You know, I don't really care too much about that feature, but that's probably because I'm too influenced already by my platform of choice.
But I'd like to see someone try to implement it in Gnome or KDE because it would finally mean someone would attempt to try something new instead of copying Windows and Mac (while all the time shouting they suck).
It would be interesting to see what happens when this and similar attempts at original GUI usability evolution catch on.
It's on/. but shouldn't be criticized. It's free, so it's innovative. Poster doesn't do code so should shut up.
Strange, someone who actually takes the time to look at the stuff the article hints at and calls innovative should in your opinion shut his trap or get involved.
You know how to turn prospective users on, that's for sure...
I've read the argument that we are too few to bother with. That's too simplistic an argument, but it made me think about numbers (userbase)...
Can someone give a number (and/or argument) that would make it worthwile to make malware or write viruses for the mac?
I KNOW (or suspect) the average mac user isn't smarter than the average windows user, so I'm sure you'd get people to install this shit all by themselves.
(Please don't moderate this, just answer if you think you have a hunch, or ignore...)
OK, windows is good for people who know how to 'maintain' their computer. I'll take your word for it.
But people don't want TV's, they want computing machines that compute. That do stuff with pictures, video, etc, that connect them to the internet etc etc.
It's perfectly possible to make that a safe experience without turning people into computer mechanics.
You know it, I know it. And if windows doesn't care, it's perfectly all right to do some windows bashing.
I won't because I don't care about windows one way or another. The time I had to use one for work (3 months until I started shouting and the financial director caved in) is long past - as is the time I thought I'd try to manage one at home for game playing. I'm free of all that, thank god.
For me it's a SEP (Someone Else's Problem). But if Windows cared as much about security as about their bottom line, we wouldn't have this discussion now...
I just read a few variations on a common theme: who cares if Linux isn't wide spread on the desktop?
Kind of reminds me of mac users defiantly saying the same.
You're right not to care though (even more so than us mac users, depending on one vendor and it's charismatic CEO), if it's good for you, then go for it, and otoh everyone enthousiastic about computers can be forgiven to want their OS/hardware to have more, more, more market share, however strange that seems if you're not actually in the business.
Moderation is not fact based, it's highly biased. Also, if you find an article in the Linux section, chances are, the bias is wildly in favor of Linux, with the occasional whine from Mac or Win users. Surprising? Not at all. Of course, the same mechanisms are in play with topics you find in the mac section...
Now, some points on the offending post, mine, which of course is insightful without any bias whatsoever. Ahem. Cough.
First: this comment was a personal opinion, answering another personal opinion. It's about likes of a nice program with a gui against dislikes for the same. As such it doesn't need fact. Either you agree or disagree or don't care at all, based on your own totally personal likes and dislikes. Regardless, the world keeps on turning. Don't try to quantify this. Before you know it, you'll be quantifying your preference for the color blue...
Second: we all know Linux/Windows/BeOS users are Data clones, only prone to thoughtfull introspection, good with a violin and dedicated to facts facts facts. The same goes of course for other OS users, except for those pesky mac users, who're "just like little christian soldiers". No, I'm not out to insult anybody. In real life, all overly fanatic people are a pain, regardless of their obsession. We adults sigh and try to laugh with it all, right?
Third: this is/. If you want intelligent discussion, go to Ars Technica or another such site. If not, stop complaining about the moderating system that's at times equally stupid for all posts (except mine...)
Fourth: I don't go out trying to be insightful, please don't be offended by others people's moderation of a simple, spontaneous uttering of a personal opinion on preference. Amso, I'm not defending any position. Who cares what I like. You? I hope not. You think I'm cataloguing all the "Linux is the best" posts and looking for facts to back that up?
Fifth: I can't help noticing that both the parent and your post add insulting generalizations about mac users. That doesn't really add anything to your plea for factual moderation. In fact, if I were to reason as you do, I would have to decide that non-mac users are totally prejudiced and as touchy as hell. Wait a minute, don't they say that about mac users? See, if you ask for intelligent, factual stuff, don't add any of that crap, it really doesn't help.
"Perhaps the people who work tring to make Linux better aren't so much interested in making up fluff that will sell."
First off, use Monster's library, and see what it does when you scan a barcode or type in a title, see how well the search engine works, check out the loaning panel, integrated with Address Book.
You can't do all that with a spreadsheet. It's a wonderful program, integrating extremely cool features in the simplest way possible.
And even if you could do it with a spreadsheet, (you might with some hard work even get there, what do I know) using Monster's library is fun and fast.
What you say could easily apply to iPhoto. But to my own amazement, I actually use that program to the limit, while all this cataloguing and stuff really isn't my thing (chaos is my middle name). Why do I use it? It's fun, and it makes you do things with your photo's, like sharing them with parents and friends. Cheesy, I admit, but hey, why not?
I really love a good GUI on a good idea. I recommend the Google photo app to all my PC using friends, but wouldn't switch myself for the world. The best GUI's (imnsho) are still to be found on the mac, even if for every single mac program you find ten windows or linux variants.
Fluff indeed. It is the combination if idea and GUI that makes it dynamite, I hate fluffiness and useless shiny things.
The obvious thing to do here is to go ahead and download those free songs (if they'll ever materialize). If all iTunes users do that, see how long even MS can keep things afloat.
Which is I guess merely one of the reasons this won't happen.
I can dig the music mob trying to break Apple's monopoly, but who seriously believes they're going to actually give things away?
Looks matter, but if you're going for looks alone, I guess you'll get what you deserve.
Not commenting on the article, qualifying a multimillionaire as an average nerd is just too weird, but on the stupid posts on "how to date hot chicks" and "women are naturally submissive" which is indicative to how wrong this whole article is in the first place.
I know this is totally out there, but maybe the amount of dates you get may be an indication of how much you can dig women in general...
People (not only women, even men) are perceptive. They recognize humor (a big turn-on) and yes, even total obsession with sex, and lots of other factors that may be mutually attractive at one time or another. Looks matter, but so do a lot of things. Smell for instance;-) (as long as we're doing the stereotype game, why not have some fun as well?)
The sooner you can get over this whole inferiority-complex-turned-into-superiority gig, the better. It might give you a chance for a real life. Look around you if you can't speak from first hand experience, it's perfectly possible to be with a dream man/woman and still be utterly alone. Look for things that tend to stay and that really turn you on, not perfect tits (although it IS a nice bonus...)
Disclaimer: I used to be a total asshole, once I discovered the "tricks to date hot chicks". I'm sooooo glad I got over it somewhat intact.
BTW: anticipating the "sooo, what you're saying is you date UGLY chicks", my wife is pretty beautiful, not a super model though, but then again, neither am I. And the overall package (distro) is hard to beat, even if the competition has perfect tits.
Let's oversimplify and put people in categories depending on: why do they run Linux? 1) It's cheap 2) you really really like it 3) you're convinced you have to use it for moral reasons
I don't think Apple is a threat to the category one and three "market". People in category two however sometimes get converted. So what.
I think that if Linux would want to be serious about standardization and user friendliness we'd have seen it by now. It may even be impossible to do, since Linux developers develop for linux because they like to, I don't see users dissuading them from doing things their way...
Talking about the Linux market place and using words like threat is pretty complicated. I don't think you can just apply normal market dynamics (or those we profess to understand) to FOSS.
Some FOSS programs that are used by one and a half individual are maintained for years by three programmers, some programs that are so popular they have over a million of downloads only have one maintainer. Who in their right mind wants to see Linux as "just another OS" and make meaningful predictions from there?
So in short: yes, maybe linux users will buy Apple hardware or even run their FOSS on OS X. That's far from a threat situation, it just gives users more choice, which imo is a good thing.
OK, I agree, up to a point. What you're saying is that people who don't at any cost want to pay for apple computers are going to pirate OS X. First of all, we're not sure how much Apple hardware will cost, but if the last few years are any indication, it'll be competitive. They normally stop to be so after intel has caught up. That problem should be eliminated, and they'll be able to (will have to) refresh their existing lines faster in order to keep ahead of Dell (not on full rebate, normal prices). So the group of people who are going to pirate are those who aren't interested in Apple hardware - and my guess is, also not in Dell's hardware. Their friends will have the opportunity to either go their way and discover problems of incompatibility are not solely the domain of the OS or they can go out and buy a mac (what? It can happen;-) I don't know, I fail to follow your prediction through to its logical conclusion, but I do agree that Apple can't tolerate piracy. I also agree that Linux falls completely outside that market logic, but unless Linux becomes more AUF (average user friendly, ehehe) I only see an added advantage for Apple, namely that more people will want to run their linux on Apple hardware, or even their FOSS on OS X. Which I think is nice for all concerned and won't be a threat to linux at all. btw, I've been so bad at predicting this whole mac intel thing that I'm very cautious with words like never, of course, evidently,... you get the gist.
Well, to be honest with you, I find that every OS has its advocates, and maniacs and fanboys and whatever. And generally it goes "If only they (the "other OS users") would stop being so obnoxious.
Fun, sometimes. Depressing generally. And making jokes about it is like spitting in the face of God or something. As if there weren't any ahem, important things in life.
Yeah man, I feel your pain... but I'm from the church of Steve. And to imply that they are scared to lose its distinctiveness is to seriously not understand what religi- um the mac is about.
I like the idea of linux, but as long as it's not aimed at my activities, and Apple is, I'll "go the blessed path of Ives towards the holy light of Steve".
I don't know too much about windows piracy, but I can assure you that on the other side of the distortion field the tradition of installing a copy on your friend's/parent's/children's computer is very much alive, as is the downloading of pirated soft on peer to peer.
I don't see that changing because of the processor alone, people will always have interest in solid pirate versions, or illegal copies of original software, but the group of mac people who want to suffer strange stuff is pretty small, so people who're extremely into their computer and can move beyond those quirks through skill wouldn't be a target market for Apple anyway.
You'd be surprised at the number of people who buy simply to have access to support.
If those "faithful" are not enough to save Apple, I'd like to point out that one thing that made MS so successful was it's ease to pirate. I remember the time I could only play a game if I carefully compared a set of symbols to words in the printed manual.
Meanwhile, Windows 3.11 and Office asked for a stupid serial number.
"Another big effect of switching to Intel processors is to dilute Apple's distinctive brand. It may mean more software availability for OS X (via Linux emulators, easier ports in particular of compilers), but that software won't be OS X native software."
I wouldn't think so. It's a proven fact that programs that don't adhere to Apple's (everchanging) guidelines don't really get a great following. You're basically saying that people won't mind confusion when the big majority of these people chose their computer just to avoid that. Can't speak for the millions of switchers coming our way (ahahaha) but your average mac user is a pain in the nether regions when you take away the stuff lots of people dismiss as "eye candy".
Look at it as an oportunity to spend just a leeetle more time on the interface, so that at least you get the logic right if not the looks since you won't have to recompile so much.
Looks are important, but if a skin would do the trick, you would see much more use of FOSS on the mac.
try porting to that universal binary using XCode and then sell yourself as someone who's actually gone and done the whole codewarrior to xcode thing. That might keep you afloat until all the confusion is gone.
(adaptation from "tales of the racoon": it aint over till the Universal lady sings)
"For internet usage, audio/video/DVD playback, such a computer should last at least 6 years (just like my PIII has). Did I make a poor 'investment' or will Apple release PPC OS X for several years to come?"
Ahem, two things:
first, with annoying exceptions, Apple and Apple developers have kept stuff alive far beyond the industry average, so I think you'll be safe, especially for the things you mention, which doesn't really need an upgrade since it already does things quite well.
BUT (there's always a but) you do realize you bought the cheapest of the cheapest? So performance wise, that *hole (or your neighbor) who bought an iMac, or even a tower, will be able to keep its computer more up to date because: a) his hardware is 4X as powerful as yours, such is life; b) he has more upgrade paths (hardware again); c) his processor is one generation younger.
In essence, judging on your requirements as quoted above you've done a pretty good deal, but as with all things computers, you'll wish you'd just waited a bit longer every time someone makes a better, shinier, faster, kick-ass computer...
Ahem, you're presuming Jobs looked at the processors from a fashion designer's/conservative marketeer's view. Cell is great for consoles, AMD is small(ish), just like IBM and Motorola. And I'm sure intel has something hot (ahaha) somewhere in the pipeline to make Apple's engineers (and Jobs) happy.
OK, I might agree with the general gist, but do you seriously think people think they're cool because they use Apple?
I personally think my use of a computer (yes an Apple and even a very coveted model) is the least cool thing about me. Well, there are others, I do have a tendency to pick my nose, but-
Anyway, I think there's a difference between enjoying a good spat with fellow computer users on the wrong side of the distortion field, and actually feeling cool... At least for me.
"Yeah. The stinging and very real issue you and several others are choosing to ignore is the value issue. If there is nothing to really distinguish a generic PC with a Mac other than some BIOS/rom/software thing to allow OS X booting (oh! and a pretty case) then we've got a problem."
Well, there's the power of good design. Not as in oooooh shiny pretty case, but as in clever, suave, wanna have and above all HARD TO COPY. Not all Apple designs are brilliant, or totally perfect but they evoke something that resonates with a lot of people. Especially on standardized parts I think they can benefit from this. In a sense they've removed a huge future bottleneck with the intel switch (the horror! but still).
A real-life example, a bad one: I really like my G4 Cube, probably a lot more than it deserves to be liked. It's not too fast after five years of service, its connections are inconveniently at the back/bottom of the machine, the optical power button has long lost its novelty value and is a nuisance (especially in conjunction with those connections: tilt computer carefully, plug in Firewire cable, slowly, carefully put the computer back upright and... it magically turns itself off or falls asleep, because the casing invoked that shiny optical power button), the space saving is relative, since you're not going to push that looker UNDER your desk, are you?
Still, with minor upgrades (ram, HD) this little machine has served me for five years on two continents, four countries, three different AC/DC schemes, and still does the OS X thing with panache. People still ask me where my computer is when in fact they're already staring at it and the thing can even play a decent game of Quake III (don't even think about Doom III, just don't).
There's incredible good design in this machine, but I only focus on the mistakes of this particular model and the obvious strengths that just about every mac model has. My point, even when not perfect, people really really dig the Apple experience, I just would have given up on computers ages ago if they'd gone away. I really like working with computers, but have absolutely no tolerance for things that go bleepbleepbleep when they shouldn't.
So in essence there's not a whole lot Apple has to change, in fact the less the better.
I don't like the intel inside idea, but that's because I remember the bunny burning, I liked it, I can still tell what I was doing when I first saw it (I was watching a silly commercial, see?!). I grew up on Apple, my first computer was an Apple//c, so I'm allowed a bit of grumbling, but as long as they keep doing most things right, I'm actually not worried at all.
Slashdot Mirror
You know, I don't really care too much about that feature, but that's probably because I'm too influenced already by my platform of choice.
But I'd like to see someone try to implement it in Gnome or KDE because it would finally mean someone would attempt to try something new instead of copying Windows and Mac (while all the time shouting they suck).
It would be interesting to see what happens when this and similar attempts at original GUI usability evolution catch on.
Oh, OK.
/. but shouldn't be criticized. It's free, so it's innovative. Poster doesn't do code so should shut up.
It's on
Strange, someone who actually takes the time to look at the stuff the article hints at and calls innovative should in your opinion shut his trap or get involved.
You know how to turn prospective users on, that's for sure...
All they want to do is make sure video/3D professionals don't use Longhorn.
This way it's clear as cristal...
I've read the argument that we are too few to bother with. That's too simplistic an argument, but it made me think about numbers (userbase)...
Can someone give a number (and/or argument) that would make it worthwile to make malware or write viruses for the mac?
I KNOW (or suspect) the average mac user isn't smarter than the average windows user, so I'm sure you'd get people to install this shit all by themselves.
(Please don't moderate this, just answer if you think you have a hunch, or ignore...)
Cheers
"Honestly, I believe you should require some sort of license before operating the internet"
I think people should require some sort of license before running Windows. That would do the trick.
OK, windows is good for people who know how to 'maintain' their computer. I'll take your word for it.
But people don't want TV's, they want computing machines that compute. That do stuff with pictures, video, etc, that connect them to the internet etc etc.
It's perfectly possible to make that a safe experience without turning people into computer mechanics.
You know it, I know it. And if windows doesn't care, it's perfectly all right to do some windows bashing.
I won't because I don't care about windows one way or another. The time I had to use one for work (3 months until I started shouting and the financial director caved in) is long past - as is the time I thought I'd try to manage one at home for game playing. I'm free of all that, thank god.
For me it's a SEP (Someone Else's Problem). But if Windows cared as much about security as about their bottom line, we wouldn't have this discussion now...
I just read a few variations on a common theme: who cares if Linux isn't wide spread on the desktop?
Kind of reminds me of mac users defiantly saying the same.
You're right not to care though (even more so than us mac users, depending on one vendor and it's charismatic CEO), if it's good for you, then go for it, and otoh everyone enthousiastic about computers can be forgiven to want their OS/hardware to have more, more, more market share, however strange that seems if you're not actually in the business.
Cheers.
This message is totally fact-free!
Allow me to clarify.
/. If you want intelligent discussion, go to Ars Technica or another such site. If not, stop complaining about the moderating system that's at times equally stupid for all posts (except mine...)
Moderation is not fact based, it's highly biased. Also, if you find an article in the Linux section, chances are, the bias is wildly in favor of Linux, with the occasional whine from Mac or Win users. Surprising? Not at all. Of course, the same mechanisms are in play with topics you find in the mac section...
Now, some points on the offending post, mine, which of course is insightful without any bias whatsoever. Ahem. Cough.
First: this comment was a personal opinion, answering another personal opinion. It's about likes of a nice program with a gui against dislikes for the same. As such it doesn't need fact. Either you agree or disagree or don't care at all, based on your own totally personal likes and dislikes. Regardless, the world keeps on turning. Don't try to quantify this. Before you know it, you'll be quantifying your preference for the color blue...
Second: we all know Linux/Windows/BeOS users are Data clones, only prone to thoughtfull introspection, good with a violin and dedicated to facts facts facts. The same goes of course for other OS users, except for those pesky mac users, who're "just like little christian soldiers".
No, I'm not out to insult anybody. In real life, all overly fanatic people are a pain, regardless of their obsession. We adults sigh and try to laugh with it all, right?
Third: this is
Fourth: I don't go out trying to be insightful, please don't be offended by others people's moderation of a simple, spontaneous uttering of a personal opinion on preference. Amso, I'm not defending any position. Who cares what I like. You? I hope not. You think I'm cataloguing all the "Linux is the best" posts and looking for facts to back that up?
Fifth: I can't help noticing that both the parent and your post add insulting generalizations about mac users. That doesn't really add anything to your plea for factual moderation. In fact, if I were to reason as you do, I would have to decide that non-mac users are totally prejudiced and as touchy as hell. Wait a minute, don't they say that about mac users? See, if you ask for intelligent, factual stuff, don't add any of that crap, it really doesn't help.
Anyway, I hope your day will get better. Cheers.
"Perhaps the people who work tring to make Linux better aren't so much interested in making up fluff that will sell."
First off, use Monster's library, and see what it does when you scan a barcode or type in a title, see how well the search engine works, check out the loaning panel, integrated with Address Book.
You can't do all that with a spreadsheet. It's a wonderful program, integrating extremely cool features in the simplest way possible.
And even if you could do it with a spreadsheet, (you might with some hard work even get there, what do I know) using Monster's library is fun and fast.
What you say could easily apply to iPhoto. But to my own amazement, I actually use that program to the limit, while all this cataloguing and stuff really isn't my thing (chaos is my middle name). Why do I use it? It's fun, and it makes you do things with your photo's, like sharing them with parents and friends. Cheesy, I admit, but hey, why not?
I really love a good GUI on a good idea. I recommend the Google photo app to all my PC using friends, but wouldn't switch myself for the world. The best GUI's (imnsho) are still to be found on the mac, even if for every single mac program you find ten windows or linux variants.
Fluff indeed. It is the combination if idea and GUI that makes it dynamite, I hate fluffiness and useless shiny things.
Cheers
The obvious thing to do here is to go ahead and download those free songs (if they'll ever materialize). If all iTunes users do that, see how long even MS can keep things afloat.
Which is I guess merely one of the reasons this won't happen.
I can dig the music mob trying to break Apple's monopoly, but who seriously believes they're going to actually give things away?
Looks matter, but if you're going for looks alone, I guess you'll get what you deserve.
;-) (as long as we're doing the stereotype game, why not have some fun as well?)
Not commenting on the article, qualifying a multimillionaire as an average nerd is just too weird, but on the stupid posts on "how to date hot chicks" and "women are naturally submissive" which is indicative to how wrong this whole article is in the first place.
I know this is totally out there, but maybe the amount of dates you get may be an indication of how much you can dig women in general...
People (not only women, even men) are perceptive. They recognize humor (a big turn-on) and yes, even total obsession with sex, and lots of other factors that may be mutually attractive at one time or another. Looks matter, but so do a lot of things. Smell for instance
The sooner you can get over this whole inferiority-complex-turned-into-superiority gig, the better. It might give you a chance for a real life. Look around you if you can't speak from first hand experience, it's perfectly possible to be with a dream man/woman and still be utterly alone. Look for things that tend to stay and that really turn you on, not perfect tits (although it IS a nice bonus...)
Disclaimer: I used to be a total asshole, once I discovered the "tricks to date hot chicks". I'm sooooo glad I got over it somewhat intact.
BTW: anticipating the "sooo, what you're saying is you date UGLY chicks", my wife is pretty beautiful, not a super model though, but then again, neither am I. And the overall package (distro) is hard to beat, even if the competition has perfect tits.
Let's oversimplify and put people in categories depending on: why do they run Linux?
1) It's cheap
2) you really really like it
3) you're convinced you have to use it for moral reasons
I don't think Apple is a threat to the category one and three "market". People in category two however sometimes get converted. So what.
I think that if Linux would want to be serious about standardization and user friendliness we'd have seen it by now. It may even be impossible to do, since Linux developers develop for linux because they like to, I don't see users dissuading them from doing things their way...
Talking about the Linux market place and using words like threat is pretty complicated. I don't think you can just apply normal market dynamics (or those we profess to understand) to FOSS.
Some FOSS programs that are used by one and a half individual are maintained for years by three programmers, some programs that are so popular they have over a million of downloads only have one maintainer. Who in their right mind wants to see Linux as "just another OS" and make meaningful predictions from there?
So in short: yes, maybe linux users will buy Apple hardware or even run their FOSS on OS X. That's far from a threat situation, it just gives users more choice, which imo is a good thing.
OK, I agree, up to a point. What you're saying is that people who don't at any cost want to pay for apple computers are going to pirate OS X. ;-) ... you get the gist.
First of all, we're not sure how much Apple hardware will cost, but if the last few years are any indication, it'll be competitive. They normally stop to be so after intel has caught up. That problem should be eliminated, and they'll be able to (will have to) refresh their existing lines faster in order to keep ahead of Dell (not on full rebate, normal prices).
So the group of people who are going to pirate are those who aren't interested in Apple hardware - and my guess is, also not in Dell's hardware. Their friends will have the opportunity to either go their way and discover problems of incompatibility are not solely the domain of the OS or they can go out and buy a mac (what? It can happen
I don't know, I fail to follow your prediction through to its logical conclusion, but I do agree that Apple can't tolerate piracy. I also agree that Linux falls completely outside that market logic, but unless Linux becomes more AUF (average user friendly, ehehe) I only see an added advantage for Apple, namely that more people will want to run their linux on Apple hardware, or even their FOSS on OS X.
Which I think is nice for all concerned and won't be a threat to linux at all.
btw, I've been so bad at predicting this whole mac intel thing that I'm very cautious with words like never, of course, evidently,
Bummer, I'm sorry.
But good luck!
Well, to be honest with you, I find that every OS has its advocates, and maniacs and fanboys and whatever. And generally it goes "If only they (the "other OS users") would stop being so obnoxious.
Fun, sometimes. Depressing generally. And making jokes about it is like spitting in the face of God or something. As if there weren't any ahem, important things in life.
Rant over, have a nice one.
Yeah man, I feel your pain... but I'm from the church of Steve. And to imply that they are scared to lose its distinctiveness is to seriously not understand what religi- um the mac is about.
I like the idea of linux, but as long as it's not aimed at my activities, and Apple is, I'll "go the blessed path of Ives towards the holy light of Steve".
"I'm wondering when they will get a clue that you have to keep on enhancing a product like web browsers, after unleashing it to the hordes."
When their financial directors can prove it's necessary.
I don't know too much about windows piracy, but I can assure you that on the other side of the distortion field the tradition of installing a copy on your friend's/parent's/children's computer is very much alive, as is the downloading of pirated soft on peer to peer.
I don't see that changing because of the processor alone, people will always have interest in solid pirate versions, or illegal copies of original software, but the group of mac people who want to suffer strange stuff is pretty small, so people who're extremely into their computer and can move beyond those quirks through skill wouldn't be a target market for Apple anyway.
You'd be surprised at the number of people who buy simply to have access to support.
If those "faithful" are not enough to save Apple, I'd like to point out that one thing that made MS so successful was it's ease to pirate. I remember the time I could only play a game if I carefully compared a set of symbols to words in the printed manual.
Meanwhile, Windows 3.11 and Office asked for a stupid serial number.
"Another big effect of switching to Intel processors is to dilute Apple's distinctive brand. It may mean more software availability for OS X (via Linux emulators, easier ports in particular of compilers), but that software won't be OS X native software."
I wouldn't think so. It's a proven fact that programs that don't adhere to Apple's (everchanging) guidelines don't really get a great following. You're basically saying that people won't mind confusion when the big majority of these people chose their computer just to avoid that. Can't speak for the millions of switchers coming our way (ahahaha) but your average mac user is a pain in the nether regions when you take away the stuff lots of people dismiss as "eye candy".
Look at it as an oportunity to spend just a leeetle more time on the interface, so that at least you get the logic right if not the looks since you won't have to recompile so much.
Looks are important, but if a skin would do the trick, you would see much more use of FOSS on the mac.
Opportunity:
try porting to that universal binary using XCode and then sell yourself as someone who's actually gone and done the whole codewarrior to xcode thing. That might keep you afloat until all the confusion is gone.
(adaptation from "tales of the racoon": it aint over till the Universal lady sings)
"For internet usage, audio/video/DVD playback, such a computer should last at least 6 years (just like my PIII has). Did I make a poor 'investment' or will Apple release PPC OS X for several years to come?"
Ahem, two things:
first, with annoying exceptions, Apple and Apple developers have kept stuff alive far beyond the industry average, so I think you'll be safe, especially for the things you mention, which doesn't really need an upgrade since it already does things quite well.
BUT (there's always a but) you do realize you bought the cheapest of the cheapest? So performance wise, that *hole (or your neighbor) who bought an iMac, or even a tower, will be able to keep its computer more up to date because:
a) his hardware is 4X as powerful as yours, such is life;
b) he has more upgrade paths (hardware again);
c) his processor is one generation younger.
In essence, judging on your requirements as quoted above you've done a pretty good deal, but as with all things computers, you'll wish you'd just waited a bit longer every time someone makes a better, shinier, faster, kick-ass computer...
Ahem, you're presuming Jobs looked at the processors from a fashion designer's/conservative marketeer's view. Cell is great for consoles, AMD is small(ish), just like IBM and Motorola. And I'm sure intel has something hot (ahaha) somewhere in the pipeline to make Apple's engineers (and Jobs) happy.
"...and a feeling of "I am cool.""
OK, I might agree with the general gist, but do you seriously think people think they're cool because they use Apple?
I personally think my use of a computer (yes an Apple and even a very coveted model) is the least cool thing about me. Well, there are others, I do have a tendency to pick my nose, but-
Anyway, I think there's a difference between enjoying a good spat with fellow computer users on the wrong side of the distortion field, and actually feeling cool... At least for me.
"Yeah. The stinging and very real issue you and several others are choosing to ignore is the value issue. If there is nothing to really distinguish a generic PC with a Mac other than some BIOS/rom/software thing to allow OS X booting (oh! and a pretty case) then we've got a problem."
Well, there's the power of good design. Not as in oooooh shiny pretty case, but as in clever, suave, wanna have and above all HARD TO COPY. Not all Apple designs are brilliant, or totally perfect but they evoke something that resonates with a lot of people. Especially on standardized parts I think they can benefit from this. In a sense they've removed a huge future bottleneck with the intel switch (the horror! but still).
A real-life example, a bad one:
I really like my G4 Cube, probably a lot more than it deserves to be liked. It's not too fast after five years of service, its connections are inconveniently at the back/bottom of the machine, the optical power button has long lost its novelty value and is a nuisance (especially in conjunction with those connections: tilt computer carefully, plug in Firewire cable, slowly, carefully put the computer back upright and... it magically turns itself off or falls asleep, because the casing invoked that shiny optical power button), the space saving is relative, since you're not going to push that looker UNDER your desk, are you?
Still, with minor upgrades (ram, HD) this little machine has served me for five years on two continents, four countries, three different AC/DC schemes, and still does the OS X thing with panache. People still ask me where my computer is when in fact they're already staring at it and the thing can even play a decent game of Quake III (don't even think about Doom III, just don't).
There's incredible good design in this machine, but I only focus on the mistakes of this particular model and the obvious strengths that just about every mac model has. My point, even when not perfect, people really really dig the Apple experience, I just would have given up on computers ages ago if they'd gone away. I really like working with computers, but have absolutely no tolerance for things that go bleepbleepbleep when they shouldn't.
So in essence there's not a whole lot Apple has to change, in fact the less the better.
I don't like the intel inside idea, but that's because I remember the bunny burning, I liked it, I can still tell what I was doing when I first saw it (I was watching a silly commercial, see?!). I grew up on Apple, my first computer was an Apple//c, so I'm allowed a bit of grumbling, but as long as they keep doing most things right, I'm actually not worried at all.
OK, I call bull! Where's the Profit?
Serious, you could be right, just fooling around. One thing's for sure, we're living in interesting times (chinese style)...