I have a friend who just had an old PC lying around in his shed. Since he didn't like the idea of just chunking it (it was a fatality in a swapping of PCs that got his mother in law a different machine, his son a better machine and a nice monitor for his own) it sat unused and abused. I saved it. Here is it's stats:
Genuine Intel
Intel Celeron Processor
433MHz
Front-side Bus 66MHz
Installed Memory 63MB
(Max Mem. 512MB*)
Yes, you read those numbers correctly. It runs Windows 98. Now, I know this is a subpar machine. Jesus, subpar machines look down on this primordial disappointment. The best I had hoped for was parts. Now, understand, and you would if you check out my Groups section, that I am completely confounded by this machine and the way it operates. Do PCs really act like this. I had an anti-virus program actually be a virus!! It made the whole system stop booting... out of the blue and for no apparent reason!!! I say, is this the way that Windows works?!
This computer isn't bad for its stats. I think it works remarkably well considering its treatment and for the specs it was built to. I don't understand how the world functions on this operating system, not bashing Microsoft per se, but no wonder people freak out over viruses. But beyond viruses, there seems to rhyme or reason to how things operate. Why is it under displays that I find out how much of the HDD I have left? Why is it that no matter what I do the Active X never loads correctly? Why does it take fifteen minutes for all the warnings to stop popping up?
It's been years since I've used a PC, leisurely or professionally. Yes, I'm a Mac User. If I have a problem with my network I go to the Network settings under the Mac equivalent of Control Panel (which is used to be called but is now System Preferences, see how it still makes sense). In my equivalent of the Start task there's an "About This Mac" that let's me know Processor, RAM and OS. Where do you find this on a PC, all in one place? Why do I have more problems getting an anti-virus program configured correctly when dealing with the virus would be easier. My Macs don't have to worry about viruses at all. Why doesn't it seem as intuitive to the users needs as any other computer-like device from a Palm to a PS2?
This isn't a Mac head complaining about Windows. If you are reading this I hope you are smarter than that. I understand that Windows can be very beneficial. I am irked at the cost of that use. The loss of sanity. This isn't a Mac v. PC rant. It's a rant against things that aren't user friendly. I have to admit, I kinda like the little guy. He's real limited, granted, but, if you can believe this, I find Windows 98 less of a hassle than I've found XP to be (every action I perform has a yellow pop-up window asking me if I really want to do it and warning me of the risk I'm taking, c'mon, there's got to be a better way). Dealing with many of the wide sea of PC users this guy will allow me to proof things to make sure they are compatible (I receive something from a PC on my Mac and I have no problem working with it but vice versa, ah, I digress). It also allows me to reacquaint myself with the PC world. It also reminds me of why computers are so infuriating.
At least PCs. I've done the same tasks on both Macs and PCs. Macs are easier, more intuitive. I blame poor programming. I blame every guy and his brother who builds PCs but doesn't really know how to do it. I blame cheap machines, buggy machines. And, sadly, I blame the populace that has settled for such an inferior way to run their digital lives. Linux users agree. Sun Systems does it better.
Why is it these good systems and "Mac Freaks" like myself are ostracized when we are able to check email, browse the net and have the ease of use without viruses or severe threats that seem to pop up every two seconds on the greatest used computer operating system in the world? Why must people, programmers and users, settle for this enigmatic mess of confusion. Conformity? That's just sad.
But I'm not giving up. Like I said, I like the little guy. Unfortunately, as a shortcoming of SEVINST.EXE and Symvent.386 he'll never be more than a novelty at best, a nuisance locked away in a corner at worst. No, his specs aren't the best but that isn't its flaw. And no, my flaw isn't my gap of experience with PCs. Everyday use devices should make sense I soon as you sit in front of them. PCs aren't but I'm still trying to trudge through.
I only ask that all of you with your XP systems and your GB and your RAM to the max to allow me my Mac without scorn or disdain. Years ago I wouldn't had touched an Apple. If you come in contact with one, please look at it with an open mind. It probably won't replace your work machine (though it has all those nifty Microsoft programs, called apps on the Mac side, you use that are compatible with those PC counterparts) but wouldn't it be easier to leave the PC problems at work and enjoy the ease at home when checking your email or messaging? All I'm saying is try a Mac if the chance presents itself. Or even a Linux machine. I've never had to "reboot" either due to a syntax error. Live and let live, with tolerance and understanding if not agreement. Allow yourself to embrace Macintosh.
Now excuse me, I must embrace mine before I sleep.
Genuine Intel
Intel Celeron Processor
433MHz
Front-side Bus 66MHz
Installed Memory 63MB
(Max Mem. 512MB*)
Yes, you read those numbers correctly. It runs Windows 98. Now, I know this is a subpar machine. Jesus, subpar machines look down on this primordial disappointment. The best I had hoped for was parts. Now, understand, and you would if you check out my Groups section, that I am completely confounded by this machine and the way it operates. Do PCs really act like this. I had an anti-virus program actually be a virus!! It made the whole system stop booting... out of the blue and for no apparent reason!!! I say, is this the way that Windows works?!
This computer isn't bad for its stats. I think it works remarkably well considering its treatment and for the specs it was built to. I don't understand how the world functions on this operating system, not bashing Microsoft per se, but no wonder people freak out over viruses. But beyond viruses, there seems to rhyme or reason to how things operate. Why is it under displays that I find out how much of the HDD I have left? Why is it that no matter what I do the Active X never loads correctly? Why does it take fifteen minutes for all the warnings to stop popping up?
It's been years since I've used a PC, leisurely or professionally. Yes, I'm a Mac User. If I have a problem with my network I go to the Network settings under the Mac equivalent of Control Panel (which is used to be called but is now System Preferences, see how it still makes sense). In my equivalent of the Start task there's an "About This Mac" that let's me know Processor, RAM and OS. Where do you find this on a PC, all in one place? Why do I have more problems getting an anti-virus program configured correctly when dealing with the virus would be easier. My Macs don't have to worry about viruses at all. Why doesn't it seem as intuitive to the users needs as any other computer-like device from a Palm to a PS2?
This isn't a Mac head complaining about Windows. If you are reading this I hope you are smarter than that. I understand that Windows can be very beneficial. I am irked at the cost of that use. The loss of sanity. This isn't a Mac v. PC rant. It's a rant against things that aren't user friendly. I have to admit, I kinda like the little guy. He's real limited, granted, but, if you can believe this, I find Windows 98 less of a hassle than I've found XP to be (every action I perform has a yellow pop-up window asking me if I really want to do it and warning me of the risk I'm taking, c'mon, there's got to be a better way). Dealing with many of the wide sea of PC users this guy will allow me to proof things to make sure they are compatible (I receive something from a PC on my Mac and I have no problem working with it but vice versa, ah, I digress). It also allows me to reacquaint myself with the PC world. It also reminds me of why computers are so infuriating.
At least PCs. I've done the same tasks on both Macs and PCs. Macs are easier, more intuitive. I blame poor programming. I blame every guy and his brother who builds PCs but doesn't really know how to do it. I blame cheap machines, buggy machines. And, sadly, I blame the populace that has settled for such an inferior way to run their digital lives. Linux users agree. Sun Systems does it better.
Why is it these good systems and "Mac Freaks" like myself are ostracized when we are able to check email, browse the net and have the ease of use without viruses or severe threats that seem to pop up every two seconds on the greatest used computer operating system in the world? Why must people, programmers and users, settle for this enigmatic mess of confusion. Conformity? That's just sad.
But I'm not giving up. Like I said, I like the little guy. Unfortunately, as a shortcoming of SEVINST.EXE and Symvent.386 he'll never be more than a novelty at best, a nuisance locked away in a corner at worst. No, his specs aren't the best but that isn't its flaw. And no, my flaw isn't my gap of experience with PCs. Everyday use devices should make sense I soon as you sit in front of them. PCs aren't but I'm still trying to trudge through.
I only ask that all of you with your XP systems and your GB and your RAM to the max to allow me my Mac without scorn or disdain. Years ago I wouldn't had touched an Apple. If you come in contact with one, please look at it with an open mind. It probably won't replace your work machine (though it has all those nifty Microsoft programs, called apps on the Mac side, you use that are compatible with those PC counterparts) but wouldn't it be easier to leave the PC problems at work and enjoy the ease at home when checking your email or messaging? All I'm saying is try a Mac if the chance presents itself. Or even a Linux machine. I've never had to "reboot" either due to a syntax error. Live and let live, with tolerance and understanding if not agreement. Allow yourself to embrace Macintosh.
Now excuse me, I must embrace mine before I sleep.