Washington Apple Pi

A Community of Apple iPad, iPhone and Mac Users

June 2018 General Meeting

Windows and Macintosh computing: a comparison

June 23, 2018, 9:30 a.m., George Mason University

The meeting will be at George Mason University, Enterprise Hall, Room 178.

In case of inclement weather or other emergencies, the Pi follows the same schedule for closures as the Montgomery County school system or, in the case of General Meetings, George Mason University.

While most of the early personal computer companies have fallen by the wayside (Commodore, Cromemco, Sorcerer, Tandy, IMSAI, Osborne, Kaypro -- even IBM), Apple has persevered. Apple's introduction of the Mac in 1984 was a major step in that long history, bringing graphical user interfaces out of the lab and into the home. Microsoft responded with Windows 1.0 in 1985, somewhat more usefully with Windows 3.1 in 1992, and finally something fairly robust with Windows NT in 1993.

That was 25 years ago. How do they compare today? To answer that question, the Pi will host Lorrin R. Garson, who will draw on his experience switching from Windows and PCs to macOS and Macintosh. Rather than address which one is "best" -- most users hold fairly strong opinions on that subject -- the presentation will address other questions.  What markets do these two companies serve and how do their business models differ? Which costs more?  What are the  advantages and disadvantages of the two computer environments?  What challenges can you expect if you move from one environment to another?

Garson trained as an organic chemist, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a medicinal chemist, was on the faculty of the University of Tennessee in the College of Pharmacy, and joined the staff of the American Chemical Society in the Publications Division in 1974.  In 1984 he became the Head of the Advanced Technology Department, in 1995 Chief Technology Officer for the Publications Division, in 1998 Director, Information Technology/Publications and retired in 2004 as Chief Research Scientist.  Since retirement, he has read 1-2 books/week, has given 100+ lectures on various topics, has worn out two bicycles riding 28,000+ miles, and he and his wife Ann have traveled to 120+ countries.  He holds a B.A. in chemistry from the University of California at Riverside, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Maine.

We will begin with our famed Questions and Answers session, packed with all kinds of incredibly useful information, frequently in response to the questions, or the answers.

If there is adequate bandwidth, and it isn't entirely used up by the attendees and their iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc., we will stream the meeting over the Pi's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeX9TuhjBL7n1HGlHOaNCmQ

The General Meeting will be in our usual location, Enterprise Hall, Room 178 on the George Mason University campus (#16 on the map below), in Fairfax VA. Check back closer to the meeting date for any updates or changes.

George Mason University map

Click on the map for a much larger version of the George Mason University campus map.

George Mason University Essential Information

Address: 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA (near Rte 123 and Braddock Road). Directions and Map: http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html

A whole bunch of George Mason maps: http://eagle.gmu.edu/map/fairfax.php

Important Parking Information: Two Options, Paid and Free

The Shenandoah Parking Garage (formerly the Sandy Creek Parking Garage because it is located on Sandy Creek) is fee-based facility. It is more convenient and closer to the meeting location. The Pi will subsidize the facility's parking fee by providing vouchers for donation request of $4.00.

If using the parking garage, park in Visitor's area; i.e., the lowest level. Take the elevator to the third floor (Campus Level), and exit along the sky bridge.

After the meeting, exit the garage using the exits marked for Validated Tickets. Your parking ticket goes in first. Then the validation ticket goes in next. If you have any problems, there is a speaker box for calling the parking lot attendant at the checkout point.

Free parking in Lot A

Park as close to Mattaponi River Lane as possible, then walk north along that road toward the main campus buildings. The sidewalk route takes you directly to the side of Enterprise Hall, on your left. The meeting room is located on the second floor, accessible via outside stairs or via an elevator on your right as soon as you enter the building through the doors behind the outside stairs. We will endeavor to have signs posted to help guide you to the right location. It is at least a five-minute walk from Lot A and up a slight incline. We will be using a golf cart along the route, to offer rides to those who want or need a lift.

Handicapped Parking: There are three handicap parking spaces next to Enterprise Hall that can be used by members, on a first come first served basis. Have your Handicap Sticker showing on the dashboard or on the rear-view mirror.