There's only one OS most laptop and desktop users care about using, and it's Windows. People like it, and it works for them. I know this is hard to hear for a Mac or Free Software fanatic, but I believe it's true, and the market results show this pretty clearly. Virtual PC is a pretty poor user experience compared to the real thing, I'm sure you'll agree, and most people aren't sophisticated enough to play with that sort of thing anyway. I think people buy Macs because of style, not because of the OS. Some buy because of the OS, but I doubt most really care.
An overwhelming majority of people who want a computer look out at the world and ask themselves "What's the best machine that runs Windows?" These days it's usually a Dell. Next year it will be an Apple. People don't buy Apples because they're afraid of compatibility. That won't be an issue anymore if they can run Windows. I say that's a big opportunity for Apple.
I don't expect many people in the real world will be interested in running OSX on any old x86. Instead, there will a ton of interest in running Windows (XP or Vista) on Apple hardware. Do you think most people buy Macs because of OS X? They buy because of the pretty case and the positive brand association.
Most people who use Macs, and an even greater number of potential Mac "switchers," could give a rat's ass about what OS the thing runs. A similar question to ask is whether the typical VW buyer buys because of who made the engine. The reason they bought their Jetta is that they thought it looked cool and the brand identity fits their style. Same goes for Mac buyers.
So the question isn't what OS does it run, instead some more pertinent questions are, "does it look cooler than a 'regular' pc?" "Can I run MS Office on it?" and "Does it connect to the Internet and e-mail?" and "Can I print my digital pictures using it?" Maybe a few will wonder "can I hook my iPod up to it?" And maybe most importantly "if it doesn't work can I call my son-in-law and he'll know what to do?"
The answer to that last one is usually "no" these days unless he happens to be a Mac freak, which is unlikely given the numbers. But the answer to that one can be changed to a "yes" with a simple install of Windows on your x86 iMac. And the answers to the other questions don't change either way.
A really smart idea for Apple would be to offer the new Macs with Windows Vista pre-installed as an option. Once Apple does this there's litte in their way to compete directly with Dell. And the only difference between Apple and Dell will be that Apple will be able to get more profit per machine because of their premium brand image. Apple could eat Dell for lunch within a year if they execute right.
And they could leverage their advantage in user-friendly software design by simply porting all their iApps to Windows. They still don't have to allow those apps to run on non-Apple hardware if they don't want, of course.
I don't know about you guys, but I want to run Windows on my x86 iMac. Apple already said that would be possible, and I'm psyched to finally get a PC that looks halfway decent and doesn't have a thousand wires and boxes. Once the x86 iMac comes out they can stop making OS X for all I care. Why don't they just port their iApps to Windows and call it a day?
Good idea about Jobs. I think Apple should buy TiVo. It would fit perfectly into their whole home-media-centricity. If Apple bought TiVo it would instantly put them ahead of Microsoft's Media Center and give them a real wedge into the living room. And porting TiVo's application layer to OS X should be pretty straightforward if they want TiVo 3 to be a Mac for the living room.
I recently plugged a new Mac with Jaguar on it into our office Windows network. I firmly believe that this machine does Windows networking better than Windows 9x, and it's easier to configure than anything I've used so far.
Active Directory aside, I find Mac OS X to work on a Windows network better than Windows does, honestly.
Must not have been any fires or people trapped in a hole or anything today. That would've been more interesting.
Anybody who thinks they understand how the human brain works because they can program a calculator on steroids to play chess or whatever is certainly lacking the authentic form of intelligence. For these people the artificial kind is all they can hope to attain.
Mac OS X 10.2 is in beta right now. Mandrake 9 is just now announcing beta. So 10.2 was first. (If it includes gcc 3.x which I frankly don't know.)
Neither one is released, but I'd guess Apple will release first since they're already taking orders.
I've been using ClearCase at my current job for about 3 years. I hate it. Figuring out how to use it took a while, but the senseless complexity of the user interface isn't why I hate it. Rather it's because it takes a team of well-trained engineers to keep the thing running - but where are you going to find a single well-trained engineer that's willing to maintain a source control system?. Also, it's super unbelievably slow, even on fast hardware. It crashes sometimes, and it doesn't scale.
It's supposed big strength is that it has so many features and can be used in so many ways. But who wants to mess around with playing with scripts and triggers and other arcana when there's actual work to be done on the code? Wouldn't it be better if it provided one simple way to keep track of your source code that worked rather than thousands of ways each filled with trouble? ClearCase provides a huge distraction to the development effort.
Simply put, ClearCase is way overpriced garbage.
Two alternatives that I would seriously consider in addition to the options that have already been discussed here are the Corbin Sparrow (http://www.corbinmotors.com/sparrow.htm) which is a one-seater all electric made in California, and the Volkswagen TDI diesel engine equipped cars.
The advantage of the VW TDI is that you can have a car that gets 50 MPG without any particularly exotic technology or expensive batteries. It supposedly doesn't have sooty exhaust and is a peppier engine that the gasoline model. They've really refined this system since it's so popular in Europe. It's cheap, reliable, and as fuel efficient as gasoline hybrids. VW makes the New Beetle, Golf, Jetta, and Jetta Wagon with the TDI option.
The Corbin Sparrow is a very exciting commuter vehicle that, although a little weird looking, is certainly worth checking out too, especially if you like entirely electric solutions.
One other option you might check out is the electric Toyota RAV4. I think these may also be available in California.
-Andrew
Connected Corp has the best offering in the automatic backup of user machines. Their product will simplify your life. You'll wonder why anyone needs an IT staff for backups. And unlike most backup products, this one is actually designed to make RESTORE easy, not just the backup. Great interface, great price. http://www.connected.com. I think they have a free trial.
If we put solar panels on all the cell towers to power those suckers and take them off the grid, and power all the phones this way, then we will have reached renewable energy nirvana.
This actually sounds possible. I'd pay $10 more per month for a cell system that worked that way. I wonder how many tons of coal (not to mention CO2 in the atmosphere) a system like this would save.
I think a good text for a course on conceptual models for software is Design Patterns by Gamma, Helm, Johnson, and Vlissides. When I first came upon this book it really opened my eyes. Now I can hardly imagine trying to be a software developer without the perspective offered in these pages.
The only question I have is how did this guy get so much hype over a stupid overpriced toy. Cities redesigned?! Unbelievable nonsense. I'm really shocked at how seriously this thing is being covered. I feel like it's all some kind of April fools joke. How do you buy this kind of advertising for such a piece of crap?
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An overwhelming majority of people who want a computer look out at the world and ask themselves "What's the best machine that runs Windows?" These days it's usually a Dell. Next year it will be an Apple. People don't buy Apples because they're afraid of compatibility. That won't be an issue anymore if they can run Windows. I say that's a big opportunity for Apple.
Most people who use Macs, and an even greater number of potential Mac "switchers," could give a rat's ass about what OS the thing runs. A similar question to ask is whether the typical VW buyer buys because of who made the engine. The reason they bought their Jetta is that they thought it looked cool and the brand identity fits their style. Same goes for Mac buyers.
So the question isn't what OS does it run, instead some more pertinent questions are, "does it look cooler than a 'regular' pc?" "Can I run MS Office on it?" and "Does it connect to the Internet and e-mail?" and "Can I print my digital pictures using it?" Maybe a few will wonder "can I hook my iPod up to it?" And maybe most importantly "if it doesn't work can I call my son-in-law and he'll know what to do?"
The answer to that last one is usually "no" these days unless he happens to be a Mac freak, which is unlikely given the numbers. But the answer to that one can be changed to a "yes" with a simple install of Windows on your x86 iMac. And the answers to the other questions don't change either way.
A really smart idea for Apple would be to offer the new Macs with Windows Vista pre-installed as an option. Once Apple does this there's litte in their way to compete directly with Dell. And the only difference between Apple and Dell will be that Apple will be able to get more profit per machine because of their premium brand image. Apple could eat Dell for lunch within a year if they execute right.
And they could leverage their advantage in user-friendly software design by simply porting all their iApps to Windows. They still don't have to allow those apps to run on non-Apple hardware if they don't want, of course.
I don't know about you guys, but I want to run Windows on my x86 iMac. Apple already said that would be possible, and I'm psyched to finally get a PC that looks halfway decent and doesn't have a thousand wires and boxes. Once the x86 iMac comes out they can stop making OS X for all I care. Why don't they just port their iApps to Windows and call it a day?
Good idea about Jobs. I think Apple should buy TiVo. It would fit perfectly into their whole home-media-centricity. If Apple bought TiVo it would instantly put them ahead of Microsoft's Media Center and give them a real wedge into the living room. And porting TiVo's application layer to OS X should be pretty straightforward if they want TiVo 3 to be a Mac for the living room.
I recently plugged a new Mac with Jaguar on it into our office Windows network. I firmly believe that this machine does Windows networking better than Windows 9x, and it's easier to configure than anything I've used so far.
Active Directory aside, I find Mac OS X to work on a Windows network better than Windows does, honestly.
Must not have been any fires or people trapped in a hole or anything today. That would've been more interesting. Anybody who thinks they understand how the human brain works because they can program a calculator on steroids to play chess or whatever is certainly lacking the authentic form of intelligence. For these people the artificial kind is all they can hope to attain.
Mac OS X 10.2 is in beta right now. Mandrake 9 is just now announcing beta. So 10.2 was first. (If it includes gcc 3.x which I frankly don't know.) Neither one is released, but I'd guess Apple will release first since they're already taking orders.
I've been using ClearCase at my current job for about 3 years. I hate it. Figuring out how to use it took a while, but the senseless complexity of the user interface isn't why I hate it. Rather it's because it takes a team of well-trained engineers to keep the thing running - but where are you going to find a single well-trained engineer that's willing to maintain a source control system?. Also, it's super unbelievably slow, even on fast hardware. It crashes sometimes, and it doesn't scale. It's supposed big strength is that it has so many features and can be used in so many ways. But who wants to mess around with playing with scripts and triggers and other arcana when there's actual work to be done on the code? Wouldn't it be better if it provided one simple way to keep track of your source code that worked rather than thousands of ways each filled with trouble? ClearCase provides a huge distraction to the development effort. Simply put, ClearCase is way overpriced garbage.
Two alternatives that I would seriously consider in addition to the options that have already been discussed here are the Corbin Sparrow (http://www.corbinmotors.com/sparrow.htm) which is a one-seater all electric made in California, and the Volkswagen TDI diesel engine equipped cars. The advantage of the VW TDI is that you can have a car that gets 50 MPG without any particularly exotic technology or expensive batteries. It supposedly doesn't have sooty exhaust and is a peppier engine that the gasoline model. They've really refined this system since it's so popular in Europe. It's cheap, reliable, and as fuel efficient as gasoline hybrids. VW makes the New Beetle, Golf, Jetta, and Jetta Wagon with the TDI option. The Corbin Sparrow is a very exciting commuter vehicle that, although a little weird looking, is certainly worth checking out too, especially if you like entirely electric solutions. One other option you might check out is the electric Toyota RAV4. I think these may also be available in California. -Andrew
Funniest post ever! Especially the part about unleashing the fyoorie. Very well done.
Connected Corp has the best offering in the automatic backup of user machines. Their product will simplify your life. You'll wonder why anyone needs an IT staff for backups. And unlike most backup products, this one is actually designed to make RESTORE easy, not just the backup. Great interface, great price. http://www.connected.com. I think they have a free trial.
If we put solar panels on all the cell towers to power those suckers and take them off the grid, and power all the phones this way, then we will have reached renewable energy nirvana. This actually sounds possible. I'd pay $10 more per month for a cell system that worked that way. I wonder how many tons of coal (not to mention CO2 in the atmosphere) a system like this would save.
I think a good text for a course on conceptual models for software is Design Patterns by Gamma, Helm, Johnson, and Vlissides. When I first came upon this book it really opened my eyes. Now I can hardly imagine trying to be a software developer without the perspective offered in these pages.
The only question I have is how did this guy get so much hype over a stupid overpriced toy. Cities redesigned?! Unbelievable nonsense. I'm really shocked at how seriously this thing is being covered. I feel like it's all some kind of April fools joke. How do you buy this kind of advertising for such a piece of crap?