Microsoft makes a lousy father
Technology is only as good as its next task. We don't want it do any more or any less than we wish--at that moment. It's tough, maybe, but hey, that's why WE get to throw THEM out...for now, anyway. When products do less than we think that they should, they're underpowered and we get wistful; we look around, our eyes caught by each pretty, shiny gadget that catches our wandering eye.
Worse technology offers more than we want. Like VCRs or graphic equalizers. Don't tempt us with idiotic choices, it's confusing and makes us restless. It'd be like going to McDonalds and ordering a happy meal and having them ask to do your taxes or give you a bikini wax. Kind of creepy.
The very baddest, most evil technology doesn't ask, it does. Like a weekend warrior dad, it tries to be parental, in a most inappropriate way. It pops up windows that you don't want, replaces text that you just typed or checks your music licenses, to "help you". In short, Microsoft tries to be the ineffectual digital dad that sometimes embarasses you, sometimes pisses you off, but that you haven't showed off to your friends since you were a little kid.
Macs on the other hand are like the coolest father that you never had. Mac apps wait for you to tell them what you want, then they try really hard to do it for you, even if it's not completely legal. Like itunes DRM doesn't REALLY stop you from copying music (burn a cd, then import it back as mp3s). Mac apps slip you a beer when mommy isn't looking.
Posted on November 03, 2005
