Technology Frustration Remediation®

Now that Windows 7 is available, this question takes on added significance.  The ease of use advantage that Apple once enjoyed is now a thing of the past.  Windows 7 and Apple Snow Leopard have equally slick interfaces.  Apple’s marketing campaigns have done a good job making the claim that Macs “just work” and and PCs don’t.  Of course, plug and play has been built in to PCs since Windows 95.  What makes connecting new devices to PCs or Macs “just work” is the software that vendors provide with their printers, digital cameras, etc., to make them work.  The frustration long known by PC owners with old unsupported printers came to be known by Mac owners who upgraded to Snow Leopard (the newest Mac operating system), then discovered that their old printers no longer worked.  So, whether you own a PC or a Mac, the truth is the same:  “supported” hardware “just works,” and unsupported hardware probably doesn’t.

Always clever and timely, Apple’s new marketing campaign talks about the pain of upgrading to Windows 7, but conveniently neglects to mention the catastrophic data loss suffered by many Mac owners who recently upgraded to Snow Leopard.  Apparently, Mac owners using guest accounts (and some without them), lost all their data — all documents, music, photos, etc.  For further information, here are two articles http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/08/28/snow-leopard-killed.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-10373064-260.html.

There are a few issues to help decide if a PC or Mac is right for you and your specific needs.

USE. How you are going to use your computer could determine which is right for your needs.  For example, if you do video animation, and (if) the software you need to use is only available for the Mac, you have your answer.  Although many industry-specific packages are only available for the PC, that might not be true in your specific situation.  If appropriate, do the necessary research to determine what you need.

SUPPORT. Unless you are very technically sophisticated, you will require technical assistance on occasion.  Conveniently available support at home or work, by IT staff, coworkers, family, or independent IT consultants will greatly enhance your computing experience.  Determining what type of expertise is readily available should help make your decision easier.

DESKTOP SOFTWARE.  If a large variety of readily available desktop software is a necessity for you, you should probably go with a PC.  Conversely, if you have limited needs that are met by both platforms, then this will not be a determining factor.

COOL.  Let’s face it — Apple products are cool.  Although — in my opinion — the iPhone and iPods (especially the Touch!) have more of it than the Mac, the Mac does seem to have it, at a several hundred dollar premium to the PC.  Although the new PC designs — especially ones with Piano Black finishes — are awfully slick looking, the Mac seems a bit more sleek.

CONTROL.  Apple tightly controls the Mac platform, to a much greater extent than any one vendor controls the PC.  If you like control (think of your favorite “hands on” sports franchise owner), you will love Apple.  Many of the choices are made for you.  Whether that’s a pro or con depends on your perspective and needs.

Good luck with your decision.

Not many things get me riled up more quickly than hearing fellow IT professionals ridicule people for being technically unsophisticated. Here are a few things IT people need to know about non-IT people.

Everybody is good at something, but not necessarily IT. If everyone were good at IT, many of you would be unemployed, eating Hot Pockets, living in your mother’s basement, and playing X-Box all day.

Writers don’t need to know a domain from a workgroup, as long as they’re there for you and they know their stuff. If you’re lucky, they can rework that gibberish you write and make you look good to your clients.

Doctors don’t need to know MS Office from MS Windows, as long as they know a metacarpal from a mandible. It would be a shame to have a cast in the wrong place! Luckily, doctors have “M.D.” instead of “MCSE” after their names.

Accountants don’t need to know a router from an access point , as long as they know the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit.  Who would you rather prepare your financial statements: a CCNA or a CPA?

Financial advisers don’t need to know 802.3 from 802.11, as long as they know a SEP from a Keogh from a 401(k).  You just might prefer to have a CFP, rather than a CNE, help you with retirement planning.

Personally, I’m delighted that there are non-technical people I can earn a living helping, and thankful that there are people who can help me with things I can’t do myself.  Vive la différence!