In the dark days of the mid-1990s for Apple, the rallying cry wasn't to move people off of Windows and on to Macintosh, but instead to keep the doors open at the iconic computer company, who was on its last legs financially after a series of missteps that coincided with the absence of co-founder Steve Jobs. A decade later, it's no secret that the Mac maker is alive and kicking. Following a strong WWDC conference last week, many in the media are discussing if it's finally time to make the switch to Macintosh, as Apple debuted more powerful systems than the competition (Dell) at a lower price point, and the company's newest operating system leapfrogs Windows Vista, which is still struggling in early beta.

As Michael Gartnerberg, an analyst for Jupiter Research, told the New York Times, "much of what Microsoft is promising for Vista is available today at your local Apple store," and Gartner analysts followed that up by saying "Apple is winning mind share, which leads to market share."

All the old adages and excuses of why people would not consider the Macintosh are gone. The Macintosh is compatible with all networking standards and corporate networks. The newest Macintoshes offer Windows as an option, and the entire product lineup features the latest Intel processors. Additionally, as mentioned, the price differential between the two (Mac and PC) is gone at any level except the very lowest price band.

As the company's series of "Get a Mac" ads have shown, every new Macintosh, at factory install, comes bundled with an array of creative applications, that if purchased for the PC equivalent, could cost hundreds of dollars. Additionally, the Macintosh platform continues to be the leader in security and is virus-free, while Windows continues to be rattled by virus warnings, worms, spyware, and instability.

With all that said, the mainstream media is now getting the picture in a big way. A second New York Times article asks openly if it is "Time to trade Windows for Mac?". As Apple continues to grow mind share with its ubiquitous iPods and expanded advertising, it's definitely coming to the fore in a big way. (See also: Red Herring: The End of Wintel?)

A colleague of mine at work wrote just last week, complaining that she was beset with spyware and detested the plagues of Windows, from pop-ups to viruses.

She wrote, "I don't know anything about MACs.... Would I like one instead of a desktop PC? Are they easier or harder to manage? I keep getting hackers attacking my PC at home... Viruses, spyware, etc..." Minutes later, after visiting the Apple store online, and finding the Mac Mini, the story was different. "$599!  SOLD!!  SOLD!  That one is MINE!  :)"

If you're on Windows, and you're tired of the computer running you, and not the other way around, it's time to come to the light. Apple offers you a better way of life. The Macintosh platform is built to help you get things done, not to get in your way. Switch today.

Listening to ''Out Of The City (City Slickers'', by 2 Heads (Play Count: 17)

The A's defense rocks. It's that simple. Chavez is putting on a nightly clinic at 3rd, and the rest of the team is consistently awesome as well. The ANtics try to learn the secret sauce in a piece called, "A's Defense 101".


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Also: Take the Poll: What's the A's Ideal Infield Defense?
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With the recent news that British authorities thwarted a potential terror strike on multiple airliners headed from the UK to the United States, where the alleged perpetrators were set to ignite liquid-based explosives disguised as carry-on drinks or even digital devices, many travelers are lamenting not only the extended lines making a bad situation worse at airports, but others are distraught over potentially being separated from their iPods and laptops for the duration of the flight.

But the end results aren't all bad for all companies. Some are sure to find a way to capitalize on any opportunity. Here's a not-so-tongue in cheek look at who benefits, and who loses, from the recent new security guidelines:

WINNER: WebEx

The Web meeting powerhouse has extinguished dramatic challenges from Microsoft's NetMeeting, PlaceWare, Centra and many others to remain the king of the hill in holding meetings and presentations online, rather than forcing executives to fly in to meet on site. If enough businesspeople tire of the long lines and forced inactivity at airports and on flights, WebEx might see increased business by customers and increased adoption from those who have been holdouts.

LOSER: Apple

I can't think of a better use for an iPod Video than on the airplane. There have been a few trips where I wish I could just break out the iPod and catch an episode of CSI or Law and Order, or even South Park. Additionally, the airplane is where I most frequently use the iPod Shuffle, just after the airlines say it's okay. While just about everybody who wants an iPod already has one, the airlines are a great place to display the white earbuds.

WINNER: Amazon.com

If you can't use your laptop, and you can't listen to your iPod on a flight, what are you going to do, start up a card game with your fellow passengers? No - you'll probably read, or sleep. Amazon is the de facto standard for purchasing books of all kinds on the Web, whether for business or for pleasure. Considering that the pleasure quotient at airports will be diminishing, maybe a good book will help take the edge off.

LOSER: United, American Airlines, etc.

The airlines have not been in good shape financially for a long time, and any incentives to drive customers away from flying certainly don't help. For United and American Airlines, the two largest domestic carriers, bankruptcy has never been that far away. Additionally, increased security requirements and more unhappy customers can further diminish margins and revenue for a business who doesn't need more of the same.

WINNER: JetBlue

While the rest of the airlines have been slow to adapt to new technology, being very reluctant to even offer power ports on seats, and have instead focused on wedging as many passengers in a small area as possible, JetBlue is well known for offering customers DirectTV to every seat, in flight, whether you're first class or coach. If you think you absolutely need to be entertained during your flight, and who doesn't... JetBlue is a great alternative to the cattle pens of United and Southwest.

LOSER: Evian, Arrowhead, etc.

While airlines have done a fairly good job of keeping fliers near soda or water throughout a flight, others prefer to bring their own on the flight. With the latest news, this certainly will go away. While it may be an immaterial knock on the bottled water providers' bottom line, it will certainly break the habits some have and force them to go another way - maybe toward the $5 shots of hard liquor to keep them in a stupor until the plane lands...

Listening to ''Praise the Lord'', by Paul Oakenfold (Play Count: 6)

For the better part of the last half-decade, the Oakland A's have been the best second-half team in all of baseball, seemingly putting behind any struggles they had in the initial few months of season, and surging forward to grab the lead in the American League West, or to extend it if they were already out in front. With a 19-9 record thus far following the All-Star Break, 2006 is playing the same tune, and the A's, following tonight's 6-3 defeat of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, now are the proud owners of a 4 1/2 game lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who dropped their contest against the mutually hated New York Yankees this morning.

In my first year as an A's season ticket holder, I've gone to a lot of games this year, and I'm not complaining, even though it now seems a considerable amount of my time is now spent driving up and down Interstate 880 to and from the game. Tonight, and yesterday, I was able to see these A's at their best, as Friday night saw them come back from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2, and today, they won again, but instead capitalized on an early 5-0 lead, to win 6-3. Though the outcome was the same in both games, they certainly followed different formulas. Friday saw a 2-run home run by Bobby Kielty put the team ahead, and Saturday instead saw the patience needed to draw bases loaded walks, and no home runs were put on the board by the green and gold.

The A's have now won 8 of 9, are 12 games over the .500 mark, their high point for the season, and they have clinched their fifth consecutive series win. The team is on a serious roll, so long as we can all ignore the occasional aberration (See Wednesday's 14-0 blowout, for example). But while the team gets more comfortable in the midst of a pennant race, questions remain on injuries to key players, and if the Angels will stop acting like pretenders, and instead turn into contenders the last few months of the year. I know we'll be in our seats, pushing the A's forward in an effort to see them take on the postseason. After all, this week, we just ponied up the dough to watch them all the way through the World Series. Games like tonight and yesterday certainly help to make that dream more of a reality.

Listening to ''Nukleuz Trance Sessions, Vol. 1", by Various Artists (Play Count: 5)