Comments on: Computers are tools, not metaphors. http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/ tech, science, news and social issues for geeks Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:00:20 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: amateur6 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-40729 amateur6 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:08:19 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-40729 Human reaction is to defend what we know, and to fear the unknown. So let me defend what I know: without Apple, you PC folks wouldn't even have a GUI; you'd still be sitting in your dark caves staring at green text on a black monitor. Macs jumpstarted the personal computer revolution, so we "fanboys" (and -girls, BTW) are quite justified in supporting our "cult", thank you very much. Of course, in the move to OSX, Macs inherited many of the flaws of Windows, for two reasons -- 1) the underlying UNIX (such as taking years to display a Finder window's contents, which used to happen instantly) and 2) to facilitate OSX adoption by Windows users. I hate Apple for the second decision; they destroyed a number of good interface components merely because they weren't what Windows users would expect to happen. All that having been said -- agreed, you're absolutely right, Brian. It's a tool, use the one that works. But also complain like hell when it doesn't work. Human reaction is to defend what we know, and to fear the unknown. So let me defend what I know: without Apple, you PC folks wouldn’t even have a GUI; you’d still be sitting in your dark caves staring at green text on a black monitor. Macs jumpstarted the personal computer revolution, so we “fanboys” (and -girls, BTW) are quite justified in supporting our “cult”, thank you very much.

Of course, in the move to OSX, Macs inherited many of the flaws of Windows, for two reasons — 1) the underlying UNIX (such as taking years to display a Finder window’s contents, which used to happen instantly) and 2) to facilitate OSX adoption by Windows users. I hate Apple for the second decision; they destroyed a number of good interface components merely because they weren’t what Windows users would expect to happen.

All that having been said — agreed, you’re absolutely right, Brian. It’s a tool, use the one that works. But also complain like hell when it doesn’t work.

]]> By: Preview of “Makers” - The Star Wheel | [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22506 Preview of “Makers” - The Star Wheel | [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:11:48 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22506 [...] I mentioned earlier in my post on my new MacBook, I’m getting into documentary filmmaking. Currently I’m working on two projects. One of [...] [...] I mentioned earlier in my post on my new MacBook, I’m getting into documentary filmmaking. Currently I’m working on two projects. One of [...]

]]> By: Dave Ashton http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22256 Dave Ashton Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:07:37 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22256 Its a similar reaction to criticising Scientology. Both are, lets face it, cults. And rule 1 is NEVER let truth get in the way. Of anything. Its a similar reaction to criticising Scientology. Both are, lets face it, cults. And rule 1 is NEVER let truth get in the way. Of anything.

]]> By: Rob Dunn http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22241 Rob Dunn Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:53:21 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22241 Agreed. Telling someone they need to use a wrench when clearly using a pair of pliers will work is asinine. Maybe the OS fanboys don't like to watch <a href='http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/handymanny/index.html' rel="nofollow">Handy Manny</a> with their kids? :) The problem lies with people who think that they know what the best tool is (more than the recipient of the unsolicited advice does), and in many cases, they might be right. But really...don't tell me what I need to use without knowing <i>why</i> I'm using it, or <i>what</i> I'm doing with it. Agreed. Telling someone they need to use a wrench when clearly using a pair of pliers will work is asinine. Maybe the OS fanboys don’t like to watch Handy Manny with their kids? :)

The problem lies with people who think that they know what the best tool is (more than the recipient of the unsolicited advice does), and in many cases, they might be right. But really…don’t tell me what I need to use without knowing why I’m using it, or what I’m doing with it.

]]> By: Matt Warren http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22108 Matt Warren Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:26:23 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22108 Thank you. Griping about whether one or another OS is the Savior Of All Computing is so 1991... Thank you. Griping about whether one or another OS is the Savior Of All Computing is so 1991…

]]> By: Mackenzie http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22099 Mackenzie Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:58:12 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22099 oh...and focus-follows-mouse...I seem to be the only one who loves focus-follows-mouse oh…and focus-follows-mouse…I seem to be the only one who loves focus-follows-mouse

]]> By: Mackenzie http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22098 Mackenzie Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:56:30 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22098 My Mac-using boyfriend gets really annoyed at me for hating on OSX. It doesn't work the way I do, and he thinks I need to change how I work (ex: start using the mouse more) instead of saying that OSX annoys me to no end. Leopard's addition of workspaces are a huge plus. I can't decide if I'd rather use Windows (where the command line sucks) and add Cygwin or use OSX and have to deal with annoyances like the universal menu bar and lack of keyboard controls. My Mac-using boyfriend gets really annoyed at me for hating on OSX. It doesn’t work the way I do, and he thinks I need to change how I work (ex: start using the mouse more) instead of saying that OSX annoys me to no end. Leopard’s addition of workspaces are a huge plus. I can’t decide if I’d rather use Windows (where the command line sucks) and add Cygwin or use OSX and have to deal with annoyances like the universal menu bar and lack of keyboard controls.

]]> By: Fred http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22094 Fred Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:09:03 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22094 Well said Brian. Similar in emotion to a recent article over on ExtremeTech, where the writer said the worst thing about macs is often not the machine or OS, but fellow users (the fanatical ones). When I sell computers (Mac or PC), the most annoying thing I deal with is not people who know nothing, but those who maintain a cemented allegiance to one machine, when all they know is he-said she-said. Picking a computer should be based on one's needs, not the irrelevant ramblings of interweb fanboy's. I owned a mac back in the day, but never since. Not because I hate macs or had a bad experience, but because Windows does everything I want and more. Well said Brian.
Similar in emotion to a recent article over on ExtremeTech, where the writer said the worst thing about macs is often not the machine or OS, but fellow users (the fanatical ones).
When I sell computers (Mac or PC), the most annoying thing I deal with is not people who know nothing, but those who maintain a cemented allegiance to one machine, when all they know is he-said she-said.
Picking a computer should be based on one’s needs, not the irrelevant ramblings of interweb fanboy’s. I owned a mac back in the day, but never since. Not because I hate macs or had a bad experience, but because Windows does everything I want and more.

]]> By: krillz http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22084 krillz Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:06:12 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22084 yeah, the same thing happened when I wrote 10 flaws I see in ubuntu. It was meant as a feedback and article about what I wanted to see be added to the distribution. It got digged and the haters started commenting, not seeing what the article was about. As if they only read the title and skipped down to leave a hate comment. It so damn silly that people have these fights over nothing, the same thing is regarding programming languages especially with ruby php and python right now. Whatever you write that is a little pro or against you'll see a huge mob trying to through dirt at you, and a side defending you (or well the language to be more presicely). yeah, the same thing happened when I wrote 10 flaws I see in ubuntu. It was meant as a feedback and article about what I wanted to see be added to the distribution.

It got digged and the haters started commenting, not seeing what the article was about. As if they only read the title and skipped down to leave a hate comment.

It so damn silly that people have these fights over nothing, the same thing is regarding programming languages especially with ruby php and python right now.
Whatever you write that is a little pro or against you’ll see a huge mob trying to through dirt at you, and a side defending you (or well the language to be more presicely).

]]> By: Scott L. http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22082 Scott L. Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:26:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/29/computers-are-tools-not-metaphors/#comment-22082 word. No more OS wars, simply choose the OS and the hardware that will work best for you. -Lover of all OS's word. No more OS wars, simply choose the OS and the hardware that will work best for you.

-Lover of all OS’s

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