Mac vs. Windows

[opusman]

we are starting to see the apple generation hitting admin roles in our office... they have been educated on macs and you should see their face when they see a windows device on their desk.

This is getting off-topic, but I really don't know where the mac's reputation for "easy to use" comes from. I have been using computers for a long time, and I can't think of a single thing on the mac that is actually easier to do than under Windows, and many things that are harder.

It may have been true in the late 1980s but things have moved on a fair bit since then...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Watch this space

This is getting off-topic, but I really don't know where the mac's reputation for "easy to use" comes from. I have been using computers for a long time, and I can't think of a single thing on the mac that is actually easier to do than under Windows, and many things that are harder.

It may have been true in the late 1980s but things have moved on a fair bit since then...

Obviously not as long as me.... I can remember using the Lisa for the first time and being blown away by it. We wrinklies who grew up on Jcl will always be grateful for the Lisa and then the Mac.... However I would agree that windows is terrific and have been a windows user for a long time.....

 

[opusman]

Re: Watch this space

Obviously not as long as me.... I can remember using the Lisa for the first time and being blown away by it. We wrinklies who grew up on Jcl will always be grateful for the Lisa and then the Mac.... However I would agree that windows is terrific and have been a windows user for a long time.....

I remember when the Lisa came out, but could not afford the $10000 needed to buy one

 

[samh004]

Re: Watch this space

This is getting off-topic, but I really don't know where the mac's reputation for "easy to use" comes from. I have been using computers for a long time, and I can't think of a single thing on the mac that is actually easier to do than under Windows, and many things that are harder.

It may have been true in the late 1980s but things have moved on a fair bit since then...

Different people find different things easier, and harder. I've had terrible times with Windows over the years, but since my first iBook purchase in 2001, have had no troubles getting online and being productive. The same can't be said for any Windows machines I've come across. Some can use both, some can only use one or the other. The mac works for me. It might not work for you, but there's many things on Windows that are harder to do for me

 

[robd]

Re: Watch this space

This is getting off-topic, but I really don't know where the mac's reputation for "easy to use" comes from. I have been using computers for a long time, and I can't think of a single thing on the mac that is actually easier to do than under Windows, and many things that are harder.

It may have been true in the late 1980s but things have moved on a fair bit since then...

Hmmm… I reckon I could do at least 5 things on my Mac before your Windows has even booted

 

[opusman]

Re: Watch this space

Hmmm… I reckon I could do at least 5 things on my Mac before your Windows has even booted

A fresh install of Windows 8.1 can be up and running in about 5 seconds these days, so your 5 things must be pretty simple

 

[medhead]

Watch this space

A fresh install of Windows 8.1 can be up and running in about 5 seconds these days, so your 5 things must be pretty simple

Forget that sort of BS comparison. I fail to see anything that supports the claim Mac is more complex. Both are as easy to use as you want to make it.

I've just sync'd my files to usb and turned of my work provide windows box. Sometime in the next 24 hours I'll plug the usb into my Mac and write 4 reports just as easily as if I was on the work computer.

 

[opusman]

Re: Watch this space

I fail to see anything that supports the claim Mac is more complex. Both are as easy to use as you want to make it.

Ok, here's an example. You have a program you want to run on startup.

In Windows, you:
- Drag the program icon over the Start button
- The Start menu expands, and you drop the program icon in the Startup folder

On a Mac, you:
- Open the System Preferences
- Choose Accounts from the View menu
- Click your user name
- Click the Login Items button
- Click the Add button
- Locate the program you want to add

I would argue the Windows method is less complex, and significantly more intuitive.

Anyway I actually didn't make the claim the Mac is more complex. All I am saying is that I think the Mac's reputation for being "easy to use" compared to Windows is undeserved. They each have their quirks and they are both much easier to use when you are familiar with them.

 

[medhead]

Re: Watch this space

Personally I just leave programs running when I shut down the Mac and they are still open when I start it up again. Of course, it did take considerable effort to prevent copy from loading on start up.

 

[straitman]

Re: Watch this space

Ok, here's an example. You have a program you want to run on startup.

In Windows, you:
- Drag the program icon over the Start button
- The Start menu expands, and you drop the program icon in the Startup folder

On a Mac, you:
- Open the System Preferences
- Choose Accounts from the View menu
- Click your user name
- Click the Login Items button
- Click the Add button
- Locate the program you want to add

I would argue the Windows method is less complex, and significantly more intuitive.

Anyway I actually didn't make the claim the Mac is more complex. All I am saying is that I think the Mac's reputation for being "easy to use" compared to Windows is undeserved. They each have their quirks and they are both much easier to use when you are familiar with them.

I didn't know it was so difficult to run a mac.

I just open apps from the dock with a single click.

 

[Buzzard]

Re: Watch this space

The last Mac I had was Big.
I asked them to leave off the gherkin.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Watch this space

I asked them to leave off the gherkin.

Wise decision.

 

[russ]

Re: Watch this space

Ok, here's an example. You have a program you want to run on startup.

In Windows, you:
- Drag the program icon over the Start button
- The Start menu expands, and you drop the program icon in the Startup folder

On a Mac, you:
- Open the System Preferences
- Choose Accounts from the View menu
- Click your user name
- Click the Login Items button
- Click the Add button
- Locate the program you want to add

I would argue the Windows method is less complex, and significantly more intuitive.

Alternatively on the Mac, just right click the icon and choose "Options > Open at Login"

 

[opusman]

Re: Watch this space

Alternatively on the Mac, just right click the icon

How do you right click with only one mouse button?

 

[Deleted member]

Re: Watch this space

How do you right click with only one mouse button?

With your right finger (lol)

 

[samh004]

Re: Watch this space

How do you right click with only one mouse button?

On a trackpad you use two fingers to click (the multi-touch capability recognises two fingers instead of 1).

On a mouse you simply click on the right hand side (due to its multi-touch capability the one button recognises which side you've clicked on).

-----

That said, I think we're massively off topic.

 

[Daver6]

Re: Watch this space

On a trackpad you use two fingers to click (the multi-touch capability recognises two fingers instead of 1).

On a mouse you simply click on the right hand side (due to its multi-touch capability the one button recognises which side you've clicked on).

-----

That said, I think we're massively off topic.

And does one middle click on a mac?

 

[swilk]

Re: Watch this space

Alternatively on the Mac, just right click the icon and choose "Options > Open at Login"

Beautiful!

 

[swilk]

Re: Watch this space

On a trackpad you use two fingers to click (the multi-touch capability recognises two fingers instead of 1).

On a mouse you simply click on the right hand side (due to its multi-touch capability the one button recognises which side you've clicked on).

-----

That said, I think we're massively off topic.

Methinks we have a number of Windows bigots who make statements without really understanding the Mac platform.

BTW the Mac has supported any old 2 button USB mouse for quite a long time (even one from MS).

 

[swilk]

Re: Watch this space

And does one middle click on a mac?

Yes, if you connect a mouse with 3 buttons. Funny, my Windows PC at work only has two buttons - how do I middle click on that?