December 27th, 2000

There are lots of great articles, and some really bad ones, on the Internet. Though we link to all of them at MacOS News Around The Web, some of them deserve special mention here. Most of what we will mention within these pages will be among the best, but on occasion we will talk about articles that are so bad or so wrong we just have to say something. Consider them mini-editorials on our part about things we think you might also be interested in.

Best [3:20 PM] ZDNet: OS X: Think quality, not schedule
We like it when Mac OS X or Apple gets mainstream coverage, especially when it is a sober look at the realities facing Apple concerning OS X. Stephan Somogyi says that it is far more important for Apple to get OS X right fro te get-go than it is for them to get it out early. With so many of us wanting/hoping/thinking that Apple needs to release OS X NOW, Mr. Somogyi offers a compelling argument for them to put quality as Job 1. Our favorite quote from this piece:

If the unbridled enthusiasm with which Windows NT bugs -- especially security-related ones, Microsoftis new reporting format notwithstanding -- are publicized is any indication, Apple will have an un-spin-controllable debacle on its hands if OS X 1.0 evinces problems that are anything more than trivial.

I hope that Steve Jobsi uncharacteristically apologetic demeanor in the face of Appleis latest quarterly results is an indicator of more introspection in Cupertino. For me, the best result of such contemplation would be that the quality faction wins out over the "ship it now, fix bugs later" contingent.

Apple has exactly one chance to ship OS X, so it had better do it as flawlessly as possible. Even this late in the game, there are alarming signs that last-minute entropy is winning out over carefully plotted and executed strategy.

A very good read. Reviewer - Bryan Chaffin


Best [3:20 PM] Low End Mac: Mac Musings - Macintosh 2000 redux
Dan Knight has kept a 1992 MacUser article from Henry Bortman handy for the last 8 years waiting for the year 2000 to roll around and finish. Mr. Bortmanis article was a set of predictions/prnouncements on where the Mac would be in the year 2000, which is now. Since Mr. Bortman is no longer with MacUser (indeed, since MacUser itself is not around), Dan Knight is comparing todayis reality to Mr. Bortmanis article for him. It offers an excellent snapshot of what peopleis expectations were in yei olden times of yore, you know, before the Internet took off. Our favorite quote from this piece is actually quoted from Mr. Bortmanis article:

And price? Youill be able to get a device with this "basic" capability for less than $1,000, allowing, of course, for inflation adjustments -- but youill have to pay a bit more for the Holodeck option.

That rocks. A very good read. Reviewer - Bryan Chaffin


You can find these links, and lots of other links for Mac and Tech Industry stories, at MacOS News Around The Web.