Since this is the fourth November I will have written a column for appleJAC Digest, I thought it would be fun to look back to see what the topics of past November columns have been.
In November 1996 the column focused on clones and Windows 95: "What remains to be seen is if the Mac operating system can stand up to the challenge of multiple vendors building boxes to run it. The PC-compatible market has gone through years of upheaval due to incompatibility issues and the lack of plug-and-play features.
"As hard as it is to admit, Microsoft has forged ahead on a number of fronts with Windows 95 ... particularly in the most important arena, public opinion. Getting a modern operating system to market is perhaps Apple's greatest challenge as it competes today's personal computer market.This situation is ironic as Apple has finally licensed its hardware business. With that out of the way, Apple must keep its technology ahead of the competition. By not delivering on a new (and revolutionary) OS soon, it could seriously hurt the clone market which it so hesitantly started in the first place."
Remember all the talk about the BeOS? Well, Apple didn't buy the upstart operating system, rather, it opted for Steve Jobs NeXT and, well, the rest is history as they say.
In November 1997 Apple was experiencing some of its darkest days, and the column reflected what everyone was talking about: Could Jobs save Apple?
"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. Dell? Gateway 2000? Compaq? You've got to be kidding! 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 computer dome ... can lightning strike the same place twice? Contrary to popular believe ... scientists now say "yes".
A much rosier picture followed in November 1998 with a discussion of Y2K, Windows and the Mac.
"Recently, I sat quietly during a long discussion about Y2K problems with the computers at my workplace. We reviewed page after page of computers that were determined must be replaced because they were not equipped to handle the coming of a new century.
"Then the group turned the page to a list of Macintosh computers that we use for publishing and design work. The experts agreed that, by all accounts, the Macs should not need to be replaced because the operating system and most software is Y2K-compatible and has been so for many years. Having recommended the move from Windows PCs to Macintosh in our graphic services area two years earlier, I smiled to myself as the page was flipped to another listing of PCs and Y2K incompatibility problems.
"But as I have mentioned earlier, that may be changing. By all accounts, Steve Jobs seems to have learned a lot since being ousted by the company in the 1980s. Check out Apple's earning record over the past year ... wow! I say it's 'bout time!
"But back to Y2K. Think about the billions the world will spend to fix a problem with Windows that has its roots in MS-DOS. What a shame the world has standardized on Windows! Think of the resources those billions could provide business and individuals if they were not faced with upgrading a computer in the next year and a half!
"Macintosh user, regard yourself as a very smart computer user, YOU knew there would be the year 2000 too!"
In November 1999, the Mac has perhaps never been healthier. Apple Computer seems to have learned from its mistakes of the past and, I believe, is slowly re-positioning itself as a consumer electronics company.
Can Apple become the "Sony" of the computer world? With the phenomenal success of the consumer-oriented iMac and upcoming success of its mobile cousin, the iBook, I think it's well on its way.