Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac.misc:10218 comp.windows.ms:10879
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!jeb107
From: JEB107@psuvm.psu.edu (Jonathan Baker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: give me solid facts: why is the mac better than MeSsy DOS/WINDOWS
Message-ID: <91087.004314JEB107@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 28 Mar 91 05:43:14 GMT
References: <1991Mar24.025913.29727@amd.com>
 <1991Mar24.065427.16198@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
 <1991Mar26.011127.28302@amd.com>,<1991Mar26.063111.3133@cs.uoregon.edu>
 <0094630B.414E07C0@MAPLE.CIRCA.UFL.EDU>
Organization: Alphabetical
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X-Subliminal-Message: Ideas Create Consequences.  Oh well.

Pardon me for asking this, but....

Is all this Apple <--> IBM bashing really necessary?

I had assumed, for a while, that most of the people who participate in
these discussions are professional, or semi-professional computer
literate people.  However, from the amount of anit-computer system
mail out there, I guess I would be mistaken.

I had, about 6 months ago, a chance to argue with a dedicated (and
I mean REALLY dedicated) Big Blue enthuiast, who told me all about
why IBM should be the monopoly in the market (along with all of
the clone makers, of course).  This was sitting in a shop, with
the guts of about 3 IBM's sitting around useless ("I can't get
the right parts for them").

Right across the hall, was a student Macintosh Lab.  Not too nice
(It really didn't get much support), but usuable.  In this lab
sat a dedicated 'Apple should be gods!' enthuiast, who said
almost exactly the same things the pro-IBM guy did, in reverse.

I blew it off, thinking it was the result of these people being
stuck in a backwater campus, unaware that there were better
things out there.

I guess I was wrong.  I always thought that the idea of computers
was to help the user, user stupid or user bright.  It was
the general idea that, if you liked it, you bought it (remember
the idea of market competition?) and then you could always
change your mind.

Nowadays, with the advent of the LAN, WAN, GlobalAN, etc...
I figured that the computer community would be imagining
all kinds of new ways to get all these computers to work
together, and let each show it's own strengths, and
weaknesses.  Hey, if you had to so DTP, use a Mac/NeXT.
If you wanted to work in WordPerfect (if you were used to
it), then use an IBM.  Great, huh?

I guess not.  With the same general stupidity that gave
us racism, the computer 'professionals' out there seem
to have a great time telling each other just how BAD the
other guy is.

(All exceptions to this rule, please forgive me. I am trying
 to make a point)


So, I guess we are just as bad as the users, huh?



Jonathan Baker
Penn State University