Microsoft takeover of Yahoo

Parent Cafe
21

<p>“Apple Inc, has made a fortune on betting that MS stays #1.”</p>

<p>How? Jobs’ fortunes are tied to the I-Pod far more than computers. Apple didn’t even make a profit until 1997 or so… While I’m not defending MSFT, you can buy a PC with a MSFT operating system for 75% less than an Apple.
Even the poorer among us, think students, require computers. Who severs the less fortunate more?</p>

<p>And try getting an Apple repaired by a local technician.</p>

<p>For Video and graphics an Apple is unbeatable.</p>

22

<p>I love Google- not only is Google SketchUP free and one of the better programs for my needs- but Google Earth is also superior to MS offering.</p>

<p>MS web browsers have always sucked- I did have it installed years ago, because some pages just didn’t work on anything else- however I don’t believe I have anything installed that Microsoft makes- although I was thinking about installing XP if I have to, in order to use a CAD program for a class- I am hoping to get out of it though ( not the class, but using a different program)</p>

<p>I have never owned a PC & I realize that Apple declined to develop Apple/Clarisworks ( although they did develop Pages/Numbers/Keynote) assuming that people were using MS Office anyway ( I don’t- I use NeoOffice & Mariner Write)- </p>

<p>I agree that Apple is more expensive- however- historically-</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You get what you pay for. I don’t have problems with worms or viruses,most of the problems I have ever had, I have been able to fix myself ( and I am not a computer geek) & even before there were Apple stores- I could call up one day- later that day recieve a box to pack up my computer, ship it the next and have it back in two days- faster and cheaper than if it was sitting in the back of the repair shop waiting for its turn.</p></li>
<li><p>easier for me to use. I don’t read manuals. I want to jump right in to use the application. Yes when I run into trouble, I then have to look at documentation, but then I just look up what I am concerned with. I don’t want programs that are over written, that are like opening a can with a sawz-all,that are buggy and slow.</p></li>
<li><p>I rarely have ever, in the 20 years I have been using personal computers bought a new-computer. Apple and other authorized vendors sell factory refurbished computers for thousands less than a new one. These computers are throughly checked out, are often just a few months or a year old, but are an even better deal IMO than buying a slightly used car. I know some have to have the biggest/fastest/shiniest computer on the block- but if you objectively assess your needs, you may realize that you can get away with less and save lots of money in the process. Additionally, the time/money saved using a Mac, instead of the problematic Dell/Toshiba/HP is well worth it to me.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I bought my first computer, when my D was 7, and when her school was buying a batch of them and parents were allowed to get a discount if they bought the same kind. I didn’t buy the top of the line- but in 1989, it was color, it used language ( it could speak text) and it was easy and fun to use.</p>

<p>Her elementary school has been using Macs ever since - the time can be spent actually using the computers, rather than spending time and money fixing them. Which is really ironic considering the kids that attend :wink: </p>

<p>Ds middle school/high school, used Windows computers & she narrowly missed being in the class that was required to buy Toshiba laptops-that started the year after she was in 9th grade. She did use my old powerbook for class however ( I think I still have it too)
Her college also is predominately Mac- very predominate actually.</p>

<p>Another thing about Macs- you don’t have to buy a whole new computer every time there is an upgrade. Older systems can run new software oftentimes- My D #1 still hasn’t even upgraded to Tiger- which is one OS behind the newest- and her computer is from sophomore year in college- but still worked well enough to help write LaTex manuals in college & to be a tech writer ( for Microsoft as well as a few others) after college</p>

<p>I do still miss some of the features of the older computers- I guess I should drag her color classic upstairs.
[Clarus](<a href=“Dogcow - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogcow&lt;/a&gt;)
[The end of eworld](<a href=“http://www.thesandbox.net/arm/mac/eworld/eworld.html”>http://www.thesandbox.net/arm/mac/eworld/eworld.html&lt;/a&gt;)
[sophisticated enough to use to write Myst](<a href=“HyperCard Forgotten, but Not Gone | WIRED”>http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2002/08/54365&lt;/a&gt;)</p>

23

<p>^^</p>

<p>Apple computers are great. As far as getting what you pay for, when ~96 out of 100 notebooks sold are MSFT systems, the market place is saying something ;)</p>

24

<p>Schools use Macs/Apples because they gave them to the schools for free.
The computer which gave me the most trouble was the iMac. I hated that computer. Everyone, in high school, would try and avoid those computers. They were the last to be chosen. You were almost guaranteed a crash on those.
For many, the final choice of a computer comes down to price. You can buy a cheap Microsoft Vista laptop for under $600. The cheapest Mac is $1100.</p>

25

<p>“You were almost guaranteed a crash on those.”</p>

<p>Hardly. If Apples were almost guaranteed to crash, there sales would be zero, zip, nadda!</p>

26

<p>not going to get into a competition, here is some info
<a href=“http://kb.wisc.edu/showroom/page.php?id=3045[/url]”>http://kb.wisc.edu/showroom/page.php?id=3045&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/10/07/dell-vs-apple-10-years-later/[/url]”>http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/10/07/dell-vs-apple-10-years-later/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

<p>My daughter worked as a computer tech- by far the most problems she ever dealt with, were with PCs & this was at a school where Macs outnumbered PCs</p>

27

<p>“Another thing about Macs- you don’t have to buy a whole new computer every time there is an upgrade”</p>

<p>Actually…It’s more likely that you will, Sure you can choose not to upgrade but you cant just add more memory or a better video card to the computer yourself unlike a PC. My desktop is 6 years old and is running vista fine because we upgraded the RAM to 2 GB and bought a new video card a couple years ago.</p>

28

<p>I only have stated what I have had personal experience with.</p>

<p>One- I have never needed a better video card in my Mac- but I have upgraded hard drives- & Ram.</p>

<p>I have had personal computers for 20 years and use each one for about 4 or 5 years. a little overlap because at one point I had both desktop & laptop computers- now I just have a laptop with a larger monitor and bluetooth keyboard.</p>

<p>( the computers are then passed down- but they are still being used)</p>

29

<p>

As someone who used the iMac on and off for several years, I can say confidently those machines were crash prone. They were more likely to crash than the Windows 95 computer I had at home. To reset it, you had to press this button on the back, which wasn’t always easy to do.</p>

30

<p>I think the bigger issue that Microsoft is concerned about is its core bundled office products which could become obsolete as we begin to migrate to a virtual desktop. In the next couple of years pc’s will be completely obsolete as we are able to use ASP’s through the internet. Your Google account with 40 Gigs of memory will be available for all of your word documents, photos, music, etc. Wireless will be pervasive and you will need just a tablet, cell phone or other device to access you account. Microsoft in a desperation move is partnering with an over the hill search engine to try to buy some of the space. Look at what Google did in the latest auction of airwaves. It is too early to see if they are successful but I imagine that they were. This will open a whole new way for people to access the web. </p>

<p><a href=“Google succeeds in opening airwaves – The Mercury News”>Google succeeds in opening airwaves – The Mercury News;

<p>PC’s have been commoditized and will soon be obsolete. Microsoft is starting to look like Blockbuster except it has alot more cash to try reinvent itself. Remember that 100 years ago the Dow Jones had only one company that is still on it, General Electric. 50 years later only four companies that are now on the Dow. Companies reach maturity and hold on for awhile but then most die. Someday Google will be in the same boat.</p>