I Really appreciate Mac now! [Archive]

patseguin

Jun 17, 2005, 07:45 AM

whocares

Jun 17, 2005, 07:54 AM

(...)

I had forgotten how painless everything is on Mac and started taking it for granted.

The sad thing is, we *should* take this stuff for granted. In the 21st century when you shell out $$$$, technology should work.

This is why I can't understand people using Windows. Why do I want to do maintenance on my computer? Why doesn't stuff just work? Go figure.

patseguin

Jun 17, 2005, 07:58 AM

Yeah, if it weren't for some of my software being Windows-only, I would switch everything here at work to Macs in a second.

wheezy

Jun 17, 2005, 08:05 AM

I love how oblivious most PC users are to the fact that Windows really is a headache and fight. A girl here at work brought her laptop in to a Techie here to have him look at it, and I overheard his mentioning all this Anti-whatever ware she has, and wonders how it still got through. Then I see these Earthlink ads that now have Anti-spam, Anti-spam Mail, Anti-Virus, Anti-Hack, Anti-carjack, Anti-TV Dinner ware on them, and I just laugh. What's my solution to all that? OS X....man...why do people put up with Windows!!!

weg

Jun 17, 2005, 08:41 AM

Yeah, if it weren't for some of my software being Windows-only, I would switch everything here at work to Macs in a second.

Yeah, and then wonder (like I do) why intelligent folders work, then they
don't, and then they do again... :confused:

Typolad

Jun 17, 2005, 08:42 AM

This is why I can't understand people using Windows. Why do I want to do maintenance on my computer? Why doesn't stuff just work? Go figure.

To be fair, if people DO do maintenance on thier Mac (thank you Kron scripts!), it will run better.

But yeah, Mac users can by and large get away with stuff like that.

Gordy

Jun 17, 2005, 08:42 AM

whocares

Jun 17, 2005, 08:49 AM

To be fair, if people DO do maintenance on thier Mac (thank you Kron scripts!), it will run better.

Well, I forgot about that when I installed anachron :o

Typolad

Jun 17, 2005, 08:53 AM

Well, I forgot about that when I installed anachron :o

Hmm. I use Cocktail. Is that better?

whocares

Jun 17, 2005, 09:05 AM

Hmm. I use Cocktail. Is that better?

[sorry to keep going OT]

Dunno, it just checks your crons avery 15mins and if a cron is overdue (due to sleep or switch off) it runs the cron. The good thing is cron jobs don't get missed. The bad thing is that your Mac might start maddly clicking away when you turn it on/wake it up.

Anacron (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/26808) is easy to install, and once installed you never touch it again (hence no maintenance :) ).

superfunkomatic

Jun 17, 2005, 09:09 AM

This is why I can't understand people using Windows. Why do I want to do maintenance on my computer? Why doesn't stuff just work? Go figure.
amen. it's ridiculous that companies can charge a premium for technology that has terrible documentation, support and functionality that is less than intuitive.

it's the only technology that people will accept this type of failure. if your car failed in a similar manner you'd go ballistic.

geese

Jun 17, 2005, 09:19 AM

I have a DLink Bluetooth dongle that I previously used on my PowerMac without any problems. Literally plug it in and go. I brought it to work to connect to my WindowsXP PC so I can sync my Smartphone and what a MONUMENTAL headache it was to get working. In fact, it never did work. I ended up buying another brand and even that took an hour to get working properly.

I had forgotten how painless everything is on Mac and started taking it for granted.

I had exaclty the same experience with a cheap Bluetooth dongle I bought off eBay for 14 pounds. Bought for my old Win 98 machine to work with my mobile phone. When I bought my eMac i didnt expect it to work as it wasnt designed for mac. But it worked first time. Twas great.

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 09:27 AM

[sorry to keep going OT]

Dunno, it just checks your crons avery 15mins and if a cron is overdue (due to sleep or switch off) it runs the cron. The good thing is cron jobs don't get missed. The bad thing is that your Mac might start maddly clicking away when you turn it on/wake it up.

Anacron (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/26808) is easy to install, and once installed you never touch it again (hence no maintenance :) ).
Cool. I just installed it. Thanks for letting us know about Anacron, I had never heard of it before.

whocares

Jun 17, 2005, 09:40 AM

Cool. I just installed it. Thanks for letting us know about Anacron, I had never heard of it before.

[still OT, really sorry]

FYI, Anacron is a SourceForge.net (http://sourceforge.net/projects/anacron) project and runs on all flavours of UNIX & Linux. :)

Ugg

Jun 17, 2005, 10:20 AM

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 10:28 AM

Yeah, I get a monthly email from SBC, my DSL provider, and half of the email is devoted to security. What a waste of resources and I'm sure my DSL would be a few bucks cheaper if they didn't have to provide it.
I was at Best Buy yesterday, and I watched sadly as a family decided to buy a $630 eMachine with a Celeron processor, a 15" CRT and a <gasp> CD burner. I then watched as the Best Buy employees piled on about $150 worth of antivirus software, anti-spyware apps and the like. Each time the workers pulled out another thing that they would need to protect their new "computer", the family asked if it was really necessary. They seemed to be very disappointed each time when the guys told them that their PC would be vulnerable to attack without it, because they obviously just wanted to use their "computer" and not have to worry about buying all of the extras and maintaining their security. The real horror of this story? All of this took place right next to the Mac mini display. :mad: It took all I had to keep from screaming at the employees and the family. It was horrible. I am so glad that I am a Mac user, and the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes like that poor family yesterday.

patseguin

Jun 17, 2005, 10:49 AM

Let me guess the d-link bluetooth adpater windows xp sp2?

If so I know how to get it working its down to microsofts stupid drivers taking over instead of the the d-link ones

If I'm correct in my assumtions download this pdf to help you out ftp://ftp.dlink.com/Wireless/dbt120_revB3/QIG/WinXP_servicepack2/dbt120_InstallationGuide_winxpsp2.pdf

I found out about that 'fix' during my research. The problem was that there was no Bluetooth category in Device Manager. The dongle was being recognized as a Human Interface Adapter.

It amazes me that the whole world is tolerating Windows and not realizing the security and ease-of-use of OS X. Maybe Apple needs a huge TV advertising campaign. It seems that the main problem is awareness. Those people that bought the POS e-Machines probably had no product awareness for the Mac. They could have walked out with a totally secure iMac G5 that "just works".

Gordy

Jun 17, 2005, 10:57 AM

I found out about that 'fix' during my research. The problem was that there was no Bluetooth category in Device Manager. The dongle was being recognized as a Human Interface Adapter.

It amazes me that the whole world is tolerating Windows and not realizing the security and ease-of-use of OS X. Maybe Apple needs a huge TV advertising campaign. It seems that the main problem is awareness. Those people that bought the POS e-Machines probably had no product awareness for the Mac. They could have walked out with a totally secure iMac G5 that "just works".

Sounds like you had a dud one, they should show up as a bluetooth radio by default on winxp sp2. You then force it to use the dlink driver :)

MacRy

Jun 17, 2005, 11:52 AM

I had a similar experience recently when installing a printer on an XP laptop. Took me half an hour to finally get it working after locating the driver disk and a lot of swearing and shouting. Wouldn't have been so annoying had I not just plugged it into my iMac originally and it just started working.

Typolad

Jun 17, 2005, 11:53 AM

All of this took place right next to the Mac mini display. :mad: It took all I had to keep from screaming at the employees and the family. It was horrible. I am so glad that I am a Mac user, and the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes like that poor family yesterday.

While I wouldn't advise screaming, I've been known to perk up and say "You know, by the time you finish making that PC bulletproof, you could have gotten a Mac with better specs. Dopn't mind me, just passing through."

Mr. G4

Jun 17, 2005, 11:55 AM

I was at Best Buy yesterday, and I watched sadly as a family decided to buy a $630 eMachine with a Celeron processor, a 15" CRT and a <gasp> CD burner. I then watched as the Best Buy employees piled on about $150 worth of antivirus software, anti-spyware apps and the like. Each time the workers pulled out another thing that they would need to protect their new "computer", the family asked if it was really necessary. They seemed to be very disappointed each time when the guys told them that their PC would be vulnerable to attack without it, because they obviously just wanted to use their "computer" and not have to worry about buying all of the extras and maintaining their security. The real horror of this story? All of this took place right next to the Mac mini display. :mad: It took all I had to keep from screaming at the employees and the family. It was horrible. I am so glad that I am a Mac user, and the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes like that poor family yesterday.

I can never stop myself telling people that. To me it's just a public service. :)
I remembered when I bough my PB 15", there were one lady who was behind me in line buying Norton Antivirus and said "I hate Mac," to which I asked why....the only anwser she could give was "I just don't like it"...then the cashier told her that if she had a Mac she wouldn't have to get that Norton Antivirus....she just paid at walked away. :p

whocares

Jun 17, 2005, 01:01 PM

(...)....she just paid at walked away. :p

That's right, swallow up that pride! :D :D :D

patseguin

Jun 17, 2005, 01:04 PM

Sounds like you had a dud one, they should show up as a bluetooth radio by default on winxp sp2. You then force it to use the dlink driver :)

I would agree with you if it didn't work flawlessly in OS X.

MS's current Bluetooth implementation stinks.

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 01:26 PM

I can never stop myself telling people that. To me it's just a public service. :)
I remembered when I bough my PB 15", there were one lady who was behind me in line buying Norton Antivirus and said "I hate Mac," to which I asked why....the only anwser she could give was "I just don't like it"...then the cashier told her that if she had a Mac she wouldn't have to get that Norton Antivirus....she just paid at walked away. :p
That is awesome. I've had a quite a few people say hings like that to me, and I always try to get to the root of their problems :p . It usually turns out to be something like, "Well, they just have to be different. Why put the icons on the other side of the screen? Why can't they just have everything the same?" (missing the whole point that MS copied the interface from Apple, thus thrying to be different, they were the ones thet switched the icon location :rolleyes: ) I have corrected RadioShack employees on more than one occasion because they were telling customers that the HP iPods are for PC's and the Apple iPods are for Mac. Whether that is from ignorance or flawed training, it really ticks me off when I hear it.

jared_kipe

Jun 17, 2005, 01:52 PM

Bestbuy and radioshack will hire the stupidest ****ers on the planet. I've NEVER had one of them actually help me, they run over when you first walk in to greet you. And if you ask them they will usually dump you on some other person or try to sell you something that wasn't what you asked for. Oh and just for fun ask them what hard drives will work in some mac or another. They will say none of them will work, they are all PC hard drives.

Gordy

Jun 17, 2005, 01:57 PM

I would agree with you if it didn't work flawlessly in OS X.

MS's current Bluetooth implementation stinks.

Can't agree more, though it used to be worse than it currently is shockingly!

Cant believe how much easier it is on my powerbook. Hookin up my mobile took seconds not hours :)

savar

Jun 17, 2005, 02:13 PM

While I wouldn't advise screaming, I've been known to perk up and say "You know, by the time you finish making that PC bulletproof, you could have gotten a Mac with better specs. Dopn't mind me, just passing through."

I agree. Its not at all impolite to step in and say something. BestBuy workers won't like it, of course, but I imagine that the family would. Just qualify your experience with computers, i.e. "I'm a software developer and I use a Dell xxx every day at work, but when I go home I have a Mac Mini." Then ask if they mind if you suggest a way to save them hassle/money.

In the above scenario, however, I doubt they would've gotten out of the store with a Mini, CRT, and Keyboard for $650...Maybe I'm wrong? I haven't priced stuff like that in a while.

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 02:22 PM

I agree. Its not at all impolite to step in and say something. BestBuy workers won't like it, of course, but I imagine that the family would. Just qualify your experience with computers, i.e. "I'm a software developer and I use a Dell xxx every day at work, but when I go home I have a Mac Mini." Then ask if they mind if you suggest a way to save them hassle/money.

In the above scenario, however, I doubt they would've gotten out of the store with a Mini, CRT, and Keyboard for $650...Maybe I'm wrong? I haven't priced stuff like that in a while.
The only problem is that I really don't have the credentials to convince them. I'm just you average college student, on my Macs all day long. I really wish I had said something now, though. Even something like, "I'm glad i don't have to worry about any of that antivirus crap. I don't even get spyware, and I'm not protected in any way."

After they left, I went over and priced the displays, and I found a 17" flat CRT for $99 and a 17" LCD for $179.

feakbeak

Jun 17, 2005, 02:26 PM

I agree. Its not at all impolite to step in and say something. BestBuy workers won't like it, of course, but I imagine that the family would. Just qualify your experience with computers, i.e. "I'm a software developer and I use a Dell xxx every day at work, but when I go home I have a Mac Mini."Funny, this is my exact situation! :D

I am a software developer and use a Dell Optiplex GX270 at work. (3.2 GHz HT P4 w/2 GB RAM) I go home and use my Mac Mini! Of course I have a PC at home too which I use for coding, gaming and as my webserver. Still, I prefer using my Mac for daily tasks (email, web browsing, IM, iTunes) and multimedia tasks (iTunes, iPhoto/Photoshop, iMovie/iDVD). I like Windows and PCs but I've always believed that Macs are better computers for the average consumer.

Rocksaurus

Jun 17, 2005, 02:57 PM

That is awesome. I've had a quite a few people say hings like that to me, and I always try to get to the root of their problems :p . It usually turns out to be something like, "Well, they just have to be different. Why put the icons on the other side of the screen? Why can't they just have everything the same?" (missing the whole point that MS copied the interface from Apple, thus thrying to be different, they were the ones thet switched the icon location :rolleyes: ) I have corrected RadioShack employees on more than one occasion because they were telling customers that the HP iPods are for PC's and the Apple iPods are for Mac. Whether that is from ignorance or flawed training, it really ticks me off when I hear it.

UGH you just basically described my biggest pet peeve. Windows users sit down at my Mac, and when it does something different than Windows, they complain that it "doesn't work"... Then I remind them who was doing these things first, but it never seems to matter. It's just really frustrating.

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 03:00 PM

UGH you just basically described my biggest pet peeve. Windows users sit down at my Mac, and when it does something different than Windows, they complain that it "doesn't work"... Then I remind them who was doing these things first, but it never seems to matter. It's just really frustrating.
Isn't it great? That's like telling Thomas Edison that he made the light bulb wrong, because GE does it the right way. :rolleyes:

noel4r

Jun 17, 2005, 03:48 PM

dsharits

Jun 17, 2005, 09:49 PM

Don't forget Fry's Electronics. Great prices, poor service.
No Fry's around in this area, only Best Buy and RadioShack. I would love to work at Best Buy, and actually swing people the right way when buying computers. That would be a fun job. :cool:

cosmos

Jun 19, 2005, 04:35 AM

No Fry's around in this area, only Best Buy and RadioShack. I would love to work at Best Buy, and actually swing people the right way when buying computers. That would be a fun job. :cool:

I don't work at Best Buy, but it is possible that the sales people are 'nudged' into pushing the WINTEL H/W. Their manager, someone about three years older than them, would want them to push the needed extras such as AV software, anti-spyware, and internet security add ons after closing the deal.

Think about the added margins that all of the extras piled on to the sale. Not to mention the Best Buy extended warranty to ice the cake.

It would be interesting to have a former salesperson comment if this is the case.

szark

Jun 19, 2005, 05:37 AM

Don't forget Fry's Electronics. Great prices, poor service.

You're giving them too much credit -- you're actually claiming they have service. ;)

I don't work at Best Buy, but it is possible that the sales people are 'nudged' into pushing the WINTEL H/W. Their manager, someone about three years older than them, would want them to push the needed extras such as AV software, anti-spyware, and internet security add ons after closing the deal.

Think about the added margins that all of the extras piled on to the sale. Not to mention the Best Buy extended warranty to ice the cake.

It would be interesting to have a former salesperson comment if this is the case.

From a former Best Buy salesperson that I work with:

Best Buy holds regular meetings for all of their salespeople where they are given updates on any new items the store is carrying, and how much of a margin each item generates for the store. Selling the high margin items is, of course, best for the company, so pushing those items is "recommended."

Because Apple demands such a high margin for themselves, Best Buy does not make very good margins on Apple computers, so they aren't a high priority item.

wrldwzrd89

Jun 19, 2005, 06:12 AM

<snip>
Oh and just for fun ask them what hard drives will work in some mac or another. They will say none of them will work, they are all PC hard drives.
Actually, they're correct in the sense that the drives are formatted for Windows (FAT32/NTFS) and will not work in a Mac without a reformat...but that doesn't mean you can't get one connected to a Mac in the first place, as their comment seems to imply.

dsharits

Jun 19, 2005, 08:49 AM

You're giving them too much credit -- you're actually claiming they have service. ;)

From a former Best Buy salesperson that I work with:

Best Buy holds regular meetings for all of their salespeople where they are given updates on any new items the store is carrying, and how much of a margin each item generates for the store. Selling the high margin items is, of course, best for the company, so pushing those items is "recommended."

Because Apple demands such a high margin for themselves, Best Buy does not make very good margins on Apple computers, so they aren't a high priority item.
They should be glad that I don't work for them. I couldn't bring myself to lie and deceive a customer. There is no possible way that I would let anybody look at or buy a computer without being shown all of their options.

Linkjeniero

Jun 19, 2005, 11:14 AM

Actually, they're correct in the sense that the drives are formatted for Windows (FAT32/NTFS) and will not work in a Mac without a reformat...but that doesn't mean you can't get one connected to a Mac in the first place, as their comment seems to imply.

Wrong. New hard drives don't come formatted, so a Windows user has to format it before using it just like a Mac user (but it's easier on the Mac ;)).

About the thread:The strangest thing happened last month, when my mom got an iMac. We went to the store (not a Mac specific store), and when I asked to have the Mac she was taking unpacked to check that everything was OK, the salesperson told me that he didn't know much about Macs, and asked me to teach him a bit as I ran the hardware test! I was more than glad to do so, and he even let me answer an iPod related question from a costumer, instead of making up the answer! (like everyone else seem to do). I like to know that there's at least one computer sales person out there with ethics and will to learn :).