I started to @tastyworm on Twitter about this, but 140 characters just wasn’t enough. He asked, “is she *really* OS agnostic? She certainly comes across with a major apple bias.”
Here’s the problem: Geek Brief is a two person production with a massive audience. We write the show together, but often Cali’s time is encompassed in responding to email. She gets about a thousand a day.
Cali agrees with me that OSX is better than Windows, but she likes Windows, and if she had all the time in the world, she would spend it studying Linux. If you watch all the shows, that sentiment is pretty clearly reflected.
Me, on the other hand…I’m as Apple committed as is possible. I hate Windows and, to my detriment, I look down on people who aren’t willing or able to switch. I’m the bad guy, if there has to be one. When there is an over the top Apple bias on GeekBrief, it’s always when I have written that part of the show. I have no interest in being fair and balanced. I want everyone to switch to Mac.
Cali, on the other hand, somehow sees value in Windows. She even kind of likes Vista. When you see that sentiment in the show it’s all her. When there’s Linux stuff, it’s all her because, to me, Linux is hard work.
GeekBrief.TV is a two person production and the Apple bias mostly comes from me. Cali absolutely prefers Mac, but she also really cares about the alternatives. I try to convince her to make Geek Brief a Mac podcast, but I’m not holding my breath.
27 Comments
1,000 emails a day! Wow. I’m a “switcher” after being a windows user for 18 years (since v2.0). But I still use windows every day in work and my servers at home are all Windows machines. So I use both, but give the choice on the desktop its Mac every time now. Like you I find life is just too short to learn Linux.
Awesome response… thank you
I wanted to elaborate a bit more on my tweet, but yeah, 140 characters in this case was a little small… however, you addressed what I probably would have asked/enquired/mentioned anyway.
.. incidentally, “OS Agnostic”.. made me chuckle… Awesome term.
There are always two or three sides to a story. But Neal’s is the more sensible one this time. Sorry Cali. There are no more windows machines in our house, only Macs. Six of them counting the oldies and there is not one moment I regret that decision. This from an ex IT engineer that has worked with Novell, Windows, UNIX, Linux, OS6,7,8,9 and X. So lots of experience to draw upon.
I wish everyone who watches the show could read this. Because it’s Cali’s mouth the words are coming out of, she’s the one who gets the anger when people don’t like what they hear. I’m pretty sure Geek Brief never claimed to be unbiased, and opinion has always been an element of the show. It just turns so ugly sometimes when the bias is around the subject of Apple compared to Microsoft. I will probably never understand why people can get so rabidly angry on the subject of which operating system is better. I use both daily, and I think each has its charms and frustrations. Once again, thanks Neal, for making it clear that Geek Brief is written by two people even though Cali does all the talking.
Man, it’s late. I was on my way to bed when I discovered this whole dust-up, and knew I had to leave a note here and there before I could sleep. Here’s to a better tomorrow.
Neal, I’m sorry to hear Cali had such a bad day. I hope tomorrow is better for her(and you). Maybe you should take this opportunity to try to be more fair and balanced. I’m sure for you a Mac is the best option. But if for a moment you could try to put yourself in another’s shoes, you might see that for some of us a Mac is the worst option. I’m not saying Macs are bad machines. But I’m a gamer, and Macs are horrible for the kind of system I want. I could care less about all the software that comes with a Mac that I would never use (or I can find open source versions of that met my needs). I want Hardware that is the best I can afford and the ability to constantly upgrade it to the next best thing. I don’t want an overpriced proprietary system that has hardware that was middle of the road last year. If that works for you so be it. I could care less because I know not everyone wants what I want or needs what I need. I’m so tired of this Mac vs Pc crap. Rise above it Neal and free your mind. Stop trying to make me drink the Mac cool-aid when I prefer Brain Toniq. I’m sure I’m like most GB fans who will understand this whole thing was just a brief stumble brought on by all the stress you two have been under as of late. I know you two will get past this and move forward and I hope you will learn and grow from this experience for the better. I look forward to the future progress of the Big Trip and can’t wait for the T-shirt to become available. I’ll wear mine with pride.
I think i would consider myself halfway between both you and cali. I love the mac. i use them for both work and play and never get sick of them. I Would Never consider buying a PC. but if i am forced to use one or find a total PC bias person that i so desperately want to switch, i just pick my battles and back down… after i have tortured them by saying they can’t have photo booth on a PC… mouhahahah!
Neal,
Maybe a talking head insert or surprise appearance on the brief with this post would be great. I’ve been around this stuff for way too long now and the thing I’ve learned is at all comes and goes.
I’ve used DOS, Windows, Macs (original mac), Linux, and other OSs. Everyone one of them has good points and bad points that reflect their creators. The only real answer is which one helps you get done what you need to do the most efficiently.
I have recently updated my personal machine to an iMac and my laptop to a MBP. It’s nice hardware and right now OS X is working great, BUT I also run VMWare Fusion on both machines because I have Windows software that I have to use because OS X versions don’t exist and probably never will. I also have several other “machines” that are VMs hosted on Ubuntu boxes running VMWare. Ubuntu servers and Windows desktops dedicated to specific tasks because that’s what works best.
Final note, every OS and just about every piece of software out there has fans some more rabid than others, know they exist, and move on. Everyday we offend somebody in some way and it’s not intentional most of the time.
“For each and every OS, there is an equal and opposite OS.”
- Newton(ish)
I would like to say that I no longer use Windows, but alas, I still have “Windows Only” software that I still need, so Parallels still has a copy of Windows XP, and will for the foreseeable future.
It is important to remember that the problem defines the solution and not the other way around. One could use Microsoft Word to calculate the trajectory of the Phoenix Lander from the Earth to Mars, but it would not be a case of the best tool for the job.
There will still be times Windows or Linux will be the right tool for the job, but as far as Windows goes, those times are becoming fewer and fewer, at least for me.
Well and interesting idea would be to find out (or if you know, tell us) the percentages of downloads from Windows, OSX, or Linux. If you found 90% were Mac users, then you would have a case, but if it was much less than that then going Mac-only would annoy your audience, and they would leave. Whether or not it is your ‘duty’ to cover both sides is one thing, but your viewers on preferences should come first, as they are paying the bills, one way or another.
Thanks for all the comments, guys. Here’s to a new, better day!
@Techzen - the Big Trip T-Shirts are available. http://www.BigTrip.tv
I for one appreciate the Mac bias. There is plenty of pro-MSFT media out there, GB doesn’t need to join in.
There are a lot of other good comments here already, so I’m left with not much to say. Except:
Macs Rule - Windows Drools!
lol..one day windows users will start writing comments and then comments will even out.
Everything I need to do on a PC I can do on windows so why switch to a $$$ mac that I can tinker with or mod?
Some like Chevys some Fords..if they both get you to dinner who cares.
I use windows and apple and have used linux but as cali says its a time thing to learn linux . i use both depending on what i am doing but i do love using my imac G5 . But would love to have a powerbook but i have to wait on the pennies building up . Love your show and views guys .
@Cali Glad to see the shirts are for sale now. I just ordered mine.
I switched last year after a decade of using Windows and agree 100% with you Neal. However, I did think the last episode seemed a little heavy handed.
The curse of being in front of the camera means you’ll get the brunt of…well…everything. Even after writing this, I’m sure there will be people out there that blame Cali for everything.
REAL BAD Guy Neal! You both are great! Remember: Granny’s can be switchers too!! I’d never go back.
The OS is a tool. If you want a Mac podcast, do one, but don’t mess with the brief.
Longtime Windows user, it’s a career here, and it works great. The kids have a Mac because it’s simpler, easier, safer, works fine too. I’d switch, but I don’t have a compelling reason. Editing is easier on the Mac for my podcasts, but it works on a PC.
Cali and Neal, keep doing what you are doing. You can read my opinion on the issue here http://tonychall.com/?p=8
Neal, with fear of sounding like a three year old…
WELL DUHHHHH??????!
Apple IS better than Windows! Listen, my Dad worked for IBM for 33 yrs. He REFUSED us to have nothing but IBM PCs. Then that insanity moved to Windows. We could ONLY have Windows operating software.
I switched to my Mac on Decmember 31st, 2007 and it has LITERALLY CHANGED MY LIFE!
LITERALLY! Everything that Windows offers, Apple’s Leopard does better. It’s THAT easy.
Jeff McCord
Neal, If you want me to switch to Apple and look down on me for not doing so, then you can buy me a Mac. The cost it way too much when I can get a Dell notebook for $699 that has better specs than a low end Mac. If you make Geek Brief a Mac podcast, then you just lost a viewer.
@21 –
See that is the whole problem with the mac mentality. its thats snobbiness that macs do it better when they really dont. Does mac run slingbox better? Do Macs have all the periphials that PCs have? Do they run games better? Are they easier to expand /upgrade? um no. Are they more expensive? yes. Do iphones have beautiful interfaces? yes Do they match up with the power and versatility of windows mobile? No. Can you get them from all the US carriers.. umm no.
Now I dont think they should be calling Cali names etc, but she brought it on herself with her actions on GB
I respect everyones right to have a favorite OS, if I only used Photoshop or did video editing maybe the Mac would be for me. But I don’t, I work in an industry where there is not one single major industry specific application for the Mac platform, so it would be absurd to suggest that I am somehow inferior for choosing a PC.
I’m an un-switcher. After getting an iPhone,(which I think is the greatest thing ever invented), I decided to give the Mac OS a chance. I bought a MacBook because I was tired of bringing my Dell laptop home every night. Frankly, I’m not impressed. I’ve been using the mac exclusively at home for about 4 months now. I’ve had as many applications freeze on my Mac as I have on my PC. Entourage is a poor substitute for Outlook if you use an Exchange server. I have to use VMWare to run several applications that are essential to my business. And I have had problems with several web sites that just plain don’t work on my Mac no matter what browser I use. Sure, there are a few nice features, but in the end I get a lot more done on my PC in the same amount of time, and isn’t that what a computer is supposed to be about.
I just started with Linux and really enjoy it. I have trouble seeing how it is any harder than Windows. I have challenges, but they are similar to the troubles I had when I was starting with Windows. Nothing different than me. In fact I find the Add Programs functionality much easier on Linux. Give Hardy Heron a try. But also try gOS Space.
I don’t expect you to talk about Windows when covering MacWorld. But if it’s a camera, i’d really like to know if it is supported by Linux. Either it has to mount like a USB hard disk, or they have to include Linux software (Ha!). So, i have to return a Fuji F480 because the box doesn’t say. They never do.
If you want help with Linux, let me know. Apparently, i’m into hard work. I read the manuals, even the EULA.
Born on a Saturday:
Saturday’s child has to work for it’s living.
The tagline of GeekBrief is “shiny, happy tech news…”. For some, arguing over an OS is like arguing over religion. It’s a no-win situation. Writing GeekBrief with an unabashed bias toward Apple is not “news”, it’s editorializing. It’s your show and you can do what you want with it. But don’t be surprised if you lose part of your viewers. But then, I guess you don’t want them as viewers since you stated “I look down on people who aren’t willing or able to switch” and “I have no interest in being fair and balanced. I want everyone to switch to Mac.” Your attitude is not shiny, happy, or “news”.
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