Despite positive reviews of the recently released OS X Tiger, Apple Computer is still the "super-small-market share guy" that gets all the praise, Microsoft's chairman and co-founder Bill Gates told a group of business journalists Monday in Seattle, Wash.
Speaking before a meeting of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, Mr. Gates took verbal shots at the Macintosh maker saying it was "great" that the general press was "writing about operating systems," but refused to respond to questions that Mac OS X Tiger came out earlier than Microsoft's next version of Windows with a number of features the software giant could only describe.
"Because they're the super-small-market share guy, they get all these statements about them," Mr. Gates said.
At present, Apple commands less than a 4% market share for PCs shipped both in the U.S. and internationally.
Mr. Gates then reminded the journalists that Mac OS X still can't compete with Windows when it comes to the amount of third-party software available for its operating system.
"You can always tell if you're working on a Mac or a PC," he said. "Just take your applications and stick them in (a Mac) and see if they run."
Mr. Gates has made a number of subtle but direct comments about Apple as of late -- a company Microsoft has a financial stake in. In February, Mr. Gates acknowledged the Apple iPod was a "great success," but that consumers wanted more choice than what Apple could offer and that Microsoft will gain market share in digital media devices in 2005.
On the subject of the iPod's success, Mr. Gates acknowledged Apple has done a "great job" in marketing and selling the iPod, but refused to acknowledged that Apple had beaten out Microsoft for dominance in music players. Mr. Gates vowed that customer choice will win out in the end.
"It's their (player), only their one music store, only their device," he said of Apple. "What we're doing is providing choices. So it's like the Apple computer versus the PC. With the PC you can buy from many companies so you get cheaper prices, you get more variety and here with music devices we're coming in with the same. But they're a strong leader in the space and I think as we gain share, people will be surprised."
On Monday, Mr. Gates also said Microsoft's next-generation Xbox gaming console -- code named Xenon -- will be more of a digital entertainment hub than its predecessor, making it even more of a PC hybrid than ever. The new gaming console will debut later this month.
Apple is so small they are scraping for friends. Like, Wil Wheaton, for instance. Despite the damage he did on Star Trek, Apple fans like him because he is positive about the Mac and read a beginner's book on Perl.
CloseViewName:Guest Tue May 03, 2005 7:04 amSubject:
Do I sense a tendency towards irritation in mr. Gates futile attempts to joke away the successes of Apple here? I think they're like little pebbles in his shoes - always when he thought he got one out, there is another one in there:)
I guess he often thinks, why can't they just vanish? They're so small, yet people pay so much attention to them - why don't they look at me instead? My cow? My Longhorn?
Is he fuming inside, trying to keep a cool face?
Think about it, You go somewhere and are talking about something and all people can do is ask you questions about something that could well be completely unrelated to what you were asked to talk about in the first place. Gates is only human to get pissed off at hearing nothing but good hype for Apple's New OS. It is interesting though since Microsoft's OS market share is similar if not a little larger than Apple Music Player Market share.
You can tell if it is a Mac user, they all have a little incision on the forhead, it's their USB lobotomy plug(that's why there's only one button on Mac mouses). The only reason Mac as a little gain lately is because they're rinding on a FreeBSD based OS, not a MAC based OS, So trendy candy colored Box are nice ... but what if the rest of the world interest you ... If Apple where half brainy as they think they'd find more outsiders to help push their things forward, but seems they prefer to take on the OS/2 style way of thinking , and making the same mistakes.
Everyone can wish and say that he is wrong and ......
But we all know that he is actually right, that is why microsoft is number one, and they will stay number one for a very long time.
With his (knockoff of Tiger) OS a year away from release, Gates takes a dig at Apple. If the dude wanted to staunch the chorus of praise for Tiger, all he has to do, is produce a better OS.
But wait, Microsoft can't, not without reinventing Unix so they don't violate Apple's copyrights. Good luck on that-braintrust!
A Mac market share increase is worrisome - statistically, once a user in the consumer market switches, that is pretty much all she wrote in terms of them ever using windows again. Presently Switchers become Mac "cult" members adding to Apple's permanent installed user base. The last thing MS wants is anyone switching. Get that-ANYONE.
Projections show Apple may break 5% marketshare this year. Any way you slice that, it realistically represents users won't be getting back. Yeah, Gates would love 100% domination. Like the US auto manufacturers of the 70s(where I would place his product by-the-way). Microsoft's arrogance and inferior offerings will be it's undoing.
CloseViewName:kenaustusPosts: 601Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Tue May 03, 2005 8:24 amSubject: So Apple is
the SUPER "small market share" company - guess that old Bill finally got it right.
Stick your application in and see if it runs? That's a rather queer statement from old Bill since both Excel and Word were running on Mac before Windows was born. Also seeing if it runs can refer to how long it can run. I tried Windows 2.0 once for about 5 minutes - which is how long it lasted before crashing - and have found that to be a good indicator of Bill Gate's ability to develop software.
kenaustus wrote: the teeny little SUPER "small market share" guy in the cupboard got right.
Stick your application in your runs. Bill's Excel and Word were running on Mac before Windows became superior. Also seeing if it runs can refer to how long it can run. My bashing of Windows is limited to Windows 2.0 - which is how long I lasted before I developed Bill Gate's ability to wear softwear.
CloseViewName:jdearrPosts: 341Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Tue May 03, 2005 9:07 amSubject:
Quote
Guest wrote: Do I sense a tendency towards irritation in mr. Gates futile attempts to joke away the successes of Apple here?
It's significant that the richest man in the world is devoting so much preparation and energy to shout down Apple. It's like a political campaign. One side makes an attack or inroad, and the other side sends out pregressively more senior hatchetmen until the buzz becomes so loud that they have to resort to having the candidate himself respond. Gates has to talk now. btw, did you see the enderle quote yesterday that called the iPod halo a myth? He's the only one who says that. I think it was a Forbes piece.
CloseViewName:fultonkbdPosts: 121Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Tue May 03, 2005 9:08 amSubject:
Quote
Guest wrote: You can tell if it is a Mac user, they all have a little incision on the forhead, it's their USB lobotomy plug(that's why there's only one button on Mac mouses). The only reason Mac as a little gain lately is because they're rinding on a FreeBSD based OS, not a MAC based OS, So trendy candy colored Box are nice ... but what if the rest of the world interest you ... If Apple where half brainy as they think they'd find more outsiders to help push their things forward, but seems they prefer to take on the OS/2 style way of thinking , and making the same mistakes.
Ahh the infamous OS/2 - funny how that OS was developed after the Mac OS. Funny how that OS is no longer being developed, but the Mac OS is. I don't see the parallel you are trying to make. Please elaborate.
Apple is brainy, it doesn't compete directly with Microsoft. If partners with them when it should and when it shouldn't. That's business. Microsoft is dominate because of a monopoly. That is how it rose to power and that is why it's the majority.
Apple has partnered with others to push the OS. Aligning itself with the Open Source movement. Don't worry, your windows will still be around for you. Apple is just trying to gain a few points.
CloseViewName:pyxl8Posts: 171Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Tue May 03, 2005 9:15 amSubject:
Quote
Guest wrote: You can tell if it is a Mac user, they all have a little incision on the forhead, it's their USB lobotomy plug(that's why there's only one button on Mac mouses). The only reason Mac as a little gain lately is because they're rinding on a FreeBSD based OS, not a MAC based OS, So trendy candy colored Box are nice ... but what if the rest of the world interest you ... If Apple where half brainy as they think they'd find more outsiders to help push their things forward, but seems they prefer to take on the OS/2 style way of thinking , and making the same mistakes.
You am a great writer, and is an art tickle it opinion you have!
(Let this be a lesson: Stay in school, kids!)
They are vaporware. If they are, you know you are runing them on Microsoft's exclusive Vaporware OS Longhorn.
Gates doesn't have anything to hold over Apple other than market share. He doesn't have the hearts and minds of the users or the press. Apple gets all the publicity and every article you read about Tiger toutes how it is 18 months ahead of Longhorn.
Guest wrote: You can tell if it is a Mac user, they all have a little incision on the forhead, it's their USB lobotomy plug(that's why there's only one button on Mac mouses).
First of all, until recently it would have been a FireWire lobotomy plug. As a developer on M$ boxes since DOS 3 and having developed on every version of Windows the Mac people have reason to be smug. I switched my home machines about 15 months ago and have been very happy. The lack of a second mouse button was not hard to get used to (Having also worked on X-Windows Sun systems I thought switching from three mouse buttons to two for Windows would have been difficult but it is easy to get used to) and OS X will support virtually any two button USB mouse you plug in so if you feel you need two buttons you can get them.
I agree that they could do a little better with their marketing. The ads are great but the market share is proof that something is not working. As for the hardware and software "It just works(tm)". I believe the reason that Mac people are so smug about their choice of computer is that they have truly found a superior platform and, like many people who have found the "right and better" way of doing things, after a while do not understand how anyone could not see the "truth". What the Mac people need to do is not be smug. Be sympathetic, show your friends how simple and reliable Macs are and help them with their problems if you know Windows. Laughing at the "poor pathetic souls" who are not "smart enough" to have a Mac does not help and will only anger them and perpetuate the stereotype of the "Mac Zelot". For the PC people, casting insults against the Mac users only further convinces them that you are the "idiots" they think you are and perpetuates the stereotype of the PC user as "mindless lemmings" who just go along with the crowd due to the lack of original thinking.
I understand that poking fun at people who do not think as you do can be entertaining but has only a negative affect on your cause.
Yes Bill, you can stick it. By the way, was Bill addressing the Mac Business Unit of Microsoft Corporation as well? Way to go, Bill. Throw insults at your own employees. Pretty sad when he has to pay people to lie about how great his products are and make them pretend they don't work for him. He's so savvy he can make dead people sign petitions for him. Moo, Bill. Moo.
CloseViewName:kenaustusPosts: 601Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Tue May 03, 2005 10:11 amSubject: Let's face it
Apple has been a thorn in Bill Gate's side ever since they announced the first Mac and caught old Bill with his pants WAY down. MS had to get permission from Apple to (try to) provide the same look & feel of a Mac. The Mac was running Word & Excel beautifully while Bill was struggling (unsuccessfully) with Windows 1.0 and 2.0 and the Mac is still ahead of old Bill. He has massive wealth and MS has massive amounts of cash and Bill still looks in the mirror every morning KNOWING he is still behind Apple. That's gotta hurt. Throw in Bill's impotence in dealing with the virus/worm/spyware problems and it gets worse. Old Bill knows that running Windows on a high speed internet is like having unprotected sex in a Calcutta whore house.
His rants are understandable to someone who has used both PCs and Macs.
If you have a pc you don't actually need to stick any programs in it. Just connect it to a network and come back in a little while and see all the spyware that's running! Thanks, but no thanks.
CloseViewName:Guest Tue May 03, 2005 10:28 amSubject:
Bill is just ill. He knows that one thing hey can't copy this time around, with longhorn, is on time delivery of the product.
In regards that Windows runs more apps than Mac's, I seriously doubt it. Nearly every title found on a PC you can find on the MAC, in addition to Mac only applications that are superior by design, a user has tens of thousands of linux apps.
And Virtual PC on a duel G5 runs Windows applications better than Windows!
Eventually people get tired of skinning out their XP with Window Blinds etc, to transform the look of XP into OS/X and switch to MAC. After 19 years on the PC platform, that is what happend to myself, and I have no plans to switch back. The stability of linux under the hood combined with a ui that runs all the popular productivity/development software titles sold me.
CloseViewName:Guest Tue May 03, 2005 10:36 amSubject:
I try to avoid these arguments since they are useless. Facts is based on dollar amount a PC running XP will out perform a Mac running Tiger on any test.
Mac's are surviving on the 'cool' factor. Whether that dies or not doesn't matter, both Mac and Windows will most likely be around for the entire length of our lives, so get used to it.
Out come the freaks. Now losers like this SANS institute achieve their Warhol fame quotient by stating that an iTunes buffer overflow will effect "desktops and laptops". They semed to have left out "PC" at the beginning and "running Windows" at the end of that comment. They say Mac users are zealots? We may be but I think the real windoids are just as zealous and their inane whing and crying is just beginning to be heard. Wait until Longshot starts missing more delivery dates without any evidence of the "certain" cracks of Apple's system. Luckily with the 80% idiocy rate few consumers will take sides for too long, as Apple picks up marketshare steam the lemmings will jump on the bus (i.e. iPod sales) so soon we'll have a phalanx of jackassess (happy ones) promoting Apple soon too; welcome aboard mates!
CloseViewName:Guest Tue May 03, 2005 10:53 amSubject: 5%
So all of you seem to be of the opinion that MS is SOOO horrible and the soltution to all the worlds computer problems is to switch to Macs.....
Too bad that will NEVER HAPPEN. Go ahead and jump for joy over your pathetic 5% market share while the rest of the world, the rest of the developers, and the rest of the poeple who enjoy getting things done in a timeley, productive manner enjoy the 95% existance of windows.
Oh, and by the way, for those of you who continually refer to the 'blue-screen-of-death'....UPDATE YOUR OS!! The blue screen was essentially abolished when XP was released. So comments about the blue screen are actaully comments about win 98, a nearly 10 year old OS. Macs never have problems do they? Oh, wait, thats right, they just realeased a new POS OS. But since Macs don't ever have problems, I wouldn't imagine that the updates provide anything new aside from more eye candy. Afterall, thats all Macs are: Eye Candy.
Windows == Stability / Productivity.
Mac == Eye Candy / Peice of useless art on a table.
Anonymous wrote: Why anyone would buy anything important from these two? (mind the volume on the last one, it get's very shrill if you're in an office environment):
Top 11 thoughts after watching the Ballmer Video(s):
Thoughts After Watching the two Ballmer Videos:
11. Children, crystal meth is bad! BAD!
10. Hello, Schwab? Yes, please liquidate my Microsoft IMMEDIATELY!
9. Did he just say "GIVE IT UP FOR ME!!!!!"????
8. I hope he doesn't blue screen.
7. Why is King Kong Bundy speaking at Microsoft?
6. Rosie O'Donnell has a brother?
5. Friends don't let friends PowerPoint drunk.
4. I've got 3 words for ya "WHAT... THE... Дѓ?K???"
3. I really should stop drinking caffine drinks.
2. Please move the Ballmer heart monitor to 2 minutes before midnight.
1. Leo McGarity (TV's West Wing) has put on a lot of weight and lost a lot of hair this season!
What are they good for?
Linux for Development,
Palm for Portability,
Macintosh for Productivity,
Windows for Solitaire...
CloseViewName:Guest Tue May 03, 2005 11:42 amSubject:
You am a great writer, and is an art tickle it opinion you have!
(Let this be a lesson: Stay in school, kids!)
-Ken P[/quote]
Making fun of someone's writing and spelling ability is pretty low. Especially when some of us don't know English as a first language. There are also those with dyxlexia and other learning issues. There is more to the world than your cubicle. These forums are open to most of the world. It makes you look bad.
Guest wrote: So all of you seem to be of the opinion that MS is SOOO horrible and the soltution to all the worlds computer problems is to switch to Macs.....
Too bad that will NEVER HAPPEN. Go ahead and jump for joy over your pathetic 5% market share while the rest of the world, the rest of the developers, and the rest of the poeple who enjoy getting things done in a timeley, productive manner enjoy the 95% existance of windows.
Oh, and by the way, for those of you who continually refer to the 'blue-screen-of-death'....UPDATE YOUR OS!! The blue screen was essentially abolished when XP was released. So comments about the blue screen are actaully comments about win 98, a nearly 10 year old OS. Macs never have problems do they? Oh, wait, thats right, they just realeased a new POS OS. But since Macs don't ever have problems, I wouldn't imagine that the updates provide anything new aside from more eye candy. Afterall, thats all Macs are: Eye Candy.
Windows == Stability / Productivity.
Mac == Eye Candy / Peice of useless art on a table.
Yep, moron, I saw that TODAY on a classmate's brand new Dell notebook running XP...yes, it was a BLUE screen with some letters on it...and what did they say?? Dunno, something like "dumping memory to disk" and so on...YES, it was a BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH on your SOLID, STABLE Winblows XP..! So much for stupidity...
By the way, keep trying, Bill...one day you'll switch as well.
Roger Plowman wrote: "Microsoft is dominate because of a monopoly. That is how it rose to power and that is why it's the majority."
Um, it rose to power and majority because it was a monopoly? You have rise to power *before* you can have a monopoly...
Oops - caught me napping. Let's say that they rose to power through monopoly tendencies. As they were laying the ground work for a monopoly. (Does that sounds right? I'm at work trying to post in a hurry.)
Anyway, probably any company would do the same. So I'm not here to debate what they did was wrong - that's the way it happen.
Actually I was just trying to soothe the Windows lover that Microsoft will be around a long time - No need to hate Mac users!
')
')
