Why I Still Use Windows Despite the Peer Pressure
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LOLZ McCain Sux
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Why I Still Use Windows Despite the Peer Pressure
http://gizmodo.com/5018985/why-i-sti...-peer-pressure
There are over a dozen people working at our fair Gizmodo, but as a Windows user, I'm in a definite minority. I still rock XP, and I'm pretty happy with that. Why haven't I switched to Macs? Plenty of reasons, not least of which being that I'm just too smart to switch to a Mac. That's right, I'm too smart for Macs. As Bill Gates's retirement rapidly approaches I figured now is a good time to lay out why I'm loyal to his OS.
I grew up with Windows. Although my first computer was a Mac Classic (I was like 3 at the time, and I only used it to play that helicopter game where you have to drop the little man into the horse-drawn hay carriage), I've been using Windows PCs for nearly my entire life, learning how to fiddle with the command prompt in DOS and dealing with the rudimentary pile of crap that was Windows 3.1. I survived Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME for a short, painful time, Windows 2000 and now, finally, Windows XP. It hasn't always been pretty (see: Windows ME), but through it all I've figured out every little trick there is to know about running Windows. I'm a monster on Windows.
And yeah, while some of those earlier versions were essentially garbage, running Mac as your OS wasn't all that great a choice either, especially before OS X came out. Yes, fanboys, I know you love your Macs and everything, but come on: The OS never really came into its own as a real competitor to Windows until 2001. By then, it was too late for me.
And while I used to be pretty into PC gaming, the whole no-good-games-on-Macs thing doesn't bother me so much anymore. It's just that to me, when it comes down to it, the PC just feels more logical. Windows is an OS that feels structured and it makes sense just because I'm used to them. Macs feel more nebulous and more dumbed down, like the corners have been softened to not intimidate your mom when she uses your computer. Well, I like having the corners exposed. I like tinkering in the registry to improve performance, I like being able to really tweak the system at the base level. Windows has its engine exposed, and while it might not always be pretty, if you know what you're doing you really have access to the whole thing. And hardware choices are choices I cherish as are access to plenty of apps. Apple takes pride in hiding everything under the rug and keeping it out of your hands to not let you mess it up. I don't need kid gloves.
Furthermore, beyond the OS itself, I hate the cult of personality that surrounds Steve Jobs. I like the soon-to-be-retired Bill Gates way more than Steve Jobs, because the guy cares about more than just making enough money to build a castle for himself out of stacks of $100 bills (not that Bill can't do that). Bill Gates is going to be remembered for seriously impacting the global health climate for the better. After all, the Nobel Prize is named after the dude who invented TNT, but his name is invoked a lot more often for encouraging advancements in science, literature and peace. And chances are, if the Gates Foundation keeps chugging along, Gates may even win a Nobel. Steve Jobs, on the other hand, just makes pretty plastic objects, and when it comes down to it, he seems like kind of a greedy dick. I'm more than happy to not give him any more money.
And you know what? Macs are too hip. Oh, look at me! I do graphic design! I wear women's jeans and hang out in coffee shops! I'm a DJ! Well good for you. My computer is not a fashion statement. It's a computer.
But really, when it comes down to it, the main reason I still use Windows is this: I'm stubborn and lazy. I don't want to switch because it will amount to admitting that I've been wrong for the last 15 years or so. And it would be just a huge pain to do it even if I swallowed my pride, having to relearn all the shortcuts and commands and little nuances that make an OS tick. I know all those for Windows already. I am just far too lazy to relearn OS X, and I don't care how easy you claim it is. I've made my choice, and I'm sticking by it. At least until I buy my next computer, because I sure as hell don't want to have to use Vista. I mean, I like Windows, but I'm not crazy.
I grew up with Windows. Although my first computer was a Mac Classic (I was like 3 at the time, and I only used it to play that helicopter game where you have to drop the little man into the horse-drawn hay carriage), I've been using Windows PCs for nearly my entire life, learning how to fiddle with the command prompt in DOS and dealing with the rudimentary pile of crap that was Windows 3.1. I survived Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME for a short, painful time, Windows 2000 and now, finally, Windows XP. It hasn't always been pretty (see: Windows ME), but through it all I've figured out every little trick there is to know about running Windows. I'm a monster on Windows.
And yeah, while some of those earlier versions were essentially garbage, running Mac as your OS wasn't all that great a choice either, especially before OS X came out. Yes, fanboys, I know you love your Macs and everything, but come on: The OS never really came into its own as a real competitor to Windows until 2001. By then, it was too late for me.
And while I used to be pretty into PC gaming, the whole no-good-games-on-Macs thing doesn't bother me so much anymore. It's just that to me, when it comes down to it, the PC just feels more logical. Windows is an OS that feels structured and it makes sense just because I'm used to them. Macs feel more nebulous and more dumbed down, like the corners have been softened to not intimidate your mom when she uses your computer. Well, I like having the corners exposed. I like tinkering in the registry to improve performance, I like being able to really tweak the system at the base level. Windows has its engine exposed, and while it might not always be pretty, if you know what you're doing you really have access to the whole thing. And hardware choices are choices I cherish as are access to plenty of apps. Apple takes pride in hiding everything under the rug and keeping it out of your hands to not let you mess it up. I don't need kid gloves.
Furthermore, beyond the OS itself, I hate the cult of personality that surrounds Steve Jobs. I like the soon-to-be-retired Bill Gates way more than Steve Jobs, because the guy cares about more than just making enough money to build a castle for himself out of stacks of $100 bills (not that Bill can't do that). Bill Gates is going to be remembered for seriously impacting the global health climate for the better. After all, the Nobel Prize is named after the dude who invented TNT, but his name is invoked a lot more often for encouraging advancements in science, literature and peace. And chances are, if the Gates Foundation keeps chugging along, Gates may even win a Nobel. Steve Jobs, on the other hand, just makes pretty plastic objects, and when it comes down to it, he seems like kind of a greedy dick. I'm more than happy to not give him any more money.
And you know what? Macs are too hip. Oh, look at me! I do graphic design! I wear women's jeans and hang out in coffee shops! I'm a DJ! Well good for you. My computer is not a fashion statement. It's a computer.
But really, when it comes down to it, the main reason I still use Windows is this: I'm stubborn and lazy. I don't want to switch because it will amount to admitting that I've been wrong for the last 15 years or so. And it would be just a huge pain to do it even if I swallowed my pride, having to relearn all the shortcuts and commands and little nuances that make an OS tick. I know all those for Windows already. I am just far too lazy to relearn OS X, and I don't care how easy you claim it is. I've made my choice, and I'm sticking by it. At least until I buy my next computer, because I sure as hell don't want to have to use Vista. I mean, I like Windows, but I'm not crazy.
Thread Starter
LOLZ McCain Sux
Joined: Aug 2004
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I use both and like both.
Mac's are good because I love editing pictures with them and just in general multi tasking because of some of the features. Only problem is I still have to google how to do shit.
Windows is like an old friend and makes me feel smart
Mac's are good because I love editing pictures with them and just in general multi tasking because of some of the features. Only problem is I still have to google how to do shit.
Windows is like an old friend and makes me feel smart
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Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
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From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Besides the attitudes of Mac users I personally know and their "Anything from Apple is superior to everything else!", I still prefer to use a PC for the reasons stated in the article. I could have gotten a decent Macbook for the price I paid for my laptop I bought less than a year ago, but most programs I use (Autocad and Solidworks especially) are PC programs. I guess I can dual boot, but I don't have an urge or need to use OSX, so why even bother?
But the biggest thing that digusts me is the attitude I personally see from Apple-fans. I mean, there are people out there that use Macs and are happy with it and prefer it over a PC because it has advantages over PCs, but the Apple-fans are what give them a bad name. For example, I have firefox on my laptop, but was told by an Apple-fan that I should download safari because it's "10 times better than anything firefox can come out with." I asked why, and his actual, serious answer was, "Because it's by Apple." I asked for more specifics, and he said, "What's there to be specific about? The fact that it's by Apple and its code is based on the most reliable platform makes it so much better".
And then there are the "new-Apple" fans that got into it since they bought the iphone. You should hear what these people say to me when I tell them I'm happy with my Blackberry and would probably by another Blackberry instead of the 3G iphone.
But the biggest thing that digusts me is the attitude I personally see from Apple-fans. I mean, there are people out there that use Macs and are happy with it and prefer it over a PC because it has advantages over PCs, but the Apple-fans are what give them a bad name. For example, I have firefox on my laptop, but was told by an Apple-fan that I should download safari because it's "10 times better than anything firefox can come out with." I asked why, and his actual, serious answer was, "Because it's by Apple." I asked for more specifics, and he said, "What's there to be specific about? The fact that it's by Apple and its code is based on the most reliable platform makes it so much better".
And then there are the "new-Apple" fans that got into it since they bought the iphone. You should hear what these people say to me when I tell them I'm happy with my Blackberry and would probably by another Blackberry instead of the 3G iphone.
Thread Starter
LOLZ McCain Sux
Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by phee
^ so your saying apple should add an automatic crash script?
Sorry my windows machine hasn't crashed since I learned how to not fuck it up. Now of course certain programs and drivers can crash a system, kinda like firefox would slow down my mac every few hours, but windows can't help that since they don't make their own hardware and can't be held liable for 3rd parties fucking up.
As a long time Windows user, I agree that there are certain tools for certain needs. At home, I have pretty much stopped playing computer games and doing anything more than basic video or picture editting, which the Mac handles just as well if not better than a PC. Plus, the Mac's aesthetic is much more to my liking than the PCs.
At work, I work with a lot of applications that are IE or PC only, which makes it difficult for us to switch to Macs.
Honestly, for the average user, a Mac is just as good as a PC and vice versa.
At work, I work with a lot of applications that are IE or PC only, which makes it difficult for us to switch to Macs.
Honestly, for the average user, a Mac is just as good as a PC and vice versa.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Originally Posted by Billiam
Someone needs to clue the author in that a mass of accumulated knowledge doesn't necessarily make you "smart" or make the thing you're knowledgeable about good.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,861
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From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
And someone should tell the Mac fans that using an operating system that has been made so easy to use that your grandma can use it that it doesn't require any knowledge or skill to use doesn't make you smart either.
its all an illusion! and i agree with the author about the computers being a fashion statement
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,702
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From: Chicago
The way I see it -- I have a large investment in software (Adobe PS, Illustrator, Indesign, Audition, etc.) that would require me to purchase new licenses to make the switch to Mac, or just plain aren't available for Mac and would require me to purchase / learn a new application. While a Mac would be fun and might be more reliable than XP, there's no compelling reason for me to switch... and plenty of $$$ required beyond the computer hardware and basic OS to make that switch.
So I stay with what works for me.
So I stay with what works for me.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
I can see the advantages of Macs over PCs, and I can see advantages of PCs over Macs. Depending on what the user is going to do, the advantages of Macs may benefit him more or the advantages of PCs may benefit him more, just as it does me.
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
Have camera, will travel
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Federal Way, WA
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
And someone should tell the Mac fans that using an operating system that has been made so easy to use that your grandma can use it that it doesn't require any knowledge or skill to use doesn't make you smart either.
Have camera, will travel
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Federal Way, WA
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
I can see the advantages of Macs over PCs, and I can see advantages of PCs over Macs. Depending on what the user is going to do, the advantages of Macs may benefit him more or the advantages of PCs may benefit him more, just as it does me.
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
I see it all the time in discussions like this one. Users on either side can be just as vindictive as the other.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,861
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
I can see the advantages of Macs over PCs, and I can see advantages of PCs over Macs. Depending on what the user is going to do, the advantages of Macs may benefit him more or the advantages of PCs may benefit him more, just as it does me.
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
But the difference is you don't see people who get more benefit out of PCs rubbing it in the face of Mac users, unlike the other way around where it seems more or less a requirement to owning a Mac...probably says somewhere in the license agreement for OSX that at any time possible, user has to rub the advantages of Macs and disadvantages of PCs into the face of PC users.
I don't see any "I'm a Mac-I'm a PC" commercial where the PC guy is designing a power plant and says, "I'm using Autocad to create this automatic transmission and then using finite element analysis software to make sure it's reliable before the first bolt is made.", and the Mac says, "Hmm, I'll go sync some music onto my ipod while you're working".
im actually listening to my iPod rite now. i think ill sell it to some kid and get a zune or something. i hate how u cant connect ur iPod to someone elses computer without erasing everything on ur ipod. and i find it retarded how u cant create your own folders.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,861
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Originally Posted by waTSX
I see it all the time in discussions like this one. Users on either side can be just as vindictive as the other.he was merely talking about commercials being televised trying to put down the PC.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 5,122
Likes: 30
From: Windsor, ON, Canada
I agree with almost everything the writer said in his article. And I do think Jobs is a dick -- but I bought his product.
I still like using a PC from time to time ... but my daily machine is the Mac. Makes my life a lot easier to do small things ... like faster boot up time than my PC, easy to edit photos, iTunes works better on the Mac, etc. But I miss Quicken for Windows ...
And I won't dual-boot my machine for 1 program (or install Parallels). Call me lazy. 
And I also find it equally revolting those Apple-fanboys have about 'my system is better than yours' or copying what those Apple ads say in it ... get a life.
Each system has their advantages. Don't jump on the bandwagon because its the "cool" thing to do.
I still like using a PC from time to time ... but my daily machine is the Mac. Makes my life a lot easier to do small things ... like faster boot up time than my PC, easy to edit photos, iTunes works better on the Mac, etc. But I miss Quicken for Windows ...
And I won't dual-boot my machine for 1 program (or install Parallels). Call me lazy. And I also find it equally revolting those Apple-fanboys have about 'my system is better than yours' or copying what those Apple ads say in it ... get a life.
Each system has their advantages. Don't jump on the bandwagon because its the "cool" thing to do.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,861
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Originally Posted by Whiskers
Why can't you delete a song off an Ipod.....You can delete a video, but not a song....Damn you Jobs!!
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by PimpCL23
[Bunch of UI points that have nothing to do with search]
Who the f*ck allows some of these people to become writers or editors these days? I swear becoming a tech writer has devolved into simply who can whore themselves out the best.
contrarian in fashion
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Los Angeles / Highland Park
Originally Posted by Billiam
Superior Search Capability
[Bunch of UI points that have nothing to do with search]
Who the f*ck allows some of these people to become writers or editors these days? I swear becoming a tech writer has devolved into simply who can whore themselves out the best.
[Bunch of UI points that have nothing to do with search]
Who the f*ck allows some of these people to become writers or editors these days? I swear becoming a tech writer has devolved into simply who can whore themselves out the best.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Originally Posted by PimpCL23
HAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAH!!
im actually listening to my iPod rite now. i think ill sell it to some kid and get a zune or something. i hate how u cant connect ur iPod to someone elses computer without erasing everything on ur ipod. and i find it retarded how u cant create your own folders.
im actually listening to my iPod rite now. i think ill sell it to some kid and get a zune or something. i hate how u cant connect ur iPod to someone elses computer without erasing everything on ur ipod. and i find it retarded how u cant create your own folders.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,930
Likes: 1,051
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by phee
^ so your saying apple should add an automatic crash script?
And for the record I run everything
Windows 2000, XP, 2003, 2008, Vista
Solairs, HP-UX, AIX
Linux Red Hat, Suse, Ubuntu
Mac OSX
At home I have XP 64bit, Windows 2003, Vista Ultimate, Ubuntu 8.04, Mac OSX, and Solaris 10 I use them for different things, some of them are virtual machines but others are physical boxes.
I have stated it many many times, all the operating systems are good for different reasons. And if I feel like it I can crash any OS, If you have access to the machine nothing is safe, that is why they put servers in locked rooms. NO OS IS PERFECT.
And MAC OS back end really sucked until they stole Free BSD.
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46,006
Likes: 11,781
From: Florida
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
I have an ipod and love it. No itunes though...I had itunes for about a year until I found out about mediamonkey. Much faster, much more customizable, works with ipods as well as other devices (even to sync music to my phone), and I don't have to put up with "Install Safari" upgrades (i'm using quicktime alternative, so I don't need to use any bullshit apple products on my computer).
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Originally Posted by #1 DOUCHER
DAMN!! So the truth comes out! YOu just flat out hate apple. You have an iPod but don't have iTunes and you use a Quicktime alternative. Then why don't you be like me and just get rid off the iPod and get a Zune! It's better than an iPod anyways.
That's the same thing with Acura fanboys. I don't hate Acura. I just don't own one currently because they don't have anything that meets my needs and wants, and I criticize them for that. But to the fanboys, any criticism of Acura, no matter how true, and the simple fact that I didn't buy an Acura makes me an Acura hater.
Last edited by mrdeeno; Jun 27, 2008 at 02:02 PM.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
I've been a PC person forever. I'm not anti mac, I just don't see the need to switch.
Macs used to hate me in college though, I had an uncanny ability to crash my classmate's mac.
I really hate the Mac commercials. The 'I'm a PC - I'm a Mac' are more tolerable
than the previous 'Hi! I use the Mac because I'm an idiot!' commercials though.
I'm the first one to admit that I'm not 'hip'. I buy something because i want it to do something well and easily. That's why I got the Iaudio U3 for my music player. It's trivial to add music to it. plug into USB, copy, go. I don't need software, don't even care what OS.
- Frank
Macs used to hate me in college though, I had an uncanny ability to crash my classmate's mac.
I really hate the Mac commercials. The 'I'm a PC - I'm a Mac' are more tolerable
than the previous 'Hi! I use the Mac because I'm an idiot!' commercials though.
I'm the first one to admit that I'm not 'hip'. I buy something because i want it to do something well and easily. That's why I got the Iaudio U3 for my music player. It's trivial to add music to it. plug into USB, copy, go. I don't need software, don't even care what OS.
- Frank
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