This last year saw some of the funniest computer-related humor
ever. Nothing to compare with a
pie in Bill Gates' face, of course, but some stuff came pretty
close. Tops on my list:
Justice Department realizes it uses Windows
Some junior law clerk points out at a lunch meeting that everyone
in the DoJ is using Windows, and the case just falls apart after
that. You'd think they were paid off or intimidated or something. If
I worked there and had a conscience, I'd resign for "other
opportunities" too.
"We don't copy anything from Apple," declared the
little yellow rubber duckie login symbol from Windows XP. "Quack,
quack, quack," he added. Turns out another computer manufacturer
featured the same photo-realistic symbol for the same purpose and
highlighted it in the same way in advertising. The whole thing turned
out to be a minor flap. The duck, we note, was facing the other way,
which pretty much sums up Microsoft's interpretation of the whole
"innovation" thing.
Freedom to Innovate
Let's see . . . can anyone tell me how
Microsoft has innovated this year? Anyone? Yes, sir, you in the
back . . . oh, right, yes, the whole Pass-storm, Hail-dot
and Net-port thing. Yes, that is an innovation, for sure. Anything
else?
FBI supports Windows
When the FBI starts issuing tech
tips for Windows . . . you might want to consider switching
platforms.
Dead People Don't Use Windows
But they
do write letters to congress complaining about this whole
discriminatory, unnecessary, innovation-killing, economy-stifling
thing we like to call "the law." (Also see Dead
People Don't Use Windows.)
All this just goes to show that the real reason Windows dominates
the computing world is that the other operating systems just aren't
funny. Mac aficionados (that's an Italian word that means
"Star-Trek style fanatic") are just too serious about saving the
world by promoting the Mac.
Linux would be funny, but it has to recompile its kernel first.
The real reason Linux is not taking over the desktop world is because
even though Linux is a great pun (Linus + Unix = Linux), who wants to
use an operating system from a lumpy-headed kid who carries a blanket
and sucks his thumb?
Anyway, in a shameless plug of self-promotion, here are my
favorite Lite Side columns from 2001. And here's a special message to
that secret little ego-dude deep inside Bill Gates' heart, the one
that makes him do the things he does: We're not laughing with
you, we're laughing at you.
Other things Dell did first,
10.15. Important Dell firsts - besides the first portable with
integrated wireless networking.
Death of a Floppy, 12.24.
This gripping piece of modern American Techno-Tragedy sees "the
Floppy" struggle and fail to maintain his role in a world of big
files.
iPods that never passed beta or focus groups, 09.13.
"What most Apple fans don't realize is that there were a few iPod variants that never made it out of beta testing and the focus group stage."
Mac of the Day: Macintosh LC, Oct. 1990 - only 3" tall, the LC was the least expensive color Mac in 1990.
List of the Day: The iPhone List Low End Mac's forum for discussing and supporting Apple's iPhone.
October 15 in LEM history: 90: Mac IIsi, LC, and Classic - 97: Yale threatens to drop Mac support - 99: Decelerate your Mac - Time magazine on Jobs and Apple - 01: Is Microsoft the enemy? - 02: Confessions of a Mac to PC convert - The IT job market - 03: Microsoft's holding pattern - 04: October 1990: The first low-end Macs - Dual core 'Books - 07: When to pick Tux - SteelSeries 4D the best mousepad ever? - Irrational rantings of an Intel hater
Recent Content on Low End Mac
The October 2008 MacBook Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.15.
Apple changed the entire MacBook lineup on Tuesday. How do close-out prices compare to the new ones?
G3 and Low End G4 Mac Performance Comparison, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 10.15.
Factors that impact performance are the version of CPU, the size and speed of the Level 2 cache, and how much RAM is installed.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Apple Design, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.15.
Apple has produced some beautiful computers and iPods over the years, but also a few of the ugliest and most ungainly computers ever seen.
3 Reasons to Use a Mac, and Pismo Troubleshooting, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.15.
Why one Windows user is also a Mac user, a Pismo that can't see its AirPort card, and sources of kernel panics.
Best MacBook Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.15.
Used 1.83 GHz, $649; 2.0 SD, $750; refurb 2.1 GHz, $849; 2.4, $1,049; black, $1,099; new 2.1, $869 after rebate; 2.4, $1,175 a/r; black, $1,194 a/r.
Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.15.
Used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, $1,000; 2.16, $1,100; refurb, 2.4, $1,349; new, $1,444 after rebate; refurb 2.5, $1,499; new, $1,644 a/r; refurb 2.6, $1,799; new, $2,594 a/r.
Best MacBook Air Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.15.
Used 1.6 80 HD, $1,200; refurb, $1,349; new, $1,549; 1.8 120, $1,999; 1.6 128 SSD, $2,299; used 1.8 64 SSD, $1,800; new, $2,100.
MacBook (Unibody), 10.14.
The MacBook gets the same aluminum treatment as the MacBook Pro - and dedicated GeForce 9400M graphics.
15" MacBook Pro (Unibody), 10.14.
The new MacBook Pro's case is carved from a block of aluminum for increased strength.
MacBook Air (GeForce), 10.14.
More storage, a video port, and GeForce 9400M graphics improve the MacBook Air.
MacBook White, 10.14.
Entry-level white MacBook gets a SuperDrive, retail price reduced to US$999.
Death of the iPod 'Way Off in the Future', Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 10.14.
Someday Apple will decide that the iPod is no longer profitable and discontinue it, "but that day looks to be way off in the future."
Best Intel iMac Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.14.
Used 20" 1.83 GHz, $599; 2.0, $730; 2.16, $800; 24", $950; refurb 17" 1.83, $699; 20" 2.0, $949; 2.4, $999; 2.66, $1,299; 24" 2.4, $1,299; 2.8, $1,549; 3.06, $1,899; rebates on new.
Best iBook G3 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.14.
Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 366, $199; 500 CD, $149; 800, $190; 600 DVD, $200; CD-RW, $240; 700 Combo, $250; 900, $369; 14" 600, $230; 900, $449.
Best Classic iPod Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.14.
Used 60 GB color, $150; used 30 video, $140; 80, $170; refurb 80 classic, $169; new 120 GB, $240; refurb 160 GB, $249; new, $280. New & refurb include shipping.
Best Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.13.
Used 667 MHz Combo, $480; 867 MHz, $530; 1 GHz, $590; SuperDrive, $900.
Best Classic Mac OS Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.13.
System 6, $10; 7.1, $12; 7.5.1, $4; Mac OS 7.6, $13; 8.0, $13; 8.1, $48; 8.5, $25; 8.6, $20; 9.0, $20; 9.2.2, $20; more.
Best Xserve Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.13.
Used G4/1 GHz, $999; G5/2 GHz, $1,499; new 2.0 4-core Xeon, $1,900; refurb 3.0 4-core, $2,299; 2.8 GHz, $2,599; 3.0 8-core, $3,499; 3.2, $3,699.
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