Apple coolness

Thu Sep 11 23:27:08 GMT 2003 Apple coolness

Link: Mac.Ars takes on Apple's apparent coolness

The "coolest" part seems to be iPod, though I have to wonder how the Beatle's suing Apple will affect that.

However, I agree that Apple is "cool", and I think the Mac and OS X have at least something to do with it. Mac OS X is Linux without fear: an alternative to Microsoft that isn't scary.

Is Mac OS really any better than Linux? Probably not. But because Apple builds the hardware that OS X runs on, the likelihood of installation problems or mysterious hardware incompatibilities is much smaller. And although you can use Linux without ever seeing the command line, you probably won't, because so many things you may want to add or fix will send you there. While the command line is there for Mac OS X too, it is not perceived to be necessary: in fact, you'll often see solutions to Mac problems that involve Applescript even when it would be quicker and easier to go to the command line.

These things make OS X less threatening to the more timid switcher, while doing nothing to turn off those who do want the underlying power of Unix.

I think Apple has a good thing going for them here. Panther, which might be released very soon, is supposed to be the bee's knees of modern operating systems. It does sound pretty incredible. Time will tell.

Comments?

More Articles by Tony Lawrence - Find me on Google+

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.