporations.  They want computers, their bosses want computers.  Corporations
are loving it.

But for that wall to be completely broken down will take some time.  Computing
power means nothing if the system can't be used.  I'd rather have personnel
using a Mac, and *wanting* to use the Mac on regular basis because thy're fun
and easy to use than any 286 platform.  Power is only powerful when its
accessible. 

> ("Flames approaching! Sulu, shields up!")

Now, now...

> 
> Paul Biron      pbiron@ucsd.edu        (619) 534-5758


________________________
Andrei Herasimchuk			Disclaimer:
Marketing Director			These are my opinions.  Please
Specular Int'l				don't repeat them to my boss
					'cause he hears them everyday already!
bitnet: amherasimchu@amherst
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