re: create and my views and suggestions on the apple community
re: create and my views and suggestions on the apple community
- Subject: re: create and my views and suggestions on the apple community
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2003 13:15:48 -0600
I agree with most of the comments regarding the type of
attendees that
would go. I went to my first Macworld sf in 1991. I retired and moved
back to Oklahoma in 1994. I wasn't able to make it back to SF until
2002. I remember the amount of floor space used in 1993 was a lot more
than in 2002. The number of venders, targeted audiences, their
willingness to provide trinkets, and product after listening to a spiel
was also better. The idea about a midwest venue sounds great, the center
of the country is roughly in Oklahoma or Kansas. We have a couple of new
convention centers here in Oklahoma City and Midwest City. The facility
cost should be cheaper in the midwest.
The other point is most of my sig attendees are home users, they don't
do publishing, networking, large business, etc. Most of them do email,
personnel letters, genealogy. Maybe Macworld (IDC) could do a midwest
production aimed at home/small office/school users. The largest
collection of Macs that I am aware of around here is the MidDel School
district. I also hear "why have macs, when they are not used in
business". (I substituted this year) Votechs, and colleges keep them few
and far. When I was going to East Central U (a teaching college) a few
years ago (1996), the system administrators did not want to let
education computer lab Macs on the network. I was able to get them on
internet, but could not get email access.
This year the schools in Oklahoma are loosing major funding. MidDel
announced 04-27-03 that they were laying off 128 more teachers/staff for
next year. What do you think impact is going to be on new Mac purchases?
2-3 pc's = 1 Mac dollar wise. We need to work on cost of our favorite
platform. The more units on the desktop the lower the development costs
for hardware and software. Is Apple still trying to keep lower income
users from enjoying the superior platform? My disability is less than a
new Mac. And what about ss recipients? My mom would have to use 4 +/-
months of income for lower end units.
While Apple has made progress in this area more could be done. This is
where user groups can help also. Hit the local auctions and thrift
stores looking for Macs and peripherals. Clean up, install operating
system, CW/AW/Word Perfect, internet software/hardware (depending on
processor) couple of entertainment packages (card games, chess, etc.).
Loan, rent, sell cheap (monthly payments) or give to a senior citizen or
needy family. I know the word rent will ring bells, but some people will
not accept charity. I am aware that some UG's do this in some form or
another. but if every retired Mac from schools, offices, etc. where put
back to use by someone that doesn't have access now, we may be able to
create a new fan who wants to upgrade. If they want it bad enough then
they will find a way to pay, we (user groups) just have to create the
urge. I have a senior citizen that I sold a 7100/66 all she does is
plays card games and bingo. She lives 5 miles from town, no cable tv.
She even gets up to play in the middle of the night when she can't
sleep. Start them out with games, email, and typing program, provide
basic training free, advanced training at a low cost.
Charles Lenington
Oklahoma City PC Users Group, Mac SIG
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