Xref: utzoo comp.sys.amiga:46000 comp.sys.ibm.pc:40205 comp.sys.mac:44556 Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mailrus!iuvax!bsu-cs!mithomas From: mithomas@bsu-cs.bsu.edu (Michael Thomas Niehaus) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: Xerox sues Apple!!! Message-ID: <10457@bsu-cs.bsu.edu> Date: 18 Dec 89 19:36:38 GMT References: <6767@tank.uchicago.edu> <1989Dec17.112127.27333@me.toronto.edu> <14960@boulder.Colorado.EDU> <7777@cbnewsm.ATT.COM> Reply-To: mithomas@bsu-cs.UUCP (Michael Thomas Niehaus) Organization: CS Dept, Ball St U, Muncie, Indiana Lines: 71 Absurd "macho he-man" statement #1 (talking about using the mouse and menus): If you need a computer to hold your hand... If you're smart, all that shit gets in the way. This is not true. When you need power is when the mouse and menus become more helpful. As a computer science major, I would be lost without using Think's C with its multiple windows, integrated debugger, data-structure viewing, and menus. The mouse saves much time. As a business management major, I also work with lots of numbers and statistics. Sure, I can do a graph with Lotus 1-2-3, but I would much rather choose a menu item that lets me look at the data in another way. Definely true statement #1: I've never had to buy a book; the manual was MORE than enough. Unfortunately for many MS-DOS applications, the book is more than enough. Kind of like having to check out the whole set of encyclopedias to read an article on IBM. The information is there, just hard to get at. Why are Word Perfect and Lotus books best sellers? Humerous statement #1: BULLSHIT! There is no risk in stealing ideas, other than in being caught. I guess this means that if you don't get caught, everything is fine. Humerous statement #2: I have YET to meet an open-minded Apple owner. Every one I've met seems hell-bent on convincing me their piece of shit doesn't stink. Great things need no defense - they stand on their own merits. I like to think that I am open-minded. I like Macintosh machines. I like MS-DOS machines. I like VAX machines. I like Unix machines. Each has its strong points. Each definitely has its weak points. But many people here are shooting down the strong points of the computers as though they were weak points. You have to make many considerations, not defenses. * The Mac uses a mouse, and is consistent in the use of a mouse. This is good. * MS-DOS is a simple operating system. This is good, too. The trick is to make the operating system more powerful without requiring a more-powered user. Apple has done this with the Mac OS, and from what I have seen of OS/2 so far, IBM is trying the same thing. * Character-based systems are good. Say this in 5 years and watch yourself get laughed out of the place. The flexibility is just not there. * MS-DOS machines give you everything you need in one box. Sure, fine, great. But so do Macs, Amiga, NeXTs, Suns, VAXen, and yes, even Apple IIs. * The 80286/80386/80486 are all in the same league as the 68000/68020/68030. Each will serve the purpose. So unless you are a processor designer, let's stay away from this argument. Press 'n' now if you can't take any more... At least Mac users will try to carry on intelligent discussions without ranting and raving. -Michael -- Michael Niehaus UUCP: !{iuvax,pur-ee}!bsu-cs!mithomas Apple Student Rep ARPA: mithomas@bsu-cs.bsu.edu Ball State University AppleLink: ST0374 (from UUCP: st0374@applelink.apple.com)