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I’m not sure these forums are helping…

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So I’ve read nearly everything, and yes, I’ve had my daily dose of comedy.

Apple manufactures hardware and software. They make phones. They make stuff. Microsoft, is a software company. They make stuff designed (sort of) to be run on a variety of appliances (PC’s, etc.). I’m actualy going to edit this to include Linux, because it is also a fine computing environment.

I’m going to regret this, but as a computer professional who uses and recommends various products to clients (One size does NOT fit all), could SOMEONE tell me what the D**K-swinging contest is about?!?!

I loved my Apple II. Right after the school replaced the aging and outdated DEC pdp8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-8).

But it didn’t take long for me to realize that IBM PC’s had the floor. PLEASE understand some history before unleashing some of the attacks I expect.

And yes, I’m dating myself but that’s ok.

What I ask is, will everyone — AND I MEAN EVERYONE — go do some research about the various companies, learn some of their histories, successes and catastrophic failures, then come back and have a civil discussion?

Say what you wish, but I fear some of “us” are not techs, not geeks, not real computer users for what they are designed to do.

I don’t own an iPad, but I might. Don’t own any other type of tablet… But I might. And as far as phones go? I?m sorry (Guys/Gals/Kids/Anyone else I didn?t include), I REALLY only use mine to place and receive calls.

I’m a tech (in the worst way) but I REFUSE to remain connected UNLESS IT PAYS THE BILLS! I like to sleep at night, and other things (my girlfriend being one of them, but this is a family show.) Being too-well connected MIGHT get me more money, but will absolutely destroy my health, my ability to engage with others, etc. Been there….

Do you feel you’re accomplishing MORE now? Or, rather, HAVE you accomplished more? Honestly? So what matters?

See where this goes? “We are Borg. Resistance is futile.”

Would you believe I still like face-to-face conversation? Would you believe I don’t mind going out for dinner, drinks and a “Shoot-the s**t” with friends? I actually go to the library in the evenings to read (new concept here) BOOKS!!!

Yes, I teach also. So occasionally learning from the past my help my students in their future.

And phone texting?

Only if it’s in an emergency, and somewhere where my voice would disturb others. (Why have it otherwise?)

In the rush to become “more connected”, we’ve disconnected ourselves. And I’m going to let you in on a secret, which I hope some, even the bloggers, may take to heart:

Sometimes, you get what you deserve. Sometimes, you deserve what you get.

Now read it a second time.

(Sorry Steve, I had no choice, and you KNOW it! And Bill, let this Ballmer guy keep up his “s**t”, I’ll be on your back too.)

Read through the blogs, this becomes painfully clear. Read a newspaper, it becomes painfully clear.

As with my customers; my clients, I’ll choose what I need based on the need, and whom best fills it.

Isn’t that simple? Could you live with that, or shall you Google me, hunt me down, and make me pay for NOT choosing your brand?

But thanks again for the laughs… And you wonder why we’re at WAR? We can’t even hold a civil debate!

M.

Topic

Well that made for a fun read

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

But what are you talking about?

OK then.

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

Care to point to any example?

Anyone can come into the forum and say whatever they want. Just like you did. Whether or not they have any facts or make any sense.

What is your proposal?

Stick around a bit longer…

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

We do have some very good discussions here, some even a wee bit technical. It happens sometimes.
One thing to keep in mind here is have a sense of humor, and never take anything personally. (just a hint)
I know I’m late, (I must have been sleeping) but Welcome to TR. 😉

Edited because my spell checker was out to lunch. 🙁

My Bad,,,

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

I actually transferred this from a post of mine elsewhere in wanting to understand the need for the “fanboy” mentality. I edited it heavily (Learning that it can still be read before I update), but I understand.

Let’s just say I have given us a spot here to just blow off some steam, instead of the forums where we should be sharing our expertise and solving problems (I believe sites of this type were for techies to come to discuss).

Or more simply: I got a wild hair up my a** and decided to spout off. Join me.

So if it doesn’t make too much sense, well the sentence up says it all.

M.

lol

In reply to My Bad,,,

yup, we do use the forums to resolve technical difficulties.

but it long ago became standard practice here on TR to let the conversational aspects of the forum to have fairly free reign.

This does “clutter” a discussion with off topic posts, and adds plenty of humour, but it is also a natural conversational flow.

if you were working right beside someone and talking about the issues you were dealing with there would be banter between you on different things, we like that banter in our discussions here. It is what has made TR so addictive to many people over the years.

You can’t

In reply to My Bad,,,

understand the fanboy mentality. You can only experience it, and by then, it’s too late.

You wanna see fanboys?

In reply to My Bad,,,

Try some of the photographic forums. Someone who has been shooting Nikon or Canon since the 70s has some pretty strong opinions, despite the fact that the technology has radically changed.

We’re fairly tame when you get to know us.

I don’t know James

In reply to You wanna see fanboys?

From my personal experience Blads are better than either Canons and Nikon’s.

Though they are somewhat more expensive but a lot more reliable. 😀

Col

But professionals see them as tools

In reply to I don’t know James

Blad owners tend to be pros who see them as tools. There are many pros who shoot Canon and Nikon who switch back and forth. I see them dump their stuff on ebay or offer to trade for the other gear. They switch to get the right lens or one or two features that are important to them.

But its the hobbiests who drive ya nuts with their 30 years of dedicated fanatacism.

If I was shooting film, I’d love to have a blad, but since I’ve moved to digital (still have my Nikkormat though) I think even the full frame cameras are more than I need.

James

I’ve still got my AE-1

In reply to But professionals see them as tools

28 years later. I was doing all right with it and taking lots of pictures until I got married.

Then I could no longer afford the film. 🙁

James an old Blad 500 ELM

In reply to But professionals see them as tools

Was dropped in a swamp, launched around a car twice when the car was involved in crashes and on both occasions the car was parked at the time with the Camera Body inside the car. On the second occasion it traveled through the front screen into the cockpit of the car hitting the car it was in and still worked.

Granted it took him [i]my brother[/i] ten years before it needed a service and god only known how many instances of abuse for it to stop working. Things like when he did weddings he would have guests throw up in his camera bag or launch it down steps with cameras, bodies, lens or whatever bouncing out all over the place.

He did however damage one 1200 MM telephoto the very first time he used it when a supplied helper dropped it overboard from the rigging on a Square Rigger. My brother without thinking threw the [i]Helper[/i] in after the lens.

Currently I have the Blad dealers here loan me a H2 and an assortment of lenses occasionally and it’s a really nice unit to use. While it does a good job I still don’t think that it’s quite as good as Film was but it’s certainly much more convenient.

I still use a old 35 mm Minolta for my own personal use as well as a Sony Cybershot for Happy Snaps. I would love to have several Blad bodies about but [b]She Who Must Be Obeyed[/b] is hard to convince. Actually I couldn’t justify having them for what I do but they are certainly nice to use. 😀

Col

Lets see here…

In reply to But professionals see them as tools

I’ve got a Nikkormat EL circa 1977 here. Oh and my original Nikkormat ELW. Its electronics are dead, but the shutter still works – parts for the newer one I suppose.

I have a Yashicamat 240. Shutter is messed up but I can’t bear to part with her. Would cost more than its worth to fix but I may do it some day.

I have a 1950s Contaflex. The orginal owner gave it to me, shutter problems (these old leaf shutters.

I just bought a load of parts for my Vivitar 285 flash. Oldie but a goodie.

I’ve got not a lot of room, I suspect my wife has sympathy for your wife.

Get Ozzie started on audio formats. No text.

In reply to You wanna see fanboys?

😀

Feel better?

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

Sometimes you just gotta get this stuff off your chest.

The ‘Discussions’ forum here at TR is pretty free-form. We describe it as a ‘water cooler’, where conversations are allowed, even encouraged, to wander wherever the participants take them. Some like it, some don’t (especially those arriving here from more tightly moderated forums). Things are a little more restrained over in the ‘Questions’ forum, and the content there is definitely more technically oriented.

Welcome to the asylum.

RE: [i]Resistance is futile

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

Yep you are correct Resistance is Futile you will be absorbed by the Borg and become part of the community.

Now you need to understand that One Size does fit all because I read that on the Internet so it must be right. But in fairness to that I must say that everyone in business needs a computer. Most times it doesn’t matter what it is but provided it does the required job for them it’s required.

Be that some form of Mac for the Graphic Artists a small Blade Server to run some form of Nix for those into CG or the [u]Near Enough[/u] is way better than actually required for the multitude of Windows Users out there.

Now you can get to stand on your favorite Soap Box and spread the [b]Good Oil[/b] about your favorite OS. 😀

OH and you have certainly dated yourself by the above post [b]You are a Youngster[/b] probably one of those who tried to tell me what and how to do things when they first walked in the door and insisting that they knew it all. We all grow out of that eventually or at least we need to. :^0

Col

you do.

In reply to RE: [i]Resistance is futile

need to grow out of it. 😉

OH Jacqui

In reply to you do.

I grew out of it years ago and then I grew back into it when I found that I was the [b]Only One With All of the Answers.[/b] :p

But on a more serious note it’s worrying when you have the dealers describe you as a Know it all Bastard who really Knowns it all. 🙁

I just said that I had a bit more practice than others and no one believed me. 😀

Col

benefit though

In reply to OH Jacqui

to the dealers calling you a know it all bastard who really does know it all.

they don’t try selling you something you don’t need. 😀

they know they can’t pull the wool over your eyes.
[ odd that wool doesn’t impede the performance of radar huh? 😉 ]

Picacrd

In reply to RE: [i]Resistance is futile

Was once Borg, and he escaped.

Why can’t we?

RE: [i]Was once Borg, and he escaped.

In reply to Picacrd

Not correct actually he was actually removed from Close Proximity to the Collective.

Instead of being completely controlled by the Borg he was completely controlled by the need to [b]Exterminate[/b] them all.

Just think of a Darlek saying Exterminate when you read the above. :0

But no matter what Picacrd was forever changed by his Encounter with the Borg when he became Locutus of Borg. However even then he was not a Typical Borg Drone but one of the leaders chosen to be some kind of Mate for the Borg Queen.

Col ]:)

You completely

In reply to RE: [i]Was once Borg, and he escaped.

Ignored the point I made.
Had I have gone into detail, the point would have been lost in fantasticness.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/neuxes/Star_Trek_motivational_poster.jpg

I hope this isn’t ANYONE’S only frame of reference

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

The “water cooler” experience has been discussed. Honestly, I never participated in the yakitude threads for the longest time, I simply picked up the tech stuff that I needed to learn about from articles and newsletters, digested it, compared it to additional reputable sites and trial and error, and made my decision on its usefulness.

Much like most products or experiences, techy or non, in life, one is wise to shop around for advice, user experience, take the fanboy/girl praise in stride, compare it to the antifanboy/girl criticisms, shake well, then come out with something close to the truth.

People are passionate about what they love or hate. Somewhere beyond fantasy perfection and abject mechanical horror is the reality of any given product.

I’m with you in that I’m not a slave to the tech; I like going home at night and not taking the job with me. I use my phone for texting, listening to music, surfing the web, number crunching and oh yeah, the occasional phone call. But TR serves all of us well in its own way, whether you are a user, a rabid geek, or something in the middle.

Stick around, I think you’ll eventually like it here. We like smart people.

‘Yakitude’

In reply to I hope this isn’t ANYONE’S only frame of reference

My new word for the day! Thanks!

AKA how to make Apotheon squirm

In reply to ‘Yakitude’

Stick around Palmetto, I use words and phrases that fly in the face of proper English that I find convenient. It can make some English straightrazors twitchy.

lmao. ~nt~

In reply to AKA how to make Apotheon squirm

.

It’s all in the context

In reply to AKA how to make Apotheon squirm

You use those words and phrases in clear enough context that I’ve never been unable to discern your meaning. Yakitude works perfectly where you used it.

But watch the punctuation. You don’t want to be found wanting when santee goes hunting the wayward comma… 😉

Or

In reply to It’s all in the context

Aggrandizement.

here Nick

In reply to It’s all in the context

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some wayward commas for ya. 😉

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

Wait a minute! You want rational discussion? WHAT is wrong with you? We’re geeks. OS is our religion. We choose for our customers based on the OS we worship. Anybody who chooses a different OS is [insert derogatory adjectives here].

If you want rational discussion, go to a religious website.

—

Sarcasm, of course, but not too far off the mark for some who frequent these discussions.

Excellent post, mcswan. I raise an elderly malt in your direction.

if you

In reply to Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

spill it, we will have to hunt you down and kill you.

If I

In reply to if you

spill it, it will be in the direction of my mouth. B-)

but,

In reply to If I

is that spillage?
or proper application?
😀

danged typo

Shall we say…

In reply to but,

normal use? 😀

Cheers!

Nick would never spill it

In reply to If I

forget it maybe, but never spill it….

As they say…

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

If you don’t like what you read, move on…

The ‘member’ measuring contest

In reply to I’m not sure these forums are helping…

Is what drives the businesses to more further into the beyond, as disgusting as that can sometimes turn out to be (look at the iPhone! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Got ya.).

Futhermore, the fanboy mentality comes from exactly that, the measuring and the familiarization of an idea or concept and using it so often that you don’t see the forest anymore.

Look at the ‘online’ abbreviations we use now, like ‘lol’. It’s gotten to the point where it may as well be part of the dictionary. So I suppose, other than immaturity, fanboy mentality comes from ignorance of other things.
Maybe. Ha!

losing perspective

In reply to The ‘member’ measuring contest

abbreviations that don’t mean anything anymore. I see people post LOL in almost everything they write, but know full well they didn’t REALLY laugh out loud. Maybe a smile, but laugh? I am more prone to GMAO (giggle my a$$ off) as people walking by wonder just which mental disorder it is that I am afflicted with.

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