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You forgot to talk about the MS fundies. These are beyond hopeless, because they don't realize they write the same flamebaiting drivel but get *paid* to do it.

That's why there aren't as much MS fundies, but there are quite a few astroturfers and MS shills.

Which one are you?

"You must be new to the scene. OS wars, cult personalities and blind fanatism...

Basically they are like the average OSS fundie except the Mac zealots are less messed up in the head. Take this for example: The Mac zealot doesn't care to "save the world" (aka activism, like the DRM scare) like the OSS fundie does.

Both need therapy."

I don't think you get it. You've been modded down, you use *inappropriate* words the only word that you could use is *fanatic*. It comes from the word fan.

I don't like MAC OS X, but the *one* thing I do understand is how you could be a *fan* of apple.

1) They are the underdog
2) The machines are fashionable;stylish;slick etc.
3) Run *applications* designers are attracted to *adobe*, who are often fashionable;stylish;slick etc. themselves.
4) Innovative/Popularize new concepts.
5) ...and keep doing it

I use Linux, I know exactly why I use Linux
1) Control
Linux users talk about GPL3,Privacy,EULA's,DRM,Trusted computing.

I'm not saying they didn't use it as a job, or wanted to try; learn something new; or had some specific requirement for it; Or it costs nothing; Or its Cool(sic) in the way you can compile it all

New users talk about it just working; who cares about the source...I don't program!? Why cant I just click a download and some next buttons? Why is everything in separate directories; Its a tool etc etc

...and then comes a point when you use a IBM Clone, and you don't feel in control, and you understand Why?

Vistas EULA over 3500 words *with* web references telling me what I *can't* do. GPL3 contains 417 words telling me what I *can*.

Seriously tell me like you like Microsoft. I've spent half an hour of my time telling you why people *love* their operating systems...and I haven't mentioned *ONE* technical detail; performance; stability etc etc, because the reality is they're all *good enough*.

I wish I was better with words.

Edited 2007-02-01 01:52

I am a Mac switcher, since just before Christmas. I have joined a few Mac user groups. What I have found is that Mac users appear in my experience to have a healthy skepticism about Apple, and a more subtle ability to distinguish between good and bad aspects of OS X than this statement involving religious zealotry would imply. I mean, I am surprised that this is the case, but it's the case for me, at least.

You are referring to Mac *users* as opposed to Mac *fanboys*. I'm one of the former but not the latter. There's a big difference.

Check out and compare the posts at the "comp.sys.mac.misc" usenet group with those at "comp.sys.mac.advocacy", and you'll see the difference at once.

But I'd agree that even Mac *fanboys* don't really exhibit "religious zealotry" (though there is the cult of personality regarding Steve Jobs); more like enthusiasm spilled over into smugness and a superiority complex (again, I'm talking about the *fanboys* not the normal users). "Religious zealotry" is more aptly ascribed to the followers of RMS and the like.