I was the first respondent to this article. After reading Sandee's post, I feel like I should weigh back in. I agree totally about OSX. Not only do the issues she raise concern me, but I was really non-plussed to see MacWorld magazine begin a series on learning to write command line Unix using OSX's capabilities. PLEASE, that's not where I want my MacOS to go!
With the introduction of the ludicrous new iMac (is that all there is?) it's obvious that Steve Jobs is going to have to drag pro designers like myself into his vision of the future, kicking and screaming.
Color control is a big issue and I do envy the Mac Users their ColorSync. But Bruce or David, I forget which, also talk about achieving consistent color on Windows machines albeit with more difficulty.
I agree with Sandee Cohen's response that using Adobe products with their integrated color control lessens Mac's color calibration superiority.
Not enough attention was given to how unstable and insecure Windows machines are. If I could afford to buy all new software, I would choose a Mac for this reason alone. But it sounds like the two are converging on this front: Windows is getting more stable, OS X sounds like it's getting to be more of a pain.
As it stands, I feel less of a rebel these days using Windows machines for print and web design. It's easier than ever to pass off Windows files to the service bureau and (as long as it doesn't crash) it's simpler to be in the mainstream of everything else.
Whenever the platform debate comes up, I always like to mention the biggest worry I have- do we really want one company controlling the entire digital world? A company arrogant enough to try to set it's own punishment for being declared a monopoly!
As long as Apple presents any alternative, let alone one that works better for me and looks better, I gotta stick with the mac.
As example,I use Freehand on both platforms and even within that program, I find the ease of use noticeably greater on mac- menus are easier to navigate and selections are easier to see. Jeff
I currently run 3 computers, a G4 450mp, a G3266mhz & a dual 600PIII. all with 512mbram.
I have found with out a doubt that color calibration and color matching to be much easier on the Mac's than the PC. All apps run better on my G3 than the PC.
In regards to OSX, once all major apps are native I can't help but imagine that life in OSX will be a charm. And using ColorSync is a must for me, even with IE5 in OSX. You will be amazed on how images show with this option checked "on". I truly can't make a wintel machine my primary platform and I'm not alone in that.
Every service bureau I deal with in the Detroit area are polite about the PC files but are hardened Mac supporters.
Apple does what it does and does it better than any PC out there with a very good OS9 and very soon OSX.
I took the author of this series to task for the lack of specific insights in "chapter 1". So I must now congratulate him on extending the scope of this feature, and focusing on the particular advantages of each platform for different creative applications. I look forward to reading further chapters...
The other writer is absolutely correct. Macs are much easier to deal with other the hood and when Wintel systems go down, you can be in for some real downtime. Even with a fair knowledge of Window systems, it is always an adventure to figure out what is going wrong. Mac systems are much easier to work out.
I agree with the scope of the article, but do have some comments and questions and reservations.
First, a comment: With the introduction of Open type technology which is cross platform compatible, it gives Windows users less of a fear that their documents will reflow if ported over to Mac (and vice versa).
Second, a question: Given Adobe's own ACE (Adobe Color Engine) it seems that if a company were to go "all Adobe" that there is little need for ColorSync. This seems to me to dilute one of the reasons to choose Mac over Windows. If I'm wrong, please educate me.
Third, reservations: While I agree that the inclusion of PDF within Mac OS X, makes for some nice workflows, it has completely destroyed the "user friendly" feeling of the Mac.
It used to be that you could reinstall a system by simply dragging a clean backup copy of the System Folder onto a hard drive. Not with OS X.
It used to be that if a system was behaving strangely, you could reinstall the system from the installation disk. Not with OS X. Apple recommends reformatting the entire disk drive!
It used to be that you could easily move applications from one partition to another, or to other levels of the hard drive. But I've read some people recommend not moving an applicaiton once it's installed in OS X.
It's much too early, though, to really see how bad OS X will be because so few people are using it for "real work." Yes, every publishing house I've spoken to has it on "ONE" machine. But that's for testing only. No one wants to run Quark, Photoshop in Classic and they're waiting for drivers for their pressure-sensitive tablets.
What I fear is that the Mac OS <9 system will be recognized as a great one for creative professionals, but the Mac OS X system will not.
Submitted by SandeeCohen99 on Sat, 01/05/2002 - 07:19.
One thing that is essential to well-greased workflow, and yet went unmentioned, is the absolutely wonderful environment the Mac provides for easy troubleshooting. With a copy of Disk Doctor, non-geek designers like myself can fix 90% of any problems that crop up with in 20 minutes. Even on an NT network, my department's Macs always ran effeciently, when the Wintel boxes were crashing like bumpercars ... in spite of the fact the at the IS manager and I were barely on speaking terms.
Yes ... OSX is scary
I was the first respondent to this article. After reading Sandee's post, I feel like I should weigh back in. I agree totally about OSX. Not only do the issues she raise concern me, but I was really non-plussed to see MacWorld magazine begin a series on learning to write command line Unix using OSX's capabilities. PLEASE, that's not where I want my MacOS to go!
With the introduction of the ludicrous new iMac (is that all there is?) it's obvious that Steve Jobs is going to have to drag pro designers like myself into his vision of the future, kicking and screaming.
Yes, but...
Color control is a big issue and I do envy the Mac Users their ColorSync. But Bruce or David, I forget which, also talk about achieving consistent color on Windows machines albeit with more difficulty.
I agree with Sandee Cohen's response that using Adobe products with their integrated color control lessens Mac's color calibration superiority.
Not enough attention was given to how unstable and insecure Windows machines are. If I could afford to buy all new software, I would choose a Mac for this reason alone. But it sounds like the two are converging on this front: Windows is getting more stable, OS X sounds like it's getting to be more of a pain.
As it stands, I feel less of a rebel these days using Windows machines for print and web design. It's easier than ever to pass off Windows files to the service bureau and (as long as it doesn't crash) it's simpler to be in the mainstream of everything else.
pro mac
Whenever the platform debate comes up, I always like to mention the biggest worry I have- do we really want one company controlling the entire digital world? A company arrogant enough to try to set it's own punishment for being declared a monopoly!
As long as Apple presents any alternative, let alone one that works better for me and looks better, I gotta stick with the mac.
As example,I use Freehand on both platforms and even within that program, I find the ease of use noticeably greater on mac- menus are easier to navigate and selections are easier to see. Jeff
So convinced about Mac's
I currently run 3 computers, a G4 450mp, a G3266mhz & a dual 600PIII. all with 512mbram.
I have found with out a doubt that color calibration and color matching to be much easier on the Mac's than the PC. All apps run better on my G3 than the PC.
In regards to OSX, once all major apps are native I can't help but imagine that life in OSX will be a charm. And using ColorSync is a must for me, even with IE5 in OSX. You will be amazed on how images show with this option checked "on". I truly can't make a wintel machine my primary platform and I'm not alone in that.
Every service bureau I deal with in the Detroit area are polite about the PC files but are hardened Mac supporters.
Apple does what it does and does it better than any PC out there with a very good OS9 and very soon OSX.
Much better than Part 1
I took the author of this series to task for the lack of specific insights in "chapter 1". So I must now congratulate him on extending the scope of this feature, and focusing on the particular advantages of each platform for different creative applications. I look forward to reading further chapters...
Troubleshooting Factor
The other writer is absolutely correct. Macs are much easier to deal with other the hood and when Wintel systems go down, you can be in for some real downtime. Even with a fair knowledge of Window systems, it is always an adventure to figure out what is going wrong. Mac systems are much easier to work out.
I agree, but. . .
I agree with the scope of the article, but do have some comments and questions and reservations.
First, a comment: With the introduction of Open type technology which is cross platform compatible, it gives Windows users less of a fear that their documents will reflow if ported over to Mac (and vice versa).
Second, a question: Given Adobe's own ACE (Adobe Color Engine) it seems that if a company were to go "all Adobe" that there is little need for ColorSync. This seems to me to dilute one of the reasons to choose Mac over Windows. If I'm wrong, please educate me.
Third, reservations: While I agree that the inclusion of PDF within Mac OS X, makes for some nice workflows, it has completely destroyed the "user friendly" feeling of the Mac.
It used to be that you could reinstall a system by simply dragging a clean backup copy of the System Folder onto a hard drive. Not with OS X.
It used to be that if a system was behaving strangely, you could reinstall the system from the installation disk. Not with OS X. Apple recommends reformatting the entire disk drive!
It used to be that you could easily move applications from one partition to another, or to other levels of the hard drive. But I've read some people recommend not moving an applicaiton once it's installed in OS X.
It's much too early, though, to really see how bad OS X will be because so few people are using it for "real work." Yes, every publishing house I've spoken to has it on "ONE" machine. But that's for testing only. No one wants to run Quark, Photoshop in Classic and they're waiting for drivers for their pressure-sensitive tablets.
What I fear is that the Mac OS <9 system will be recognized as a great one for creative professionals, but the Mac OS X system will not.
Workflow is about work flowing
One thing that is essential to well-greased workflow, and yet went unmentioned, is the absolutely wonderful environment the Mac provides for easy troubleshooting. With a copy of Disk Doctor, non-geek designers like myself can fix 90% of any problems that crop up with in 20 minutes. Even on an NT network, my department's Macs always ran effeciently, when the Wintel boxes were crashing like bumpercars ... in spite of the fact the at the IS manager and I were barely on speaking terms.