FAQ

Okay, so who are we kidding -- we don't have any frequently asked questions. I mean questions are asked, but who keeps track of the most frequent ones? So instead, here are the questions that I think people may be asking frequently. I have some answers, too.

1. Why A32?

The Association of A32 Users was originally formed of Lisa Users -- and the A32 referred at that time to Apple 32 bit processors (as Lisa was the first desktop 32 bit computer). The date of the founding is unclear - it was certainly within or earlier than 1982.

2. And now?

The Association today is chartered to support users of all advanced desktop machines, although we are principally Macintosh users, by the choice of the members.

3. What does the Association do?

We emphasize providing support to special interest groups, in association with a sister groups including the “Silicon Valley Macintosh Users Group” (SVMUG).

We also encourage our members to volunteer community support, for the many non-profit organizations or schools that may benefit from the availability of computer support.

4. How does A32 differ from SVMUG?

A32 is a California non-profit corporation, able to collect dues as a non-profit, perform business transactions, and so forth. The dues are adjusted according to needs and apply only to members of A32, not SVMUG. A32 maintains a treasury and bank account for support of A32 sponsored activities.

SVMUG is not incorporated. SVMUG has no legal connection to A32. A32 offers support to SVMUG as an established sister group. This support is principally in the form of helping to setup and run special interest groups under the A32 incorporation. We also support volunteerism and other joint activities.

5. Come on, what do you REALLY think about PC vs. Macintosh?

How about Macintosh vs. Sun for that matter? Actually, rationally, each platform has strengths and weaknesses, each has market areas that are most appropriate.

The PC is a cheap machine, easily stripped for useful parts to repair other PC machines. The Windows OS is focussed on allowing centralized network support and control. That's why budget minded IS managers love it. The big pool of technicians are all trained to deal with PC problems (a big pool of technicians is needed, trust me). And it works just fine so long as you stick to standard business applications.

The Macintosh is a medium priced machine (although some cost-of-ownership analyses have shown it is cheaper over the machine lifetime than the PC). For business use, the system is focussed on graphics, sound, video, and other specialized data management and operations. That strength is derived from the file resource architecture and the extensive system library. For the creative tasks of video, production graphics, production documents, music, sound, etc., it beats the PC all out. And I won't run Mathematica™ on any other platform. Nope, won't do it, don't ask me.

For home use, the Macintosh is focussed on providing components for the Digital Lifestyle. Believe me, your lifestyle is really digital in modern culture. You just do not notice. And that is the way it should be.

The Sun workstations are just that: expensive workstations, not desktop computers. Whereas a Macintosh might be installed to handle myriad tasks very well, a workstation is installed for a particular processor intensive task. For example massive CAD and CAE, or full motion full depth animation rendering, etc. In many graphic arts production studios, you will find the creative work being performed on a Macintosh, with the heavy number crunching done on a rendering farm of workstation level machines.