OK, if you're the type that rather enjoys reading flames and insults, skip this post; there aren't any.
If you haven't yet matured to the point that you would consider opening your mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking, skip this post; it won't support your "My mind's made up! Don't confuse me with the facts!" mentality.
If, however, you're the type that thinks, "I believe I'm right, but it's possible there's a better way of thinking .... I'll read and consider carefully, then decide whether to adopt even a part of what's offered", then read on!
What
really gets old is the fact that when people discuss the facts of Mac OS X's numerous advantages over Windows, or the many positive aspects of Apple hardware, those who are less well-informed eventually run out of logical, fact-based responses and resort to calling people "fanboys". Similar to a child who's losing an argument and finally, in frustration, says something like, "I hate you!" Temper tantrums aren't terribly cute.
If you're going to use an insult, at LEAST try to learn what it means!
fanboy |ˈfanˌboi|
noun
informal derogatory an
obsessive male fan.
obsess |əbˈses|
verb [ trans. ] (usu. be obsessed)
preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent.
Just because someone is in these forums, discussing a topic, doesn't mean they're obsessed in any way with Apple or its products. It simply means that they have an opinion (usually based in fact and experience) that relates to the discussion at hand. That doesn't mean that they're constantly preoccupied with thoughts of shiny aluminum (or polycarbonate) computers. It simply means that, when it comes to computers, they have strong opinions based on personal experience or knowledge.
male |māl|
adjective
relating to or characteristic of men or male animals; masculine
Not everyone who uses a Mac is a male.
Not everyone who uses a Mac is under 25.
Not everyone who uses a Mac is into gaming.
Not everyone who uses a Mac is a "newbie" when it comes to computers.
Not everyone who uses a Mac is uninformed about the many disadvantages of using Windows.
fan2 |føn| |fan|
noun
someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking of a sporting club, person, group of persons, company, product, work of art, idea, or trend.
I'm a
fan of Harley-Davidson. I wear Harley t-shirts and leather jackets. I ride to motorcycle rallies and hang out with other bikers who enjoy riding Harleys. And yes, I've own Harleys for many years. Even so, I don't obsess about Harleys 24/7, and I respect other peoples' appreciation for and loyalty to Ducati or Triumph or other brands. There's a lot more to life than what you ride or drive or wear or what computer you use or what you do for recreation.
I don't have a Mac or Apple t-shirt. I don't have a Mac tattoo. I don't join "Apple fan clubs" or go to Apple or Mac events. I spend a LOT more time at Harley dealerships than I do at the Apple store. I joined this forum, not as a "fan", but as a computer user who wanted to share information about a business tool, to share my knowledge and gain knowledge from others.
I've used personal computers since they were first invented, and mainframe computers before that, so I have more than 37 years of experience with computers. That's longer than many in these forums have been alive.... times 2! I've started and owned several successful technology companies, including one that sold IBM PCs when they first hit the market, and another that provided NeXT hardware, software and technical support to major corporations, including the largest NeXT network in the world. I've been a computer/database consultant and business information management consultant for many years. I've spent years providing technical desktop support, technical training and database design to Windows users.
I have no need to brag about anything I've accomplished in my life, and I could care less about impressing anyone. Those were my choices, not made for others. I only mention it so you know that my appreciation of Macs comes from many years of in-depth experience with Windows, not from some uninformed, unquestioning loyalty to Apple or Steve Jobs or anything else. I researched Macs for more than a year before deciding to switch, so it was a decision based in facts, not some emotional attachment to Apple hardware or software.
I'm sure many in these forums who like Apple and Macs come from similar backgrounds.
Now that I think of it, I wonder if part of what made Apple and the Mac appealing to me was the fact that, like Harley-Davidson, Apple doesn't "follow the crowd". This Mac vs PC discussion sounds more and more familiar to me. It reminds me of the throngs of crotch-rocket riders who love to talk about how fast their bikes are, or how much horsepower they have, or how far they can pull a wheelie. (similar to some PC users who rave about the capabilities of the hardware they buy.) There's nothing wrong with that enthusiasm. Where it crosses the line, though, is when praising your own "stuff" isn't enough, and you start bashing those with different viewpoints, just because they don't agree with you. Some in the crotch-rocket crowd resort to making negative comments about Harleys being unreliable (VERY old reputation that died in the 60s) or how they use out-of-date technology or they're too expensive. (Sound familiar, Mac owners?)
People often ask, "Why spend $20K-$30K or more for a Harley, when you can get a faster, more technically advanced bike at half the price?" Those people haven't been on both sides. They haven't experienced what it's like to be part of the Harley "family" or how it feels when you pull up and park in a line of bikes and everyone passes the crotch rockets and wants to have their picture taken in front of your Harley. They don't know what it's like to have a flat tire on the side of the road and count 3 or 4 or more crotch-rockets that fly right by, but you can't count even 2 Harleys.... because the first one stops to help.
I know you may be wondering what Harleys have to do with Macs. Well, something we bikers learned may apply to us Mac owners as well. There's a famous t-shirt that simply says:
Harley-Davidson: If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand.
Maybe we just need to give PC owners time to discover for themselves why we appreciate Apple, Macs and Mac OS X.
