On Going Granny Smith

Last night a friend called me and was asking questions about purchasing an Apple computer. He knows that I am very much a Windows/Linux user, but he has heard me mention that I'd like to have an Apple on my network. It will help me learn more about the interaction of their machines which have 3% of the market and Windows machines which have 89% of the market share. This in mind he knew I'd be somewhat prejudice, but trying to expose the essential truth I decided to ask him several questions.

"What are you going to do with it?"
"Surf the web and the usual."

"Gonna' play an online game?"
"Sure you know I like World of Warcraft."

"Bought an iPhone?"
"No. but thinking about it."

"In your business, don't you run proprietary software?"
"You know I do."

"Got a lot of money in the bank?"
"Sorta' personal don't ya think?"

Last question first. Have money. You'll need it. Their dependability is over rated and the initial cost to get a decent machine is absurd. You can buy an excellent PC gaming/autocad machine for the same money. Be prepared to pay for service. You will need it and apparently more often than in the days of yore and yesteryear.

If you want to spend the money by all means go ahead. Just make sure you use a Windows PC as the main workstation in your home. Be prepared for some networking frustration or hire it done. Yes, most Windows tech-types can add an Apple to an existing Windows network. They are very good machines for photo editing, graphic design. etc. Windows PCs are also just as good, and faster.

Surfing the web is fine, but you won't play online games like Guild Wars or World of Warcrack...craft, I meant. Sorry, these games are Windows only. Another reason to use a Windows machine as the primary workstation is that Apple runs very little software that is made for particular trades or professions. So don't expect those accounting, cad drawing, family tree, etc., applications to run on an Apple. They won't. Apple has some applications, but the best selling software for an Apple is Microsoft Office. They even mention it in a TV advertisement that is airing now. As you know Microsoft owns Windows. Believe me, it's a Microsoft world when it comes to software.

About the iPhone. Has nothing to do with computers. Just wondered if this attracted him to the dark side of the force, uh, uh, Apple. Battery life is still reported to be horrible and iDarth (Steve Jobs) is under fire for spying on users. I'd stay away from this device. Three people that I know use them and one complains about battery life and refuses to purchase another.

Let's get an opinion from someone that walks in the way of computer Sith. Read TechCrunch.com. It provides some insight to the world of Apple. He's pro Apple, BTW. TechCrunch is a blog so be sure and search for the post with today's date. The title of the post is Apple is Flailing Badly At The Edges. Good, honest, journalism. This article also made an appearance in the Washington Post. There are many comments too.

Missed posting yesterday. It was a Flexiril kinda' day. Will see the doctor today about back problems. A man has to know his limitations...

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."
~John Quincy Adams