Times Have Changed

lloydminister - March 27, 2001
By: Myra Gustafson

affordable
. . . user
friendly

Mr. Shire,

I read your article on the OS-X and it is interesting to note the problems that you, as a computer technician had while installing it. I am not sure if I speak for everyone, but I believe that what the general computer consumer is looking for is something that is not only affordable but is also user friendly. User friendly used to be exclusively Apple....and that was Apple's advantage over PC. But I think its time to admit that times have changed.

I am not against Macs at all, I too got my first Mac in 1981 (and still have it) and have been drooling over the latest Apple G4 with DVD-R for a while now, but the lack of a small lottery winning has put that out of reach for me. The user friendly interface of the MAC used to be the main attraction for the average user, but the PC has caught up quickly in that department. (I'm not speaking of graphic capabilities or speed here...just the average user needs)

 

 

confuse

Having both a Mac and a few PCs at our house......and I have to confess that I have shed my "try a Mac...you'll never go back" mentality. I am now open minded and accepting of both systems. I was able to set up a network with five computers quite effortlessly here at home using Windows ME and if I can do it it has to be easy. :) The history that you presented on the PC and the MAC...although interesting to a degree.....does little more than confuse Mr. & Mrs. Smith coming in to purchase a computer for little Johnny. "History is... what history is for..." a wise prof once told me.

 

 

Power
Macs

It's interesting to note that the fifteen year old software will still run on the new Macs...but that brings up a couple of obvious questions to me....number one....who wants to run fifteen year old software anymore....and number two...maybe the fact that things don't work so seamlessly with the new OS-X system is Macs way of admitting that the time for change is once and for all upon them.....Power Macs were the first clue and now the more "complicated" OS-X is perhaps the next.

 

 

96%

Macs are a great system........for those who need what it offers.... and PCs are a great system for the rest of the consumers. 96% of the market can't all be wrong. Just food for thought......I mean no offence to a MAC man... :)
   
  Respectfully,
Myra Gustafson
   
  (Thanks Myra, we needed here that, the illustration on this page shows Myra performing in a play twenty-seven years ago. TWS)