From: SXMRP@orca.alaska.edu (Michael R. Platzke)
Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy
Subject: Re: PC and Mac OEs (was Re: 1 Thing Windows can do but OS/2 can't.)
Date: 30 Jul 92 05:52:26 GMT
Organization: University of Alaska Computer Network

In article <1992Jul29.090014.19136@cs.hw.ac.uk> neilp@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Postlethwaite) writes:
>Path: raven.alaska.edu!decwrl!olivea!uunet!mcsun!uknet!edcastle!hwcs!neilp
>From: neilp@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Postlethwaite)
>Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy
>Subject: Re: PC and Mac OEs (was Re: 1 Thing Windows can do but OS/2 can't.)
>Message-ID: <1992Jul29.090014.19136@cs.hw.ac.uk>
>Date: 29 Jul 92 09:00:14 GMT
>References: <1992Jul26.011637.11655@microsoft.com> <1992Jul27.191536.10972@cs.hw.ac.uk> <SXMRP.5.0@orca.alaska.edu>
>Sender: news@cs.hw.ac.uk (News Administrator)
>Organization: Dept of Computer Science, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland
>Lines: 45

>In article <SXMRP.5.0@orca.alaska.edu> SXMRP@orca.alaska.edu (Michael R. Platzke) writes:
>>
>>>>Could you elaborate on this please ;)
>>>>What are you using it for that it does not meet your needs.
>>
>>>Funny comment yes tough if you want a bit more substance....
>>
>>>Windows is just so fiddly, geeky to use and just a real pain.
>>
>>Oh well, that comment is so much more clear and specific :-)
>>If you are going to badmouth Windows, please cite specific problems or areas
>>where the Mac is clearly superior.

>See below *

>>>Give me a Mac with System 7 *ANY* day.
>>
>>>Windows only won on the PC because it had virtually no competition.
>>>Gem, Deskview or Windows. Not much of a choice is there.
>>
>>As opposed to the numerous OS choices that a Mac user has?

>You miss the point here. The Mac had an excellent OS from day 1. Windows,
>in a 'workable' release only made it in 1989 with Windows 3. Mac owners
>don't need another choice. The Mac is nice and cuddly as is and always
>has been.

>>-Michael R. Platzke (sxmrp@orca.alaska.edu)


I guess the problem that I have with your comments are that they are highly
subjective and personal.  You state again that the Mac interface is "nice and
cuddly".  What exactly does that mean?  If we are to have an intelligent
debate (as opposed to a mindless flamewar and name calling contest) both
sides must bring up points that can be objectively analyzed.  I realize that
the choice of GUI is highly personal and subjective, however, at least bring
up specific elements of the individual GUI so that I am able to agree or
disagree.  When you state that "The Mac is nice and cuddly as is and always
has been", I cannot asses the truth or falsehood of the statement because it
really ends up saying nothing.

 
>Ahem !!

>*Where is the Quicktime/Hypercard example I gave of things Windows can't do.

>Selective editing to advance your point me thinks !!

>Neil


Guilty as charged, to a point.  These are the types of comments that I can
debate with.  Quicktime appears to be great and I am really hoping that Apple
goes foreword with plans to port it to windows.  On the other hand, I have
never been that impressed with Hypercard.  Mostly based on the fact that I
prefer the speed and flexiblity of full programming languages.  I realize
that Hypercard has its place for non-programmers or quick apps, but I prefer
other tools (Yes, that is a highly subjective and personal opinion, but one
that you are able to agree or disagree upon and further comment about.)

However, when you state that "Windows is just so fiddly, geeky to use and 
just a real pain"  you leave me with nothing to go on.  Why do you feel this
way?  Or better yet, what specific elements of the MS Windows GUI and API do
you have a problem with.  For instance, I personally dislike the split
File Manager/Program Manager and the way that the ProgMan simply contains
weak links to the underlying file system.  Again, this is a statement that
can be agreed or disagreed upon.  Even though it is only an opinion, the
specifics can be debated.  Your general pronouncements on windows add nothing
to the debate.

Just my not so humble opinion.

PS.  I know people who swear by Deskview and who used to swear by earlier
versions of OS/2 (regarding your comment on PC OE's).  Just because you feel
that these OE's and windows are beneith the comtempt of a Mac user don't
make it so! (:-) :-) :-)  Please, that was an attempt at humor, no flames
please)  Personally, I think think the object-oriented NextStep shell is
the best on the market, but that is a completely different subject and one
that I won't babble on about (God, I don't believe I actually addmitted I
like the Next).

-Michael R. Platzke (sxmrp@orca.alaska.edu)
Xref: sparky comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy:1471 comp.os.os2.advocacy:3040