Has it really been that long since my last contribution to the world of Mac writing? Yes it has and I really need to apologize to all the faithful who've been anxiously awaiting another "File".

Where I've been is preparing for the upcoming holidays - Mac and Y2K shopping [what a contrast].

It has been difficult trying to "get" some of the latest and heavy advertised software titles my 3 year old son has requested [they're either not made for Mac's or too old for him].

On the subject of not Mac compliant and heavily advertised, I wish to make a minor observation on some of these commercials who advertise the need for Windoze 95 or better; you really need to check, some are Mac OS ready - it just seems some advertisers already correctly label the Mac OS as being better than Windoze.

On the subject of companies who basically refuse or excessively delay software for the Mac, I avoid buying any of their other products. An example being the Very heavily advertised [during cartoons] the Mattel Hot Wheels Crash software; besides the fact they're pushing a destructive image and embedded it into young minds about very improper driving habits [road rage for children - teach 'em now so they can create havoc later--not something I'd buy for my son anyway] it connects the need to get the software to those who love their little cars. But Hot Wheels isn't the only little car maker - there is Matchbox. But, alas, their new software [and keyboard attachment] is also a Windoze only item. Humm...make my life hard, why don't you! But, then again, these aren't the only two makers of little cars - and why I might have gone "generic" for my sons Christmas - I feel in my own little way I am sending a message to these companies about their excessive bias towards Mac users.

Will they get the message? I'm sure these "giants" really don't care if I buy any of their products or not - BUT-- if the ever increasing number of Mac owners do the same I'm sure their "bottom line" will notice it. Considering I've spent "over" $100.00 on toy cars, trucks and playsets that aren't from these companies - if 10 % of the other Mac owners did the same...; well you get the idea. I would really like to see more equality in software and software release dates for Macs and, with help, might achieve this before my son is much older. As far as them really receiving the message - after all my holiday shopping is complete, I plan to mail these company's executives copies of the sales receipts for the purchases I made from their competitors with the explanation of why I bought from them.

Now, the two companies I listed aren't the only ones I've "targeted", there are just examples of a lot of companies that really need to wake up and bury their pitiful anti-Mac prejudices and start trying to be fair. In the long run it would mean more money in their pockets.

Perhaps someone, somewhere could start a little list of these "nasty" companies and have it part of their web site; well, not just a list, but a list with an explanation on why these companies made the list. {Like CTW - Sesame Street web site "playground" has been promising to post a Mac computable version for over 2 years & "coming soon" should be a lot quicker than that! -- And nope, my son no longer watches Sesame Street nor do I get him anything that features any of the characters.}

Some might call me cruel. Some might call me fanatical. But those who have a young child know how difficult it really is to raise them to be fair, honest, open minded and with as few prejudices as possible only to have "major" companies, that can easily produce dual-platform software and release both versions at about the same time, hurt them by heavily advertising "really neat kids software" that he can have - hurts us parents.

Yes; I am being forced to take some steps in preparation for Y2K. Why my choice of computer maker has been "ready" for over 15 years; I am somewhat concerned about the "choices" make by those community leaders in the extremely rural area in which I live.

So let's see; water is no problem - we've got a well; heat isn't any sweat - we've got enough firewood to last all winter; gas for cooking is easy with a full propane tank out back; food should be a problem - got a few beef cattle and a lot of canned fruits and vegetables - and cooking and baking isn't all that hard; humm... all that really leaves is money, gas for the car and electricity. Well, money isn't much of a worry - if you don't have much money - it isn't much to worry about. Gas for the car - well the lawn tractor has a full tank and I've got three or four - 5 gallon gas cans still full [got them filled about a month ago so I could do some serious work on our 6+ acres - but the "import" lawn tractor blew an engine and the parts won't be here until after the first of the year anyway]. All that leaves is electricity.

A major percentage of what we do requires electricity - including the writing of this column as well as the reading of it. With the repeated assurances of the local electric company that they are ready and totally prepared I still felt compelled to do some "Y2K" shopping.

My "Y2K" list consisted of "party hats, noise makers, commemorative souvenirs, champagne, film, fireworks, some batteries for our smoke detectors and some batteries for our flashlights [I really want to see what I'm doing when I trip the neighbors circuit breakers at midnight]. I plan to start the year 2000 with a party and a party attitude - it should be a special occasion and I plan to celebrate it!!

And yes, Mattel, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, CTW (Childrens Television Network) & Sesame Street are all either copy written, trademarked, registered, patented, branded, and/or whatever names referring to particular products and/or companies AND all references to them was strictly done without their permission and or knowledge - but that isn't nearly as important as the fact the Mac refers to the Apple Macintosh line of computers - which I also use without their knowledge and/or permission.

R.P. Phillips -- Homepage
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