[itdiscuss] mac or PC?

[Jeffrey Thompson]

I have come to like the Mac OS X platform more than Windows.  I  
personally am much more productive in Mac OS X.  The GUI is  
significantly better.   The Office applications (in iWork 2008) are  
significantly better in my opinion too.  The Mac OS X Email client  
runs great too, especially in an IMAP configuration where you can  
access the same server and setup from the Mac Mail program as through  
a web browser.  The iWork 2008 office suite is Microsoft Office  
compatible.

I also think Mac OS X and the Mac Pro Workstation is the defacto  
standard for doing Audio / Video (AV) Editing and driving AV for  
events (like the Worship Services).  I have had Music staff switch  
over to the Mac OS X away from Microsoft and they are much more  
productive and are quite happy.  In those high demand, real-time  
situations, my experience is that Mac OS X has a higher quality and  
much better performance and reliability than Windows.

For core office functions, it's hard to beat a DELL Server running  
Microsoft Server 2003 running Microsoft Office 2003 accessible through  
a terminal server.  I would ditto that for the Microsoft Exchange  
server.  This configuration centralizes your resources and services  
the need for office productivity. I don't particularly care for the  
new Microsoft Office GUI though.  Just as I find the new Microsoft  
commercials, they fall flat.  :)  unlike the cool Apple commercials  
(and associated GUI).  Also, having the Macs access the office via  
Remote Desktop is also a great solution.

So in my opinion, because the Mac OS X has almost no problems, and is  
quite compatible with the Microsoft Network (esp. in the new version  
that speaks to Active Directory) I suggest that it is reasonable to  
support both Mac and Windows since they are serving your customer,  
each with different needs:
    * The average staff person who needs basic office productivity  
support (email, ms office, remote desktop access) should be in a  
Terminal Server setup accessed through Remote Desktop
    * Use Exchange Server as your email system
    * Any form of Creative Services should be Mac OS X: Web, Audio,  
Video, Communications, Print, Photography (and don't forget the  
Cinematic Displays to go along with the Macs!! They are more expensive  
but are not an optional piece of equipment for Creative Services.)
    * Macs have no problems talking to Window Fileshares / Active  
Directory
    * Macs will *greatly reduce* your support burden in these high  
demand, high performance areas.  Macs are actually better suited for  
this than PCs.
    * The 17" MacPro is the best laptop out there.  It would be the  
laptop of choice for Senior Staff.
    * I would also recommend standardizing on the iPhone 2.1.  It  
costs the same as Blackberry but is an order of magnitude better in  
performance.  Also issue a car charger because they will need it for  
the battery (my only iPhone complaint).  iPhone works fabulously with  
Exchange Server.
    * Embrace iTunes and UTube as a free, high quality medium to  
deliver high quality video and audio Podcasts over the ever growing  
Apple Wireless Network.   By standardizing on the Mac OS X platform,  
you embrace the free iTunes and UTube network to deliver your  
content.  The iTunes may work on Windows.  It works better on Mac.  :)

On Sep 15, 2008, at 11:41 PM, Jason Powell wrote:

> Apparently our senior pastor is looking for public advice on Mac vs.  
> PC …
>
> http://www.markbeeson.com/mark_beeson/2008/09/how-much-longer-will-i-tolerate-my-laptop.html
>
> Pro/Con … please weigh in as you see fit.
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