Macintosh... The Naked Truth

Customer Reviews

I have a different perspective than most Mac users, though, so maybe I'm missing something. For the last five years, I used Linux, then FreeBSD, then Linux again at home. So when I read the whiny (but still fairly humorous) chapter on how little Mac stuff there is at CompUSA, I couldn't relate at all. Heck, as a FreeBSD user, there was *nothing* at CompUSA for me, and as a Linux user, there was maybe one software package in the whole store that would work on my system. So I have little sympathy for my now-fellow Mac users who get so upset that there are merely scores instead of hundreds of titles for the Mac at CompUSA.

As for the Windows-user bashing...well, I've been through that stage already. When I discovered Linux, I became a total snob, saying things like, "I use a *real* operating system" to any self-proclaimed Windows 'power user' asked me what version of Windows I was running. Since then, I moved on, and realized that I don't need to tear down other people's chosen OS. I finally decided that, *because* Linux is great, I have no need to tear down others' choices. I'll be happy to evangelize to anyone who is interested, but that doesn't require me to ridicule them...quite the opposite in fact.

That's the way I feel about the Mac now, too. Of course OS X has all the power, stability, and security of UNIX with all the ease of use of Mac. Of course you get access to tons of free/open source software, plus access to oodles of commercial software. Of course you get rock-solid performance, plus the ability to be sure that a widget you buy at the store will work for you simply by looking for a logo on the box. None of that is true for any other operating system. Mac OS X is clearly the best OS out there, bar none.

But, again, that doesn't mean I have to humiliate those who use other operating systems. I wish Mr. Kelby had toned that down a little bit more...his book would have been much more enjoyable if he had.

After all, if you're using the best of the best, you have no need to tear others down. There's no reason to be defensive. Let the people using those other operating systems look like fools. Rise above it, secure in the knowledge that you've got the best personal computer system ever available. Eventually, if you don't play the "mine's better than yours, and you're an idiot for thinking otherwise" game, they'll get curious as to why you're so sure of yourself. Then you can evangelize gently, introduce them to the ways in which the Mac will make their lives better, and thereby actually /help/ others instead of hurting them.

Then you'd really be "thinking different."

I would love for every PC user who ever uttered an ignorant comment about Apple products to read this book, but that would be asking a miracle. Sadly, I believe that we Mac Addicts will be the only ones to ever venture upon the factual data so entertainingly illustrated in this book.

While I joke about the PC users, as does this book, in all seriousness, there is a great deal of misinformation concerning Apple's products, and this book goes a long way to doing away with those myths.

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