OT: notebook shopping

[Donn]

On Thu, Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52 AM, Austin Godber <godber at uberhip.com> wrote:

> Kevin Faulkner wrote:
> >> I beg to differ, OS X is very different from Windows. It sells for a
> fair
> >> price and it works.
> >>
> >
> > Well its kinda hard to place a price on OS X when it comes bundled with
> the
> > machine itself. I don't even know how much it sells for. I think Windows
> works
> >
> >
> OS X is $129
>
> http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB427Z/A?mco=MTIyNzA
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Thank you Austin. That was part of my point. OS X has ONE Price and One
version. It also has none of the typical Windows issues with Registry hell,
reboot after sneezing hard, corruption of basic services by applications (at
least typically), etc.

As far as 'Free' or Open Source' vs. proprietary software is concerned, I
try to take a realistic view. It is somewhat irritating to me to hear 'but
that is proprietary software!' as if something smelled bad. I am not trying
to be argumentative here, I just want to make a point. I agree on principal
in the building block theory of Open Source software, that is that knowledge
should be shared and move us all forward without wasting effort in
constantly recreating code to do the same things. This is an admirable goal.
I try to support open source software that I use and appreciate. I generally
do not use free software, since it is generally, but not always worth what
you paid for it.

What I don't agree with is the Microsoft method of market domination by
intimidation. I have a great deal of admiration for what Apple has done with
their products in most cases. They are not beyond draconian methods either,
but the shear elegance of some of their hardware and software is difficult
to argue with. No one else in consumer electronics even comes close, except
possibly Nintendo, and very rarely Sony (believe it or not). I have a 24"
iMac and it is the best piece of hardware (and software with Leopard) I have
ever owned. At their core, Microsoft seems to be about one thing, holding on
to their 'lands and titles' like the Nobles of old. Apple seems to aspire to
something better in every product they sell. They don't always hit the mark,
but in my mind, the aspiration is the thing that deserves recognition and
admiration.

These are more words than I have ever written on this list, and I apologize
for the diatribe. Please take no offense.

-- 
Donn
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry
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