You should have listened
Twice this week I've been regaled with stories from friends and relatives about how their Windows XP-equipped PCs have turned into doorstops. My sister-in-law's computer was rendered completely useless after my niece installed some software; our neighbor has had nothing but problems ever since he tried to upgrade his PC with Windows XP.
To both of them I have but one thing to say: You should have taken my advice and bought a Macintosh to begin with.
Merry Christmas.
Comments
Apparently it's not a very good week for PCs. The power supply in mine just blew up. Literally. Sparks, smoke, loud bang - it's all here. I feel like there was a Great White concert in my room.
Posted by: Rufo Sanchez | December 24, 2003 02:17 PM
Neighbour bought a PC about two weeks ago. Windows XP and all. I told them a few months ago to get a Mac. The son knocked on my door yesterday and told me they have a virus that has fuxx0red their PC and can I help? I don't know if I can without nuking and paving and starting from scratch. I suppose at the time I must have looked like a Mac zealot telling them to get a Mac so they could avoid most of the problems, but I made the suggestion I did for a reason... and this was the reason.
Posted by: Corey Tamas | December 24, 2003 03:44 PM
Here's another reason to love and respect Apple:
"During calendar year 2002, Microsoft's total hiring in Redmond would be 2200 to 2300 workers. Of those, 921 were imported from abroad. Stated another way, 40% of Microsoft's newly hired workers in Washington are imported from outside the U.S....How does that compare to other U.S. tech firms? Apple Computer hired just 50 temporary imported workers during that period."
http://www.mitchellconsulting.net/commonsense/2003/07/14.html
Steve Jobs (a fellow adoptee, by the way) is my hero.
Posted by: Capecoder | December 24, 2003 04:29 PM
Considering the fact that most of those non-US workers come from Waterloo University here in Canada (from which I graduated in 1993), I must say that I don't share your disdain for the practice. :)
Posted by: Corey Tamas | December 24, 2003 10:07 PM
It isn't enough that Canada has to dilute our entertainment industry and dominate the professional hockey market, but now you people have to muscle in on American IT jobs too?
I say let's repeal NAFTA!
Posted by: flargh | December 24, 2003 10:16 PM
Nothing would make most Canadians happier than repealing NAFTA, believe me.
Posted by: Corey Tamas | December 25, 2003 01:19 AM
IS HALF LIFE OUT FOR MAC YET??????????
Posted by: Frank | December 25, 2003 02:09 PM
True story:
In between all my shitty illnesses over the past few days, I was trying to go online, right? Katie's mom has a decent Toshiba laptop that her school gave her for work, and every time I've used it in the past, it's been problem free.
I go online the other night when I was being all insomniatic, and after it finally finishes connection, I get a messanger popup. Then another. Then another. I must've gone through 150 total while I was going through the steps to kill the messenger service.
Then after I finish writing my blog entry? I see a message on the screen telling me the machine is about to shut down.
Yup, she's got the goddamn Blaster worm. It only affects her at home because I guess they have a firewall at school, but still...good to know their IT people keep their machines patched so well.
Silver lining: I'm explaining all of this to her mom yesterday when Katie - who up until she met me was a solid Windows user and only converted in 2001 - immediately pulled the "You should just get a Mac, mom." I was so proud I wanted to cry.
Posted by: Dan Dickinson | December 26, 2003 11:46 AM
Very much as the Samurai tried to hopelessly defend their cause when Japan was opening its doors to international trade during the 1800's, some clueless Windows users are still trying to save what's left of their dignity, just to get the punishement they deserve: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/78/jobs.html
Posted by: F C Covett | December 29, 2003 12:48 AM