Apple Picking a Fight it Can't Win With Safari 589
Ian Lamont writes "Mike Elgan has an analysis of Apple's successes and concludes that the release of the Safari browser for Windows not only goes against the Apple success formula, but is doomed to a vicious failure: 'The insular Apple universe is a relatively gentle place, an Athenian utopia where Apple's occasional missteps are forgiven, all partake of the many blessings of citizenship, and everyone feels like they're part of an Apple-created golden age of lofty ideas and superior design. But the Windows world isn't like that. It's a cold, unforgiving place where nothing is sacred, users turn like rabid wolves on any company that makes even the smallest error, and no prisoners are taken. Especially the Windows browser market. ... While security nerds were ripping Apple for a buggy beta, the UI enthusiasts started going after Apple for the look and feel. Here's a small sample. Apple can expect much more of this in the future. The problem? Safari for Windows just isn't Windows enough.' Elgan also expects that the Firefox faithful will fight the Safari influx — a theory that has been supported by comments from Mozilla executive John Lilly, who criticized Steve Jobs' 'blurry view of real world' just after Jobs announced Safari for Windows."
Re:Umm, what? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Fear Uncerntainty Doubt (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Umm, what? (Score:1, Funny)
I am Windows web developer so I am not sure how to download Safari (or any alternate browser for that matter) so I believe Apple already lost this one.
2. To make it easy for web developers to write iPhone web-apps.
I can't set my monitors resolution to the same resolution as the iPhone so how can I possibly developer for the iPhone? Also it doesn't support mobile IE so I can't developer for it in a cross platform manner.
3. To remove the cap on Safari's market share, so that 'it must be even smaller than the Mac market share' is no longer an argument for not supporting Safari.
Well I hear that Safari is buggy from customers that complain that my website doesn't work in it. So the smaller the market share the better for my customers and myself.
4. To let potential switchers see that the Internet will work on a Mac, even though it doesn't have the big blue E.
The MAC has a robust version of Microsoft Internet Explorer [microsoft.com] updated IIRC as recently as 2003 what more do they need?
5. To ensure that Apple is the one bringing the first mainstream WebKit-based browser to Windows, now all the porting work has been done (by Adobe).
Why is this needed? Windows already has Visual Basic... isn't this that same thing? Or it is more like the open standard active X controls that allow rich web development?
Re:And the problem is? (Score:2, Funny)
This is Madness! (Score:5, Funny)
(Cut to shot of Mike Elgan getting kicked down a well)
LILLY: "The thousand domains of the Windows Empire decend upon you! Their popups will blot out the sun!"
JOBS: "Who the fuck are and why you in my parking spot?"
POGUE: "History will remember that one browser stood against a the pile of shit that was Internet Explorer"
Re:From my perspective... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Safari for Windows just isn't Windows enough. (Score:2, Funny)
Who says that? Really??
Re:They're Not There to Win (Score:4, Funny)
Pros: Surrounded by women, overly paid for what people could easily do by themselves, short hours, get invited to client parties.
Cons: Surrounded by women, actually start believing in crystals, must shower before and after work, people think it is appropriate to cry in front of you, people will laugh at you in person.
Windows Developers- The Plumbers of computerdom.
Pros: People are respectful/fearful in person, good money, never ending work, showers optional.
Cons: Shit, corporate work is always better, urinal cake considered a workable solution, people laugh behind your back, never ending work.
Linux Developers- The Captain Kirk of computerdom.
Pros: Freedom, Cheetos.
Cons: Freedom, Cheetos.
Re:Oh look! (Score:3, Funny)
"Buggy beta" (Score:2, Funny)