Mac vs. Windows - Why we bash Windows

Oct 05

My friend Gerry emailed me this article written by a Windows to Mac convert explaining why Windows users don’t/won’t switch to Mac. There is some pretty valid arguments and one of the main reasons is that Mac zealots themselves are the main cause as they bash Windows and in general piss off Windows users by their smug arguments. Now let me confess, Mac is not perfect. Damn close, but no cigar yet.

There are a couple of interesting facts that should be highlighted:

Windows still dominate the OS market in a big way. Now we all know that the masses rule. Law of nature. Why then don’t you get more Mac bashing than there currently is? Well, for one, the Mac zealots that do the most bashing comes from a Windows background. They have worked on Windows before. Especially if they have done support and had to deal with irritating Windows users that do stupid shit. This right after you’ve told the buggers to NEVER EVER open email attachments that they are not expecting. In other words, we zealots have had unimaginable frustrating experiences with Windows and we can bash because we know what we’re bashing. Most Windows users never worked on a Mac before, so they realise that they will get ridiculed should they lash out. I seriously do not think Mac users that has always worked on Mac do a lot of bashing. I could be wrong.
Interesting that there is not as much Linux vs. Mac bashing going on. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a few, but it is less common. I think the same principle applies as to the first point. Most Mac users have never worked on Linux, therefore stand to be ridiculed should they lash out. Me, I’ve done it all. I have the greatest respect for Linux. It is solid and stable and extremely powerful and of course free. The main difference is the UI. Mac is prettier at the moment. I have a PC here in my office with Ubuntu Feisty and I can honestly say Linux is getting there FAST. If I had to choose between Mac or Linux, I would think about it carefully. Between Linux/Mac and Windows, well, there won’t be any thinking involved!
A whole lot of Windows users are frustrated with Windows and therefore do secretly enjoy the Windows bashing. They are forced to work on Windows. I used to be like that when I was still bound to Windows by my job. Its hell on digital earth, man.
In this article, Steven Leigh says that he reckons Vista is a good OS and the best ever shipped by Microsoft. Really? Maybe Vista is the best OS Microsoft has ever come out with, we just have not seen the best side of it. It is probably still under construction.
We all have a sadistic streak in our personalities (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc… users. The whole lot of us.). Whether you like it or not, it is there. Mac and Linux folks have found the perfect alley to channel that sadistic flaw in their personalities. They irritate the living crap out of Windows users. They know it and therefore do it in order to relieve that itch. Come on, admit it. Its fun! If there was no reaction from the Windows stall, you would not do it. The more Windows zealots retaliate, the more satisfaction it gives the Windows bashers! Bring it on, I say!
Then of course, there is the simple but most important fact that MAC IS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN WINDOWS!!!! Thats not arguable, it is a plain fact. What is arguable is whether Mac is better than Linux, but Windows? C’mon! No contest!
Another fact is that Mac zealots actually don’t want you to switch from Windows. If everyone switched to Mac or Linux there will be a full scale war. Linux guys are not so easy to tease and normally much more aggressive and more savvy and for sure a lot stronger (technically speaking) than their Windows counterparts! It would be difficult to argue there, and there is a good chance that it will get nasty. No, stick to Windows so we can gloat and torture you. It is us Geek’s way to get to feel how the schoolyard bully’s feel. Please. We NEED that.

As I said in the beginning, Mac is not perfect. They have done the stupidest things in the past. For example, they allowed Internet Explorer to be the default browser between 1997 and 2003. Really, how dumb can you be?!

The other fact is as time goes by and Windows evolve, we’d probably have to stay “in touch” with it so we’ll know what we’re talking about… Brrr… not a pleasant thought.

Somehow, I think, this will not be the last thing said on this issue… and for the record:

Mac > Windows

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9 Comments to "Mac vs. Windows - Why we bash Windows"

Justin Hartman said: On 10/05/2007 at 1:53 pm
Yeah a good argument but also self-defeating. At the end of the day it’s about need and most people don’t need a Mac or Linux so does that make it better? For example, a hard-core gamer (the ones that Pimp their PCs) will never be able to switch to Mac and therefore Windows is better - end of story.

To me there is nothing wrong with OSX. It is the best OS in the world as far as I’m concerned and while I’ve worked on Debian and Ubuntu nothing compares.

Mac hardware is a little more problematic. When I had the mac mini (which you now have) it only ever had 2 usb ports. How are we supposed to operated with only 2 USB ports?

On my new MacBook Pro there are two VERY serious issues. The first is that we once again have only 2 x USB ports and the second is a design issue. For some reason (space I think) they put the lock for the laptop right next to one of the USB ports. Now this is fine if you don’t use it but at the office when I have my cable lock in I lose the ability to use my second USB port.

Stupid stupid stupid…. other than that I simply can not go back to another machine after this macbook pro.
StevenMcD said: On 10/05/2007 at 1:53 pm
Fair enough to say Mac > Windows in professional terms. But what about gaming? Then you have to buy the Mac version of Cedega to run games *IF* I remember correctly. Also, as a .Net developer I don’t have much of a choice. The Mono project has made some great progress but until .Net framework is officially supported on various platforms I’ll be tied to a Windows OS
Stii said: On 10/05/2007 at 2:00 pm
@StevenMcD: My sympathies mate!

@Justin: Also good points. Point is it is fun to make fun of Windows, wouldn’t you agree?
Andrew Glanville said: On 10/05/2007 at 4:41 pm
“Why we bash Windows ?” Because they make a lovely twinkling sound when they crack ? Hardly. The reason that so many people bash Microsoft and Windows isn’t because of technology, reason or objectivity. It’s because of tribalism. It’s the same reason that there are intelligent people who pick fights about which is better: Vim or Emacs, Debian or Ubuntu or Gentoo or Slackware or ad nauseum.

To the people who have jumped ship from Windows to OSX, it’s relatively simple rage - “Why the fuck was I using this crap for so long ?”. Which is for all intents and purposes the exact same thought many newfound Linux users have (I know that I was one of them all too many years ago).

In my mind, the real reason that the vast majority of computer users don’t switch from Windows to OSX or Linux is quite simply because they don’t care - never underestimate the power of mass-apathy. And for those of us who do care, of course we’re going to explore the alternatives. I jumped ship from Microsoft based O/S’s to Linux in the early/mid 90’s and I migrated to OSX just over two years ago because my computing needs had changed again. If I ever encounter an O/S that suits my requirements than Apple can provide then I will happily ditch OSX.

It’s really difficult and quite pointless for Linux users to bash OSX - Linux is just the bloody kernel… if you really care about Linux, then you’re not going to migrate to OSX or any another O/S. When most people refer to “Linux”, all that they really mean is “all the applications that run in the Linux userland”. Well, I’m running MacPorts and I’ve got a wonderful stack of useful little open source applications making my life a bit simpler - I fail to see why I need Linux to install and run POSIX compliant software. While OSX is certainly pretty, I don’t believe that the various OSS UI’s (KDE/Gnome/*Box/etc.) will be able to pose any serious threat - OSX isn’t a better UI because of the eye candy, it’s a better UI for the consistency across applications (AppleScript also helps in this regard).

I cracked a rather nefarious grin when I read this bit: “the simple but most important fact that MAC IS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN WINDOWS!!!! Thats not arguable, it is a plain fact.”
It’s actually very easy to argue this one - a subjective opinion cannot magically transmute itself into a verifiable objective statement. While I agree with the sentiment of your statement, it lacks sufficient context to really push the argument forward.

–
@Justin: on one contract I had earlier this year the cable lock that they provided didn’t get in the way of the right hand side USB port on my MBP. I can’t recall what brand it was, but there are cable locks which don’t get in the way.
psi said: On 10/06/2007 at 8:58 am
“In this article, Steven Leigh says that he reckons Vista is a good OS and the best ever shipped by Microsoft.”
Bling-whore

“It’s actually very easy to argue this one - a subjective opinion cannot magically transmute itself into a verifiable objective statement.” (Andrew Glanville)
Watch how it is indeed possible using blind stubbornness: It can too. Can too. Can too. Seriously though, that point wasn’t serious.
Phil said: On 10/13/2007 at 7:05 pm
MAC IS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN WINDOWS!!!!

This exactly the attitude that puts me off switching, I do not wish to be lumped together with arrogant people like you. If it wasn’t for people like you i would have tried a mac already. I am not anti-Apple I am anti-Mac User. To prove I am not just an Apple basher check my blog which covers my decision to buy an iMac.
Stii said: On 10/14/2007 at 11:56 pm
Phil, I’d love to, but you left no address, mate!
Motown said: On 10/26/2007 at 5:34 pm
iMac - been using it for 6 months at work, hate it with a passion. Give me back my windows!
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