“Winn Schwartau switched his office from PCs to Macintosh computers, a seemingly simple move that created an overwhelming reaction in the online world,” Dave Gussow reports for The St. Petersburg Times (Florida, USA). “Schwartau is no mere computer user. He’s a nationally known technology security expert from Seminole, so when he wrote in his online blog that he was tired of unreliable technology and fending off virus and spyware threats to his office PC he triggered a torrent of attention.”
Gussow reports, “In a column titled ‘Mad as Hell,’ posted Monday at the Network World Web site and his blog (securityawareness.blogspot.com) on Wednesday, Schwartau declared that systems using Microsoft’s Windows software and Intel processors are ‘a threat to the national economic security of any organization or nation-state that relies (upon) it… I know how to do all this stuff. The point is I don’t want to do it and I don’t think 98 percent of the computing public should have to do it.'”
The Macintosh community, always on the lookout for good news about Apple Computer and its products, started a flood of reaction. Schwartau’s blog tracked 9,000 visitors Wednesday, 40,000 Thursday and 12,000 by midafternoon Friday. In a month, it usually gets 4,000 visitors.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: More people use Macintosh than most people realize. Windows does not account for 98 percent of personal computer users. About 8-12 percent of people use Macs. Please see related stories below for more information about this misconception.
[UPDATE: 10:38am EDT: revised “98 percent” sentence in MDN Take.]
Related MacDailyNews articles:
More people use Apple Macs than you think; 8-12 percent of homes use Macs – March 31, 2004
Media parroting: ‘only 3% uses Macintosh’ – honest mistake or outright lie? – July 25, 2003
Forbes: Apple users ‘still account for 10% of the world’s computer users’ – June 02, 2003
Mad as hell Windows PC security company finally just gives up, switches to Apple Mac OS X – May 25, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times: Mac OS X Tiger shows ‘there’s never been a more compelling time to switch to Mac’ – May 05, 2005
Dan Gillmor: ‘With Mac OS X Tiger, Apple is plainly in the lead today’ – May 05, 2005
Jupiter Research VP: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘runs rings around Microsoft Windows’ – May 04, 2005
The Independent: Apple’s ‘faster, smarter, simpler’ Mac OS X Tiger ‘a must-have’ – May 04, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger review for a Windows PC audience finds Tiger’s ‘far, far better than Windows XP’ – May 03, 2005
Longhorn mentioned in nearly every Apple Mac OS X Tiger review to assuage Windows masses – May 02, 2005
Boston Herald: Mac OS X Tiger should compel Windows PC users to think about switching to Apple Mac – May 02, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger will likely improve performance of your Macintosh – April 30, 2005
PC World review gives Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger 4.5 stars out of 5 – April 30, 2005
Forrester analysts: Apple should advertise Mac OS X Tiger on television and in movie theaters – April 29, 2005
Ars Technica: Mac OS X Tiger ‘at least twice as significant as any single past update’ – April 28, 2005
BusinessWeek: ‘Tiger bolsters Mac OS X’s edge as the best personal-computer operating system around’ – April 28, 2005
Associated Press: Mac OS X Tiger ‘provides another excellent incentive to switch from Windows’ – April 28, 2005
Mossberg: Apple’s Tiger ‘the best, most advanced personal computer operating system on the market’ – April 28, 2005
InformationWeek columnist: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘a compelling upgrade’ – April 28, 2005
NY Times: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger is the most secure, stable and satisfying OS on earth – April 28, 2005
CNET: ‘If you’re tired of Microsoft’s promises, Mac OS X Tiger may be your best incentive to switch’ – April 28, 2005
Wired News: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘full of welcome surprises’ – April 27, 2005
You can switch from Windows to superior Apple Mac and still be compatible with the world – April 23, 2005
Apple posts QuickTime movies of Mac OS X Tiger features in action – April 13, 2005
Switching from Windows to Mac? Save money by asking to ‘crossgrade’ your software – April 12, 2005
“98% do not use Windows.” ??? 98% of what people do not? Mac users? Or do you mean people who have Windows but don’t use it because it’s dead from virus overload?
MW window. Heheh. Window.
Maybe they meant 98% of people in third world countries.
Apple Mac-users are not afraid tot surf arond the internet and represent much more than that 3 to 5% bla bla share.
So the ‘cult’ of Windows brings its lynch mob to Schwartau’s door. It looks like Mac users are not the only ones who raise a stink on such debates. Am I surprised; uh NO!
Another windblows user switches to Mac OS X for better security, productivity and style. Yawn.
The reaction of the windblows stalwarts clinging to the quite possibly the worse OS on Earth reminds me of that NRA slogan that goes something like: “… they’ll have to pry my gun from my cold fingers”. (Sorry, I don’t know the exact phrase as I’m not now or have ever been a ‘card carrying member of the NRA).
I’m sure Bill’s estate appreciates their stupidity, uh, I mean dedication.
Good Sir Java,
for a macuser you’re surprisingly stupid.
The article says the blog series is scheduled to be 30 entries and it implied that the conclusion may surprise. Is this all a set up? He gets all of this attention and then slams the platform? I know conspiracy theorist speak – I can’t see how that could be but I didn’t like the “dundundundahhhh” tone of the end of the Florida newspaper article.
“But, Schwartau says, it’s too early for people to draw conclusions about what his switch really means. For one thing, he says he has posted only the first two installments of what he says will be a 30-part series on the subject. Second, he hasn’t abandoned WinTel, though he doesn’t want to give away the end of his tech saga.”
It’s too bad Apple computer hardware always leaves you wanting for more. There are always one or two (or more) items you wish Apple had: better graphics, better bus architecture, better memory, better procs, etc.
I know being a Mac user myself, I shake my head when comparing current PowerMacs and PowerBooks to current Wintel/WinAMD offerings… especially with dual-core offerings hitting the market. If you factor in price, then it gets even uglier. I sure wish Apple had better computer hardware. The aesthetics are nice on Macs, though.
It’s too bad Apple computer hardware always leaves you wanting for more. There are always one or two (or more) items you wish Apple had: better graphics, better bus architecture, better memory, better procs, etc.
I know being a Mac user myself, I shake my head when comparing current PowerMacs and PowerBooks to current Wintel/WinAMD offerings… especially with dual-core offerings hitting the market. If you factor in price, then it gets even uglier. I sure wish Apple had better computer hardware. The aesthetics are nice on Macs, though.
It’s too bad Apple computer hardware always leaves you wanting for more. There are always one or two (or more) items you wish Apple had: better graphics, better bus architecture, better memory, better procs, etc.
I know being a Mac user myself, I shake my head when comparing current PowerMacs and PowerBooks to current Wintel/WinAMD offerings… especially with dual-core offerings hitting the market. If you factor in price, then it gets even uglier. I sure wish Apple had better computer hardware. The aesthetics are nice on Macs, though.
I would rather be on a G3 500Mhz than a Dual Core Pf or AMD…. call me crazy…………..
It is interesting to read the few (mostly feeble) attempts to defend the windoze platform in the comments section of the blog. One guy was like “I don’t have any problems with security, all I have to do is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and sometimes L and M and everything is fine! Simple! Why are people always complaining about security on windows anyway?” LOL
MW: Moving – and in more and more people are moving to the Mac.
beryllium;
For god’s sake, read the piece again why don’t you… and you’ll note that it actually says, “98 percent of personal computer users”.
This means that all those Windows systems ‘sold’ to supermarket checkouts, ATM machines, airline check-in systems and assorted other dumb terminals are NOT personal computers… and yet these ‘analysts’ count them as such.
Hence the totally ficticious “98%” number.
MDN is probably correct when it posits that “About 8-12 percent of people use Macs.”
I’d agree, but since I work in the media, Macs are all I see – except in accounting.
charlie
That’s a great line. “PCs are only good for accounting.”
Now that the attention is on Mac security, (right where it should be,) the WinTell people would love for a successful OS X virus to be introduced. All they need is one.
Apple is doing their part, please do yours. Install Apple’s security updates AND GET YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME, they’re free! Unlike the other OS, Mac users are not afraid of OS updates.
It’s too bad Apple computer hardware always leaves you wanting for more. There are always one or two (or more) items you wish Apple had: better graphics, better bus architecture, better memory, better procs, etc.
Apple does have better graphics (unless you’re complaining about the lack of GFX card options), better bus architecture (HyperTransport anyone), memory is neck in neck with the PC world, PowerPC is WAY better than x86 and scales so much better and delivers more instruction bang per CPU buck.
I know being a Mac user myself, I shake my head when comparing current PowerMacs and PowerBooks to current Wintel/WinAMD offerings… especially with dual-core offerings hitting the market. If you factor in price, then it gets even uglier. I sure wish Apple had better computer hardware. The aesthetics are nice on Macs, though.
Being a Mac and a PC user myself, I wonder why I even bother with PCs these days (though they can be great for a hobby). They’re more trouble than they’re worth. My Linux box has had everything replaced at least once due to various hardware failures, none of my Macs can say that and yes, I own a Powerbook G4 as well and it has not let me down even once. I wouldn’t sweat the dual core stuff, for one thing, applications and operating systems have to be built to take advantage of the dual core CPU (Windows XP Home Edition doesn’t support dual CPU anything, inside or out).
IBM is currently working on a Dual Core PowerPC 970MP code named ‘Antares’. By the time Intel starts grinding out its Pentium D’s in great numbers, Apple will have Power Macs with dual G5s with dual cores inside already announced and shipping. Even Microsoft sees the benefit of using PowerPC over x86; because it’s the better CPU architecture!
this whole Win vs. Mac thing is getting beyond stupid. use the system that works best for you be it Windows, Mac, Linux and various flavors of Unix, DOS, OS/2, Fortran, BASIC… WHATEVER. personally, i tire of the neverending pissin’ contest that diehard Mac and diehard Windows users seem to get a charge out of.
that being said, at home i use my Mac, it works. at work i use Windows, it barely works…
Tempus Fugit
If everyone had the choice over what they used, there wouldn’t be any problem. Mac users have had to put up with websites built on proprietary code (IE6 for Windows only), hardware without drivers “because there’s no call for it”, and idiotic comments from both salespeople and journalists who’ve NEVER used a Mac talking about it being a lesser system for completely fabricated reasons.
Mac fanatics want their platform to grow, Windows fanatics want all other platforms to die. There’s the difference.
Tempus Fugit
If everyone had the choice over what they used, there wouldn’t be any problem. Mac users have had to put up with websites built on proprietary code (IE6 for Windows only), hardware without drivers “because there’s no call for it”, and idiotic comments from both salespeople and journalists who’ve NEVER used a Mac talking about it being a lesser system for completely fabricated reasons.
Mac fanatics want their platform to grow, Windows fanatics want all other platforms to die. There’s the difference.
Well said Dave H
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
DudeMac:
[[Apple does have better graphics (unless you’re complaining about the lack of GFX card options)]]
Take a look at the graphics cards options on current Windows boxes. Compare that to anything Apple has.
—
[[better bus architecture]]
PCI Express?
—
[[PowerPC is WAY better than x86 and scales so much better]]
Again, take a look at the Dual-Core Procs offered on new Windows boxes.
—
[[ By the time Intel starts grinding out its Pentium D’s in great numbers]]
You can already purchase them. Check Alienware, Dell, etc.
—
[[I wouldn’t sweat the dual core stuff, for one thing, applications and operating systems have to be built to take advantage of the dual core CPU]]
XP Pro supports dual procs, so there is already a built-in advantage to having Dual-Core. With Hyperthreading, the advantages continure to increase – quicker system response, faster performance, better multitasking. Many apps support dual-proc/core technology: Adobe apps, Canopus, the high end imaging progs.
—
[[They’re more trouble than they’re worth.]]
Perhaps for you. Some people make millions working in Windows – the tool works. It does have its set of hassles, just as Macs do.
—
[[Even Microsoft sees the benefit of using PowerPC over x86; because it’s the better CPU architecture!]]
You aren’t exactly qualified to make such claims. Do you work at Microsoft? Do you work at IBM? Maybe there are other factors involved in the decision to switch to PowerPC. The PowerPC platform does do very well, but you can’t really claim it is the end-all, be-all hardware solution.
—
… and I’m not complaining really. Just wishing the Mac computer platform – that I use daily – had a bit more juice.
Hmmm… why get all defensive and riled up?
DudeMac:
[[Apple does have better graphics (unless you’re complaining about the lack of GFX card options)]]
Take a look at the graphics cards options on current Windows boxes. Compare that to anything Apple has.
—
[[better bus architecture]]
PCI Express?
—
[[PowerPC is WAY better than x86 and scales so much better]]
Again, take a look at the Dual-Core Procs offered on new Windows boxes.
—
[[ By the time Intel starts grinding out its Pentium D’s in great numbers]]
You can already purchase them. Check Alienware, Dell, etc.
—
[[I wouldn’t sweat the dual core stuff, for one thing, applications and operating systems have to be built to take advantage of the dual core CPU]]
XP Pro supports dual procs, so there is already a built-in advantage to having Dual-Core. With Hyperthreading, the advantages continure to increase – quicker system response, faster performance, better multitasking. Many apps support dual-proc/core technology: Adobe apps, Canopus, the high end imaging progs.
—
[[They’re more trouble than they’re worth.]]
Perhaps for you. Some people make millions working in Windows – the tool works. It does have its set of hassles, just as Macs do.
—
[[Even Microsoft sees the benefit of using PowerPC over x86; because it’s the better CPU architecture!]]
You aren’t exactly qualified to make such claims. Do you work at Microsoft? Do you work at IBM? Maybe there are other factors involved in the decision to switch to PowerPC. The PowerPC platform does do very well, but you can’t really claim it is the end-all, be-all hardware solution.
—
… and I’m not complaining really. Just wishing the Mac computer platform – that I use daily – had a bit more juice.
Hmmm… why get all defensive and riled up?
DudeMac:
[[Apple does have better graphics (unless you’re complaining about the lack of GFX card options)]]
Take a look at the graphics cards options on current Windows boxes. Compare that to anything Apple has.
—
[[better bus architecture]]
PCI Express?
—
[[PowerPC is WAY better than x86 and scales so much better]]
Again, take a look at the Dual-Core Procs offered on new Windows boxes.
—
[[ By the time Intel starts grinding out its Pentium D’s in great numbers]]
You can already purchase them. Check Alienware, Dell, etc.
—
[[I wouldn’t sweat the dual core stuff, for one thing, applications and operating systems have to be built to take advantage of the dual core CPU]]
XP Pro supports dual procs, so there is already a built-in advantage to having Dual-Core. With Hyperthreading, the advantages continure to increase – quicker system response, faster performance, better multitasking. Many apps support dual-proc/core technology: Adobe apps, Canopus, the high end imaging progs.
—
[[They’re more trouble than they’re worth.]]
Perhaps for you. Some people make millions working in Windows – the tool works. It does have its set of hassles, just as Macs do.
—
[[Even Microsoft sees the benefit of using PowerPC over x86; because it’s the better CPU architecture!]]
You aren’t exactly qualified to make such claims. Do you work at Microsoft? Do you work at IBM? Maybe there are other factors involved in the decision to switch to PowerPC. The PowerPC platform does do very well, but you can’t really claim it is the end-all, be-all hardware solution.
—
… and I’m not complaining really. Just wishing the Mac computer platform – that I use daily – had a bit more juice.
Hmmm… why get all defensive and riled up?