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Boot Camp For Suckers?
Posted by
Zonk
on Thu May 04, 2006 03:56 PM
from the bet-it-works-too dept.
from the bet-it-works-too dept.
DigitalDame2 writes "PC Magazine's Editor-in-Chief says the whole Mac/Windows dual-boot thing is really nothing to get excited about. He writes that Boot Camp is really just a plan to get Windows users to convert to OS X." From the article: "Once you've laid out a few kilobucks on your BC system and been frustrated a few times with Windows limitations, what are you going to do? Jobs's bet: You'll start spending more and more time in OS X, until you--too--become one of the pod people. It's sad to see so many of my compatriots being turned into lemmings. Perhaps they'll wake up and smell the Apple pie in the sky--and realize they've been taken for a ride. But I doubt it."
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Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Insightful)
Well...duh! Did anyone think Apple was doing it as a public service?
Next up: Publishers put nice pictures on their book covers so you will buy them. Bastards!!
Mox
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
The main purposes of boot camp are: 1) keep people from destroying their Macs by trying to follow the directions they found on the web for hacking the boot sequence, and 2) allow Mac users to forego having an extra PC around to run that one windows-only app that they have to use for work.
-jcr
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Insightful)
--This has nothing to do with the office environment, and everything to do with shoring up the gaming system on Macs. One OS for games, and one OS for everything else... you don't generally need to have both running at the same time.
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:THANK YOU! (Score:5, Interesting)
My guess is that it's the scheduler. At least on Windows 2000, the thing was so broken (even in optimize-for-"Background Services"-mode) that I had to re-write a multi-process application to use a sigle process with multiple threads, because producer-consumer was just too much for the OS to handle. I think the last time Linux was so bad, it was considered a bug and fixed within a few releases.
Cross-platform apps tend to be more affected, because they haven't been designed specifically to work around Microsoft's brain damage.
JMHO
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Praising with Faint D@mns ... (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't know whether the article is confused or trying to be clever, but I don't think Apple minds 'criticism' such as that.
Parent
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
And, for the record, the only thing Apple makes that I own is the Mighty Mouse (it works surprisingly well with my IBM ThinkPad).
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
The Mighty Mouse is advertised as being able to work as a two-button mouse. With a two-button mouse, I can click the right mouse button while my finger is resting on the left mouse button, and the computer receives a right-click event. With the Mighty Mouse, that doesn't work: the computer receives a left-click event, even though I "clicked" the right side of the mouse.
I call that a hardware bug. "Caveat emptor" is all well and good to say, but pretending the bug is actually a feature is only deluding yourself.
Parent
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Interesting)
In fact, I am a long, long-time Windows user. Many would consider me a power user. And I hate Windows. I have sunk more hours than I even care to begin contemplating into making my Windows machine behave. As far as I'm concerned, Gates owes me several extra years of life, for the time I've wasted using his software which is so godawful and yet dominates the market.
So, no, this isn't just a Mac user fantasy. It's a reality for many of us. Of course, maybe you have a point. Because I am now a Mac user. Thanks, Steve!
Parent
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
That small detail slightly undermines the credibility of your argument. As a programmer, I can offer some insight into your argument which is trotted out everytime an OSX/Windows BBQ hits slashdot. The truth of the matter is that while Windows itself does support a wide range of hardware, its less than Linux (which is free, and comparatively stable, if not more stable) and only sort-of more than OSX since most hardware specific code is abstracted from the OS in the form of common APIs.
People can debate whether Windows is stable, not stable, better, not better than OSX until th cows come home, but the wide array of hardware argument is a tired old cliche that while somewhat relevant, pales on comparison to more important factors that contribute to code stability: the business approach, time to market policies, varying strategies in deploying product updates, level of integration with 2nd or 3rd party applications, internal organizational consistancy, etc, etc, etc. Most importantly, most everybody in the know agrees that it isn't supporting 'millions and millions' of configs that causes Windows to be such a huge codebase
Most of the 'hardware' support is driven by the hardware (or OEM) vendors themselves; all OSes have sufficient hardware abstraction layers that make supporting 'millions and millions' of configs simply a matter of resources and market support, not technical hurdles.
Parent
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Insightful)
Congratulations! You've just won the Made Up Fact of the Hour Award!
There's no way whatsoever to prove that. You completely just made it up, probably from your own experience. Which is exactly what you're decrying (though the post you quoted doesn't really seem to have anything to do with that).
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Insightful)
a) The hardware is more expensive
b) Gotta buy all new software
c) Not wanting to devote hours re-learning how to use their computer
d) The usual FUD (nothing's compatible, etc.)
I'm a Mac user, but there are plenty of reasons not to switch even if you don't like Windows. To put it another way, "hating" Windows may not be compelling enough to scrap everything and start over.
Parent
Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
If we look at the subset of Windows users who actually know alternatives exist - and I'd say that's 1 in 5 or even less - most of them are either used to Windows or would rather use an alternative but need to use software they're famliar with.
But remember, Apple is starting from a small base. If Apple's market share changed from 3% to 6% - which I think is definitely possible - that would be a huge story.
D
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
This is the worst written drivel I've ever had the displeasure of reading through
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:4, Insightful)
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Re:Message for Captain Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
Dear me, I better get back onto my Mac-lemming-hating high-horse before it's too late!...
Daniel
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Apple's Confidence (Score:5, Interesting)
While there may be drivers lacking initially, I have full confidence that the open source community will fill this void. And with both OS's available and with XP trying my patience, maybe I'll finally take the dive full-time into OSX and BC will be a non-issue.
Jim http://www.runfatboy.net/ [runfatboy.net] -- A workout plan that doesn't feel like homework.
Re:Apple's Confidence (Score:5, Informative)
I'm just nitpicking here, but that's not what defines efficient markets in economics. A discriminating monopolist market is also efficient. Efficiency is defined by Pareto efficiency
Here is a link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_efficient [wikipedia.org]
Although, its true a perfectly competitive situation results in an efficient market. Most of the time, people like perfect competition mainly because its the market with the lowest prices, not because of its efficiency to allocate resources.
By the way, neither Apple nor Microsoft exist in a highly competitve market (as defined by those terms in economics).
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Re:Apple's Confidence (Score:5, Interesting)
But I'm just a mutant commie traitor, what do I know?
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Mom and Apple Pie (Score:5, Funny)
Jealousy is a terrible thing. In the meantime... (Score:5, Insightful)
Seriously, why does this guy care so much?
Re:Jealousy is a terrible thing. In the meantime.. (Score:5, Insightful)
Apparently he's noticed that John C. Dvorak's trolling puts the hit count through the roof. Only makes sense to start using the rest of the magazine's brand to start trolling as well.
He's obviously got some sort of logic malfunction, his arguments are both bizarre and full of emotive language. It's professional trolling.
Parent
Re:Jealousy is a terrible thing. In the meantime.. (Score:5, Interesting)
"In fact, I'm blaming the AAF for a wide-range of habits espoused by supposedly "creative people." I'll bet it's responsible for tattoos, piercings, and the wide-spread adoption of the phrase "no worries." In fact, I believe that most of today's societal ills can be either indirectly or directly attributed to Apple. Widespread hearing loss? Blame the iPod. Carpal tunnel? Blame the Newton."
This is so insane that it seems he's trying to hint that the rest of the article was just a troll as well. He also links to a piece he wrote where he thought Boot Camp was pretty sweet. I don't know what he's trying to pull, but I'm sure his advertisers are happy.
Parent
Re:Jealousy is a terrible thing. In the meantime.. (Score:4, Funny)
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Strange definition of "lemming" (Score:5, Insightful)
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone's going to buy a relatively expensive mac just so they can try osx on a machine that will still run windoze. Boot Camp's primary utility is saving mac users from having to buy a pc to run applications that they need to run, but which only work in windoze. If/when a native mode virtual pc comes out, boot camp will be even less relevant. To that end, I can agree that boot camp is nothing to get excited about, but that doesn't mean it's without merit.
Re:Strange definition of "lemming" (Score:5, Interesting)
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Re:Word of the Day: Switcher (Score:4, Funny)
So Stallman is a Mac user?
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How did this guy even get a job? (Score:5, Insightful)
Consider the source: Louderbeck (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Consider the source: Louderbeck (Score:5, Informative)
Trouble is, it has rather gone over the average Slashdotter's head. He'll be laughing his arse off now.
iqu
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Re:Consider the source: Louderbeck (Score:5, Funny)
And this was just really poorly done. He has no control of tone at all. The "effete" crack in particular was icky (that's the technical term). Only an editor-in-chief could have published it, because anyone else would have been edited by someone who wasn't quite so in love with the thing. Just because it was intended to be satire, doesn't mean it was. [wikipedia.org]
This is why most Americans are not allowed to have Sarcasm Licenses.
Parent
Holy crap! (Score:5, Interesting)
Boot Camp is really just a plan to get Windows users to convert to OS X.
Holy crap! Revelation of the year! I can't imagine this being true!
Seriously, how is this possibly a new idea? Of course that's what it's for. And switching because of "limitations" in the other OS makes you a lemming? No, I'm afraid not. That makes you "smart." See, when people decide to stop hitting themselves in the head with a hammer, and instead opt for hitting themselves in the head with, say, a a soft piece of fruit, or an old ham, we call that "learning one's lesson."
The author here needs to get over his own case of being a lemming, and try something new. Pod-people? The whole article stinks of the exact same thralldom the author envisions anyone who switches being caught in.
Yes, I own a mac. Oh, but guess what, I also own a Windows box, and a Linux box! I'm not going to say which one I prefer, because doing so would, at least according to this article, make me a lemming.
Apple isn't out to steal Windows users (Score:5, Insightful)
As others have pointed out, it seems that the primary strategy behind BootCamp is: Give people the option to use whatever operating system they like. Apple has allowed their consumers to install Linux on their machines since forever, and now they're allowing Windows, too.
What does Apple have to gain? Profits from hardware sales, of course. Plus, whenever you're buying a Mac, you're also buying OSX, so they're not losing much software profits either. Who else has to gain? Possibly Microsoft in the short run (all those Mac kiddies giving Windows a shot without having to buy a PC).
And then there is the whole other market of people who aren't concerned about software expandability so much as hardware. Macs aren't great for upgrading their hardware. Windows or no windows.
- shazow
The More Effete Among Us (Score:5, Insightful)
The more effete among us have embraced BC because now they can run all their favorite Windows apps on a saucy, sexy Mac.
Wow. Nothing says "class" like a thinly-veiled "Macs are for fags" joke.
You'd exect this sort of thing from a random blogger or Slashdotter, not the freakin' editor-in-chief of PC Magazine.
Suckers? Yesss! (Score:5, Funny)
Missing the point? (Score:5, Insightful)
The fact is, the majority of people buying the MacTel, are buying it because it runs OSX AND Windows. No other laptop can really claim that -- at least legally (and easily). This is a really important distinction. I love OSX. I'm a linuxhead, but just having things work, and work together seamlessly. Priceless. (though my desktop is still a linux box)
For my laptop, I have no desire to run windows. I'm through with that agony in my life. I want to enjoy my computing experience. However, I am realistic. There are some applications, unfortunately, that still require windows. Bootcamp gives me the perfect compromise.
So, this editor is way off base. It's true, Apple isn't performing a public service. But they are taking down one more barrier that would normally stop people from buying their computers. And it's true. Once you start using OS X, you find yourself much less likely to go back to Windows. But not because of some strange Apple conspiracy. Because it kicks M$'s ass (comparing apples to lemons?). And this is from someone who wouldn't touch a Mac a couple years ago.
Truly sad! (Score:5, Funny)
You sir, have a mediocre grasp of the blindingly obvious!
I'm tempted to go into a lot more detail, but it would just weaken the message...
Jim Louderback (Score:5, Funny)
Windows = MacMame (Score:5, Funny)
Warning: Humour Alert (Score:5, Insightful)
I think he's trying to be funny.
I am English. I know sarcasm. It's what we do. And I think that's what he's trying to do here. It's not very well done, but there are little hints. It's why he links to himself and calls himself "some idiot". It's why he specifically mentions the M-Audio [m-audio.com] and Kona [aja.com] kit (the latter is Mac only). Of course it works with the Mac.
So all those who are praising him for his insight, for debunking the Mac myth - stop now. Same goes for the Mac fanbois who are trying to find fault with his article.
It's subtle, I'll allow that, but remember: always consult the nearest Brit before responding to something that sounds a little bit too stupid to be true. It probably is.
iqu
he just replied to me! (Score:5, Interesting)
Sent : Thursday, May 4, 2006 8:33 PM
To : "Paul *"
Subject : RE: Boot Camp: Apple Bobs for Suckers
It was meant to be somewhat tongue in cheek. Glad you liked it and saw
it that way!
Re:frustrated a few times with Windows limitations (Score:5, Interesting)
For your Windows programming friends to say OS X closes off systems, they must have had very little or no Mac programming experience. Apple restricts applications for security reasons, but as soon as an application obtains authorization, all bets are off.
Parent
Re:frustrated a few times with Windows limitations (Score:5, Interesting)
How did this get modded "interesting?"
Care to elaborate how Mac OS X "closes off its systems so normal users can't screw it up?"
Parent
Re:Nice spin (Score:5, Interesting)
Let me see...
"...once you start using a Mac, your IQ begins to creep downwards..."
"It's sad to see so many of my compatriots being turned into lemmings."
"...smell the Apple pie in the sky..."
"...I'll be smart, fit, and enjoying my real Windows computers..."
Right.. A sensible, balanced, well written, thought provoking piece! That's it, time to ditch the old Mac, cause everyone knows that only a Windows machine is a real computer!
phozz
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Logical Analysis (Score:5, Insightful)
1. I don't like Macs, Apple, or Steve Jobs.
2. I don't like anything that can't be tinkered with.
3. Boot Camp is an Apple Product.
4. By #1 and #2, anyone who likes any of the above is an idiot and/or brainwashed.
5. By #3 and #4, Boot Camp is for idiots.
While #5 may proceed logically from #3 and #4, #4 does not proceed from #1 or #2.
I'd say the author has a wonderful future ahead of him in either Slashdot trolling, talk radio, or writing about politics. Editing a computer magazine? Not so sure about that one.
Parent
Re:So what you're telling me is... (Score:4, Funny)
I don't understand your surprise. This is the same magazine that gainfully employs John C. Dvorak [pcmag.com]! =)
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