People are still completely ignorant about Macs

[kainjow]

For an online class I am taking this semester, we have to post in a "threaded discussion" about our computer and why it works for us. One of the guys starts a rant on Macs and it is completely inaccurate. Unfortunately I have to wait until tomorrow to respond to him (rules of the system), but I am looking forward to respectfully trashing him

Here's what he said:

I have a Mac as well. And I think the main reason I don't ever use it is because, well. Macs are useless except for multimedia type stuff. OSx was a joke, and I can't stand the comparisons between Windows and OSx. For instance, in the Mac commercials they have the PC guy with his security guard asking him to allow or deny everything. But if you turn the feature off, you're defenseless. Well, to the average computer user, this may be true. But as long as you KNOW what you're installing and running, you should never have a problem. As for the Mac, they are even MORE annoying as they require a PASSWORD every time you try and install new software or run 3rd party software. You also have the option to turn this feature off.

Now that Macs have gone down the Intel road. They are becoming more useful. But to say they don't get viruses or spyware is completely inaccurate. They do, only since they are so rarely used and since there is little to no third party compatible software written for them no one bothers to write viruses for them. This being the case, now that they are intel and run XP or OSx, they have jumped into the LEAD for viruses and spyware since the spyware and virus removal software companies haven't been able to keep up with the switch over.

As far as OSs go. Anyone who can figure out how to run and program for Linux, should definately do it. Memory management, device drivers, and peripheral compatibility are FAR superior in Linux. For the average user, I would recommend Windows... And for anyone getting into mutimedia but not running any resource heavy stuff like gaming or hard core mathematical computations, go with OSx.

 

[QuarterSwede]

As for the Mac, they are even MORE annoying as they require a PASSWORD every time you try and install new software or run 3rd party software. You also have the option to turn this feature off.

That has to be my favorite part. So, I suppose constantly clicking on UAC windows instead of entering a password every once in a blue moon is ok with him. Hahaha, moron.

 

[Mac OS X Ocelot]

Wow, I wasn't aware that there were "little or no third party software compatible with Macs." That is completely new to me. So is the fact that since the switch to Intel there are more viruses and spyware for Mac than Windows because the anti-virus software companies can't keep up with it.

It seems like this guy doesn't like Mac and is offended by the commercials so he makes facts up to suit his argument.

Of all the legitimate points you can argue against Mac, he could have picked at least one of them instead of making s*** up.

 

[Naimfan]

I know I, for one, look forward to reading your response!

 

[monke]

I have a Mac as well. And I think the main reason I don't ever use it is because, well. Macs are useless except for multimedia type stuff.

So then all the multimedia stuff (video's, photo's, music, web design, print design, motion production, presentation's, games, etc.) all Mac's are good at.

OSx was a joke, and I can't stand the comparisons between Windows and OSx. For instance, in the Mac commercials they have the PC guy with his security guard asking him to allow or deny everything. But if you turn the feature off, you're defenseless.

As long as you KNOW what you're installing and running, you should never have a problem.

Yes I know that I'm installing Adobe Photoshop CS4 and yes I know that it is not a virus.

As for the Mac, they are even MORE annoying as they require a PASSWORD every time you try and install new software or run 3rd party software. You also have the option to turn this feature off.

So then why mention it?

Now that Macs have gone down the Intel road. They are becoming more useful. But to say they don't get viruses or spyware is completely inaccurate. They do, only since they are so rarely used and since there is little to no third party compatible software written for them no one bothers to write viruses for them.

They need to get out of their cave more often and see that there are over 23,000 products written for Mac. http://guide.apple.com/

This being the case, now that they are intel and run XP or OSx, they have jumped into the LEAD for viruses and spyware since the spyware and virus removal software companies haven't been able to keep up with the switch over.

Yes, this is true. There are billions more viruses for Mac, and they all just came out yesterday, so the leading 'virus removal' companies haven't had time to make programs for them.

As far as OSs go. Anyone who can figure out how to run and program for Linux, should definately do it.

It's obvious that you fall into this category since you have such amazing intelligence when it comes to operating systems.

Memory management, device drivers, and peripheral compatibility are FAR superior in Linux.

Compared to Windows, yes.

For the average user, I would recommend Windows... And for anyone getting into mutimedia but not running any resource heavy stuff like gaming or hard core mathematical computations, go with OSx.

Two big words in a row. Way to go.

 

[furcalchick]

As for the Mac, they are even MORE annoying as they require a PASSWORD every time you try and install new software or run 3rd party software. You also have the option to turn this feature off.

that's only for certain sensitive applications like superduper or onyx, which if handled incorrectly, will cause major problems for the user. most other programs don't ask for that, and even so, it's only once.

Now that Macs have gone down the Intel road. They are becoming more useful. But to say they don't get viruses or spyware is completely inaccurate. They do, only since they are so rarely used and since there is little to no third party compatible software written for them no one bothers to write viruses for them.

the intel chips greatest benefit i think was getting more people to try the mac instead of worrying about speed and other stuff with the power pc. i'm not sure what that has to do with app usefulness, but i know there were alot of great apps for the mac before intel came along and still are. the no programs myth was probably from the 90's, but now, i see many great mac apps out there. the greatest thing it gave the macs was the ability to run windows i think.

and unix is alot harder to hack than windows coding, so it's not all because of the smaller market share. and as i said earlier, just go on version tracker and see the thousands of apps out there for the mac. more than a few, and most of them are of high quality, unlike alot of windows apps i've seen.

 

[Luis]

And for anyone getting into mutimedia but not running any resource heavy stuff like gaming or hard core mathematical computations, go with OSx.

Hmmm... isn't UNIX a huge plus in the Science and Math areas? Tsk, Tsk...

 

[SkyBell]

They do, only since they are so rarely used and since there is little to no third party compatible software written for them no one bothers to write viruses for them.

Be sure to mention MacUpdate to this loser.

 

[CalBoy]

I have a Mac as well. And I think the main reason I don't ever use it is because, well. Macs are useless except for multimedia type stuff. OSx was a joke, and I can't stand the comparisons between Windows and OSx. For instance, in the Mac commercials they have the PC guy with his security guard asking him to allow or deny everything. But if you turn the feature off, you're defenseless. Well, to the average computer user, this may be true. But as long as you KNOW what you're installing and running, you should never have a problem. As for the Mac, they are even MORE annoying as they require a PASSWORD every time you try and install new software or run 3rd party software. You also have the option to turn this feature off.

Now that Macs have gone down the Intel road. They are becoming more useful. But to say they don't get viruses or spyware is completely inaccurate. They do, only since they are so rarely used and since there is little to no third party compatible software written for them no one bothers to write viruses for them. This being the case, now that they are intel and run XP or OSx, they have jumped into the LEAD for viruses and spyware since the spyware and virus removal software companies haven't been able to keep up with the switch over.

As far as OSs go. Anyone who can figure out how to run and program for Linux, should definately do it. Memory management, device drivers, and peripheral compatibility are FAR superior in Linux. For the average user, I would recommend Windows... And for anyone getting into mutimedia but not running any resource heavy stuff like gaming or hard core mathematical computations, go with OSx.

I can give one of his arguments some credit:

But as long as you KNOW what you're installing and running, you should never have a problem.

In general, if you're careful with what you download, you shouldn't have too many problems in Windows. Granted your odds of encountering a problem at some point or another are pretty high, overall, you shouldn't have much of an issue.

However, this has got to be my favorite line of all time:

they have jumped into the LEAD for viruses and spyware since the spyware and virus removal software companies haven't been able to keep up with the switch over.

I guess that explains why my mbp is as blazing fast as the day I bought it...all those new viruses plaguing it.

 

[Abstract]

Just do the mature thing and make fun of his mom.

 

[kainjow]

In general, if you're careful with what you download, you shouldn't have too many problems in Windows. Granted your odds of encountering a problem at some point or another are pretty high, overall, you shouldn't have much of an issue.

Generally that's the case, but when you have friends who think visiting porn or poker sites in IE6 is safe, you start to see problems

 

[thebassoonist]

For an online class I am taking this semester, we have to post in a "threaded discussion" about our computer and why it works for us. One of the guys starts a rant on Macs and it is completely inaccurate. Unfortunately I have to wait until tomorrow to respond to him (rules of the system), but I am looking forward to respectfully trashing him

Ask him how long it look him to set up his computer w/ Linux and all.
I got my MBP handed to me at 8:50 am. By 12:25 pm, I was in class taking notes in Pages. It wasn't a race against the clock - I had time to mess around with iChat and other programs, get my user settings set up, and get all of the software updates.
And guess what - it just works! I think that this is what an "average user" wants.

Oh, and I like having to type in my password every time I install something! That way I know what is being installed. How many times I got so irritated with XP just doing whatever the hell it wanted... and if I turned off automatic updates, well, we know what that does. THIS IS DANGEROUS! YOU HAVE TURNED OFF AUTOMATIC UPDATES! AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha ha, I guess now I'm ranting.

 

[SeVeN]

can you really turn off having to put in a password when installing?

 

[CalBoy]

Generally that's the case, but when you have friends who think visiting porn or poker sites in IE6 is safe, you start to see problems

OMG. I was actually considering putting "unless you're surfing for porn" in my post!

can you really turn off having to put in a password when installing?

As far as I remember, this was an option, but it was highly recommended. For my accounts, I always use passwords, so it makes no difference to me.

 

[martychang]

His assessment of Windows is pretty good actually, as others have said, however I wouldn't recommend Windows to someone who isn't very computer savvy. Just looking at the way my parent's computers are set up with Windows makes me go insane(as for my sister's, insane isn't a good enough word ).

I'd generally recommend OS X to most users, and Linux to anyone who has the interest to learn it, or has someone who knows it close to them if they need a troubleshooter(there's no "Tuxcare" shops that I know of). Ubuntu is zero setup time and everything most people need, literally.. I'm trying to get my family to switch to it on their PCs(posting from Ubuntu 7.10 right now).

I still intend to get a Mac mostly to mess around with, and because I know I want a quality portable.

 

[JudgeDanny]

I 2 can't wait for your response

 

[big.birdd]

dont get too worked up lol, just think of something very witty and extremely clever.. dno what that would be

 

[Sesshi]

Not worth a response - looks like a Linux nerd.

 

[Queso]

Not worth a response - looks like a Linux nerd.

Exactly. The Linux mob are getting over the top anti-Apple these days. Probably because Apple keeps locking them out of the iPod

But of course if you correct them about anything they've said wrong in their anti-Apple rants, you're just an Apple cultist and fanboy. This sort of discussion goes on ad nauseum all over the tech web. You shouldn't mention him or his opinions by name, but correct his assertions in your presentation by stating facts.

 

[kainjow]

dont get too worked up lol, just think of something very witty and extremely clever.. dno what that would be

Yeah I'm not going to go crazy like a typical fanboy. Probably just point out some of the more inaccurate things he wrote and provide some proof.

Not worth a response - looks like a Linux nerd.

Normally yes, but you have to post several times in the discussions for credit in the class.

 

[Sesshi]

Normally yes, but you have to post several times in the discussions for credit in the class.

Yes - but do you have to reply directly to his post?

Take the high road - Slag him off creatively

 

[kainjow]

Take the high road - Slag him off creatively

I'll let you guys know what I write. Don't expect a speech or anything

 

[saltyzoo]

...mathematical computations, go with OSx.

Two big words in a row. Way to go.

Too bad they were redundant.

 

[KimTwemlow]

You might want to give him a heads-up. On the correct use. Of. Periods while. You're at it.

 

[GSMiller]

That has to be my favorite part. So, I suppose constantly clicking on UAC windows instead of entering a password every once in a blue moon is ok with him. Hahaha, moron.

You're telling me. I highly prefer the password request in OS X to the constant warnings in Windows. When you install anything on Vista you have to sit there and hold it's hand so it knows exactly what to do and then half the time it still doesn't even work in the end.