The recent fracas over the ILOVEYOU worm caused some backpatting
and congratulations in non-Windows circles. People who use
Macintoshes, BeOS, and UNIX variants more or less sat back and
chuckled as the Windows world went down in flames.
Our only real protection from similar things happening is the
minority status of Mac platform.
Sure, the Swiss cheese security of Outlook and Windows has to take
a lot of the blame, but it's way easier to shoot an elephant on the
plain than a groundhog in the grass. It looks much more spectacular
and turns way more heads as well.
The Mac is not immune to viruses or worms. Some vicious ones have
made the rounds, the most recent being the
Autostart worm in May 1998. Did the Autostart worm make
headlines? Nope. So where's the motivation?
Things are changing, however. Macs are winning converts and, while
barely putting a dent in the Windows market, are definitely catching
attention.
Do people really want the Mac to grow to the titanic proportions
of Microsoft if it could be done? What are the advantages?
Some are pretty clear: more developers, more software, more
choice, less vilification, and more respect.
Of course the downside is also pretty clear: more viruses, more
buggy software, more homogenization and, of course, no cachet.
The benefits of remaining small with around 15% of the market?
Fewer viruses, close community, better performance, tighter control,
and, of course, the cachet.
So it comes down to this: Would you prefer the Mac to be the
dominant platform or would you like to see it stay small? It's always
nice to have a goal. For example, the Linux community is very much
involved in bringing Microsoft to its knees. Is this a worthy goal?
Of course! Would the Linux community lose something in the process?
Definitely.
Personally, I would like the Macintosh to remain a minority in the
computer market. Not a tiny minority, of course, but small enough to
fly beneath the radar while still getting most of the goodies other
computer users enjoy.
I also think the Mac could stand a little more growth. A few
million more users might convince hardware and software vendors that
are currently sitting on the fence when it comes to Mac development
might join in the fun.
Realistically I would stay with the Mac no matter how big its
market share. The advantages of the Mac interface are just too good
to throw away because the environment changed.
So, more users would be great. But total market domination? Not
for me, thanks.
What do you think: Do you want the Mac market share to
grow? Take out poll at the top of the column on the
right.
Stephen Van
Esch is the founder and president of
the
E-learning Foundry, an online training
resource for Mac users. Steve loves the Mac and is doubly bilingual,
since he's also fluent in Windows and French.
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