D2x Pro Talk Questions

[Darren Chesnut]

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer, high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB, colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I feel that The software is just as important as the full frame issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen, save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX 10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh, 78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast. It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[adanac]

I agree with you about "slowness" of the RAW conversion softwares out there but when you said that "98%" of Digital Studio Photographers use Macs ... hmmm

... I would love to find out where that stat came from. If it's from Apple Corp, then it must be right ... I'm surprised that they didn't say 99% use Macs

Arjh

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer,
high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket
wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera
that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the
industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the
next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon
professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software
seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use
at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And
I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as
well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals
with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little
better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB,
colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with
pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different
Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView
Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new
features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation
and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon
addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I
feel that The software is just as important as the full frame
issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps
to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen,
save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare
to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a
contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX
10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in
studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is
designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with
some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd
good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[Yves P.]

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

The reality is the oposite though for consumer market.

Almost everybody is on a PC platform, Pro shooters represents a very small average of clients for Nikon believe it or not. It is the same for Canon BTW.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

--
Yves P.
PBASE Supporter

Some pictures I like:
http://www.pbase.com/yp8/root

 

[felipedana]

this 98% is no way right..

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

The reality is the oposite though for consumer market.

Almost everybody is on a PC platform, Pro shooters represents a
very small average of clients for Nikon believe it or not. It is
the same for Canon BTW.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

--
Yves P.
PBASE Supporter

Some pictures I like:
http://www.pbase.com/yp8/root

--
Felipe Dana
--
Nikon DSLR

 

[Carol Steele]

98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh

That might have been true around 10+ years ago - but is very wide of the mark these days. I belong to several pro forums and the split amongst professional photographers is around 50:50 - if you take into account serious amateurs (the like of whom visit these forums) I should imagine the split would be more like 70:30 (Windows to Mac).

Other than Photoshop (which is developed for both platforms on an equal footing - despite the Windows version outselling the Mac version) most other photo editing software is developed first for the PC - and only if it sells well is it ported to the Mac. If your statement of 98% were true, all photo editing software would be developed for the Mac first as this would be where the software writers would make the money to write off the development costs. These people would have done their research though before deleoping the product and this is the reason why they develop for the Windows platform first.

Don't believe everything that Apple tells you )

--
Carol

 

[PrintMaker195537]

Upgrade to Capture 4.1, run the multi-image option instead of Brower and View. I'm with you on the software as a whole though, brutally slow on PC and Mac, is not dual processor enabled, and occasionally glitchy. All of that said, I have yet to find anything that comes close.
Mike

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer,
high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket
wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera
that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the
industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the
next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon
professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software
seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use
at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And
I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as
well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals
with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little
better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB,
colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with
pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different
Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView
Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new
features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation
and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon
addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I
feel that The software is just as important as the full frame
issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps
to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen,
save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare
to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a
contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX
10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in
studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is
designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with
some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd
good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

--
Mike

 

[Elk Meadow Images]

Carol,

If you read the independent reports from IDC, Gartner Group, and others, you will find the great majority of studio photographers, design houses, graphic artists, etc DO use Macintosh based systems. The performance of PhotoShop on Macintosh is substantially faster than Windows based systems, even though the code in PhotoShop is 80% the same on both platforms. Fonts, the lack of viruses, etc are all key reasons the Macintosh remains the dominant graphics platform.

98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh

That might have been true around 10+ years ago - but is very wide
of the mark these days. I belong to several pro forums and the
split amongst professional photographers is around 50:50 - if you
take into account serious amateurs (the like of whom visit these
forums) I should imagine the split would be more like 70:30
(Windows to Mac).

Other than Photoshop (which is developed for both platforms on an
equal footing - despite the Windows version outselling the Mac
version) most other photo editing software is developed first for
the PC - and only if it sells well is it ported to the Mac. If
your statement of 98% were true, all photo editing software would
be developed for the Mac first as this would be where the software
writers would make the money to write off the development costs.
These people would have done their research though before deleoping
the product and this is the reason why they develop for the Windows
platform first.

Don't believe everything that Apple tells you )

--
Carol

 

[Joe Marques]

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

I don't think corporate strategy at a successful org like Nikon includes purposely ignoring Mac user data based on some strange Windows bias.

Nikon, like most good companies, is devoting resources based on market size and demand.

Joe

 

[ib1yysguy]

I believe the original poster meant that the software coupled with pro cameras, like the D2x and the D2h, should be better engineered. And it should be. Although amateur shoots do make up most of their maket share, they represent a very small number of their pro-camera buyers. Thusly, it would make sense to come up with a more capable software solution for those shooters.

--
Al
Set low goals and you'll never be disapointed.

 

[J_Pia]

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer,
high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket
wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera
that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the
industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the
next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon
professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software
seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use
at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And
I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as
well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals
with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little
better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB,
colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with
pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different
Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView
Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new
features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation
and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon
addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I
feel that The software is just as important as the full frame
issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps
to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen,
save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare
to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a
contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX
10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in
studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is
designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with
some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd
good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[Rob Duke]

Do you work for Apple corp...?

My pro studio has 4(four) pc's....

and I have no intention of switching to macs...

I will take compatability and budget over snobery any day

RD

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer,
high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket
wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera
that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the
industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the
next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon
professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software
seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use
at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And
I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as
well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals
with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little
better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB,
colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with
pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different
Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView
Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new
features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation
and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon
addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I
feel that The software is just as important as the full frame
issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps
to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen,
save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare
to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a
contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX
10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in
studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is
designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with
some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd
good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[Darren Chesnut]

Correct Al.

I should have left out the facts between Mac and PC users. I think I took my topic in a wrong dirrection. Most amatures are still on PC, and 50/50 on sports event shooters, Fact. Mac flat out blow away any PC on the market dealing with Graphic/Photo files, That is why I use them and most design/photo houses. Computers are just a tool, why not get the best tools to get the job done, right? Where I was going with this topic, is the professions that do use the 35mm format digital cameras need faster, pro features. I have also used DCII and DC1, and Leaf Digital Backs, so I know that The software is out there. And as the 35 MM Digital Cameras are comming up to speed, size in MEG A Pixels so should the software. These Nikon cameras in the D1, D1H, D1X, D2h were not intended for amatures photographers, if they were the price would be a grand.

I have worked on PC and Macs. I perfer macs Becouse I deal with the photo all the way to the press. If I just took a picture, burned it to a CD and sent it to a Mag every month. It wouldn't matter what CPU Iwas on. But if you a pro studio photographer that deals with correct color ( matching photos form fashion to hardline products on a daily bases in Catalog, Ads, flyiers, Magazines, etc...) If you are being held acountable for a color all the way to the web offset or sheet feed press, you will only want the best to assure your self that what you see on the monitor is ture and all your tool can get the job done very well. Than I am sure that you would like to get the best software and and camera you can affort to get the job done. I personal don't not care what software I work on, I have worked on both using these softwares, I perfer the Mac for speed, true color, and functionality, and compatitabilty with the print world.
Darren

I believe the original poster meant that the software coupled with
pro cameras, like the D2x and the D2h, should be better engineered.
And it should be. Although amateur shoots do make up most of their
maket share, they represent a very small number of their pro-camera
buyers. Thusly, it would make sense to come up with a more capable
software solution for those shooters.

--
Al
Set low goals and you'll never be disapointed.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[Dave Harpe]

Fact. Mac flat out blow
away any PC on the market dealing with Graphic/Photo files, That is
why I use them and most design/photo houses.

Boy, that's pretty much nonsense. You may prefer the way the mac feels, the way it looks and maybe that makes you work better. But it's not because the computer is technically better at dealing with graphics and photo files.

Dave

 

[Dave Harpe]

Carol,
The performance of PhotoShop on Macintosh is substantially faster
than Windows based systems, even though the code in PhotoShop is
80% the same on both platforms.

That's simply not true.

Dave

 

[Dave Harpe]

Anticipating the anticipated, "Sez who" response:

Rob Galbraith:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6451-6423

"Ultimately, the Mac tied or led the PC in 19 of the 77 tests that comprise this report. Put another way, the PC was faster in 58 of 77 benchmarks."

pcworld.com:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112749,pg,8,00.asp

"Apple Power Macs did well on Photoshop, but the 64-bit AMD-based systems won handily on most tests."

And on and on and on.

Another factor is the FACT that you get much more bang for your buck when you buy PC hardware versus Mac. Someone that spends $2,000 on an Intel PC will be in MUCH better shape than someone that spends that same $2,000 in an Apple store. It's not even close, really. $2,000 will barely get you a single CPU Mac G5 @ 1.6GHz with 1GB of RAM. That same $2,000 at Dell will get you a Dual CPU Xeon @ 2.4 GHz with 1GB RAM. Or you could go with a single CPU configuration and bump your CPU speed up to 3.2GB w/2 MB of L3 cache.

It may make you feel better to use a Mac. But don't kid yourself into thinking it's faster, cheaper or anything other than cool looking.

Dave

 

[win39]

The rudeness and stupidity of this is enough to make me dump my Mac and switch to a PC. Get a girl/boy friend.

 

[nenad212662]

My PC is devoted to so many other applicatins then only and strictly image processing: I won't switch to mac!

I hear enough Mac users swearing why they can't get this and that program and compatibility issues... But I can understant pros having money to devote 1, 2 or 3 computers strictly on image processing, Mac or not, wanting the best out there. This isn't my case and I believe I'm like 98% of the people out there: Using my computer to listen to music and to enjoy so many other things, including image processing.

Up to now I never put the fault on my PC for bad images or colors... And I really doubt I ever will.

My pro studio has 4(four) pc's....

and I have no intention of switching to macs...

I will take compatability and budget over snobery any day

RD

We all are in waiting of the D2x, right. a full frame, Huge buffer,
high flash sink w/ built in wireless flash ( like my pocket
wizard), 800 MB Firewire, WIFI 54G speed (Not B), etc... A Camera
that really smokes.... Something that will lead, not follow the
industry for a while. I would hate to see Canon one up them the
next month later.

Anyway, speeking of software. Shooting RAW. I shoot both Nikon
professional and now a Canon from family use (300Rebel). Software
seams to be a key issue for me. Canon's is to basic. To me no use
at all. Way to basic. Just use IView and Photoshop CS instead. And
I under stand that it is the same software issues for the 1Ds as
well. Fuji S2 the same, to basic for the pro shooter that deals
with Mag and Catalog printing process workflow. Kodak a little
better, more features, nice one software to run (browse, WB,
colorcorrect, etc... and the software is fastest I have used with
pro (Raw features). Nikon's very slow to deal with (3 different
Nikon softwares to run, as well as running Photoshop CS an IView
Pro, all at the same time. Thats my work flow). I love the new
features in Capture 4 w/ being able to push the color saturation
and adjusting the B/W levels, etc...

Now here is were I am going with this Question. Has any Nikon
addressed it with anyone were the are going with their software. I
feel that The software is just as important as the full frame
issue. We need a software that can funtion faster with less steps
to get to the final image. From Raw, color corect, WB, sharpen,
save out. Currently this takes 3 softwares and all run slow compare
to others, good features but slow and alot of steps. And to print a
contact sheet takes for EVER... I am currently running system OSX
10.3.3 and in the feild I shoot to a to a 1 GIG powerbook and in
studio I shoot to a 2x2 GIG G5 tower. It seams that Nikon is
designing for the PC Sport shooter if you know what I mean with
some studio user features. I have not used C1Pro yet but have herd
good things. They keep pushing off the Mac Nikon users.

Just a note, 98% of all Studio Digital Photographers use Macintosh,
78% Sports photographers use Mac and are converting over very fast.
It seams the Camera compaines need to improve there direction with
their software and platforms they a focusing primarly for.

Please jump in and lets get a discussion on were we need Nikon to
devolop the software.

--
Darren
Nikon D1x, 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 and sb80DX
Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55, 28-135 IS, 75-300

 

[Pride]

Well all the graphic design and photo pros I know ( and its quite a few ) almost all use Macs. In fact, I cannot think of one off the top of my head who uses PC.

OSX Panther is fantastic. Simple as that.

Don't care about the measurebating to be honest. Mac works, does'nt have any glitches , and is not bothered by viruses.

Life is sweet. Can't imagine going back to PC ( we had both until Panther came along) ,and the protection from viruses is reason enough.

Each to their own I guess. If people are happy with their windows box - cool. If they prefer Mac, fine.

I cannot understand how people become confrontational about inanimate objects..they are just tools

 

[Carol Steele]

Carol,

If you read the independent reports from IDC, Gartner Group, and
others, you will find the great majority of studio photographers,..........

I don't know where these people purportedly do their research, it certainly isn't in the real world. Of around 50 professional photographers that I know personally, only around 10 use a Mac. A recent survey in the Digiatal Wedding Forum (worldwide and with about an 80% pro user base) showed a 50:50 split in usage.

Whilst it may be true that more design houses use Macs than PC's, this has more to do with tradition and the cost of switching systems rather than speed and stability.

--
Carol

 

[adanac]

I've been a PC user for almost 17 years... NOT ONCE have I been infected with any virus that I just couldn't clean with a simple virus protection software.... PC users have choices of apps... Macs users most of the time just wish they had those apps ported over.

It's all about freedom to choose whatever component you want to create your machine... Mac is a Mac... doesn't get more exciting than that

Again, every machine has it's advantages and I'll just quit at that.

I don't know why people get so "attached" to certain camps... as if they were getting paid as the 'official spokesperson" for them.

Cheers,

Arjh

Well all the graphic design and photo pros I know ( and its quite a
few ) almost all use Macs. In fact, I cannot think of one off the
top of my head who uses PC.

OSX Panther is fantastic. Simple as that.

Don't care about the measurebating to be honest. Mac works,
does'nt have any glitches , and is not bothered by viruses.

Life is sweet. Can't imagine going back to PC ( we had both until
Panther came along) ,and the protection from viruses is reason
enough.

Each to their own I guess. If people are happy with their windows
box - cool. If they prefer Mac, fine.

I cannot understand how people become confrontational about
inanimate objects..they are just tools