Musings from Mars » Microsoft

Windows 8 UI strategic mistake, argues design guru - Computerworld

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:09:20 +0000

Apple v. Samsung: The True Story

admin — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 17:47:59 +0000

White House Freezes IT Projects To Revisit Wasteful IT Contracting

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:39:39 +0000

Google Ditching Windows?

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:06:29 +0000

Government Going Apple?

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:15:01 +0000

Microsoft Exec Admits Windows 7 Emulates OS X

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:38:32 +0000

ComputerWorld Pits Snow Leopard Against Windows 7 (Again)

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:53:49 +0000

Analysis Shows Snow Leopard Faster Than Windows 7

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:47:33 +0000

Judge Bans Sales of Microsoft Word, Says MS Stole Code

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:48:11 +0000

A Gift for Self-Deception

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:50:41 +0000

For a long time now, I've been explaining why the world would have been better off if Apple's computers had come to dominate homes and businesses. I've focused on the virtues of Apple's software almost exclusively, even though Apple has for most of existence been primarily a hardware company, like Dell or Hewlett Packard. Why? Because it's clear to all us Martians that what makes or breaks a computing experience is the software. To paraphrase one of your ex-Presidents, "It's the Software, stupid!" I've also come to believe that humans are genetically predisposed to self-deception, allowing them to talk themselves into whatever point of view is most convenient, or is perceived as being in their best self-interest. Thus, argument over the relative worth of one technology or another is pointless, because no carefully researched and supported set of facts will ever be enough to persuade someone with the opposite view. Indeed, the truth of this axiom is encapsulated in the common human phrase of folk wisdom,

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."

I've noted that when someone conjures this phrase to explain a colleague or acquaintance's intransigence about something, those listening will nod to each other knowingly and somewhat sadly aver, "So true." And yet, how many humans really think they're as "stupid" as horses?

Microsoft’s ‘Apple tax’ claims are ’stupid,’ counters analyst

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:20:07 +0000

Apple a Monopolist? Only in Microsoft-Think

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:07:32 +0000

I recently read another positive article about Apple in Computerworld, this one covering Apple's 5 Biggest Moments in 2008. Unlike some other Apple coverage in Computerworld, this one was largely a yawn, but don't you know that most of the comments (as usual) were from Windows partisans who were simply angry that Apple was given any positive coverage at all!

Recently, that seems to be the standard for virtually any online article that has something nice to say about Apple. Rather than commenting on the substance of the article, some anti-Apple type will immediately start dissing the company in a totally ignorant and offensive manner. Sometimes, such drivel will be met with commenters defending Apple, but quite often it merely attracts other Apple hecklers.

The Computerworld article cited above was no different, but there was one comment from a guy who, though claiming to have some positive feelings about Apple, levels a charge that comes straight from the Microsoft propaganda machine. This propaganda only started a few years ago, when Apple began to have success with non-computer products like iTunes, the iPod, and now the iPhone. Microsoft loved to spread the word that Apple's products were all "closed," while Microsoft's were "open," and many listeners, without actually thinking about this illogical line of thinking, bought the propaganda and are now spreading it themselves.

I just couldn't let this challenge go unanswered, so I didn't. The following is what I published in response on Computerworld. In a nutshell, it explains why this guy's line of reasoning is bunk, and why, no matter how much Microsoft would like folks to think so, Apple is absolutely not a monopolist in any sense of the term.

Microsoft Still Spreading Apple FUD on Prices

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:35:09 +0000

New Zunes Killing Themselves In Droves

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:23:25 +0000

Virtually Every Windows PC at Risk from Malware

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:54:56 +0000

iPhone Races Past Blackberry to No. 2 in SmartPhones

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:57:48 +0000

Microsoft IT Shops Upset At Apple’s “Patch Process”

admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:58:08 +0000

Monopoly Charge Against Apple Signals Rising Respect For Mac OS X

admin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:58:53 +0000

Phishing and Safari (Part 2): A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing

admin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:45:37 +0000

Phishing and Safari (Part 1): A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing

admin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:32:47 +0000

Computerworld: Microsoft looks to mimic Apple success, says Ballmer

admin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:26:13 +0000

A Desperate Microsoft Tries To Talk the iPhone To Death

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:34:43 +0000

Forrester Believes Apple Will Win in Homes

admin — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:11:24 +0000

Gartner Raises Hopes That Microsoft Will Die (Without Yahoo)

admin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:33:26 +0000

Mac Hack Makes for Good Headlines, But…

admin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:01:01 +0000