At 11:59 AM 11/11/98 PST, you wrote:
>the iMac looks cute, but it is no friendlier than any other mac. It has
[...]
>I have no idea why the iMac is more likely to bring in a new layer of users
[...]
>the iMac offers a blue box in a black and beige world
That's exactly why. The iMac tries to say "Computers are no longer strange
boxes with blinkenlights that are scary and ugly. They are friendly, cute,
pyrex-and-kenmore appliances for the average home. They look good, and
don't have to be hidden under the desk with lots of wires running
everywhere." All it needs is a bud vase and you've got the computer
version of the new beetle. A kinder, gentler computer.
Sony tried to do it with their name -- people are quite happy with a Sony
stereo, so why not a Sony computer? But Stereos are still to complicated
for many people; they just don't think that way. Going back a little
further, someone pointed out that the Lisa was very similar to -- if not
modelled after -- the old IBM tubes, keeping that geek-ish-ness going,
despite the GUI.
The iMac "offers a blue box in a black and beige world."
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Received on Wed Nov 11 1998 - 17:47:53 GMT