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Platform Adaptability
Name: Unknown
Status: Educator
Age: 50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 2001
Question:
My high school will be moving into a new facility. The
administration has chosen the Windows platform over Macs and distributed IBM
laptops to all faculty this year. It turned out to be a smooth transition.
However, during a technology planning meeting, the departments that use
graphics insisted that Macs are best for graphics and artistic uses.
The publishing of school newspapers, literary magazines, etc. also insist
that the Window software is lacking compared to Macs for layouts and related
functions.
These people are not experts in technology. We need expert opinions
and facts about the idea that only Macs can do these jobs. To show
my bias, I strongly feel that we can not support financially both platforms.
What is your opinion on this concern?
Replies:
WOW! Talk about asking for a fight! I have used both OS's in the order:
IBM ---> MAC ---> WINDOWS. I was unhappy with each conversion, having to
learn a new system. Each system has its advantages/disadvantages, in my
opinion. Apple has targeted the "school market" aggressively for years;
Microsoft on the other hand, has targeted the business world.
MAC's may/may not have superior graphics. I do not know. I would pose the
question:
"Is making good graphics the most important function of a computer in the
long run?" My opinion is that the answer is, "No." but that is my opinion.
What I DO know is that when students graduate and enter the business world,
they WILL have to learn the Windows system, no matter what they used in
school. I do not think it is feasible to run both systems side by side, there
are just too many incompatibilities.
Easy graphics and Bill Gates' monopoly aside, I think the answer is clear.
Vince Calder
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