“This Christmas, I presented my wife with a new Mac mini… I am, as you might know, one of the more prominent Windows-based writers on the Web. This simple fact makes the notion that I’d buy a Mac for my wife seems like an April Fools joke, I know. But the truth is, I’ve owned one or more Macs since summer 2005, and I’m a big fan of Mac OS X, albeit one who is perhaps more honest about the system’s shortcomings than the typical Mac fanatic. That said, Apple’s computer systems are viable for a wide range of users, including graphic artists, photographers, and other creative types. And a truly simple system like the Mac mini is perfect for the mass market, those people who simply need email, Web access, and word processing,” Paul Thurrott writes for Connected Home media.
“My wife is such a person. Indeed, she shares none of my love of technology, and approaches a computer the way one should approach a computer, I guess—as a tool that’s required to get a job done. Her job, in fact, is writing… Ah, I can hear you thinking, But she has a Windows expert at home … Isn’t that perfect for tech support? Perfect for her, perhaps, but not so perfect for me. Our offices aren’t in the same part of the house, for starters, and that makes it harder for me to monitor her system regularly as I do with the many machines in my own office. When I do get up to her office, I’m always surprised by how many alerts and updates are pending, waiting for someone to acknowledge them. She’s just not particularly interested in PC housekeeping,” Thurrott writes.
“The truth is, her computers have always been problematic. And like a typical office worker in any company, she puts up with the small Windows abuses on a regular basis. She’s learned to simply reboot when things stop working. She accepts that sometimes printing or network access just don’t work for any logical reason. And the constant air turbine-like sound that emanates from her Dell PC? That’s just how PCs sound, she thinks,” Thurrott writes. “Well, no more.”
“The documents were the easiest to transfer, because we have a home network,” Thurrott explains. “To copy her documents to the Mac mini, I simply connected to the network share, courtesy of Mac OS X’s integrated Windows networking, and copied her documents into her new Documents folder.
Email and calendaring are decidedly more difficult. My wife had been using Microsoft Outlook for both, and had various email accounts configured in that application. Configuring Apple Mail for these accounts was drop-dead simple (even for her Hotmail account, which requires a third-party add-in called MacOS X HTTP Mail Plugin), but then I had to actually get her previous email, contacts, and calendar information from Outlook to the Mac. The email would need to be moved into Apple Mail, contacts would go into Apple Address Book, and calendar information needed to be copied into Apple iCal. There are many, many ways to migrate this data, but I opted for Little Machines’ Outlook2Mac, a wonderful $10 shareware program that exports Outlook email, contacts, and calendar information into various formats, including those required by the Apple applications cited above… Looking forward, I’m interested to see how well this switch goes. I’ll publish updates as needed to my Internet Nexus blog.”
Full article here.
More info and pictures on Paul Thurrott’s Internet Nexus site here.
MacDailyNews Take: The conversion of Paul Thurrott continues unabated following the classic progression. Such is the power of the Mac; once you really use a Mac, you quickly understand the folly that is Windows. Note that once Thurrott actually gave the Mac a chance, his most inane anti-Apple, anti-Mac drivel dried up faster than a puddle in Phoenix. If a “prominent Windows-based writer” such as Thurrott can be so changed, then who the heck can’t be swayed? Of course, Thurrott was/is so massively wed to Microsoft Windows that, even six months after getting his first Mac, he’s only really halfway there in print; he’s still shortchanging the Mac with lines such as, “Apple’s computer systems are viable for a wide range of users, including graphic artists, photographers, and other creative types.” Macs are perfect for anyone who hasn’t shortsightedly stuck themselves (or been so stymied by their company) with Windows-only applications. The vast majority of the world would be far better off with a Mac instead of a Windows PC. So, with his wife properly Macified, next up are Thurrott’s friends and then his readers. The moral of this tale: use a Mac before you slam Apple’s platform, because the only thing you’ll be slamming afterward is the top of your old Windows PC’s box as you ship the thing off to some unsuspecting eBay buyer.
Congratulations to Mrs. Thurrott!
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Related MacDailyNews articles:
Thurrott: ‘Mac users have it good’ – Digital photo and video software better on Mac than Windows – December 14, 2005
Thurrott: many of Windows Vista’s upcoming features appeared first in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 26, 2005
Switching from Microsoft Windows to Apple Macintosh – December 04, 2005
Apple’s Mac OS X, Safari web browser show market share gains – December 03, 2005
Want to switch to Mac? Mossberg answers common questions – November 10, 2005
Why people are switching from Microsoft’s Windows to Apple’s Mac OS X – November 09, 2005
Windows PC retailers face tough holiday season, meanwhile Apple stores are packed as Mac sales surge – November 09, 2005
Analyst estimates over a million Windows to Mac switchers during 2005’s first three quarters – November 07, 2005
Windows sufferers: It’s not your fault, but it is your problem – switch to Mac – November 07, 2005
Tech writer: Windows PCs highly vulnerable to zombie hijacking; get an Apple Mac instead – November 06, 2005
Windows switchers, now’s your chance: Apple Mac mini with Mac OS X Tiger for $379 – November 03, 2005
Computer columnist: anti-virus software purely optional for Apple Macs, not so for Windows – November 01, 2005
Microsoft apologists and why Apple’s Mac OS X has zero viruses – October 24, 2005
Mossberg: Switching from Windows to Mac – software not an expensive proposition – September 30, 2005
Windows to Mac switchers: recommendations and Total Cost of Ownership analysis – September 29, 2005
Switching from Windows to Mac is easy and liberating – September 14, 2005
Mossberg offers resources for Windows users interested in switching to Apple Mac – August 18, 2005
Windows users’ questions and concerns answered about Windows to Mac switch – July 27, 2005
Defending Windows over Mac a sign of mental illness – December 20, 2003
Get your Outlook info off your PC and onto your Mac – March 05, 2003
The best way to transfer Windows Outlook folders to Mac OS X – January 22, 2003
Yeah, we’re never satisfied.
Yea, what Carson said. Thurrott is a Windows author first and foremost. It would be crazy for him to go too overboard in his recommending Macs.
That said, he did write a reasonable review of the latest build of Windows Pasta just before Christmas (although he couldn’t help comparing many features of Pasta to OS X.) It will be interesting to see if he swings back to siding with Windows once Pasta is out, or whether he’ll be like some others who are torn between having to use Windows “at his day job” (and justifying things) vs having a Mac for home.
I think the expression I was looking for is that Thurrott shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds him.
Pasta. That’s actually a better name for a Windows OS than Vista. I have a visual of a mass of noodles all mixed together in a tangled mess.
Well at least with the Mac mini present Thurott finally got some sex with his wife.
Do you think he will make his offspring use the old Windows boxes? Poor little Thurotts
Paul Thurrott bought a Mac mini?!?!?!? Satan has just put on a sweater – it’s starting to get cold down there.
don’t get all giddy yet, he’ll be crying soon about how unhappy he is with Rosetta and how slow it is and how he should have waited for an Intel Mini.
MDN word OVER: It’s over Johnny, Over!
Seriously. Accuweather.com’s forecast for Hell “Cold, chance of showers and a snow storm”.
Wonder how many PC accessories will be hooked up to the MiniMac…
Pompous ass.. pompous ass… pompous ass.
In Sept05, my dual 1Ghz/G4’s motherboard overheated and ended its life. I bought a Mini as a hold over until the new PowerMacs arrived. I consider myself a somewhat heavy user – Photoshop, iMovie, and lot of other multimedia stuff – and running many applications at the same time. When the Quad came out, I immediately ordered one – then cancelled it. I realized this Mini with 1GB RAM has enough performance to do more than just email and a bit of word processing. This Mini will hold me over until the Intel PowerMacs come. By then, Macs will have Blu-ray HD/DVD writing capability and enough horsepower to do HD editing with ease.
On a more serious note, I have a group New Years’ resolution for everyone. We, the Mac-using, Mac-loving crowd need to really dedicate ourselves to converting the Windoze crowd to the Mac platform in 2006. Don’t target the hard-core “Mac haters” because they will be the last to switch. Target your parents, your grandparents, your friends and co-workers. Look for those “Mac moments” when you can point out a significant Windoze flaw or a wonderful benefit of using a Mac. It’s those “aha!” realizations that get people to switch. I’ve personally converted 2 in 2005 and have 5-6 others seriously considering a Mac for their next computer purchase. Now, go get ’em and have a Mactastic 2006!
Cubert
MDN Magic Word: increase
As in, dedicate yourselves to increasing the Mac user base in 2006 – how appropriate.
>> became an avid Mac user when I discovered Absoft’s FORTRAN windowed programming environment for the Mac.
FORTRAN???? Suggest you move along quietly to Mathematica or Matlab. FORTRAN is *so* 1970’s.
Paul thinks I have a “Windows expert” at home? Not. I’d rather have someone who could “perform” if you know what I mean. He’s always ‘freezing up’ and giving me that Blue Screen of Death look whenever I get a little horny around the edges. He’s the one with all the viruses.
So, my soon-to-be-ex-husband, Paul, rakes in the dough spouting off crapola-speak and techno-garbage as if he’s some kind of tech guru. He’s not. And all the cheap-a_s_s could buy me this holiday season is the least expensive Mac you could buy. I wanted an iMac G5 with the 20-inch screen. What a cheap retard. Excuse me, that’s “RETARD-O.” Paul, it took you better part of a day to transfer files from our PC (a five year old Dell, which he got for free by kissing up to Michael Dell). The neighbor’s kid did the same job in half an hour for his mom’s iMac G5. What about me?
Well, Paul, here’s my Dear John letter for you. All these years it’s been about you, you, you. Now it’s about me. Take this little Mac mini and shove it where your brain is (hint: you’ll need to unzip first).
I am outta here! Viagara corn doritos, ya all.
cubert: “I’ve personally converted 2 in 2005 and have 5-6 others seriously considering a Mac for their next computer purchase. Now, go get ’em and have a Mactastic 2006!”
It´s a computer, not a religion.
He’s obviously a “closet” Macintosh user. In fact, Thurrott “goes both ways”.
“I have a group New Years’ resolution for everyone. We, the Mac-using, Mac-loving crowd need to really dedicate ourselves to converting the Windoze crowd to the Mac platform in 2006. Don’t target the hard-core “Mac haters” “
I agree Cubert, but i think the better resolution would be to speak about the Mac to Windows people with an ounce of sugar instead of a gallon of vinegar. There are plenty of peple out there who are great canidates for switching, however, if the first experience they have with the Mac is some Mac nut telling them how stupid they are for having not switched sooner, then they’ll likely not listen. and stay away altogether.
I’ve seen even the most hardcore Mac haters buckle under the weight of the truth when presented in a positive and constructive manner. Present the facts, focus on the benefits of the Mac. Speak of Windows only in comparison to the things the Mac has to offer. Stay away from judgements about the person. Most people just don’t know anything about it because they haven’t been exposed to it at all.
2006 is gonna rock and with the right touch, the Mac community can help.
Zondroat,
Only for some…
Hammer,
I agree. I wasn’t advocating zealotry – only an open and honest discussion. I certainly agree that the Mac world isn’t perfect. It’s just the best option out there. The problem is that most Mac users only promote the platform amongst themselves and keep quiet at other times. Witness this discussion board.
I think it is similar to dealing with an alcoholic. You can’t help them unless they are ready to be helped.
I don’t try to get anyone to switch, I just try to dispel any BS or myths about the Mac. If someone wants to switch, they will do it on their own.
This article requires translation from Thurrott-speak to English. Here’s the translation:
This Christmas, I presented my wife with a new Mac mini… I am, as you might know, one of the more prominent Windoze-based dorks on the Web. This simple fact makes the notion that I’d buy a Mac for my wife seems like an April Fools joke, I know. But the truth is, I’ve owned one or more Macs since summer 2005, and I’m a big fan of Mac OS X, albeit one who is perhaps delusional about perceiving the system’s shortcomings. That said, Apple’s computer systems are viable for a wide range of users, including graphic artists, photographers, creative types, musicians, film makers, grade school students, high school students, college students, university students, technical school students, amateur writers, professional writers, mathematicians, IT professionals, auto mechanics, hair stylists, beach bums, rocket scientists, astronomers, biologists, doctors, zoologists, bus drivers, waitresses and waiters, CEO’s, small business owners, emergency managers, the girl next door, construction professionals, and basically anyone with a pulse and a couple of functional neurons. And a truly simple system like the Mac mini is perfect for the mass market, those people who simply need email, Web access, and word processing.
My wife is such a person. Indeed, she shares none of my love of technology self-abuse, and approaches a computer the way one should approach a computer, I guess—as a tool that’s required to get a job done. Her job, in fact, is writing… Ah, I can hear you thinking: Get a clue and take her lead, you idiot! Or maybe you’re thinking: But she has a Windoze expert at home… Isn’t that perfect for tech support? Perfect for her, perhaps, as the perpetual downtime means she has time to run to the bathroom, grab a quick snack (or entertain guests, for that matter), take up a second job, or two, or three, take a vacation, run for political office… you get the idea… but not so perfect for me, because I’ll be in Windoze hell spending all[\b] my time sweeping viruses off her damn Windoze box while she’s out carousing and having a gay ol’ time. Our offices aren’t in the same part of the mansion, for starters, and that makes it harder for me to monitor her system nanosecond-by-nanosecond as I have to do with the many machines in my own office. When I do get up to her office, I’m always surprised by how many alerts and updates are pending, waiting for someone to acknowledge them. She’s just not particularly interested in wasting extraordinary amounts of time in PC virus warfare, as i am.
The truth is, her computers have always been problematic. Of course, so have mine. That’s probably because they’re running Windoze. And like a typical office worker in any company, she puts up with the small, large and infinitely many Windoze abuses on a regular basis. She’s learned to simply reboot when things stop working. She accepts that often printing or network access just don’t work for any logical reason. And the constant air turbine-like sound that emanates from her Dell PC? That’s just how PCs sound, she thinks. Well, no more. She has made the transition from the Dark Side. And I would too, if I wasn’t still in denial. But my therapist thinks I might be ready to make the switch in the next few months. Pray for me everybody!
He, like others before him, have gotten tired of being blamed for Windows problems by folks he got interested in computers.
I have 6 computer newbies on Mac’s, do I hear a peep out of them? NO.
One quit eBay, but that’s all.
Chill out guys!
And could one of you please pass a fresh glass over to Mr. Thurrott and politely ask if he prefers grape or straberry Kool-Aid? : ) His wife already appears to be sipping hers and smiling from ear to ear.
Thurrott: I got a Mac Mini for my wife.
Jimbo: Good trade!
My wife is….
My wife wants…
Typical excuses to not admitt someone is doing something himself.
LOL