<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">I agree.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I have 20+ years experience purchasing computers; starting with Commodore Vic 20s. The Mac with OS X is the best I have seen for use in large mixed environments or for home use. I can confirm the lower cost of ownership for Macs is a very real. I was able to support three times as many Macs (1800 networked computers and 200 Windows systems plus networks and servers with five technicians. If the ratio had been switched, i would have needed twice the technicians. Most of this was due to:</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>1. far fewer system failures (blue screen of death vs kernel panics) see (b) below for more.</DIV><DIV>2. software was was easier to install and had far less concerns about software conflicts - I could allow end users to install software instead of setting systems to be locked down (school environment), at the same time I had the ability to control software licenses. End users often used twenty or more different applications.</DIV><DIV>3. Risk from spyware, viruses far lower - this may not last if Macs become targets, but restoring systems is far easier - most importantly preserving users data is easier, don't have to wipe and restore.</DIV><DIV>4. user training is much easier, spend more time showing Windows trained users that the same task on OS X is easier</DIV><DIV>5. connecting to networks was far simpler. Windows XP on a closed wireless network is a major effort (especially when the IT folks lock the system down)</DIV><DIV>6. The hardware stands up to heavy use. This is a big issue when there are multiple users (e.g. labs). Buy cheap, get cheap. Pay for it in the long run.</DIV><DIV>7. There is little difference in purchasing price when comparing comparably configured systems. Macs usually have features from the start that many PC companies have to add.</DIV><DIV>8. Future: OS X opens the door to truly innovative open source applications. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>In a highly controlled environment - when end users are treated like dolts for fear they will "screw" something up, then the above does not really make much difference. But, if technology is truly a tool of the mind and end users are allowed to go beyond the basics, get a Mac. Then you don't have to hire the type of technician portrayed in the Office Depot add, true Mac techs smile and are happy to help folks. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>"Job security is not in how busy you are fixing things, but in how well it works." said by a former technician supervisor that uses Macs.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>William</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><DIV> <SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><DIV>William Schoenenberger</DIV><DIV>Des Moines, IA</DIV><DIV>Retired</DIV><DIV><A href="mailto:wjschoenenberger@qwest.net">wjschoenenberger@qwest.net</A></DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"></SPAN> </DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On Feb 21, 2007, at 12:30 PM, Victoria L. Herring wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" cite="">Subject: [MacLaw] Re: Lawyer considering Mac v. PC</BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" cite=""><BR></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" cite="">There are plenty of reasons, but here are what I feel are the most compelling ones:<BR> <BR> a) Interoperability. OS X works right out of the box on networks of Macs, PCs, Linux, and<BR> can authenticate against Active Directory with a couple of checked boxes and some simple<BR> input from your IT department. Your friend could bring his new MacBook(Pro) into the<BR> office, plunk it down on his desk, plug it into the office network, and be pretty much up<BR> and running with every server, client, and printer in the place. Oh, and it looks really cool,<BR> too.<BR> <BR> b) Stability. It's a rock. There are, naturally, fanatics on both sides of the Mac/Windows<BR> divide, who trumpet the indestructability of their respective OS, and they're pretty much to<BR> be ignored. Windows boxes crash, sure, and so do Macs. The difference is that due to the<BR> wonders of actual protected memory, that when your copy of Word locks up on the Mac,<BR> you're probably not going to have to reboot the system and lose everything else you're<BR> working on. Tragically, not so on Windows. Oh, and the OS itself is pretty much only going<BR> to crash due to hardware damage/failure. It's really, really hard to break OS X.<BR> <BR> c) Virtualization. Parallels, Parallels, Parallels. Eighty bucks gets you an entire, practically<BR> full-speed PC environment. Throw in a copy of Windows XP/Vista/Your Linux distro of<BR> choice, run the setup, and you're able to use all your existing Windows software. Later<BR> builds include a feature called "Coherence" which basically gives you the ability to<BR> transparently run your Windows applications from the Mac side of things.<BR> <BR> d) Cost. Lower cost of ownership, less need for support, the hardware is generally better<BR> constructed, and the laptop itself is going to cost the same or less than a comparable<BR> Dell/Lenovo, and certainly a lot less than a Vaio.<BR> <BR> Dave Ball<BR> Random Consulting LLC<BR> ACTC/ACHDS</BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" cite=""><A href="http://www.randomconsult.com">http://www.randomconsult.com</A></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" cite="">><BR> ><BR> > Alfred Saikali<BR> > Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP<BR> > 201 S. 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</PRE></X-SIGSEP><DIV><FONT face="Palatino" color="#000000">Victoria L. Herring, Attorney, <<A href="http://www.HerringLaw.com">http://www.HerringLaw.com</A>> ; <BR> Travel planning & photography, <<A href="http://www.JourneyZing.com">http://www.JourneyZing.com</A>><BR> Gallery: <A href="http://victoriajz.smugmug.com">http://victoriajz.smugmug.com</A>/ - latest news: <A href="http://web.mac.com/victoriaherring/iWeb/ThreeWomen/A">http://web.mac.com/victoriaherring/iWeb/ThreeWomen/A</A><SPAN></SPAN>dventurers.html [show/sale 2/10]</FONT></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">_______________________________________________</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dmmug mailing list</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Use this Address to send mail to the list:</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><A href="mailto:Dmmug@dmmug.org">Dmmug@dmmug.org</A></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Use this page to modify subscription options:</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><A href="http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/dmmug">http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/dmmug</A></DIV> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>