dacs.doc electric

 

Mikee loves it!

By Mike Kaltschnee

 

Apple AirPort Wireless Networking HubBefore you write this article off as something written by a radical Mac nut, keep in mind that I am very experienced with DOS and Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, and now 2000. I have also used the Mac from its release in 1984. Having spent about equal time with both, I have a choice, and I picked the Mac.

My two main machines are a PowerBook and an aging PowerMac G3 450. Although both machines are not current or "state of the art," I use them constantly for my work and play. Sure, I keep a couple of "Wintel" boxes around for different reasons (mostly work and compatibility with other people who use Windows), but you’ll always see me boot the Mac first.

If you’re not familiar with the Mac, you probably think that it’s not compatible with Windows computers. This is a very old way of thinking. The Mac can read and write most floppy, Zip, and other media from a Windows computer. If you need to read Mac disks on Windows you have to buy a third-party product (there are several). If you want to use a Mac at work, I have used mine on many different Windows networks without trouble. If you need to transfer files, Windows NT and 2000 include Mac drive capability, or you can buy "Dave" for your Mac or "PC Mac Lan" for your Windows machine to make them understand each other better.

Apple iBookSoftware is a bit sparse on the Mac, but think of all of the applications you really use--email, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PhotoShop, etc. All of these are available and work seamlessly with their Windows counterparts. I rarely have to fight to work on my Mac with Windows files--the applications read and write the files cleanly and easily. I have yet to find something I can’t get done on the Mac. My only real complaint is that some games haven’t been ported to the Mac, such as Half-Life. However, some of the best games of all time were written on the Mac, such as Myst (the best-selling game of all time).

I have to admit that I appreciate quality and good design. Even though I don’t own an iMac (and probably never will), Apple made the whole industry understand that people do care about design.
Computers are becoming fixtures, almost furniture, in our lives. Rather than having a beige box, tons of cables everywhere, Apple has been working to make them easier to use and paying attention to the design aspect of computing. While design won’t make software run faster, when was the last time you were really waiting for your computer to finish a task? Printing? Downloading on a Modem?

Computers are much more powerful than most of us need (which is why computer manufacturers are in trouble).

Apple has also been a leader in wireless networking. Almost every Mac shipped in the past 2 years has it built-in. Add a simple card for around $99, an Airport base station (great design) for about $299, and you have a wireless network. Add Apple’s legendary ease-of-use and almost anyone can do it. PC manufacturers are just beginning to add internal antennas to their notebooks now.
Probably one of the oldest complaints about the Mac has been price. This is no longer the cash--you can get a Mac for as low as $799 new, and most mid-level machines are cheaper when compared to Windows machines. Don’t take my word for it--take a look at www.Apple.com and visit their store. Keep in mind that these are the retail prices, and you can usually get a better deal from a local store or mail order.

So maybe it all comes down to "being different." Most of my friends that use Mac’s are creative and consider the Mac a "style" choice (that is a major PhotoShop machine). The remainder are able to see the power behind the Mac and use it to be productive. Sure, sometimes it harder to find an application for a specialized task, but the lack of time spent configuring or experiencing BSOD’s (blue screens of death) make my experience with the Mac my personal choice.


Mike is a DACS member who loves his Macs (not THAT way). You can contact him by e-mail: mikek@demorgan.com.

BackHomeNext