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

[Wiebe Wilbers]

It also explains why so many of us have a collection of past Macs, sitting
in the garage/basement/attic. We are unable to throw the dears out because
we have that connection with them.


On 6/11/03 6:09 PM, "Gloria Vogel" <lipert1 at earthlink.net> wrote:

> 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
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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> 
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>               |  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!
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