Posted on 01/07/2005 11:08:27 AM PST by Swordmaker
You would think there would be an objective way of measuring the user outcomes of these two directions in interface design, but so far there doesn't seem to be one. Instead, the issue often seems to come down to an emotional argument about the relative "coolness" of the two interfaces, with the decision heavily weighted by the presumption that what we already know must be better than what we don't.
"That's unresolveable in any general sense, but if you're a Windows user prepared to defend XP as better than Mac OS X , I have a challenge for you. Think about Win-D (or is it M?), and all the rest of it while reading this Apple puff piece about the "Exposé" feature in Mac OS X.
"If you're at all fair about this, I think you'll agree that the ability to deliver gimmicks like this supports the view that Microsoft's Windows GUI remains at least a full generation behind Apple's."
"But Macs Are Slower, Right?" PING!!!!
If you want to be included or excluded on the Mac Ping list, please Freepmail me.
Macophile alert!
I dislike Windows, but dislike Macintosh even more. Why? Hmmm...well, less software, harder to upgrade or build (I'm a build-your-own computer user), more difficult to troubleshoot...
my parents have MACs, I work in the Windows world.
I would rather have a MAC....especially if I have some graphics work to do.
If they ever figure out how to get the gaming portion of the market to work in their favor, Windows will have a hard time to keep up....
but, being a government contractor, Windows is capable for what we do.
Apparently the famous reality-distortion field extends a good deal farther than anyone thought.
Funny, I built a Dual Opteron 64/248 box with 2GB memory, and it eats G5's for lunch. Any day, Every day. It also is running Fedora Core 3, with the 2.6.9-1.latest SMP kernel. It costs anout 1/4 of the equivelent Mac box.
I may be wrong, but I've been a Mac user since 1985 and I have never felt there was a lack of "programs" for my Mac. Word processing, spreadsheets, internet search engines.....I can find not just on version of a Mac compatable program but sometimes many. I absolutely love my new 20" G5 imac. I own a windows unit (not an A/C that mounts in a window)that I use at work and it's okay...no problems so far. But my mac is....well...easier and more fun to work with. I say to each his own...if you like PCs then fine. But Macs are my favorite.
There are quite a few solid rules of UI design based on how people percieve and do things. Scientists involved in HCI (Human Computer Interface) research do specific scientific studies on the effects of various aspects of UI with hard numbers in the end on what's better in what situation.
AFAIK, nobody's published a study like this for OS X vs. Windows. However, I do know that OS X uses a lot more of HCI's rules to its advantage when compared to Windows and violates fewer of them.
I take it you're not talking about a rack-mount system you built. A dual Opteron 248 1U costs about the same or more than an XServe, depending on options and brand. It would still be faster though.
Rush was running windoze down on his show today. Persnally any new high end machine is faster and posessed of greater functionality than I can ever use except some fo the stuff I occaisonally do in Photoshop.
However the virus/spyware question drives me into the Mac camp.
He told he to at least to get FireFox or Mozilla and software to protect her PeeCee...
New K8T Master2 MB
New 2GB SDRAM
Existing miniserve case
Existing nvidia 5600 series vc
Existing SCSI 320 x 80GB non raid storage
New DVD +- RW burner
Existing VP201MP Monitor.
I also run several 3GHz range dual Xeon boxes as testbeds & servers.
Test your true crunch power with BOINC & seti@home or Climate prediction.
I thought so ofr many years. But now, I think that the relvance of Windows application software has declined, and that the ascendency of desktop Linux and FOSS apps has broken the Microsoft monoculture.
These days I would advise people to buy whatever they like the best.
ping
I used to be one of those. If you like spending time playing with the computer, the pc is the only way to go.
If you mostly have things that you want to use a computer to accomplish, the Mac is a better option.
I currently have both a pc and a Mac, and I'm spending far less time on the pc. My pc needs upgrading, and I might not bother. I'd rather spend the time on the net or editing pictures than playing with upgrades, drivers, and virus protection.
My ideal machine would be like the Mac to use, but have the upgrade potential of a pc.
Love your tagline!:-)
Sheesh! Don't let Jobs see your tagline, he'll sue your @ss
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