for many years i have worked in creative agencies
I work with designers an also guys who build websites; write scripts/code whatever, techy stuff basically. People who are just as likely to be good or bad guys as the creatives, the account handlers or anyone else in the office.

But I have noted one thing that instantly polarises and stereotypes the 'divide'. It’s not the Mac PC debate (though clearly there is no debate, Mac users appreciate things that are easy to use and are well designed – PC users shop at Lidl).

The thing is this though: if a computer being used by a techy does something odd or becomes suddenly obstreperous, strange noises will start to emanate from the user, like Mr Bean trying to open a mysterious package. These noises have the effect of a mating call. Soon another likeminded soul will gravitate towards their desk. Excitement will rise. Soon more boffins will arrive on scene from nowhere to start crawling under the desk, checking cables, holding down secret Masonic combinations of buttons. Soon a huddle – sorry a ‘convention’ of nerds will be jostling and talking in binary. A carnival atmosphere will spring up around the stricken machine.

If a Mac breaks (rare) the user will stand up. Swear. Call a nerd, then fuck off until it’s fixed.
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 14:40, 17 replies)

Macs are easy to fix
Replace with a PC. Much easier to use.

Sorry! It was just too easy a target. Just can't use macs, thats all.
(stimpy, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 14:56, closed)

If a mac breaks...
the user will stand up, swear then mince out of the office.
(Wallilay has been bored of this shit since, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 14:57, closed)

no in a situ like that we flounce
techies clump
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 15:04, closed)

Mac vs PC debate. Their biggest advantage is their biggest disadvantage.
PC's are alot more compatible than Mac's. There's a much bigger software and hardware market for PC's which does help lower the price due to competition. The problem with all this compatability is that because PC's support so much more they are more prone to break down.

Mac's are more exclusive. Since there's alot less for a Mac to support it's alot more stable. It also means that prices get hiked and if you want to open a disk of work you did in OS8 you're fcked.

For a Mac and PC network I prefer PC's. A PC will let a Mac use the printer attached to it, a Mac wont do the same for a PC.
( Crap Little Monkey Deathstar, so good they built it twice, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 15:04, closed)

which is why we dont get viruses
and anyway - who pays for their own computer
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 15:05, closed)

pff

Myth: Macs don't get viruses.

Truth: although Mac viruses are rare (due to Macs having a negligable market share), they do exist. However, the average Mac user is too complacent to run AV software, and thus will not notice.

Also, it's worth noting that the Mac fell first in this year's 'pwn2own' competition. It was hacked within a few minutes. Vista lasted until day 2, when the parameters for penetrating the machine are extended, and the Linux box survived unscathed.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 21:53, closed)

I pay for my own computer
It's a Mac. I have several Macs actually, two of which are in regular use and the rest are just taking up space in my house.

PCs are more compatible, yes. But only with themselves. Macs are in general PC compatible these days.

Neither is 'better', per se. It's all a preference thing. Apple manufactures hardware and system software, and keeps it tightly controlled, so the chances of Macs going wrong due to conflicts are much less. But it does mean that you can't build a Mac from scratch, or buy a cheap one. And there are certain software packages which aren't available for Mac, including many games.

Each to his own.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 16:04, closed)

Does it have..
A special tray for Coffee and croissants?
(danniekavanagh did nothing constructive on, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 17:08, closed)

Yes.
Yes it does. Two, actually.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 25 Sep 2009, 8:30, closed)

"if you want to open a disk of work you did in OS8 you're fcked"
Eh? OS8 is an operating system. It has nothing to do with what work you did, that is down to the actual programme it was created in.
A bit like stating it won't open as you now have a new chair.
(turtles head is touching cloth poked a dwarf on the forehead at, Sat 26 Sep 2009, 19:03, closed)

For fucks sake
You bastard. It is only thursday, give the other bastards a chance. I'm imagining them as some Meerkat hybrid now. Grrr.
( Duke Of Belmsford has got 99 records, but Jay-Z ain't one, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 19:45, closed)

so get a Mac
simples
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 22:49, closed)

But surely macs never go wrong?

( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Fri 25 Sep 2009, 0:52, closed)

ive worked with them for 20 years now
they seldom go badly wrong from an operating perspective - ie you might occasionally have to flick the on off switch and to be honest thats usually because of server issues.

ive seen the odd one die completely and need a major bit of hardware replaced but to be honest the VAST majority of Macs in my line, creative, tend to serve us well all their working lives humping huge multi-layered scratch heavy PSD's or complex artwork for print around until they are deemed obsolete (usually 3 - 4 years). then they are farmed out to run a scanner or suchlike or people take them for home use. sorry PC fans but, unless you are only using them for word processing, macs are genuinely worth the extra money. If you need it for work you're comparing a Proton to a Porsche - it'll get you there but it wont be much fun and i wouldn't count on it up against professionals.
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Fri 25 Sep 2009, 13:42, closed)

Macs are a pain in the ass a lot of the time
if you try to do anything _apart_ from basic word processing, graphics/video stuff with them. Games won't work, there's no Stereoscope support, you can't get drivers for all sorts of kit.

Plus the hardware's exactly the same but the software is more tightly controlled. So you're paying a significant premium for exactly the same hardware and a limited choice of software. And yes, it does look nicer but the basic WIMP elements are exactly the same and won't change until we get rid of the keyboard-and-mouse concept.

Anyway, I run XP. I poke about with it pretty often. I still have very, very few problems that I didn't cause. It doesn't hang, I've not had a BSOD since SP2 was installed and I've not suffered a hardware conflict that I had to do anything with since I got rid of my last ISA card... my ~1990 Amstrad Alt386SX (Dos6.22 and Win3.11! Woo!) is running my flat automation kit flawlessly and has been for quite a while now.

Buying a Mac is ONLY a good thing if you're looking for a stylish computer rather than a functional one. It's closer to buying a Fiat 500 rather than a Panda, or an Jaguar S-type over a Ford Mondeo- it's more expensive and looks better but has the same mechanicals underneath.
Just for my $0.02, Linux would be the whole range of Ford-based Kit Cars. Using the same mechanicals but you end up with a surprisingly wide variety of performance levels, body shapes, equipment levels, etc.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 1:15, closed)

Visual studio runs so much better on a mac.
Wait, Shit!
( Slippery Mick ‏, Mon 28 Sep 2009, 16:11, closed)

Yawn yawn fuck off
I use Macs, I've only ever used Macs; but I don't try to lord it over the PC users because it usually creates more bad feeling than the whole atheist vs believer or veggie vs carnivore thing. No one wins these fights, so it's best not to start them.
( Sonic the Hedgetrimmer doesn't care what you think, Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:25, closed)