Why is Apple so Important to Me? By David B. Ficks, II 11/14/97

Prior to my first experience with an Apple, I hated computers. As a college student, I spent more time getting WordPerfect 5.1 help from Lab Assistants than I did actually writing. I felt that computers robbed me of my time, forcing me to memorize keyboard commands and work in a way that did not fit my style.

When I was introduced to my first Macintosh, all of that changed dramatically. The mouse offered me a visual expereience with computers and suddenly using one went from being cumbersome to essential. I found myself actually trying to find any excuse to use one. As soon as I had a chance, I bought my first computer ... the same Apple Performa 6115-CD I am writng from at this moment!

Its nearly three years later, and I now work as an Applications Instructor in a computer training center. 90% of the courses I teach are Microsoft applications. All of our classrooms have PCs running Windows 95 or Windows 3.1. My personal workstation is a PC, loaded to the gills with Microsoft.

If it weren't for Microsoft, I wouldn't have a job ... Mac trainers are not exactly "in demand" in Boise, Idaho. I personally find many things about Windows 95 preferable to the Mac OS (the multitasking, the taskbar, the choice between "Windows Explorer" and the Mac-like "My Computer" for system navigation). Even the clear superiorites (instant plug & play, ease of use, graphics) do not seem quite as clear when comparing to Windows 95 and not Windows 3.1 or DOS.

So with all this being said, why do I continue to support Apple? Why do I log into at least 5 different Mac Web sites every day? Why do I engage in "discussions" with colleagues to evangelize the Mac (to deaf ears)? Why do I encourage first-time computer buyers to check out the Mac? Its really quite simple ... I like to have power.

Let me explain:
If you work in a Microsoft dominated environment, as most of us do, you probably realize that you have very little say over what happens to Microsoft. With all of the different products Microsoft has and/or are in the process of "creating", there's not much chance that my choice to use a different company's product is going to make much of an impact on them. It's kind of like refusing to eat at McDonald's ... you can swear you'll never eat there again and tell everyone how awful it is but they'll always have ten thousand people in the lobby and a three-mile-long line of cars in the drive-up. There's constant reminders of McDonalds everywhere you go ... in print, on TV, on the radio, and on the desk of the co-worker sitting next to you. Everyone gets their lunch fast, moderately edible, and cheap .. its not sexy, but its functional. As for your vow not to eat there again, it eventually becomes too cumbersome and you finally break down ... but you still don't like it very much. Meanwhile McDonald's continues to thrive and nobody even noticed your sabbatical. Sound a little like Microsoft?

As an Apple customer, I know I have some power that I never will have with Microsoft, or McDonald's. I can choose to support them by purchasing an Apple computer with a PowerPC processor instead of one with an Intel processor. I can choose to buy the Mac OS instead of having Microsoft's crammed down my throat. I can go out of my way to find Apple ads instead of being bombarded by Microsoft's everywhere I turn. I can follow Apple's progress with anticipation each day, because I want to see their innovative ideas become reality. And then I want to buy those products, and support their business.

A lot of Mac users say their really not fans of Apple, just of the Mac OS. Those of us who are still hanging around the Mac websites after the acquisition of Power Computing would probably be lying if we claimed that. For my part, Apple empowered me to become an avid computer user and helped shape my career. I support Apple wholeheartedly, and will do everything I can to help them return to prominence. In all of the bad times Apple has had, nothing has lead me to believe that they are not the same innovative company they've always been ... even Edison had his slow spells.

Judging from the hits every Macintosh website gets, it seems pretty safe to say I'm not the only one who feels this way. I suspect most of us are the kind of people who frequent certain businesses because of their quality .. not because of their convenience or price. There's a perception that Mac Users are stuffy .. but I'd like to say we're selective .. and loyal. We're the best kind of customers to have, because we happily share our ideas and spend our money if we perceive it will make an impact. Plus, we stand behind the principles, people, and companies we believe in. Come to think of it, that's why I'm spending an hour writing this letter ... just so I can blast it off into cyberspace.

Having said all that, I would like to close with this thought: Bill Gates says "Windows Everywhere" and he's come awfully close to accomplishing that goal. Apple, like every other business I patronize, is not something I want invading my life. I don't ever want Apple to become as big as Microsoft ... I just want their OS to be BETTER. I don't want them to sell every computer system, I just want them to sell MORE than Dell. Based on their new sales strategies and innovations such as Rhapsody, I think these goals can become reality ... and I plan to stay a loyal Mac user and Apple customer througout the entire rebuilding process ... and beyond.

Dave Ficks, Computer Applications Trainer