Comments on: We All Live in Our Own Ghetto

By: Steven Kempton

Steven Kempton — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:34:24 +0000

Great post Dave. I currently run both windows and OSX side by side. When I bought an iBook last year I initially was just sold by the push of a very good friend, and the excitement that my iPod had created for me a little earlier in the year. But there is no doubt that for me it really has been the kind of experience you described. It has opened some eyes for me about software (as a user) and also for me as a consultant to software companies (I recruit for them) that I think has been really helpful. At first I thought I would be dumping my windows machines eventually, but now I kind of like using them together (funny that), both OS’s seem pretty natural, and while there are little things in each I don’t like, I really enjoy the creativity and design I see when using my Mac, and I still enjoy some of the familiarity or using windows.

From a wider point of view, I now think that since technology is such a huge part of my life, and while it may be a high cost excercise (mostly mentally rather than financially) to switch tools and try new things. I think it is critical to continue to push those edges because the rut you talk about is much more dangerous (and funnily enough probably even higher in cost). I didn’t feel like I was in a huge rut before I bought my Mac, but there is no doubt that the creativity it has stimulated for me has made me feel like I MUST have been in one before I switched.

By: davidtenhave

davidtenhave — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:37:34 +0000

Philip

Oddly, the dissatisfaction with the MacBook is something that I can understand. Apple kit is hyped to all hell and when you sit down to use it for the first time there are things you need to get your head around. That is grounds for some serious post-purchase cognitive dissonance.

At the end of the day I think that the cost of exploring new stuff can be quite high (and moving from one OS to another is a high cost exercise). From that point of view people are keen to cut their losses as soon as possible. My personal feeling is not making that exploration investment costs more - long term… but you have to see it as an investment I guess and spend the time.

What struck me more was the furvour that was being expressed from both sides of the debate (and my reaction to it). It was the sort of thing that was getting in the way of exploring (I am guilty of exactly that with Ruby on Rails). I am not trying to defend one OS over the other, but rather I was looking at what the willingness to take sides does to the way you percieve software, problems and solutions. Yesterdays discussion was simply a catalyst for clarifying something that I have experienced for 20 odd years.

By: Philip

Philip — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:04:59 +0000

Your friend did buy the Mac afterall, presumably for the exact purpose you described - to see how the other half live. The fact that he’s ready to give up so quickly is either a sign of his inpatience, prejudice, or the overwhelming inferiority of the experience. As with most things, the reality is probably somewhere in the middle.

I definitely agree that it’s important to step out of your comfort zone and explore new terrain. However, I wouldn’t blame somebody for being unhappy with the experience. Give it a reasonable chance, yes. But there’s definitely no need to force yourself to be miserable.

Personally, I’m an OG Mac guy. It’s only recently that I’ve become an XP guy. I have very serious misgivings about Mac OSX. Nevertheless, I put in for a MacBook to mine that foreign territory for valuable lessons. Maybe if your friend hates it so much they could give it to me?!