Re: AUGD: .Mac vs Google
Re: AUGD: .Mac vs Google
- Subject: Re: AUGD: .Mac vs Google
- From: Melanie Schoenfeld <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2006 10:11:30 -0700
This was such an interesting thread that I took it to a MUG meeting,
to see what our members had to say about Google vs .Mac.
For me, and for the members at that meeting, the most important
difference between Google and .Mac is this: Google makes its services
first for Windows, and later accommodates Mac users. Apple makes
its .Mac services first for Mac users, then later accommodates Windows.
So if a Mac user chooses to use Google, they will always be served
last. Well, maybe next to last -- I think Linux is still last :-D And
the service may not be as good as it is for Windows users.
It's not so much a question of loyalty to Apple as self-interest: We
have invested lots of money and time in our Macs, so why would we
choose a web service that thinks we're second class?
Sure, all the Google services are free, and that's not a small
advantage. But most of the members at my MUG meeting said Google
services are harder to find, harder to use, and the results aren't as
good as with .Mac. (It's important to note that these were "ordinary"
Mac users, not power users or Mac addicts. It was a Q&A meeting --
troubleshooting -- and attracted people who joined the club for the
help we provide, and for the fun. For them, the fact that Google Page
Creator doesn't work with Safari is a big deal.)
The lack of an iDisk was also a big consideration, especially for
those who use Backup. Anyway, the consensus was that if you use the
package of services, .Mac is unquestionably the way to go. If you
don't need all or most of the services, then you can save money and
go with Google.
However, while hoping that .Mac will survive the competition from
free services like Google, the members also agreed that Apple could
do a better job with it. .Mac Groups came in for a lot of criticism.
Many people had tried them, but no one had any success with them,
because they're too hard for friends and family to access.
I've been a Mac user and MUG member for many years, and it seems to
me that Apple's success has changed the attitude of many Mac users.
They expect to be first in line for the good stuff, not last or next
to last :-)
Melanie Schoenfeld
email@hidden
http://www.macswest.org
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