A little introduction.

[Kanta]

Hello mac peoples, I come on a mission of mutual understanding and peace. I have been assigned a project in an anthropology course that requires I interact with people who share views unlike my own (I am a windows/linux guy), and learn more about them and their views. It is to this end I come to this forum, basically I was just hoping that we could have some simple Q & A with each other every few days for about an hour each. So, I guess I'll start with a question, what exactly drew you to the mac OS in the first place?

P.S: I'll try to be as civil as possible, if something I post sounds rude, it was not intended to be, sometimes I'm not very great with wording things on forums and the like, plus I'm coming from a place of slight ignorance as it pertains to the mac operating system so please bare with me.

 

[pigoo3]

I have been assigned a project in an anthropology course that requires I interact with people who share views unlike my own (I am a windows/linux guy), and learn more about them and their views. It is to this end I come to this forum, basically I was just hoping that we could have some simple Q & A with each other every few days for about an hour each.

Believe it or not...many of the questions you're probably about to ask have been asked over & over & over again. In fact...these questions have been asked in one form or another probably almost all the way back to 1984 when the first Macintosh computer was released.

Mac-Forums hasn't been around since 1984...but if you do a Mac-Forums search on this topic...you may find the answers you need to the questions you are about to ask from at least the last 10+ years...thus greatly shortening the period of time necessary to complete your project.

- Nick

p.s. Of course if you do have some unique questions to ask...I'm sure many of us would be happy to share an opinon.

 

[Kanta]

Well, the point of the assignment is more of me not only learning about you guys as a group, but it's also supposed to be about self-reflection as I ask these questions. Sorry I probably should have specified that.

 

[vansmith]

Anthropology? Not quite sociology but I'll let it pass.

For me, without delving into too many technical details, it was the marriage of Unix and consumer support. I love the Unix base from which OS X grew (as a Linux guy, you can probably appreciate this) but I love having support for major commercial products including Office. It's as simple as that.

Good luck with the ethnographic study (I have no idea if that's what you're calling it, but I am)!

 

[pigoo3]

Well, the point of the assignment is more of me not only learning about you guys as a group, but it's also supposed to be about self-reflection as I ask these questions. Sorry I probably should have specified that.

The only difference between the answers you may get to your questions today...and the answers you get from a forum thread from 5 years ago (via a search)...is the date.

For example your first question..."What exactly drew you to the mac OS in the first place?"

This question could have been asked 1, 3, 5, or 10 years ago...and many of the answers would be exactly the same.

If you want to get answers to questions that are more relevant to the 2012/2013 timeframe...then the questions need to be modified to reflect current situations in the computing environment/world.

- Nick

p.s. Just trying to help. The immediate (instant message like) "back & forth" repartee that you may hope to get in this thread...may or may not be "fruitful". It depends on how many folks & how often folks decide to reply.

If the answers to your questions already exist in many previous threads...those answers are just as valid.

 

[Kanta]

Anthropology? Not quite sociology but I'll let it pass.

For me, without delving into too many technical details, it was the marriage of Unix and consumer support. I love the Unix base from which OS X grew (as a Linux guy, you can probably appreciate this) but I love having support for major commercial products including Office. It's as simple as that.

So for you it was more of a technical reasoning, I find that pretty interesting. Most people view mac fans as entirely ignorant to that side of thing(not saying it's a belief i share, just things I've heard), Out of curiosity, what kinds of work do you usually do on your mac, is it more technical or artistic (another more common stereotype I've heard is that most mac fans generally deal in artistic pursuits.)

 

[Kanta]

The only difference between the answers you may get to your questions today...and the answers you get from a forum thread from 5 years ago (via a search)...is the date.

For example your first question..."What exactly drew you to the mac OS in the first place?"

This question could have been asked 1, 3, 5, or 10 years ago...and many of the answers would be exactly the same.

If you want to get answers to questions that are more relevant to the 2012/2013 timeframe...then the questions need to be modified to reflect current situations in the computing environment/world.

- Nick

Ok, how about this then. Given the current state of things, how have you been feeling about Apple's conduct and decisions. (Sorry if this question still seems a bit off, wasn't quite expecting for things to go this way)

 

[Kanta]

p.s. Just trying to help. The immediate (instant message like) "back & forth" repartee that you may hope to get in this thread...may or may not be "fruitful". It depends on how many folks & how often folks decide to reply.

If the answers to your questions already exist in many previous threads...those answers are just as valid.

Totally understand, I didn't put much thought into how I was going to go about this, to be honest. Really just taking this course to fill a requirement (my major is computer science)

 

[pigoo3]

...Out of curiosity, what kinds of work do you usually do on your mac, is it more technical or artistic (another more common stereotype I've heard is that most mac fans generally deal in artistic pursuits.)

This is why "stereotyping" can be misleading. "Mac Fans" cover the spectrum of interests just like folks who use Windows computers.

A more accurate use of the stereotype you mentioned above would relate more to what folks do professionally with Macintosh computers. Since the VAST majority of large, medium, and small business's ONLY use Windows computers...most of us "Mac Fans" use Windows computers at work.

There is a strong use of Macintosh computers in the graphics, video, music, and CG industries...but this really only represents a VERY VERY small percentage of overall Mac Users.

Just like Windows computer users...probably 90% or more use their Macintosh computer for internet surfing, social media, online shopping, and e-mail.

- Nick

 

[vansmith]

So for you it was more of a technical reasoning, I find that pretty interesting. Most people view mac fans as entirely ignorant to that side of thing(not saying it's a belief i share, just things I've heard), Out of curiosity, what kinds of work do you usually do on your mac, is it more technical or artistic (another more common stereotype I've heard is that most mac fans generally deal in artistic pursuits.)

I'm a social sciences grad student so a lot of writing and a lot of planning for my teaching.

This is why "stereotyping" can be misleading. "Mac Fans" cover the spectrum of interests just like folks who use Windows computers.

Indeed they do. The community here is pretty diverse - we've got everyone from Unix admins to artsy people (I mean that in the least pejorative fashion possible).

 

[pigoo3]

Given the current state of things, how have you been feeling about Apple's conduct and decisions. (Sorry if this question still seems a bit off, wasn't quite expecting for things to go this way)

Sorry...but this is still a very generic question. Maybe you could be more specific as to what "conduct & decisions" you're referring to.

Really just taking this course to fill a requirement (my major is computer science)

Totally understand...many of us have been to college as well. So we know exactly where you're coming from! But again...if many of your questions are sort of "general/generic"...then many many very valid answers/opinions have already been recorded in previous threads on this very topic. Do some searching...and you will probably have all the data you need!

BAMM...project completed...where's the pizza & beer!!!

- Nick

 

[Kanta]

This is why "stereotyping" can be misleading. "Mac Fans" cover the spectrum of interests just like folks who use Windows computers.

A more accurate use of the stereotype you mentioned above would relate more to what folks do professionally with Macintosh computers. Since the VAST majority of large, medium, and small business's ONLY use Windows computers...most of us "Mac Fans" use Windows computers at work.

There is a strong use of Macintosh computers in the graphics, video, music, and CG industries...but this really only represents a VERY VERY small percentage of overall Mac Users.

Just like Windows computer users...probably 90% or more use their Macintosh computer for internet surfing, social media, online shopping, and e-mail.

- Nick

Had a feeling this would be how things were, stereotypes are rarely ever true if at all(frankly I find the very notion of stereotypes to be disgusting, probably one of the things that offends me the most).

 

[XJ-linux]

Been down this road before with people from some class wanting to sample Mac users for some paper, but I'll give it a crack again since today is a slow day in the office...

Much live Vansmith, I moved into Mac because of CS and Unix.

For the Unix part... I'm in IT, specifically an AIX-Unix SysAdmin of 15 years. I like having an OS on my personal computer that I can work on and understand technically (like I do at work). I'd equate it to why some folks prefer to own, drive and work on non-computer controlled pre-1980's vehicles. For me they are easier to understand, backup, operate, diagnose, etc... There is a granularity and depth of control there with *nix operating systems that I don't quite get with Windows.

For the CS part, I grew tired of getting non-native English speakers on the phone when I had an issue with my Dell desktop. I originally bought my Dell because of the great CS. When its support went offshore, I dumped them after a few bad experiences. Remember, I'm a Unix guy, so back in the lat 1990's/early 2000's when I had Windows issues I called the manufacturer service number like anyone else. I know enough now to fix Windows, but back then it was a big deal to me.

Anyhow, Mac had a good CS rep, a good warranty, and an actual "brink and mortar" presence where I lived. Add the CS and Unix together and you have a good thing (to me). Add in the switch over to Intel CPUs (and the option to run Windows if needed) and there really wasn't much second though to switching to Mac. These days, with things like Citrix and VPN, I have no need to go back to Windows even for Windows-centric tasks. Unless... Apple dumbs/locks down Mac OS 11.0 to iOS-like levels. At that point, I'd just probably run SUSE on Mac hardware and call it a day.

NOTE: I'm not here to convince you to switch to Mac, or get into some epic Mac -vs- PC debate. If you are looking for that, I'll let someone else take the hook.

 

[Kanta]

Sorry...but this is still a very generic question. Maybe you could be more specific as to what "conduct & decisions" you're referring to.



Totally understand...many of us have been to college as well. So we know exactly where you're coming from! But again...if many of your questions are sort of "general/generic"...then many many very valid answers/opinions have already been recorded in previous threads on this very topic. Do some searching...and you will probably have all the data you need!

BAMM...project completed...where's the pizza & beer!!!

- Nick

You know, I probably will just do this. I just have to hope he doesn't ask for proof I actually asked all the questions outlined, but he seems like a pretty trusting guy and he's leaving after this class so he probably doesn't care as much anyways. Thanks all for the questions you did answer, it was pretty informative.

EDIT: and beyond that, looks like the hour is just about up and I've not had my lunch yet. Thanks again for answering my questions, if I decide that I want to continue with this method, I'll post here again sometime Saturday, until then, have a great week.

 

[pigoo3]

You know, I probably will just do this. I just have to hope he doesn't ask for proof I actually asked all the questions outlined, but he seems like a pretty trusting guy and he's leaving after this class so he probably doesn't care as much anyways. Thanks all for the questions you did answer, it was pretty informative.

Hey like I mentioned...if the questions you need to ask are fairly generic (and may have been asked before here on Mac-Forums)...then the responses are just as valid...regardless if asked today or in the past.

But if you feel that your professor is going to need proof that YOU actually asked questions...and got answers...then you gotta do what ya gotta do.

- Nick

 

[Oneironaut]

You might want to check out the thread here called "What's so great about a Mac?" Someone just created it so it's near the top of the list. Maybe it's someone you know from your class. ;-)