Windows Roadmap; Linux; Mac OS X
This weeks' readings are very helpful to me. I will definitely go back and read the rest of the Introduction to Linux. When I was in the early years of grade school, everyone who had a computer had an Apple, and growing up we learned Basic, C programming, and Pascal, but I got off the computers/technology track when I hit Advanced Logic Systems, and have since become totally adapted to the Windows world. I was completely unaware of how pervasive Linux is, or how easily it seems I could use it. Of the three readings, I found the Linux one to be extremely persuasive and suprisingly easy to understand, although I would feel more comfortable knowing more about the author--he's definitely a true believer. One of my larger fears is that his/her enthusiasm has inspired a false confidence in me, so I plan to investigate it more fully, but considering I am going to buy a new computer just for school this weekend (so that I can protect my "real" one), the article has opened up avenues that I had never even considered. I am more swayed by the PC vs Mac commercials than I was by Wikipedia article, however, and cannot help feeling that Macs are pitched to and geared for a younger generation than mine.
With respect to the Windows Roadmap, it was very clearly a corporate pr piece. What caught my attention most was the frequent "acknowledgments" of "user feedback" regarding Vista that never clarified what that feedback was or specifically how they had listened and made changes. Because my mom has Vista, I am willing to bet that it was mostly, if not all, negative. When I am at my mom's house, I do not use her computer because it drives me absolutely crazy: I cannot access many sites or view content on many other sites because of all the security things it has going on (at least that's my ignorant self's theory). On the other hand, the article addressed a lot of issues and as a realatively happy Windows user, I look forward to better things in the future.
While none of these articles was, for me, authoritative, what I appreciate most are the extensive links and resources available for further investigation. I want to go in-depth into the other Mac reading, but only had time to really skim it before today.
Week 13 Muddiest Point
15 years ago
2 comments:
Hey, Maggie, you bring up a good point about the differences in marketing campaigns (in particular, Mac vs. PC), and their target audiences. The generation gap between technology users is a really significant issue. More specifically, in computer sales, I've also noticed that Mac commercials tend to focus more on younger users. Even in those "Mac vs. PC" commercials, the guy representing the PC appears much older and more conventional looking than the Mac dude - younger and more hip, of course. I don't quite know when Macs became so hip, but Apple has clearly recognized this trend, and planned their marketing appropriately.
Maggie,
Thanks for your perspective. As a relatively inept computer person, it is good to hear the opinion of someone who at least has had some education on programming. What would have been useful with these articles would have been a side-by-side comparison of each operating system, if it would even be possible. Good luck with your shopping
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