[P1] I have to find out what it is.

[Gloria Vogel]

Bravo!  This says it all.  Thank you for putting it into words, you 
truly said it succinctly and beautifully.  It is exactly the way I have 
felt about each one of the Macs I formed a connection with over the 
years, beginning with an Apple my late husband acquired in the 70's 
because it had a keyboard and he had been using an early home computer  
which had to be operated with toggle switches.  I could relate to the 
keyboard but certainly not to the toggle switches and was ecstatic when 
he got the Apple.  Thanks again.

On Wednesday, November 5, 2003, at 10:40 PM, e.mkeene wrote:

>> My goodness Mac vets, there has to be something about this machine to 
>> make =
>> you act this way ;). I have to find out what it is.
>
> Back in July 1999, a noted computer columnist, Walter Mossberg had 
> that same problem. He had been at the MacWorld Expo in NYC when the 
> first iMac was introduced. After he left the Expo, he wrote a column 
> about his experiences and his puzzlement. He said that he was 
> fascinated by the Mac user's attachment to Macs and wanted to 
> understand what powered it. So he stood behind the row of iMacs and 
> watched the user reactions to the computers. He saw each person 
> approach the computer, smile when they got close, reach out to gently 
> touch it, smile wider and get a soft glow on their faces, Then they 
> touched the mouse and started using the computer. At that point, he 
> saw their entire face erupt into what he called a vision of pure joy. 
> He still couldn't figure out what generated this response and was even 
> more puzzled.
>
> He waited until the computer bank was almost deserted and tried it 
> himself but still not answers. All the way home, it haunted him. Why 
> couldn't he figure it out? Was there a magic incantation or something 
> that happened to users? When he got home and sat down at his PC to 
> write this puzzling column about this mysterious response, he finally 
> had a revelation. He said out of a clear blue sky, he suddenly 
> understood what was happening to Mac people: they had a relationship 
> with their computer. It was not a piece of machinery or a tool, it was 
> a trusted and beloved friend. He said as he realized this, he also 
> realized that PC people never had this type of relationship with their 
> computers. He also realized that he never would get that kind of 
> feeling or have that relationship with his computer and he felt a tear 
> or two run down his cheek as he realized how sad that made him feel.
>
> Since then, he has test many new Mac products and adores the 
> "sunflower" iMac and ipods.
>
> When you made your comments about Macs, it was the same thing as if 
> you had called our significant others, inferior or defective. It's the 
> old adage, I can talk about my family, my boyfriend, my husband, but 
> don't you dare criticize that person in my presence. You "attacked" 
> our friend, whether you intended to or not, and you got immediate 
> backlash from it. You came to our party and criticized our guest of 
> honor, how did you expect us to react?
>
> Had you said instead, this is my first mac and with my pc, I am used 
> to doing............, how can I do it with a Mac? You would have had 
> all the help and suggestions you could have ever wanted. But when you 
> said, your mac doesn't do the things my pc does so well or better, 
> well, as you found out, those are fighting words, you are dissing our 
> friend at our party and you became an immediate gate crasher and 
> ungrateful guest.
>
> Now do you begin to understand? We are not particularly interested in 
> how many people buy and use Macs, we are more interested in how many 
> people love and enjoy their Macs, warts and all. Just like an 
> eccentric relative, some Macs are more lovable than others, some are a 
> bit quirkier but eccentric relatives just as valued and loved as 
> "normal" relatives. Sometimes, the eccentricity  of a person makes 
> them even more endearing, Well, sometimes the Mac eccentricities make 
> us more protective of that Mac also. Macs have personalities. 
> Sometimes they fit us like a glove, sometimes, they irritate us beyond 
> endurance but they still enable us to feel powerful and empowered 
> because they will always let us be more than we are without them.
>
> Some of us use Macs to keep in touch with a community if we are 
> housebound. Some of us use Macs to earn the income we need to survive 
> or thrive. Some of us use Macs to perform tasks we could not do 
> without a Mac. I am not a good artist but I yearn to be. With a Mac, 
> some simple software, some time and inspiration, I have created some 
> really good pieces of art. I have become a bit more of who I want to 
> be because of my Mac.
>
> I suggest you pick something you want to do that is just a bit more 
> than you and ask your Mac to help you get there. It will be a great 
> journey for both of you.
>
>
> Mac Computer Show and Sale December 13th
> Info at www.wap.org
>
>
> ----------
> iBookList, a listserv for users and fans of Apple's iBook.
> FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/iBookListFAQ.shtml>
>
> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <ibook-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to 
> <ibook-digest at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> Need help from a real person? Try.  
> <ibook-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> ----------
> Small Dog Electronics    http://www.smalldog.com   | Enter To Win A |
>  --  Canon Digital Camcorders start at $799       |  Free iBook!   |
>
> iBookPlanet.com |  Visit iBookPlanet.com for the hottest
>                |  iBook News, Features, Reviews & More.
>
>   RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 
> Traveler  CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at 
> <http://roadtools.com>
>
> MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only 
> $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! 
> <http://www.macresq.com>
>