The Mac Effect

Macs and I have a very special relationship dating back to my early computer days. In fact the first computer I've ever used was a Mac, the first one I owned too. Needless to say that in the meantime a lot has happened.

I too used (and hated) Windows. Linux was a logical step on the way, the BSDs followed. For a long time I didn't have a Mac. Yet still the desire for having one never stopped burning within me.

These days I use pretty much any OS. Linux still occupies a massive part of my life in IT but it lacks a little thing I call the Mac effect.

A modern Linux desktop provides everything you need. Graphical file managers, menus, desktop backgrounds, widgets and most of all pretty terminals. But thats just it, it's all you need.

Mac OS on the other hand provides all that and that little extra that puts a smile on my face. For example, I like the notes app in Mac OS 10.8. I didn't use it for a while now but still it keeps notes in a way I like to work with them.

I wanted to call my internet provider. In my mind I went through all the steps I'd need to take. First, find their telephone number, second dig up my customer id, third check their offerings for discounts. All of that would have taken me around 10 minutes.

Then I typed my providers name into the spotlight search and an old note came up. Within seconds I had all the information I needed. I called them, conducted my business with them and in a whole that didn't take five minutes.

And thats just it. Of course I can keep notes on a Linux Desktop, but would I ever find them again? No, not me. And thats why I love using Macs so much. Hardly a day goes by without some little detail making me smile.