If you give us some idea of what they are saying on the list we could probably be of more help to you. From the posts so far it seems as if the main gripes against Mac boil down to the old 'its just a pretty piece of fluff' compared to real computers such as Windows. Of course, MS and others keep trying to come up with ways of legally emulating the fluff as much as possible, but that is another story. But more often than not the commentary on Windows discussion lists are idiosyncratic at best. They certainly are not based on any experience or knowledge of the existing information. To me, one of the biggest selling points for the Mac is that those who have given both systems a fair try almost always go for the Mac. My impression is that, in general, Mac users are much more familiar with, more more frequently use, Windows than vice versa. Admittedly, this is often out of necessity but it does make one wonder who the fanatics are. A relative of mine who was recently certified for WIndows and attended his first IT provider conference. He was discussing some of the deficiencies in the Windows OS when he was told that many ITers were glad about the problems because it provided them with employment. (I think they have a point, It seems to me that one of the main benefits of inefficiency is that it does provide people with employment and hence ways to raise families and pay for others to do the same). But this anecdote is consistent with the few cost benefit studies I was able to find comparing Windows with Mac OS - the Mac system was always cheaper to run. If anyone knows of any study showing the opposite I would be interested in hearing about it. Apple has a Switch page at http://www.apple.com/switch/ I think the basic reality is that Windows successfully played to the business and commercial needs and on the basis of inroads there edged Mac out of the consumer as well as business markets, as it is now doing in the increasingly anxiety prone and business dominated education market (and I am talking about mindshare as well as other trends here). And Windows does adequately meet the needs of many of its users. Certainly no one ever got fired for recommending the adoption of a Windows network even when the rationale given for the decision is based on inaccurate information and a certain amount of fear mongering. But I think that it is interesting that those in a position to exhibit some independence (i.e., the knowledgeable and highly skilled 'geek' community) do not flock to Windows. It remains to be seen how much the Unix crowd will warm to Mac OS X, but the early signs are not discouraging. But I remain puzzled by the fact that Ivey still transfers files exclusively via floppy. Wow. I could understand it if it were merely one option. After all, it is probably unreasonable to ask those advocating innovation in other people's lives to innovate in their own (you don't think that is too sarcastic, do you?) But even the Windows world is abandoning the floppy. BTW, here is what the Harvard of the South offers re computing services to its faculty http://www.hbs.edu/research/rcs/ Without being aware of the Ivey's equipment, I can see why any CD burned on you Mac should not be accessible by a Windows machine if all you are doing is transferring a file. With OS X you should be able to transfer the files via a 802.11b or 802.11g connection. I would find it hard to believe the Ivey is not wired to these protocols. I don't see why you can't publish the file to your .mac account or to your UWO web site and simply email the URL to the administrator to download via HTTP. For text files I would assume rtf format would work for most but the current MS Word programs for Mac and Windows open Word files created on the opposite platform. Apple has paid a lot of attention to networking Mac in non-Mac environments. Most of the difficulties in access these capabilities lie between the chair and the keyboard. Most of me believes that this can't possibly be such a big deal. Other than being able to use the platform of your choice, does anyone really care about what others are using? I hope your upcoming experiences don't prove me wrong. Alan Pomfret On Sunday, May 18, 2003, at 01:52 PM, Rich wrote: > > Paul Thomas: > >> I like the connection between 'Mac' and 'McD' <grin> > > Would you like Y2K with that? > > > --- Rich Fortnum / Viaduct Productions / Toronto (EST) > --- LDCMS Web-based Content Management System > --- Affordable, Quick, Powerful, Logical! > --- http://www.viaduct-productions.com > > > _________________________________________________ > > For information concerning the MUGLO List just click on > > http://muglo.on.ca/pages/members.html#Joinmuglo > > Don't forget to periodically check our web site at: > > http://muglo.on.ca/ > _________________________________________________ For information concerning the MUGLO List just click on http://muglo.on.ca/pages/members.html#Joinmuglo Don't forget to periodically check our web site at: http://muglo.on.ca/