Macworld Turns Topsy-Turvy As Bill Bites Into Apple

Apple lives!!! By eating crow, posted a Mac follower on a Macintosh chat site, reflecting a strange mix of thankfulness and concern.

MacWorld, the haunt of Apple fanatics, is suddenly topsy-turvy as Microsoft Inc moves in to resuscitate its ailing rival. For years, Mac worshippers, smug in the superiority of their system, referred to Microsoft as the evil competitor. They are now facing the prospect of being grateful to the Seattle software giant for pumping in $150 million and giving Apple the chance to earn a vote of confidence on Wall Street.

Gratitude certainly isnt coming easy, if the Macintosh chat groups are any indication. Said one Apple devotee, Steve Jobs is like Darth Vader. Hes given in to the lure of the Dark Side.

Jobs, Apples co-founder who is now spearheading efforts to find a new chairman to revive the computer company, is known for his charismatic speeches that used to whip Mac buyers into evangelistic fervour. Aware of the shock waves that would follow his announcement of the pact with Microsoft, Jobs warned the faithful, We want to let go off the notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose.

His plea is evoking mixed responses.

Wrote a Mac follower, Its one of two things. Either (Microsoft supremo Bill Gates) is one of the shrewdest guys on the planet and is positioning himself to write key software on the best personal computer in existence, or the leopard cant change his spots and is figuring out a way to assimilate Apple.

Posted another Mac groupie, commenting on the confusion among the Mac faithful, The man they-love-to-hate and the man-they-love have totally warped their world. How the hell do I justify my hatred when my beloved Apple is a Bill Gates dependent with his big foot in its door?

Industry analysts speak of Microsofts desire to dodge anti-trust investigations, and to keep its million dollar Mac software market intact, with the added bonus of getting a powerful ally in its battle against Netscapes browser and Sun Microsystems Java.

Fanatical Macheads have their own explanation for Gates decision: the software billionaire is finally achieving his aim of getting control over his dream system.

Crowed a Mac owner, I knew it! Bill Gates is one of us! He made the majority of his fortune emulating the Mac OS and now, finally, he has come into the open and joined the most elite club in the World, the Mac OS faithful. We should welcome him aboard. Worried another faithful, Do I detect breaks in the ranks of the Mac community? Billy boy has done it this time divide and conquer.

For the record, Microsofts decision is probably a win-win situation for both companies. And also for the record this piece was written on a Macintosh.