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I evolved into a geek, I didn't use to be one. I didn't really know anything about computers until about 4 years ago. I knew basically how to use Windows, but that was it. I went from being someone that could barely figure out how to get DOS to list a directory at 12 to someone who is now capable of reading and understanding most Java and Objective C code without a problem and being near the top of my class in Computer Science at 19. I have no tolerance for people that want to have something but who won't accept the responsibility of learning how to use it. How many people preach individual responsibility on raising kids, learning how to use a gun, drive a car, maintain a house and being able to account for/control one's assets but then give a total free pass to people who can't be bothered to do the same with their computer. It is hypocrisy, plain and simple. If computers are so daunting to use then that is a damning admission from most Wintel users of how bad Windows is since "computer" and Wintel are synonymous in most peoples' minds. My aunt, a user who doesn't care about learning how to use a computer uses a Mac. She has no problems. My PC using parents do and they know more about their computer than she does about hers. Funny isn't it, that the world's dominant platform has that problem?

The average Wintel user just doesn't get why Macs still sell. There are plenty of laymen that realize that the Mac lets them be ignorant without endangering themselves. Apple realized something Microsoft never will: you cannot give full power to the average user, you have to lock up a lot of it and leave the keys for the users that want to go beyond the basics. That's why OSX is so damn cool. It lets my aunt remain blissfully ignorant of how her Mac works and she isn't going to hurt anyone with her ignorance. It also lets me be a UNIX geek. Microsoft has never figured out how to balance those two. It simply gives the average user way to much power up front. The future is probably going to be in internet appliances, not personal computers for the average person. A box that runs the software they need and provides an extremely limited set of options for them is ideal. It gives them only enough power to get their work done, but lets them feel nice and cozy knowing it won't let them do something stupid. That is afterall what the average user wants. Such a system would be hailed as a godsend by a LOT of people. And I don't blame them. Giving them a full a computer to do a few simple things is like giving someone a APC to drive to work when all they need is a Honda or a Ford.