Journal: News & Comment

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We expect so little of our computers

You know we have low expectations for personal computers when a rave review of a new system includes the sentence "I put the iMac through its paces and everything worked." (My emphasis.)

I think the new iMac is cool, but would the ability to work even be worth discussing with any other sort of product?

• "I put some food in the oven, and it actually heated up."
• "I put the hammer through its paces, and it did hammer nails."
• "I turned the key, and the engine started. Driving around, I was surprised that the steering wheel let me turn corners. The car accelerated predictably, and even stopped when I pressed the brake pedal."
• "The shirt came complete with a hole for my head, one for each arm, and another at the bottom for my torso. Not only were all the necessary holes there, but there were no extra ones for extremities I don't have."

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