Oliver Brose wrote:
> >From: John Goggan <jgoggan_at_dcg.com>
> >In fact, I'd find it hard to recommend myself. I mean, regardless
> >of how cool/awesome/whatever someone might think some current Mac
> >is, I'm not sure I'd recommend a large body of students grow up
> >using them at school. It just isn't likely to be what they will
> > be using later...
>
> John, I do not want to insult anyone on the list for using Windows,
> but I really really dislike this argument. Yes, possibly they will be
> forced to work with some WinTel later, but why not even show
> alternatives anymore?
I didn't say that at all. In fact, as Newton users, I'd say we all recognize
that "alternatives" to the most popular are often times better.
But, that being said, I also don't recommend that my PDA-newbie friends run to
EBay to buy a Newton. People see me with my Newt, ask about it, are impressed
by it, and want one. And I tend to tell them that because it is discontinued
and might not be easy for them to find new things for, that they are probably
better off getting a Palm.
It isn't that I don't want them to use a Newt. It isn't that I like Palm and
don't think there should be "alternatives." But the truth is that I just
don't usually think it is best for them to go buy a Newt as their handheld.
> "Do not get a pet, they die after a while."
No, more like, "Do not buy yourself a hedgehog if you are really just trying
to get ready to be a professional dog show competitor later." Granted, the
hedgehog is one cool critter -- but I'm not convinced that having a bunch of
kids raise them for 4-8 years if they are going to dog show college later. ;)
> If you stop showing young people, who are tomorrows decisionmakers,
> alternatives, you cut commercial freedom at its root, they will
> become blind drones with "it's always been like that" mantras.
I didn't say that at all. I didn't say that Macs shouldn't be used at all
either. When it comes to creativity, sure, the Mac is a great thing. Never
said that it wasn't. But when we start talking about getting kids ready for
their future, sometimes going with what is popular is better than going with
what is innovative.
Again, I certainly don't mean that ALL THE TIME. I don't mean to stifle
creativity at all. But there are certainly advantages to teaching kids on
what they will be most likely to use later, IMO.
> I am still a little too young to have kids (IMHO), but maybe I will
> have some one day. I will want my children to be educated in an
> environment that provides the best conditions for their creativity.
> This might be more than ten years from now, but somehow I cannot
> imagine Windows to be a part of it. I just do not want Microsoft to
> raise my children.
If I have children, I will raise them. Not my school. My school is there to
help teach my child to be ready for the future. If you want to let your
school's computers raise your child, that's your choice. But I certainly
won't be doing that.
I think, as most OS/PC arguments tend to go, has already reached the
unreasonable point. Once you start arguing that having a Windows box means
that Microsoft is raising your children, the rest of the argument is pretty
much moot.
I think I'll stop now. :) I'll probably have to go move in with Ed now just
to avoid being attacked on the street. ;)
- John...
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