"Complainers"

By: Marc Zeedar

What is the deal with people? Every time Apple does anything -- be it good, bad, different, or insignificant -- everyone on the planet wants to jump on Apple's case for not doing things the way he or she thinks they should.

The recent introductions by Apple of the new iMac, the amazing Powerbook G3 Series computers, and the announcement of Apple's operating system strategy, brought this attitude home to me. For the first time in years Apple introduces real product innovation at amazingly competitive prices -- and people can't do anything but complain that the iMac doesn't come with a floppy drive.

Come on, people. Get over it. Either the iMac will be successful or it won't. If the product bombs because it doesn't come with a floppy, you can bet it will take Apple all of three seconds to put together an iMac-with-USB-floppy bundle. Our whining and grumbling isn't going to do anything but dampen the enthusiasm of people interested in buying an iMac.

(Frankly, I think omitting the floppy is a stroke of genius. It's a bold move. And right now, Apple needs bold moves to differentiate itself from the crowd. Can you really picture a Dell or Compaq shipping a computer without a floppy?)

But back to my point.

Since last summer, Apple and controversy have been nearly synonymous. Everyone has an opinion of what Apple needs to do to survive. Port the Mac OS to Intel hardware. Start manufacturing Wintel clones to bring in some cash. Abandon hardware all together and become a software company. Open clone licensing again. Bet the farm on Rhapsody (now Mac OS X).

I'm getting tired of it.

Unless you're the CEO of Apple, your opinions don't mean squat. They aren't going to change Apple's direction.

So instead of complaining, can't we -- the Mac community -- unite in helping Apple succeed? Tell our friends about the awesome new Powerbooks. Show them pictures of the iMac. Evangelize.

Sure, I understand Apple's not out of the woods yet. It survives in the volatile technology market, where what's hip today is out tomorrow. Apple has many challenges ahead. But one of those challenges doesn't need to be it's own fan-base second-guessing every move the company makes.

My philosophy on the Macintosh remains the same it has always been: if Apple makes a product that meets my needs, I buy it. If Apple doesn't make it, I either look for it elsewhere or I live without it.

It's simple. Put your money where your mouth is. If you like the iMac, buy one. If you don't, don't. Just stop the whining.

Marc Zeedar has been a Mac fan for over 10 years. He makes his living using Macs in graphic design and prepress, but in reality he's a fiction writer. The daring can check out his new "Wreakly Havoc" webzine at http://www.designwrite.com/havoc/.

.

February 09, 2010