A can of worms

[Ronald R Shiflet]

	It's New Years Day and since I'm so bored I thought that I'd fuel
the fire with another can of worms.
	I often look at the IBM vs MAC fight with the same viewpoint that
I had back in the early 80's when our family purchased their first video
cassette recorder.  I remember the salesman showing both Beta and VHS
formats and the Beta was such a superior machine that we purchased one.
The Beta was more expensive and had a better picture.  The VHS was less
expensive and the quality was definately lacking.  Over time, like
everything else, low prices led the way and the Beta was choked out.
Fortunately, VHS machines improved and not long from now,  few people
will remember the Beta machines.
	As for the Mac and IBM,  it seems to me to follow the same
pattern.  IBM was around and then Apple designed their MAC with a
pointing device, which was a dream come true compared to DOS and 8
letter file names.  IBM sensing the magnitude of what could happen,
teamed up with Microsoft and had Windows designed as a competitor to the
MAC.  Apple made a bad marketing move by being more expensive and not
licensing out (so as to keep all of the monies themselves).  IBM
licensed out and everyone making an IBM clone pays royalties to IBM (for
better or for worse).
	The MAC probably is a better computer when it comes to graphics
and multimedia, but these features are rarely used in the business
world.  Most businesses need databases.  In the classroom, schools tend
to use more multimedia because of its educational value but in their
business offices, it's usually an IBM compatible.  As for me, I've
*surfed the net*, but frankly I don't have that kind of time to waste.
I need a business computer and a way to access this list !!!
	As time goes on and more businesses use the internet, it'll be
interesting to see what happens.  As for me, I cannot see that I'll ever
purchase a MAC.  Just as Mom & Dad switched over to VHS when there was
little selection in movies either in buying or renting, I certainly am
not going to go buy a computer that has such little software
availability.
	Just my 2 cents worth, thrown to the fire.

Ron Shiflet