Why I like Macs: Looks, Use, Software
1. They are prettier than PCs - which just makes me want to use it even more I mean come on now - working on a Dell computer (or other PC) just makes me feel like the only work I could possibly do on such an ugly machine would have to be the most boring thing ever. But when I startup by beautiful TiBook G4 Powerbook I am excited about whatever I might do!
2. Apple cares enough about interface/interaction design to try to make on that is halfway decent. I took a Human Computer Interaction class in college and when I use Windows, I just want to cry because the OS itself makes performing my tasks so much harder. Certainly, I have adjusted and gotten used to doing things inefficiently, but why should I waste my time using a horribly inelegant OS when I can use my Mac?? Prime example here is Exposé in Panther Mac OS X 10.3. It’s a wonder of interface design. For more good thoughts on interaction and interface design check out Ask Tog.
3. Because in addition to the incredible applications from Apple, there are tons of open-source developers creating excellent freeware/shareware products all the time. My favorite free app that has changed the way I use my computer is Quicksilver from Blacktree, Inc. which facilitates application launching and other tasks like mapping Apple Scripts to hotkeys (called triggers) like for controlling iTunes) It is just one great example of the great work being done by independent software developers for Mac OS X.
A few others that I use on a daily basis are Adium (a multi-protocol chat client), NetNewsWire Lite (an RSS feed reader), Meteorologist (weather forecast in the menubar), Pod Cast Tuner (a podcast feed downloader), iScrobbler and Amua (for use with audioscrobbler.com and last.fm music profiling and listening services), ecto (which I use to post to my blogs) Growl (system-wide customizable notifications) and MuMenu (software update lists in my menubar - which I use to keep on top of all this new great software listed by www.macupdate.com!).
I’m sure there are some similar programs for Windows, but I am just so impressed with these that it makes using a Mac that much better! Every piece of software above is free with the exception of ecto ($17.95 but totally worth it if you are an avid blogger!) So try some of these out and tell me if you can find such amazing software for your PC! I think not!
