Website and Graphic Design
Website and Graphic Design
This article was first published on July 13, 1998.
There are some users of both Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows machines criticise each other in secret, that is to say that some Apple users condemn and ridicule Windows in Mac related areas of the Internet and vice versa, forming communities of arrogant, self centred, people who declare total devotion to their chosen computer platform. Both communities tend to voice their opinions to an agreeing audience, an audience that share their opinions and give praise to sarcastic, ill-informed, often unproven and pointless comments.
This obviously causes friction when members of the two communities meet, and often an argument will begin. Neither side will listen to the other, both sides tend to give the impression of elitism and will often be found condescending members of the other community. This is hardly a good advert for the products these people are representing.
Let us be realistic, there is no point in arguing about which is the better computer, but regardless of what I say in this article such arguments will continue for many more years. Both Mac and Windows have dedicated followers who will not change to another platform no matter what others might say.
Everyone knows that computers running Windows (in its many forms) are far more common around the world, this fact does not necessarily mean that they are better. The real difference between Microsoft and Apple is the number of people around the world who are aware of the two companies.
Apple has enjoyed immense success in the design industry since the 80s and seemed to have only been popular in this field of work. The problem with this is that Apple, as a company, has created what some have described as a "cult following". Let's face it, cults rarely last forever, not often very big and are often the subject of ridicule.
I often wonder why Macs are not often seen in high street computer shop windows, homes and offices (this might not be the case in the US but it certainly is in the UK). The promotion of Macintosh computers and advertising, in the UK at least, has been minimal, and (dare I say) ineffective. Apple must lose the rebellious image which it continues to call upon, as shown in recent advertising campaigns for the new G3 range of Macs;
"Attention: Misfits, rebels and innovators.
Now you can break the rules faster."
This advert mainly appeared in Mac related magazines and was so obviously aimed at Mac users, followers of the cult.
Maybe those who plan Apple's marketing strategies and advertising campaigns ought to be the ones who should "think different" and target people who are not already members of what has become a mere cult rather than a world dominating force.
YIKES! Almost going anti-Mac for a second, fear not. The issue I am trying to portray is that there are more Windows' users in the world because Microsoft have created the awareness. Although Apple has had wonderful success in the design and print industry, it is time to admit that Windows has more success, not because it is necessarily a better product, just because Windows and Microsoft have both become household names.
I hope by now you have realised that I have not ranted on about how Macs are much better than Windows, and I have no intention of starting that discussion. My main concern is the fact that many people who own Windows based machines may have not given Apple Macintosh any consideration when buying a computer. Maybe they hadn't known there was an alternative or thought that Macs were too expensive, too different, or simply they thought that if more people use Windows then it must be good. Indeed, you may have been a victim of digital discrimination forced upon you by the computer salesperson, or the company you work for, with such subtlety that you didn't even notice.
WINDOWS OWNERS:
Think about the following questions and answer them truthfully.
Have you ever used a Macintosh computer?
Did you consider buying anything else other than a Windows based machine?
When buying your PC did you know that there was at least one major alternative to purchasing a Window based machine?
Are you happy using Microsoft Windows?
If your answer to any of these question was "NO" then maybe you should give an Apple Macintosh a chance when you want to replace your computer, otherwise you will never know what you have been missing.
MAC OWNERS:
I presume that you will have read the questions above, so how would you think the average Windows User would have answered those simple questions?
"NO", "NO", "NO" and "NO" would be my guess.
Second question to Mac owners is; what are YOU going to do about it?
Mac users need to promote Macs in positive way, rather than mock Windows in magazines, mailing-lists, Web sites and Newsgroups that are aimed at Mac users, try sharing your thoughts about Apple's wonderful products with Wintel users. This is one of the aims of NEW Direction, hence the forthcoming ProMac website (formerly 'Why Mac?').
September 7, 2010
