Dateline: The Future.
"Well, now that Apple Computer is gone and the Macintosh is dead, the PC world is definitely going to be a safer place.
"There will no longer be any question of compatibility in the workplace, because everyone will be running one flavor of DOS or Windows, unless of course they need some industrial strength system like Sun or whatever. But they are the few. Windows is for everybody.
"Publishers will eventually see the light and convert their inferior graphic systems to the future operating system, Windows NT. Then anyone running one or another of the flavors of DOS or Windows out there will be compatible with printers and service bureaus. In time, graphic designers and other content creators will see the light and will convert (or should I succumb). They cannot make a living on an outdated computer forever. It was inevitable.
"The writing was on the wall when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs returned to the company peddling another outdated operating system, NeXT. The hoopla over what was to be Rhapsody eventually ran into reality. Apple never delivered a state-of-art modern operating system. The smoke and mirrors died out and attempts to prop up the System 8 wained with consumers. Apple-branded network computers never made it to market. IBM pulled the plug on PowerPC chips. Despite Jobs' best efforts, the MacOS could not be ported to Intel technolgy quick enough. The bottom dropped out..."
Will these words be written at some future date by a technology writer, pronouncing the death of Apple Computer. It's not likely.
Granted, it's certainly been a roller coaster ride for Mac devotees of late. Assessing the status of the Apple Computer and the Macintosh is like predicting the life cycle of computer technology.
To understand why Apple Computer and the Mac will be around for the forseeable future, all one has to do is look around: major downsizing, renewed focus, on schedule products releases, on schedule to release what could be another revoluton in computing (Rhapsody), the best and fastest computers in its history...the list goes on and on. Apple is a long way from throwing in the towel and it very well looks as if Steve Jobs is the right man at the right time. Yes, Jobs makes crazy decisions that no one understands. But isn't that kind of direction what has made the Mac great? Why, he's even considering staying on permanently. Indeed, we'll be in for a wild ride for sure. Name another computer company that creates that kind of excitement.
Personally, I'm buckled in and bracing for more. What I see coming from all of this is perhaps some of the most insanely great products in the history of computerdome...can lightning strike the same place twice?
Contrary to popular believe...scientists now say "yes."