The RSPB required a web application through which they could provide learning material to people interested in birds and birdwatching. Once a user has logged-in they are presented with 6 different modules as well as access to the resource library which contains the RPSB Handbook of British Birds and Where to Watch Birds - Britain.
For a long time I have wanted an Apple Mac. The want was initially a desire. I fell for the glossy looks even though there was little beneath the surface that put it at an advantage over a Linux or Microsoft box. Now however, with the adoption of the Intel processor and the ease of running Windows on a Mac, the desire is more a need.
Though I don’t feel I need to justify myself in wanting to purchase a Mac, I will do so anyway. As a web developer/designer it is imperitive that I keep abreast of modern technology, trends and applications and as a growing contingent are beginning to move from Windows to OSX (though I don’t have access to figures to back up my claim) I feel I need to do the same to familiarise myself with the interactions I might expect end-users to embrace on a daily basis.
The fact that a Mac can run Windows on OSX through Parallels is an added bonus, as it will allow me to continue to use Windows apps. Though I haven’t done any research into it, I anticipate .NET development on OSX to be quite tricky without Windows and Parallels.
Now you may have gathered already that I haven’t yet taken the plunge and purchased a Mac. Why? How come? You may ask. Well the reasoning is quite simple. Cost. I am looking at getting a Mac Mini, not the base model however, the 2GHz £499 model as it comes with the faster processor, larger hard drive and SuperDrive. I have decided upon the Mac Mini rather than an iMac because the iMac doesn’t bring any significant advantages for me. Granted it has a larger hard drive; but they are cheap nowadays, a faster processor; how fast do I really need for web development and graphics apps? A 20-inch computer screen; I’d rather have the option of choosing my own.
The other reason I haven’t yet purchased a Mac is timing. It has been almost a year since the last Mac Mini update (August ‘07 by MacRumor’s reckoning) and in that time the cost of the product hasn’t reduced at all unlike it’s PC component counterparts. I expect you can purchase a more powerful computer for less than the cost of a Mac Mini. Also I don’t want to purchase a Mac only to find that in a month or two’s time it’s being replaced with a newer model. Which gets me onto the topic of this post. Apple keeping their lips tightly sealed about new products.
When Microsoft do something new, whether developed or in the pipeline they can’t help but shout about it. It’s the same for many different companies worldwide and isn’t just restricted to the computer and web industries. Whilst this may work in generating initial press coverage with the WOW factor, you have to live up to the expectations and promises made. Microsoft was a victim of it’s own promises when having to cutback a lot of Vista in order to get something on the shelves; WinFS anyone?
Apple on the other hand like to play the media and by keeping all the information under lock-and-key can manipulate interest. A clever game but it’s getting kind of boring, especially for me who simply wants to know when the next likely update to the Mac Mini is so I know whether to buy one or not.
Leave a Reply
You bring the idea, I'll bring the usability, design, colour and vision and together we will make something beautiful. Read more
With the right interface design you can change the most mundane of subjects into something inspiring, easy-to-use and fun! Read more
One Response to “Microsoft more open than Apple?”
Can you hear that? It’s a million Apple fanboy’s calling for you blood for ever disagreeing with the Apple way.
But on a serious not I actually read an article in Wired that covers a similar point about Apples ability to do so well while going against the norm of Silicon Valley such as the secrecy on products:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/16-04/bz_apple
by Kean on July 17th, 2008 at 9:54 pm