> Lock-in effects can help to create useful standards (VHS) but may be inferior
> quality (Beta). I've never used a Mac but Doug (as well as anyone else)
> knows what a better system it is (Again, I defer to the almighty DH).
Hrm. The VHS vs. Beta thing is actually apocryphal; Beta was initially marginally better than VHS (and Sony did initiate many of the technical advances), but Beta was far inferior when it came to recording time.
http://www.urbanlegends.com/products/beta_vs_vhs.html
As for the Mac, I could go on and on about how Apple blew it or just never had it, but won't. It is interesting to observe, however, that now that MS has its current immense marketshare, the pace of innovation has slowed to a glacial rate. This may be to be expected, as monolithic cultures of whatever size tend to experience technological stagnation (an interesting talk by Jared Diamond discusses this, url below)
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/diamond_rich/rich_p1.html
marco
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> Marco Anglesio | There is no premature anti-fascism. <
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