Mac Myths and IT

COMPUTERWORLD ^ | AUGUST 18, 2003 | Michael Gartenberg

[Rightproud]

If yours is like most IT departments, you probably aren't deploying Macintosh systems in large numbers. And if you're deploying them at all, you're doing so in niche spaces such as graphic arts, multimedia and publishing.

But the truth is that Mac OS has changed quite a bit in the past few years, and today's Apple systems offer a reasonable alternative to Wintel systems for many mainstream uses and are often best-of-breed tools for tasks such as desktop publishing, multimedia and other content creation. OS X, code-named Jaguar, and the recently announced successor called Panther are rock-solid Unix at the core, with Apple's elegant user interface on top. But if you plan on deploying them, you'll need to overcome your preconceptions regarding three myths about the Mac that still linger.

The first myth is that Apple computers are expensive relative to their PC cousins. Though Apple is certainly not a discount brand and will almost never offer the cheapest computers available, Macs are certainly price-competitive with PCs. Users do pay some premium for both the Apple brand and the innovation that goes into the company's often brilliant hardware design, but the premium isn't out of line with what users already pay for name-brand systems from vendors such as Sony, Hewlett-Packard or IBM. In many cases, comparable Apple systems are priced similarly, and in some cases they're even cheaper than the competition.

The second myth is that there's a lack of software available. Although OS X doesn't offer the sheer number of titles that Windows offers, there's an abundance of business software for the Macintosh. In some markets, such as content creation, there's actually more software available for the Mac. In addition, Microsoft offers a complete and compatible version of Office for the Macintosh, so knowledge workers can easily share documents and communicate with colleagues across operating systems. Apple's support of Web-based Internet standards means most Internet-based applications will simply run without modification. The occasional lack of a specific application might hold back some deployments, but most organizations will never hit that wall.

The third myth is that Apple architectures are based on proprietary protocols. Though that was certainly true in the past, it isn't an accurate portrayal of Apple today. Now, Mac OS is one of the most standards-driven operating systems you can purchase. From MPEG 4 support in QuickTime to full TCP/IP support for networking and Wi-Fi protocols for wireless access, Macs are a seamless fit for most organizations' infrastructure. (Apple was actually the first operating system vendor to bundle TCP/IP support into a commercial operating system.)

Does this mean Mac OS is right for your organization? Not necessarily. But it does mean your organization has more viable choices for desktop systems than you might have thought. Certainly, deploying Mac OS in areas that depend heavily on content creation makes good sense, but there are probably other places that could benefit as well. Most IT departments lament the lack of choice among desktop operating systems. The truth is that there are choices out there, and viable ones at that. IT departments that can overcome their traditional prejudices against Apple may well discover that there's a new PowerBook or G5 in their future, and once they do, they may never go back to Windows.

[Rightproud]

Interesting... not better, not worse, just very interesting for the open minded.

[Lunatic Fringe]

We cannot deploy Macs... too expensive, and my users can barely right-click their mouse, let alone learn a new OS.

[Drango]

The first myth is that Apple computers are expensive relative to their PC cousins....Users do pay some premium for both the Apple brand...

HUH?

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[aruanan]

Interesting... not better, not worse, just very interesting for the open minded.

Get ready for Bush2000 and cohorts to fire an RPG up your butt.

[chance33_98]

Do they have RIB (Remote insight boards)/Rilo cards, and such? I can run most of the data center (Solaris, 2000, AIX, HP-UX)without being on the floor. Nothing personal against Macs, used to work on them at a newspaper I did work for in CA, just not sure I need another OS/Server type to take care of :) (although, I love learning new things and expanding my skill set and would look forward to tackling another OS.)

I will check out their web site later and investigate...

[jacquej]

Well, as a long time Mac user, let me help you out a bit...

If you buy the standard Mac keyboard and mouse, you will not have to explain the right click thingie to them. The Mac mouse is a single click mouse. Real simple.

Those who want a right click mouse can get a Kensington Wireless Pro.

I can sympathize with you, because I was trying to explain the right click mouse to my technologically challenged MIT graduate husband the other day...

Macs are much easier for most people to learn, so consider it. All the commands are pretty much the same across different software programs, so once you have learned the basics, you are set to go.

[BlazingArizona]

OS X is not "another OS" - it's Unix, with a nice graphic interface. When you're on the Unix command line, it works exactly the way you're used to having Unix work. If you want, you can install MySQL and run a LAMP website from your Mac at the same time as you're editing video.

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly "open minded"...well, as much of it as there is..is something like open.

Anyway, Muttly uses both platforms for his digital experiments...and Muttly find Windows machines much more Muttly-Friendly than Mac for the Internet. Macs have tiny fonts...and everything seems cramped all over the place by default. Haven't tried to tweak it yet...but always use Windows for the net. Human friends (there are not yet many of "us") report frequent difficulty or inability to open attachments sent from Windows machines...especially graphics. Seems most of the world is Windows-equipped, and it isn't always as compatible as it's supposed to be.

[jacquej]

Here is trhe link...

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

[cmsgop]

We have two New iMacs at our Biz. They run the whole thing.

[W04Man]

my users can barely right-click their mouse...
Hey Lunatic.... the best thing is Mac's HAVE NO RIGHT CLICKS!!!! he he he.....

[BrooklynGOP]

You can do all that on pc.

[jacquej]

Well, Applewroks opens most Microsoft Docs... and try Shift-command-+ to adjust the text size to your liking when on the net.

I find Safari a superior browser, especially the bookmarks and tabbing features!!! I dumped Internet Explorer completely off my puter after using Safari for a few weeks. NO POP-UPS!

Friends should be sending you graphics in JPEG format.

[glorgau]

When you're on the Unix command line, it works exactly the way you're used to having Unix work.

Well, not exactly. A good phrase I heard on slashdot was "they wizzed all over /etc" :-)

Other than that, I'm doing PHP, MySQL, and Postgres. If you want to get all the Linux junk running - it's no harder than getting it running on Linux. i.e. it's a complicated mind-bending, precariously balanced hassle.

[jacquej]

Duh, Appleworks, which comes with eMacs, iMacs, and iBooks... you get all the basic software you need when you buy one of these. Totally pre-installed for you, too.

And the + feature for increasing text size works in Safari, but dunno about IE. You can decrease size by hitting the - key.

.Mac is a great service as well... check out that feature when you are looking over the Apple site...

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly try.

[kitkat]

*****Macs have tiny fonts...and everything seems cramped all over the place by default. Haven't tried to tweak it yet...*****

Does Poor Muttly have an OSX? If so, he can enlarge the internet font by pressing the Apple key and the plus key as many times as he wants to get REALLY big font.

If Poor Muttley does not have OSX, he can probably enlarge the font in that way.

[kitkat]

*******I find Safari a superior browser,,,*******

My OSX is over a year old, v. 10.15. What is this Safari? It's not even on my "help" utility. Is it an add on, or did it come with your computer?

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly try.

Kitkat nice.

Kitkat can play with Muttly any time. Muttly needs help with his digging experiments under the birdbath anyway...and cats can get in places where Muttlys get stuck...especially when they are wearing their official raccoonskin cap, helmet and bandolier.