Keeping things simple (Mac OS X)

Member Name: gunch

Product:	Mac OS X
Date:	18/07/02 (311 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple , different, friendly

Disadvantages: expensive, flaws with OS 9 and OS X compatibility

I don't consider myself a computer nerd at all. I used to think I was once. I was proud of it too, the idea that I could control the world from my own home computer. My first computer was a Apple Performa. A great machine that I owned for many years. I remember hom excited I got whenever I heard of a new system update. For the most part there were small changes, the way the desktop looked, the different search functions, the internet. Every one of these updates used to excite me to a point where I could not live without them. Of course looking back they were not that revolutionary, but it was the concept of improving on something already so new and fresh. I think the reason that I used to consider myself a computer nerd has a lot to do with how easy it actually was for someone of my experience to do so much with a computer. I would always hear from my friends about the new game they got for their PC, and how the loading time was incredible. I would also always hear about the crashes they had to deal with on a regular basis. Apple's new ad campaign features former windows users who have converted to Apple computers. Because I never went down the windows road, I can only tell you from second hand experience that the difference is incredible. So you ask, why am I rambling on about my being a nerd, windows problems, and my love for Apple in an opinion about Mac OS X.
When I first heard about a system that would change the way you looked at your personal computer I was of course skeptical. Why would Apple stray from something that seemed to be working so well. It was simple, it functioned and it was innovative, why change something so good? If you don't already know Steve Jobs, the genius who created the personal computer, rejoined the Apple team not to many years ago. He was the one that came up with the very successful iMac and iBooks. He was the one that changed the Apple's approach to the public. Think different. It was a s
imple phrase that defined the new direction that Apple was going in. This also in many ways defines this new operating system. It is not at all what I expected when I heard about a new interface. Its friendly. Imagine that, an operating system that does not growl at you when you start it up. It has color. Not the blue screen of death as they so aptly put in their commercials. No matter what, almost everyone can feel comfortable with it. But other than being pretty, does it function?
The first version that Apple sent out had some major flaws. For one you couldn't burn cds or watch dvds. As soon as I heard this I knew I would not be buying it until these flaws were worked out. I used OS 9 for a good year and a half before I even thought about trying out the new system. Like everything though, most of the software that was coming out was being designed for OS X, so I had to take the plunge. I crossed my fingers and hoped I would like it. I asked my local computer guy tons of questions before I was satisfied and bought it. I had a few problems installing it. Right now I would say the biggest flaw of the entire system is how it interacts with OS 9. It uses something they call classic, which enables you to open applications that you had in OS 9. A great idea, something that once again no one had done before, but with that comes flaws. It takes forever to start classic, you literally are starting up another part of your computer. For me I decided to suck it up and start anew. I burned as much as I could to cd, and i deleted my hard drive. Now not everyone has to do this, but I thought new system, why not. After that things only went up hill. The tutorial couldn't have been better, after about five minutes it had set up my computer to my every need. I was on the internet in to time, which is one thing that Apple seems to be stressing more and more, the ease of using the internet with their machines. After the first go around I must sa
y I was very happy.
As time went on I got more and more used to how to get around my "new" computer. The best addition to the entire system is the bar at the very bottom of your screen. It acts as an alias to whatever you want. There are days that I never need to open any files on my hard drive at all because of how well this toolbar functions. Whenever you want to hide a screen it goes down to this toolbar. In many ways its acts like the windows start menu, but once again it is more friendly. There are animations there are icons, it just makes you feel at home with your desktop, which is how its supposed to be isn't it? I think so. Its different yes, but you get used to it. My only real problem that I have had with OS X was that once when I installed a OS 9 application, for some reason or another it went back to the OS 9 system prefs, and I had to re-install OS X. Not a big problem though, all of my work was still there and maybe just a 10 minute fix. I have not had one crash with OS X, and when I do have a problem, the new "Force Quit," function identical to the windows control alt delete, gets me out of it.
So why OS X over XP. Everyone I know who has XP says it has caused them nothing but problems. A friend of mine just recently got a computer and asked if he could have windows prqffesional. They told him, "We're sorry, but we no longer ship it." Wondering if Apple would take the same approach, I asked if I could also get OS 9.2 with my new computer. They told me that it comes standard with all new computers, just in case you don't like OS X. See that makes sense to me, options if you don't want to try something new. I won't lie, I do know people who do not like OS X at all. I used to be one of them. I liked thinking that it couldn't get better than OS 9, they were kidding themselves. But then again I also wanted to think that I was a computer nerd. I can tell you this much,
I will never switch if I have the choice. I like the feeling of being in control. Yes maybe I don't play as many computer games as my friends can on their PC, but at least I can always feel confident that Apple will keep coming up with new innovative ideas, whether we like it or not.

Summary: