From: DouglasN@eworld.com Subject: Mass standardizing on Pentiums There are a few things I would like to make clear. I think the note at the end of this message is too harsh, to the point of being rude. I do not endorse this kind of talk, nor does Moe or anyone else speak for me. However, I do not think it is right for a state to impose "standards" such as those to which he refers. I agree that the State of Massachusetts should not only "allow" Macintosh computers, but they should also consider how to encourage or at least better incorporate more of them or to take advantage of this superior technology. I have added to this message notes from various people (all included in address field above) and some other useful information and addresses for the people of our great state to look at. I added the letter from Moe at the end of all this. Doug Nelson -------------------------------- here are some reasons to consider (from another email source): (1) Macs cost less to operate. (2) Some Macs are even cheaper than an identical PC. (3) No more worry about a single vendor computer since there now are clones. (4) There is a higher percentage Internet connected Macs than PCs. (5) Other than one specific brand of Unix machine, there are more Macs as Web servers. (6) Contrary to popular opinion, it does not cost more to have both Macs and PCs in a single organization. etc. -------------------------------- Kansas City has quite a large implementation of Macs. You might want to give them a call. I don't have names other than the listing of N B (Ben) Nelson, Chief, of KDOT's Bureau of Computer Services. They list phone numbers in the 95 Kansas Communications Services Directory for Engineering support -----(913) 296-4057 Operations Support -----(913) 296-4258 Administrative Support ---(913) 296-4259 Planning Support --------(913) 296-3545 "... I'm sorry I don't have an email address for you, but you might want to talk to Mike Jones. He's in charge of an all-Mac network at a county office here in Kansas City.... Here's his analog info: Michael Jones Director of MIS Jackson County Prosecutor's Office 415 E 12th Street Floor 7M Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: 816.881.3888" -------------------------------- " Reply to: RE>Massachusetts standardizing on Pe or, where were YOU when the decisions were being made? Sounds like more of old Weld's backroom idiocy. Like eliminating licensing, or eliminating teacher certification (you know, we tried that strict certification stuff for a year or so). Maybe he's on the early track of Reagan's alzeimer's. In 1985 I was at Brookhaven National Laboratory. They standardized on PC/XT and AT computers. I had to fill out a 20 page form justifying why I wanted to buy a nonstandard computer. But I did it. Then I proceeded to run circles around the PCs with my Mac Plus, LaserWriter and 20Mb HD. I tied into the VAX, pulled down data, analyzed it with spreadsheet and statistics software on the Mac, programmed models of the data in True Basic on the Mac, and generated the best looking reports in the department. So fight it. Argue it. Prove that it is a cost savings for your office to go with Macs. Prove that they will have a harder time integrating than you will. Hey, after a year or so, he will probably get over it and throw out the strict standards anyway. Argue free market with him. Hey, we need competition so that the best can win out. Argue small government -- get the government out of the government! I mean, all his own arguments on issues like this work against him. I gotta go. But you really got me pissed with that one (not at you, at Weld)." -------------------------------- "So typical. I work in a site with a heavy Mac presence, yet despite that I encounter the same bias in MIS (where these decisions are made). Worst of all, it is founded on complete ignorance. I have lost all track of the number of times they knowingly told me (in complete error) that "this can't be done on the Mac". And then when you show it to them working beautifully, they are amazed and impressed and agree it's easier than Windows! ARRGHHHHHH......." anonymous quote -------------------------------- "I looked at the URL and it made me puke. You would think that Windows was the only desktop operating system in the Universe. You didn't say what your area of interest (CAD, DTP, GIS, etc.) so I'll chime in w/ some insights to my area: Architecture and Planning. We have several CAD and desktop publishing programs that we go cross platform with everyday. We also use a GIS app that interfaces to the industry standard: ARC INFO. The software is called MapGrafix by CommGrafix out of Clearwater FL. The city of St Louis uses this software for ALL their GIS needs. The reason I'm pushing the GIS issue is that it is very demanding of systems and a complex to learn and implement. It also is something a dos/windows dweeb wouldn't expect a Mac to be able to do. MapGrafix is the easiest to use GIS package around. It is also *very* powerful. You may want to send Guy Kawasaki some mail at Apple. He may be able to get someone to look into why these guys have got their heads in buried in the sand." -------------------------------- "This is government? I think standardizing is a bad idea to begin with, but that sounds ridiculous. Call it Evolution, or Devolution, still sounds like a change involving a lot of people who'd have to relearn how to compute." -------------------------------- Join EvangeList. Send an email to for an automatic reply. (Any message will work.) Archives are at: . -------------------------------- I urge you to check out the following web sites to gather some information for yourselves: http://www.icsi.net/~crfrank/TableofContents.html http://www.icsi.net/~crfrank/TableofContents.html http://redback.cs.uwa.edu.au/Quinn/WWW/HumanInterfaceSubtleties.html http://wais.sensei.com.au/searchform.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following note was sent to me on December 26, 1995. begin original text ============== <<<< Thanks for your e-mail to Governor Weld regarding state computer >purchasing guidelines. As you may know, much of the state's computers are >linked via a LAN/WAN system, and much of our software is used on a shared >basis, so it makes sense to have a consistent standard for PC purchasing. > > The Department of Procurement and General Services (DPGS) establishes >the specifications for state purchasing. For more information on the decision- >making process behind these standards, contact the DPGS at (617) 727-7500. > > Again, thank you for writing. Dear "Kzimmerman@state..": Many thanks for you replay. I assume that you have a name? Small point, but it is common practice to sign a "e mail" with a name. You fail to explain exactly why it makes sense to "have a consistent standard for PC purchasing". Yes, it would make the lives of purchasing agents easier, in that they wouldn't have to learn about multiple computer platforms. Please be advised, however that many of us in the private sector have learned DOS, MAC and UNIX...systems. This is not rocket science. It may come as something of a shock to the governmental system, but there are LAN/WAN systems in the world which service DOS, MAC and UNIX machines. And many tax payers resent employing lazy/"computer-challenged" employees. Surely a state with "accommodations" ranging from Gov. Weld to our Senior Senator, MIT to Umass. Dartmouth, Dover to Holyoke can accommodate Mac and DOS computers???????? Surely we can find and employ purchasing agents who understand both systems? Surely we need not employ chronic idiots and establish policy with which they secure their jobs????????? Why should we have to use the telephone to "glean" the DPGS decision making process? Surely there is a spare megabyte or 2 for the details available on a Commonwealth server? Moe Walters>>>>> ============== end original text