RedRock
LPmember
Never ask what kind of computer a person uses--if it's a Mac, he'll say; if not, why embarrass him?
Posts: 4,972
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Post by RedRock on Jan 8, 2008 21:59:16 GMT -5
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Post by vinsanity on Jan 9, 2008 9:01:06 GMT -5
The funny thing is that they only went with Apple because of the Windows capabilities. Good story though.
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Lamron
Benevolent Dictator
Posts: 5,224
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Post by Lamron on Jan 9, 2008 10:10:15 GMT -5
Best of both worlds. Sounds like the perfect solution for a school enviroment.
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Death's Shadow
LPmember
I have become Death. The destroyer of worlds.
Posts: 3,184 
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Post by Death's Shadow on Jan 9, 2008 10:10:47 GMT -5
Yep you can do this with a windows machine too.. with a dual boot system and linux. or windows xp and vista but glad the school is happy. Now we know why the teachers dont get nice pay raises.. they get the more exspensive mac's instead..  |
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Post by vinsanity on Jan 9, 2008 10:30:49 GMT -5
Best of both worlds. Sounds like the perfect solution for a school enviroment. I wouldn't call it perfect due to the costs, but I see it as preferable. |
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RedRock
LPmember
Never ask what kind of computer a person uses--if it's a Mac, he'll say; if not, why embarrass him?
Posts: 4,972
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Post by RedRock on Jan 9, 2008 16:59:17 GMT -5
The ease of use, the ease of upgrades/updates, and the LACK of downtime aggravation and IT repair costs dealing with Windows issues on a regular basis, will far outweigh any dollar difference they might have gotten from the School Board President's cousin's dell supply contract.
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Post by vinsanity on Jan 10, 2008 8:57:40 GMT -5
The whole ease of use argument often annoys me. Given that both platforms use the GUI they are both very user friendly.
IT costs are the same as the salary of the IT staff doesn't fluxuate based on what system an organization is using.
Costs of upgrades are certainly higher with the Mac though.
This sort of reminds me of an argument that I have seen over the years regarding automobiles... some say that the money is better spent buying a car of perceived excellence like a Mercedes Benz. The money is a lot more but the reliability and quality are far superior... other say that buying an average sedan is the smart move. The money saved will go along way to cover any repairs, etc. that the "lesser" car would require. But the argument is a fallacy as all cars, like computers, need repairs, upgrades, etc. The bottom line is that if you can afford to and you want to spend more for what you perceive as a better product you should. But in the end all you're really buying is a computer (or car) that will be in need of replacement in less than a decade. I personally choose to buy the one that costs less that I can work on myself.
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RedRock
LPmember
Never ask what kind of computer a person uses--if it's a Mac, he'll say; if not, why embarrass him?
Posts: 4,972
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Post by RedRock on Jan 10, 2008 17:36:49 GMT -5
The whole ease of use argument often annoys me. Given that both platforms use the GUI they are both very user friendly. Registry is user-friendly? Anti-virus and anti-spyware, etc., are user friendly? NOT talking about GUI per se, obviously, since Windows tries to copy Mac OS and comes close in many ways. No, I'm talking about ease of everything--use of intuitive apps with simple, consistent commands (command C is ALWAYS Copy, app to app to app and for the desktop), ease of installation of apps and peripherals and their settings (I get so tired of hearing people with windows whine about how hard it is to get their headset or speakers to work and how hard to adjust their teamspeak, etc.), ease of creating and naming and moving and copying files and folders, and so on. I use windows os and mac OS daily, and windows bugs me to no end for simple things, such as when you go to copy folders or files from one disk to another, it starts the copying and then stops when it runs out of room and you have to go figure out what didn't get copied and how much more room you need to free up or find intact on another disk, but with the Mac OS, it tells you before the copying can even start that there isn't enough room on the target disk and how much more you need. What a time waster that is with windows, checking properties of disks and folders to see how much free space there is and how much is in a given folder, etc.--the computer should do that for you and effortlessly, as the Mac does when you try to drag files/folders over for copying. And get-info (command I) is always there and much quicker than right clicking and then choosing properties. And if windows has a "non-responding" application (or 4, as I often get if I walk away from my keyboard for a few minutes), might as well go get a cup of coffee, or two, while you wait for your system to give up trying to make it work and return control of your keyboard and mouse to you, even to let Task Manager come up, and be careful what you click after that, because you'll have to answer whether you want Microsoft to know about your problems on every screen and you'll have to DE-select Microsoft programs or they'll restart immediately rather than quitting and staying quit! No, with Mac, use force-quit (instantly available no matter how many non-responding programs there are at the time) and the apps quit and stay quit right then. Man, Windows sucks! IT costs are the same as the salary of the IT staff doesn't fluxuate based on what system an organization is using. NOT TRUE! In governmental organizations, such as school boards, anytime, ANYTIME, you call IT for a fix or install, etc., they charge your department by the hour, and most IT budget line items for such depts. are woefully small, so every little problem which "needs" IT costs and costs! Less IT help is needed for Macs, because they are easier to run and have much fewer problems with software and OS and hardware, thus means less $$$ cost. See first item above. It's a fact. Plus, try to install any database software or template yourself with windows OS machines, and the first thing the IT people want to do is to tell you no, that you have to use what they use, and they have to build you an interface or template for your database or build a database from scratch with squery or some alphabet soup word programs, rather than letting you go with an off-the-shelf simple FileMaker or Excel template. I have seen this twice over the last 15 years!!! 75K charge to our dept. for the from-scratch build, when I could buy several macs, network them, use Filemaker or excel with available existing templates, and be up and running and still have beaucoup $$$ left! And the latest time, have to upgrade to IT's version of Access over what we already own (cha-ching $$), so have to upgrade to XP and add RAM for each machine (more cha-ching $$), and have to use IT's sever (which we would buy and they would maintain) rather than our existing server in our building, etc., etc., (CHA-CHING CHA-CHING)--$125 K charge to us to do it their way! Maybe it's partly a power play with IT, but to me, the Mac is freedom, baby! Easy, cheap, and quick, and no nerdy geniuses needed. Costs of upgrades are certainly higher with the Mac though. Again, not true. First of all, the Macs come fully equipped--no ethernet, bluetooth, camera, microphone, monitor, keyboard, or mouse etc. parts to have to buy EXTRA and install, and no IT dude needed to set up any new printer, mouse, etc. that you use instead, due to intuitive design and easy plug and play construction, including software drivers! Nor will any extra RAM, vid boards, or new processor be needed for years and years to come to match any future OS release. NO UPGRADES NEEDED. And incremental OS updates are quick and easy and free. And major OS upgrades are done by site license only every 3 to 5 years and do not usually have to be done, anyway, but don't need an IT guy to do it anyway, any user can do it without fear (backups always recommended for daily life, of course). So there is basically no upgrade cost at all! I lumped upgrade and update together for my original post. This sort of reminds me of an argument that I have seen over the years regarding automobiles... some say that the money is better spent buying a car of perceived excellence like a Mercedes Benz. The money is a lot more but the reliability and quality are far superior... other say that buying an average sedan is the smart move. The money saved will go along way to cover any repairs, etc. that the "lesser" car would require. But the argument is a fallacy as all cars, like computers, need repairs, upgrades, etc. The bottom line is that if you can afford to and you want to spend more for what you perceive as a better product you should. But in the end all you're really buying is a computer (or car) that will be in need of replacement in less than a decade. I personally choose to buy the one that costs less that I can work on myself. OK, and I choose the one that IS KNOWN not to fall apart with regular usage and needs virtually no work at all when there is an "issue" or a change is desired! And of course, does everything so stylishly while doing it! (see separate post to come, "Pretty in Pink," as soon as my scanner is done). But then, this is only 25 years of "perceiving" DOS and Windows and Macs in daily use for real work speaking here. |
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Death's Shadow
LPmember
I have become Death. The destroyer of worlds.
Posts: 3,184
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Post by Death's Shadow on Jan 10, 2008 19:21:46 GMT -5
WOW that was a screen full.. LOL
Do not know what version of Windows or how old the computers you are using at work are Red. (I assume very outdated referencing the type of memory you were looking for, for that work pc of yours) Anyway, modern windows is much more user friendly (talking about xp). To copy you can either right click and choose copy or press ctrl and insert. If you are not trying to make the pc do something it was not meant to do, installation of speakers, keyboard, and mouse are all PNP.
If you get a non responding program in XP sure ctrl alt del, chose program and click end now. I don't have a wait, the box comes right up and the program goes right down. This happens from time to time, but usually when I am trying to force a program to do something it was not designed to do. Not like it is a everyday event. My home grown pc runs like a top, I almost never have down time.
As to your IT costs.. what can I say.. If your IT will not do what YOUR company wants, tell them to go jump, you will give the contract to some one that will. Your work is getting taken for a CHA-CHING ride. Any reputable IT would be able to diagnose and fix your off the shelf data base or program.(again probably some one tried to make it do something it was not designed for)
Upgrades..
Just a question... When you buy that mac.. how much more are you paying for it than a pc.. then on top of that the extended warranty, update and upgrade package?
To the last item in your post..
If you are unable or uncomfortable doing your own upgrades / updates. Then I would say yes go with a mac. It's all in knowing what you are doing. If you have the knowledge the pc is just as stable, and cheaper to update upgrade. Just like the car argument sure by the Benz if you can afford it, and do not want to get your hands dirty with maintenance (you pay the maintenance plan fee when you buy the car )
Its all about personal preference.
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Post by vinsanity on Jan 10, 2008 20:33:49 GMT -5
What amazes me is that so often simple everyday discussions evolve into angry rants... often with an ugly slant. When I disagree with someone it is not personal. I respect the opinions of others even when I disagree with them. Basically all I got out of your post is that you know everything. Guess what, you don't. I am done as even attempting to respond will only evoke more of the same. I am happy that you are happy with a Mac. Good enough?
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Lamron
Benevolent Dictator
Posts: 5,224
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Post by Lamron on Jan 10, 2008 22:58:28 GMT -5
but usually when I am trying to force a program to do something it was not designed to do. Who? What? Somebody talking about me? My ears were burning. ;D |
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Marauder(CDN)
New Member
One who plunders; especially, a pirate; a corsair; a marauder; a sharper
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Post by Marauder(CDN) on Jan 10, 2008 23:15:05 GMT -5
there is the old saying"to each their own"..I believe in that..I have looked at Macs..I wouldn't mind a Mac Laptop to play with. but I still love to build my own puters..put in it what i want and set it up like I want. Not saying you can't do that with a Mac...but you buy it as a preconfigured unit. That is fine by me..but is not for me..or Vin..or DS. To me it would be the same as buying an old Camaro..sending it to a shop and saying I want it back like this..engine..body..interior...but never laying a hand on it..the joy is in the tinkering and knowing you made the monster that can kick some butt!
I don't want to sound rude on this..but Mac or Microsoft..we are all still here...and love beating the crap outa each other...so does it really matter how you made it to Lam'S???
now if I could play this on on Linux...hmmm...I would diss all of ya!
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Death's Shadow
LPmember
I have become Death. The destroyer of worlds.
Posts: 3,184
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Post by Death's Shadow on Jan 11, 2008 9:18:59 GMT -5
It is possible to play it on Linux.. you have to use an emulation program that runs windows through Linux then you could play.. Long route to the same game though. LOL
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RedRock
LPmember
Never ask what kind of computer a person uses--if it's a Mac, he'll say; if not, why embarrass him?
Posts: 4,972
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Post by RedRock on Jan 11, 2008 10:09:10 GMT -5
What amazes me...simple everyday....angry rants... ....ugly slant. ......you know everything.....you don't...... I am done ......Good enough? LOL, twin sons of different mothers! ;D |
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RedRock
LPmember
Never ask what kind of computer a person uses--if it's a Mac, he'll say; if not, why embarrass him?
Posts: 4,972
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Post by RedRock on Jan 25, 2008 21:44:18 GMT -5
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