Re: A Tale of Two Apples

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article bjblackbear@ibm.net (B.J. Major) writes...

>Mitchell Spector <spec@vax2.concordia.ca> wrote:
>>     You know, I find it rather tiresome how you keep associating
>> Microsoft with IBM. That is such a "follow the crowd" cliche; do
>> not touch the PC as it has been poisoned by the evil Microsoft.
>> Ever read the children's fable of the fox and the grapes? It is
>> also interesting how Matt never mentionned Microsoft above, when
>> he was referring to PC machines, yet you automatically starting
>> chatting about Microsoft. Where does that come from? If you are
>> really so fearful of Microsoft, maybe you should examine the deal
>> and investment Apple made with Microsoft.
>
>I find it just as tiresome that you don't bother to ask things first,
>but constantly assume wrong information.  FYI:  Matt shared personal
>email with me stating that he works for a company that does work for
>Microsoft.  THAT's where that comes from.

    Just how am I supposed to know what is going on in private e-mail
between you and another person? And just what, may I ask, is it that
I have been constantly assuming incorrectly in previous posts?

>And I'm NOT in favor of the deal Microsoft made with Apple--and *never
>was* in favor of it.  And I will continue to have my computer systems
>Microsoft-free.  So I hope that answers your questions on that.

    It should be interested to see how you react over the next few
months, as Microsoft becomes more of an influence on Apple Computer
as a direct result of the deal. You will no longer be able to hide
in your "Microsoft-free" uptopia. The whole concept of the Macintosh 
being a Microsoft free zone has been totally shattered if you haven't
noticed. Already Microsoft Explorer is now the default web-browser
the Macintosh will install in System Software. :)

>"Meaningless propaganda" from Apple Computer and Mac fans???!  I think
>not.  It's clear to see whose side you're on.  Too bad you are too blind
>to see that Microsoft won't rest until it's conquered everything in
>sight in the computing world--either by force or by using their cash.
>As long as you are supportive of them, they *already* have you
>brainwashed.

    My god, you sound utterely paranoid about Microsoft as an entity.
Your description of the company sounds very much reminiscent of some
stereotypically 1950's cold war version of the USSR, as seen by many
Americans of that era. Just replace "Microsoft" with "USSR" above.

    Let me get this straight, Microsoft is secretly planning to take
over the world and in order to do that, is brainwashing people into
accepting and believing they are harmless. The Macintosh is some sort
of underground resistance movement to counter that, and you as a Mac
owner, are a freedom fighter that will liberate the world from this
unseen "evil". Is THIS what happens when there are no longer any
strong technical strengths to debate about the Macintosh compared
with the PC? (and quite frankly there are few to date, the Mac has
fallen behind in both software and hardware. The PPC chipset is an
exception, but terribly under used and its potential going to waste
the way Apple has it running). So with nothing left to argue, Mac
users have come up with this conspiracy theory about Microsoft. The
number one reason to get a Macintosh? "Join the movement agaisnt the
evil Microsoft!" Um, no thanks. Fantasy games may have been fun as
a child, but I rather pick a computer that does what I want and need
it do and not just so I can pretend I am fighting some imaginary
cause. :-)

    Finally, I do not believe in or worship Microsoft. I am not even
a fan of their software products, though if they've written something
I find _useful_, I will run it. I really am not concerned with WHO or
WHAT wrote the software that runs on my computers, I judge it on how
well it works and if it does the job I need. This doesn't just apply
to my PC, but my Apple IIgs as well. Blindly boycotting software is
foolish, your only short changing yourself. Your boycott of Microsoft
is a wasted effort, if you really want to boycott productively, go
boycott companies that clear cut the rain forests, or do product
testing on animals or countries (like France) that test detonation
of nuclear weapons. Those are more serious issues than software
monopolies, and are real problems, not fantasy ones.

    If you want to think of yourself as unique and non conformist
though, I think running an Apple IIgs with GS/OS and products from
Seven Hills Software and other small companies (as opposed to both
PC _or_ Mac) is a the way to go! ;-) 

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca