Changes, they are a comin’
It’s become apparent to me that the Mac community is heading into heretofore unseen areas as of late. The trend is that more and more Windows users are switching to Macs.
For them and for Apple’s bottom line, that’s a great thing. But, what does that mean for the rest of us previously existing members of the Mac community?
One part be my lover, one part go away
On the one hand, there is strength in numbers. On the other hand, there is strength in numbers.
The Mac community has largely existed as a die-hard group of people with similar interests and a similar way of thinking. They have been through thick and through thin supporting this world view that originally both brought them together and separated them from everyone else.
Now, though, that the alternative is becoming the mainstream, there is a (IMHO justified) fear that can be seen among the Mac community (and most other subcultures undergoing similar changes) that the originating perspectives, beliefs, mindsets, what-have-you might be overrun by the opposing perspective, beliefs, mindsets of the newcomers. That the community which they identify with will change beyond recognition.
I think it’s purely natural that these newcomers would be met with a widely varying degree of resistance from the group. I mean, let’s face it. The Windows community has many more members than the Mac community. And when you have such a large group of people potentially entering an existing group, they have the potential to demolish previously set standards of behavior, actions, and social rankings.
Not an elitist standpoint
However, the notions and ideas “switchers,” as they have been called, bring with them are typically viewed by the Mac community to have been rejected time and again by the Mac community.
I’m not trying to be cliquey or elitist, but I think there is a point of caution to be raised for people moving in to the Mac community. Just as when entering any other well-established group, you can’t expect to be embraced with open arms by everyone just because you’ve finally figured out that jabbing yourself in the eye with a sharp stick repeatedly isn’t such a pleasurable thing to do. You still have a responsibility to yourself to continue to make the leaps and bounds that started you on this new path.
That said, we’re incredibly ecstatic when someone switches, really we are. It gives us a small sense of validation and we can also revel in the fact that fewer and fewer people are shoving sharp sticks in their eyes.
But, again, this is not an elitist standpoint. I’m not saying something like switchers don’t have the capability to understand Mac peoples’ points of view because Mac people are somehow better in the whole grand scheme of things. I’m simply saying that the typical newcomer doesn’t understand the existing points of view because they’re not yet Mac people. And that’s the difference.
If I were an elitist, I would write them off. But, since I’m not I have the utmost confidence that everyone will do what’s best for them. For those who choose to continue to explore the Mac community, one day they too will be full-fledged members of the Mac community and perhaps most importantly … they will understand. For their eyes are just opening. They are just entering a powerful community of independent thinkers. And that, friends and neighbors, is exciting to watch.
Embrace our new brethren
And not to forget that the typical Mac community member is more of an open-minded sort. Our new members do in fact bring with them some ideas which we could use to better ourselves, too.
Since I am one who believes strongly in allowing people to find their own way in life and helping them along if asked, I am starting a new on-going column. It will not be so much a “click this, click that” how-to as it will be about the mentality and psychology behind what makes a Mac a Mac. It’s aim will be to help restructure the thought patterns so that both sides can better understand the other. As Pink Floyd said, “tear down the wall!”
Be gone the ways of many just because you are many. Welcome those who keep an open mind and explore every corner of technology for the best facets, including them in their arsenal regardless of their origin or popularity.
So, rather than endlessly berating our new brethren, I propose that we take it into a positive and help bring them into the fold so that they may be able to better evaluate this new community they are entering.
First up: Wizards vs Assistants
First up on my list of importance is something I think really rings true in the difference of perspectives between your average Windows and average Mac user. And that is the concept of a Windows wizard.
See, we don’t have wizards in Mac land. We have assistants. And there is a very, very, very good reason for this.
From a psychological standpoint, a wizard is someone who works magic. And why do you need a wizard to work magic? That’s right, because you don’t have the skills or understanding to do it yourself. The process itself is mysterious. Enter Merlin.
On a Mac, however, there are no wizards. The tool which provides similar functionality is called an assistant. What do assistants do? That’s right, they do the tasks and chores that you could do yourself, but are either too busy, too tired, too lazy to do.
The difference is the simple concept between the two: one is empowering and the other is disempowering.
When I want to install an application on a Mac, I just drag the application file onto my hard drive. When I want to uninstall it, I drag it to the trash. There’s nothing mysterious going on and hence no wizard (or assistant for that matter) needed.
Could you imagine what installing an application on Windows would be like if you didn’t have a wizard? OMG! The mentality that is created when you’re presented with a task like that is one of helplessness. There’s too much to keep track of. Too much to do. 3000 files to copy, making sure all get into the right directories. Registry entries to make and change. Egad! Most people completely tune out at the thought (as they may have at the start of this paragraph.) Enter Merlin who can do the chore for you. “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” Or, perhaps “you want me on that wall; you need me on that wall!”
“Why does it have to be so difficult? I just want to install an application.” you might ask. Well, it doesn’t. Enter Macintosh.
So, we don’t have wizards on Macs. If you need assistance doing something, look for an assistant. If you slip up and call it a wizard, we’ll forgive you but you’ll still be branded a newbie because we’ll know that you don’t completely understand … yet.
