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A La Carte (2/6)
- 02/06/07
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Tuesday February 6, 2007
Science: National Geographic interviews creationist and Christian Francis Collins.
Technology: This guy nicely sums up my feelings about Macs. "Macs are glorified Fisher-Price activity centres for adults; computers for scaredy cats too nervous to learn how proper computers work; computers for people who earnestly believe in feng shui."
Pastors: Paul finishes a short series on the pastor as leader.
Photo: Interesting photos of a rare phenomenon.
Sports: The Christian Post highlights an interesting quote by Tony Dungy after winning the Superbowl.
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
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Comments (28)
That comment about Macs is perhaps the thing I have disagreed most strongly with in 3 years of reading your blog!
It throws into question completely your ability to write a book on discernment!
I switched to mac last year and it has been bliss. The reason PC types need to learn how computers work is because they have to keep reinstalling stuff and dismantling stuff to get it to work. :)
I reckon I lost about a month of working days over the last 5 years of working with PCs reinstalling, restarting, and not a moment over the last year with Mac.
:)
Happy hunting - and dont come crying to me if your windows PC wipes out your book on discernment!
(PS for anyone who thinks I'm being nasty - my tongue is firmly in cheek in that last sentence)
Tim, re: your anti-Mac link....
I thought we could have fellowship. I thought you were different. But now your true desires are exposed. You can hide no longer. Our paths must part now while I go find other people who agree with my Mac-way of seeing the world.
(Which is not unlike buying and driving a car because it works well without the driver having intimate knowledge of automotive engineering. And it should be noted that some car companies have better engineers than others.)
Now I must go caffeinate myself at a ubiquitous coffee chain where my beverage of choice is prepared the same way, every time, without me knowing the intricacies of coffee growing, roasting, distribution, and barista-ing. So there.
Ahh Chris - I feel like I can have fellowship with someone here!
This is not quite clear from the interview you linked, so I thought I'd point out that Dr. Collins is not a "creationist" in the sense that the term is usually used. He does believe that God created everything, but he believes that creation took place through evolution (at least in part). So calling him a creationist might give a reader the wrong idea.
Tim,
obviously seminary trained men like Brent:
http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/1086
KNOW which operating system is superior.
p.s. I was assembler coding on Apple II boxes while you were still playing with Fischer-Price toys Mr. Challies
Regarding Macs: I have never had a virus, or a computer crash, or essentially ever had any problems with Macintosh/Apple computers. ( We started with an Apple II 23 years ago). Can't possibly say that about PCs used by myself, my friends and at my place of work. Those factors outweigh any other consderations in choosing a computer. And they are very user-friendly of course, but that is secondary.
Looks like your blog traffic from mac users will be going down! :)
As a matter of interest when you look at sitemeter how much of your traffic comes from mac users?
Tim,
I fear you've opened a box you'll wish you would never have opened regarding Mac computers. I too, a strongly reformed Evangelical Free Church pastor, have been a Mac user since 1987. I've never once had a virus; never once had to install virus protection software; never once had to worry about spyware; only once in all those years lost any data (and that was entirely my fault... trashed the wrong folder); and use all five of my existing Macs without problem. As far as them being "Fisher-Price"-like... it seems that the writer of the review was only associating that with the notion that Macs claim to be "fun" and PCs only for "work" (he then used such a lame comparison with a single game from 1993; come on, Mr. Booker, if you're going to do a serious review, let's get up to date on our reviewing, not reverting to 1993; most of us Mac users remember the lament in '93 about how little gaming there was for the Mac... not so now, however). Macs are fun, because you can do as much, if not more on them free of problems, crashes, virii, and the consistent re-booting (which Booker even claims to do frequently... read the credits at the end of the article).
Tim, Tim, Tim. Please let us be passionate about eternal things, such as the doctrines of grace; but if you insist on opening this "Can o'Whoop Hiney" about Macs, I'll be forced to link you to my Christian Mac Users Group (some of whom are the key programmers behind the way-more-than-excellent Bible software "Accordance") and I don't think you really want that... do you?
Kevin
Tim:
Macs rule, PCs drool! PC lovers have capitulated to mediocrity - "sometimes you have to slap them to make them work". Really, how can we trust anything you say now? Repent and turn to Mac.
Peter
http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-hate-macs.html
Case closed...
Tim:
I gotta say that mac comment hurt...unfounded presuppositions, reminds me of Caner on Calvinism.
c'mon Tim, you're better than that!
robbro
Too right about Macs. And PCs (Windows) for that matter.
Linux on PCs is the way! Then you *really* get to know how your computer works, what's on it, it doesn't crash and you still have at least two mouse buttons.
Oh, and it's free too. You can even get "Christian" versions.
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html
Regarding Macs, I used to feel that way, but ever since apple went over to a *nix platform (OS X), and created the best music player for the pc yet (itunes), AND has continued to push the usability envelope AND gone to an intel chip, I can no longer bash macs or apple.
They are more than just pretty toys - they do everything except play games better than the PC, I hate to say. I might even one day buy one - really.
Regarding Collins, as one reader said, he is NOT a creationists, but a strange sort of religious evolutionist - he also seems to believe that evolution has peaked, which is a perspective I haven't seen discussed much. It sounds like he is trying to figure out how his acceptance of evolution can jibe with the fact that (a) we don't really see evolution happening anymore, if ever, and (b) things are so complex and finely tuned, with built-in repair mechanisms, the question arises, why repair the imperfect? Doesn't that inhibit evolution?
I'm sure evolutionists have a comeback for that, but really, Collins is interesting because of his unusual take on evolution.
I love Fisher-Price toys...I love Macs...I firmly believe if Calvin, Luther, or Spurgeon (definitely) were alive today, they'd be using Macs...just like Starbucks, there will be Macs in heaven.
In a moment of transparency, I'll admit that I secret lust after a Mac. Problem is I can't afford one since I'd need one of those big ol' designing rigs. And then I'd need to buy new software and so on. It would get really expensive really fast. And I don't think I'd ever (EVER) get used to a one-button mouse.
If someone wants to go ahead and buy me a Mac I'll give you a shout-out in my book just like Josh Harris did when CJ bought him a Powerbook! :)
Actually, a Mac is a moderately enlightened choice: It's a very pretty and well-conceived human interface running over a variant of FreeBSD, which is always waiting just below the surface when you have actual work to do.
"One button mouse"?!?
We've been two buttons (even three) for some time now - in fact you cant see them, the mouse responds to whichever side you press it. Also instead of a wheel is a ball, enabling complete scrolling in all directions
We may excuse you on account of your humble contrite confession.
If anyone is willing to buy me a state of the art Mac, I'll be more than happy to convert to the status of 'Mac user'.
Tim,
As a testimony to God's sense of irony, I currently find myself with a Mac "for work" and a PC "for fun." I have to agree with Seeker up there: ever since the switch to *nix with OS X, Macs are quite different beasts. I've had an easier time picking up OS X than have co-workers who "grew up" with older Mac OSes.
Also, a note on the mouse situation: at work I use a Wacom tablet (6"x8" Intuos 2) and my productivity has increased tremendously because of it! There was a bit of a learning curve to it, but after programming the stylus' index finger buttons (as double-click and right click, respectively) I fly through my work. It's now drudgery to go home and use a two-button mouse...
I knew it!
This was all just a plot on your part to get the Cadillac of Computers for free!
Quite sad, really.
Quite sad...
:-)
Sorry. I can't resist. I have owned a Mac since it was first released. I received a certificate from Steve himself telling me I had purchased one of the first 1000 Macs - back in the ol' days with 128K RAM and no hard drive, just 3.5" disks. I have upgraded so many times I have lost count and I now own a number of laptops and a Xserve (Mac server).
That being said (and bias firmly disclosed) I have also used PCs at work - graphically, programming etc. along with the regular suite of Office Automation - and watched how Mr. Softie has tried to keep up with the Mac User Interface and some of the better features. (I still believe the change from a windows to a browser metaphor to be the most profound change that any company - software or otherwise - has ever gone through) -- too bad it hasn't worked for them.
I still prefer the Mac. It works. It is beautifully designed. It is powerful. It is always ahead on the innovation curve. (Less - as in mouse buttons - is more). My kids have PCs (to play games). Always going down. Always loaded with junk (spyware, viruses). Always require care and feeding - way beyond good hygiene - I'm talking sacrifice here.
A PC user is similar to the car nut who likes to tinker on customizing his car and takes pride in the fact that he can change a flat in 2.1 minutes. When he hears a noise, he can identify exactly what it is -- and better yet -- he has the right to complain because everything doesn't work together as it would if HE designed it. When a well-engineered car comes along that works perfectly -- he feels threatened and resorts to misguided taunts and jibes.
He is best represented by a company that lusts after world domination through standards enforcement and licensing fees. How the mighty will fall. Bring on *nix. Short Msoft.
Repent and PC no more!
Funny how we look at things. As a Mac user for life, I've been watching the PC's to see if/when they catch up to the Macs. The job I currently have is the first I've ever had where I had to use the PC. I started this job in 2005!
I use Windows XP and find it to be nearly as nice as OSX in terms of crashes and the like. While it's unlikely that PC's will ever completely catch up to the Mac experience, I think their copying of Apple ideas through the years has been good for them.
I LOVE the analogy of the guy with the car (by Brian). Spot on.
Ouch, Tim that really hurt. My first thought was, "I have to find another favorite blog." It's awfully dangerous to insult us Mac users because we are a loyal bunch. Our family has been using Macs since 1984. Never in our wildest dreams would we switch to PC. Macs make your life easier!
Tim,
Several years ago I too was a mac hating PC user. I took a sense of pride in the fact that I knew a pretty good deal about PCs. Then I went to work at an advertising agency. We had about 17 macs and 3 windows machines. We spent all of our time fixing the 3 windows machines. They were pretty new and were constantly infected with viruses, spyware, etc. The 17 macs were a mix. Some old, some new. They all just worked together on the network... running like tops.
When I did have to work on a mac... I found it was much easier. Easier to access the memory. Easier to change out the hard drive (no bios).
Tim, repent. The end (of your PC) is most likely near!
Tim,
My friend and Christian brother, Scott (see post above), directed me to your anti-mac feelings.
This quote kills me: "for scaredy cats too nervous to learn how proper computers work"
Frankly, I don't care how computers work. I only care that they DO work. That's why I use a Mac.
Why REBOOT a thousand times when you only have to REPENT and buy a mac once?
Chris
"If someone wants to go ahead and buy me a Mac I'll give you a shout-out in my book just like Josh Harris did when CJ bought him a Powerbook! :)"
Hmm...Perhaps we can all tithe to Challies.com this month so the that advance of the gospel will no longer have to be done by wicked PC means.
What do you? Shall we start the get Tim a mac fund?
"Frankly, I don't care how computers work. I only care that they DO work. That's why I use a Mac."
This is a bad day to bring this up. I just reformatted my PC a month ago and already it's getting all slow and pathetic. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that my work requires a Mac Pro (which is a pretty expensive bit of equipment) I'd probably convert. Most web designers, after all, do use Macs...and I'm learning why!
I love all you Mac guys who don't have any security software. You've never needed it because the installed base of Macs was so minuscule that virus writers just didn't bother with you. That is changing thanks to the Mac vs PC ads. If you continue with your thinking you WILL be a victim in the near future. And has it escaped your notice that Apple has released as many security updates for the Mac in the last years as has Microsoft?
I loved the Mac rant. I was wonderful. And for any of you who have taken exception to the misleading Mac vs PC ads, as entertaining and humorous as they are, now there is a series of rebuttal ads. They are hilarious. See them at my blog. And for goodness sake, have a sense of humor about them if you are a Mac addict.