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Further Into The Universe Mac OS

Further Into The Universe Mac OS

June 02 2021

Further Into The Universe Mac OS

  1. Further Into The Universe Mac Os X
  2. Further Into The Universe Mac Os Catalina

Once upon a time Apple Computer issued a document called 50 Macintosh Advantages, which became 75 Macintosh Advantages in 1997, a document that purported to list 75 different advantages the Mac OS had over its chief competitor, Microsoft Windows 95.

Flexion in a nutshell. Flexion is a unique and musical instrument powered by constructive synthesis and the community. It’s universe of tonal control and the build-in preset marketplace make it a Sound Designer’s dream. Portal is a series of first-person puzzle-platform video games developed by Valve.Set in the Half-Life universe, the two main games in the series, Portal (2007) and Portal 2 (2011), center on a woman, Chell, forced to undergo a series of tests within the Aperture Science Enrichment Center by a malicious artificial intelligence, GLaDOS, that controls the facility.

The Advantages document was created as a promotional item to be handed out to Evangelistas. Origin of the 75 Mac Advantages describes the history of the development of the 75 advantages in more detail.

Despite some flaws, the original document listed substantive differences between Mac OS 8.1 and Windows 95, which were contemporary products. Among other problems, the original document had a disconcerting way of shifting between versions of Windows to put the Mac OS in its best light. Overall, however, it was a very popular document with Mac advocates, and this series was based on an archival copy located at Alex Paterson’s website [no longer online] and used as source material.

In this series of articles, I have attempted to update the 75 Macintosh Advantages to reflect the current state of the Mac OS (at 9.1/X) and the Windows operating system (now reflected by its Windows 2000, Me, and upcoming XP offerings). This being Low End Mac, the emphasis is on Windows 98 and OS 9, but information about the other versions is included from time to time.

Publisher’s note: We’ve spent much of the past week editing, adding images, checking links and adding new ones, and otherwise giving these articles from 2001 a bit more polish. We have not updated them to include versions of Windows or the Mac OS.

Advantages Index

According to my analysis, I estimate that despite the enormous effort that has gone into improving Windows, 56 of the original 75 Macintosh advantages still remain (not counting one advantage awarded two credits); 18 advantages are either neutralized due to improvements in Windows or abandonment from Apple, and one advantage is still being researched. The totals may change again if I am persuaded by my well-informed readers that I have some flaw in my reasoning.

Summary: Mac Advantages Revisited

Each advantage is linked to the article where it is discussed.

AdvantageStatusCount
1. Plug & PlayWeakened, still true. Windows improving.+1
2. Adding PeripheralsSCSI defunct, but FireWire is a plus0,+1
3. Driver ManagementStill mostly true, but slightly weakened+1
4. Integrated User InterfaceStill true, but Windows is improving+1
5. No ‘Mystery’ FilesStill true but not perfect+1
6. More Versatile NetworkingNeutralized pending further study0
7. Flexible Monitor SupportNeutralized due to Windows improvements0
8. Better Telephony SupportGeoPort is dead0
9. Easier InstallationStill true+1
10. Ready for year 2000Already passed, currently irrelevant0
11. No RegistriesStill very true+1
12. Boot from CD-ROMWindows can do it now, but Macs are easier+1
13. Dependable AliasesStill true, and Mac has more combinations+2
14. Easier OS ManagementStill true+1
15. No DLL ProblemsStill true (but DLL is not an extension)+1
16. Active AssistanceStill true, but not a big deal+1
17. Easier TroubleshootingStill true, but do Macs have more problems?+1
18. Extensions ManagerNo contest+1
19. Easier to Add ResourcesSelf filing extensions still win+1
20. Easier to Input DevicesReduced to parity due to USB, but Mac still easier+1
21. Apple System ProfilerFunction available but buried in Windows0
22. Easier Network File ManagementStill true+1
23. Fewer File Name LimitsStill true but not a huge advantage+1
24. Alternate CharactersStill easier and more consistent+1
25. Better Folder Management260 character limit on pathnames in Windows+1
26. Better Window ManagementStill true+1
27. Easier File DisposalNo functional trash on Windows floppies+1
28. Advanced Industrial DesignVaries by vendor; loss of ports on Macs weakens+1
29. Better Floppy Disk ManagementStill true, and applies to CD-ROMs, too+1
30. Mouse Button SimplicityStill true+1
31. Applications LaunchingStill true+1
32. Security CustomizationNeutralized due to Windows changes0
33. Built-in QuickTimeOnly within the OS, not as a standalone+1
34. Superior 3D GraphicsNeutralized due to Apple adoption of OpenGL0
35. Built-in Virtual Reality SoftwareQuickTimeVR rocks+1
36. Better Desktop VideoiMovie & FireWire set the standard+1
37. Better Color-matchingColorSync is more robust+1
38. Better Speech CapabilitiesOnly in text-to-speech+1
39. Using CD-ROMsWindows has innovated, Mac still better+1
40. Superior MultimediaStill true+1
41. Superior SoundMusicians love the Mac+1
42. Games Work BetterWhen you can find them+1
43. Easier Screen CaptureDoesn’t seem to have ever been true0
44. Better Font ManagementPublishers love Macs for a reason+1
45. Easier Internet AuthoringStill true, but I miss Home Page+1
46. Easier Internet AccessYup+1
47. Secure Internet ServersPretty dang secure+1
48. 100% Pure JavaBuggy0
49. Easier TCP/IP ConfigurationTwo clicks. One screen.+1
50. The Power of CyberdogOh My God! They Killed Cyberdog!0
51. Faster PerformanceIn some things yes, some no, but perception rules0
52. PowerPC Over Pentium MMXAn embarrassing flip flop, but coolness wins+1
53. Built-in ScriptingAppleScript just keeps getting better+1
54. Superior Mobile ComputingGreat value, long battery life+1
55. WorldScriptMicrosoft does a better job promoting its solution0
56. Fewer VirusesSometimes more software for PC is a good thing+1
57. Powerful ApplicationsTrue, but not nearly enough of them0
58. Better PrintingMore control but less speed; mixed advantages0
59. Component TechnologiesReduced to a trivia question; what’s OpenDoc?0
60. MultiprocessingSeems to be better implemented in Mac OS+1
61. Better Hard Drive ManagementI have absolutely no idea??
62. Dependable Battery ManagementWe’re talking about the PRAM battery here+1
63. Macintosh computers let you run more applications.Mac on Windows exists, but it isn’t pretty+1
64. You can easily work with PC files on your Macintosh.PCs panic when we give ’em Mac files+1
65. A Macintosh running Windows can share data between OS environments.Flip back and forth with ease+1
66. A Macintosh computer can be a client in virtually any network.Not unless your IT staff cooperates0
67. Macintosh computers include many features that cost extra on PCs.If Macs have what you need, they’re better value+1
68. The Macintosh platform provides better customer support.If ZDNet says it, it must be true+1
69. Macintosh computers retain their usability and value longer.You better believe it+1
70. The Macintosh is rated more reliable for the third year in a row.Why did PC world drop Macs from rankings?+1
71. Macintosh has better backward compatibility.There’s not much that won’t run on a modern Mac+1
72. Macintosh computers require less hardware than PCs running Windows to run similar applications.I see no evidence for this0
73. The Mac OS is more stable than Windows 95.Windows much better now; jury still out on XP vs. X0
74. Macintosh users are the most brand loyal of all computer users.Cold Dead Fingers and all that+1
75. “Dual users” prefer their Macintosh.Only data is an old study; still looking+1

Total: 56 of 75 still remain Mac advantages; (not counting one advantage awarded two credits); 18 advantages either neutralized due to improvements in Windows or abandonment from Apple; one advantage still being researched.

Further Into The Universe Mac Os X

Concluding Thoughts

I also know there are additional Mac advantages that have appeared since the original document was written, and some advantages of unique interest to hobbyists and people who preserve computers and use low-end machines. A forthcoming article will discuss these advantages.

When OS X settles into the Mac universe in a more-or-less final version and Windows XP is released, the series should be updated again – that will be next year at the earliest, in my opinion. Other unfinished work in this project includes an extension to the advantages, listing features not covered or not existing in the original document, a list of Windows advantages over the Mac OS (for Apple to use the same way Microsoft has used the original Advantages document to improve Windows); and a revision of the entire list including some unfinished research on certain items and items which changed my mind based on reader feedback.

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I’d like to thank Dan Edelen, the original author of the 75 Macintosh Advantages booklet; Dan Knight for his patience and assistance with this series; John Droz for his excellent Mac advocacy resource pages; Alex Paterson for keeping an electronic version of the Advantages brochure alive; and many, many readers for their thoughtful feedback during the preparation of this series of articles.

If this series proves useful to you, I’d appreciate a note to let me know the work was worth it; and if you feel compelled to contribute to Low End Mac for assisting you in promoting Our Favorite Computer, feel free to support Low End Mac by clicking on the Donate button to the right..

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Further Into The Universe Mac Os Catalina

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Further Into The Universe Mac OS

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