I earn a living working with Windows and Unix servers. A few years back I made the jump to Mac for the family computer - spurred by a flaky iTunes app running on WinXP - my kids got iPods.

Well the Mac OS looks great and I liked not having to worry about internet/email delivered viruses. I too struggled with shared iPhoto/iTunes libraries and shared user docs. I got it mostly figured out after a few days of Google searches but having a shared open directory for general files still was problematic for file permissions on my super user and restricted (kids) accounts. Also our HP printer (one that can fax/scan/copy/print) was a model not fully supported in OSX so I could only print with it.

I guess the big sell is for folks who are just happy with Mac applications like iPhoto, iMovie, and iTunes. If you're in love with those apps then the Mac makes sense. I don't fall into that camp and ended up selling the Mac and moving back to Windows. I enjoy having tools off the right click mouse again and I am many times more productive on it. Apple seems to have improved iTunes for Windows so no more issues there for the kids and their iPods. YMMV.

I don't hate Mac - I just got sick of fighting with the OS to do things my way.

I'm a mac/apple hater now. I liked them in the 90's, before they fell behind in performance. Now it's just shiny hardware. If macs have fewer problems than PCs, it's only because they have less functionality.
I hate my ipod and itunes with a passion.

I don't hate an operating system or equipment but i just find Apple much more functional. I bet i've spent much less time screwing with updates and patches since I got and Apple and any problems I've encountered have been of my own making.

That's funny.

Jeez I feel like the lone ranger. Still love mine. The oldest is hitting ten years now and basically works as a music server.

I grew up in the Jacquard (that's pre DOS but very similar) DOS world and use a Dell at work but when I get home I use the IMac. For me, the MAC OS is cleaner and more direct, upgrades are easy, the machines I've owned have been very, very reliable (dropped, dented, subjected to sub zero and boiling temps etc.) and ITunes and IPhoto (IMO) can't be beaten by anything else I've seen. Not to mention I got damn sick and tired of viruses.

I think both operating systems have their points but overall (again IMO) the Mac is 21st century and Windows is a poor copy with a DOS crutch.

Having said all this I do think the IPad is a waste of money (sorry Steve but no Flash- no cash). The Ipod OTOH still rules.

Didn't they come up with flash for the IPAD the other day? I thought I heard something in the news at the end of last week.

They have less useless functionality. But different strokes...

Same thing goes for SHE-MALES, according to your logic.

heh - my comment stands with your addendum.

So to speak. As it were.

i drank the koolaide a few years ago. i still have to call some friends occasionally to ask, " how do you do.......?"

for the most part, i love it.