Phrr
Yesterday, while I was discussing the past, the present, and the future of computers with someone who I consider to be one of the masters of Linux. I’m stressing vehemently here on the word MASTER. What struck me was one of the casual remarks he made while using my iMac to do a few simple things: grab a few folders wirelessly over from another Macbook, Quick Look them, and try out Front Row using Remote.
Let me back you up to how Linux users (no wait, masters) are. They’re staunch advocates of the operating system (not just Linux, but the flavor of Linux too) they use. Completely unwavering. Any little thing you might propose to them that would perform a task better than their beloved Linux would draw out a response that’s confident, little insulted, yet with a mark of superiority.
So, anyway, while doing those simple tasks, he casually threw in a statement: “Computers and software should only be made by Apple.” I yelped in shock! Really, of all the people to have said this statement, the likeliest would be Apple fanboys* (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. I’m not one of them!), the least likeliest would be Linux users. Simply because they believe (and quite rightly so) that the BSD/Unix kernel at the heart of Mac OS X is theirs. It is, honey, it is! Darwin might be the core open source kernel that makes the OS so good, but it’s the UI on top of it that’s the icing on the cake. Now who likes the spongy part of the cake without the icing?! (Here’s where I make my lip-smacking, tongue-flapping noise)
PS: I take a vow here that this will be my last post about Apple! They take up too much of space on my blog. I am NOT one of them (See * above), and I don’t want to portray Apple as the heart and soul of computers. They’re not, they’re just pretty darn good.
* For the definition of an Apple fanboy, check this website! I am none of the things they’ve listed there! Alright, maybe one. All those who know me will be able to guess immediately which one!
