Converting from PC to Mac
I'm always hesitant about converting a PC user into a Mac user. While I believe the Mac OS is in all ways superior, PC users have accepted a way of doing thing that is hard to break - perhaps one of the reasons that Microsoft continues to command such a large market share. It would be much like considering a lawnmower that has to be started via a pull cor"d. Telling someone that they don't have to use a pull cord anymore, but can still cut the grass doesn't always work. Odd, but true. Old dogs, new tricks.
"No, Mr. Jones. You just have to roll the mower over grass and it will cut the grass. Push it over a rock garden and it will stop - just as it was designed to stop when rolling over sidewalks and driveways. It only runs when you're over grass - its a lawn mower."
"But what if I want to use it to trim hedges, by tipping it up and running the blades along the hedge line?", asks the PC user.
"Ummm. Well. A) that's dangerous. B) you don't need to do that anymore as this mower has a built in hedge trimmer. Simply cut the grass and when the mower recognizes that its running along a row of hedge, it trims that too. Its actually a full blown gardening machine. I thought all you were interested in was mowing the lawn. If you'd also like to water the plants while you fertilize the soil, it can do that too. I depends on what you want to do. How specific are your gardening needs?"
"But, I like to cut my hedges with the mower blade because that's how I'm used to doing it.", continues the PC user.
"I see." Not!
But I go on, "I understand that you have become used to doing things the PC way. This would be a more efficient and more intuitive way of gardening. But, as you have learned to do things in a tried and true manner, you might be better continuing to use your old mower. Good luck with that and enjoy. I think you have the best machine for you."
The above is a dumb analogy, I know. But it isn't all that far from the leaps that a PC user must make to convert to the Mac. And every time I talk with a prospective convert I consider how far down the Microsoft path they have gone. If its too far, I don't even bother. I simply say, "Good luck with that. And enjoy."
