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My viewpoint on computers for Burma



Instead of polling BurmaNet users about what computer platform they use, why
not poll the wealthy Burma expatriate-doctors in U.S. about what brand of
automobiles they drive?

I daresay most, if not all, drive expensive imports - BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus,
etc. Why not include a question like 'Will you drive a less expensive
domestic (and be patriotic) Chevrolet because there are more Chevys on the
road?'

The next question should be directed to other expatriates with more modest
incomes. 'If you can purchase a BMW for, say, $200 more than an inexpensive
Chevy, which would you rather have?'  For your information the only option
available on a BMW is the sunroof or moonroof. No dickering over other
creature comforts and safety features; it's all standard. (Jack, are you
stiil with us?)

You get the point. 

A colleague at the office is an ardent IBM clone user; I wouldn't use the
word fanatic (Jack, are you still with us?) or even zealot. Well, this
computer expert is against one platform because he doesn't know and doesn't
want to know about the other machine. That's fine, after all this is a free
country but here's the killer. His better half loves and uses her Mac at work
and he has been 'busting his -ss' trying to convert her for the past seven
years! He's still trying - poor soul.

(Here's hoping they never talk shop in the bedroom or tranquility will fly
out the windows. BTW, he's on his second marriage and I'm  sure he hates to
start all over again. :-)

Going back to Burma, since they don't allow English as a second language til
the 5th Grade, it might be difficult for Burmese school kids to use the IBM
clones with their English characters. You might say, aha! there is Windows
but Windows is a pale imitation of Macintosh, and why go with a Mac clone
when you can have the real thing?

For you non-computer types on BurmaNet, Windows is software-based graphical
user interface layerd on top of character-based DOS while the Mac is pristine
grahics hardware. And to localise an operating system is relatively easy on
the Mac; Japanese and Chinese Language Kits from Apple display native
characters on the screen.  With Burmese screen fonts, you could be reading
'Myamar Ah Linn' or 'Kyemon' in Burmese; no need for clumsy translation that
loses 80 percent of its impact. No lousy grammartical errors and stupid
spelling errors!