Re: APPLE OR WINDOWS ??

[mattb@gi.alaska.edu (mattb)]

In article <6khs84$rmd$1@client3.news.psi.net>, !smentzer@ecom.net (Steve
Mentzer) wrote:

> Well, it really depends on what *you* want now, and in the future. 
> 
> Nevermind about how much faster the G3 mac's are over comparable intel units. 
> Nevermind about running PC software on a mac (it doesn't always work nicely).
> Nevermind about what software you already own.
> 
> What do you want now?
> 
>         o Is your existing administrative software OK for what you are doing?
>         o Are you happy with current MAC software availability?
>         o Are your users capable of learning a new platform?
>         o Do you have a working budget for hardware consultants?
> 
> What do you want in the future?
> 
>         o Are you planning on growing within the next 5 years?
>         o If so, how much?
>         o What do you see your company being in 5 years?
>         o Do you need new technology in the future?

I have to agree on these questions on where you are and where you want to
go, but not on the rest of the message.

How much does the mini do for you now?

What is the mini (ie, brand and OS)?  What type of configuration does it
have (hard drive space and RAM, etc.).   It might be capable of being
software updated to something that is more usuable if it is not already.

Those Mac SE's can be turned into terminals for a main host.  With the
right software you may not need to update the individual computers.

I don't know what is affordable to your company, but the equipment cost is
only one part of the price. The cost of training and adminstration should
also be factored in.  I manage a PC and Mac environment of about 70 Macs
and 25 PC's.  The Macs OS version ranges from 6.0.8 to 8.1, the PC's all
have NT Workstation and one has NT Server.  I spend about 60% of my time
on those 25 PC's, about 35% on the Macs, and the rest on various flavors
of UNIX.  The server requires at least 6-8 hours a week attention.

Throwing a bunch of hardware at a problem is not an answer to anything
except having too much money in your pocket.

The real question is what do you want the software to do?  Yes, the PC
will have a larger software selection available to it, however, the
programs that are Macintosh are quality programs.   Do you want to
continue to use Filemaker?  It is cross-platform, but updates come more
frequently for the Mac than PC (like Microsoft Office in reverse).  Do you
plan to connect your network to the internet?  If so, are you going to use
dialup or a direct link?