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Welcome to the F'n 21st century.
'computers outfitted with six-year-old versions of Microsoft software'
Windows Server 2003 is basically the standard server operating system used almost EVERYWHERE. Similarly Windows XP is still very popular in most commercial organisations.
At least we know that no stem cells were used to update the servers, LOL.
dumping headers: http://www.whitehouse.gov
[P3P] : CP="NON DSP COR ADM DEV IVA OTPi OUR LEG"
[Server] : Microsoft-IIS/6.0
[X-AspNet-Version] : 2.0.50727
This has nothing to do with outdated software, this is about people who are computer illiterate. The White House isn't a production studio, that is why they are running the same software the other 80% of the world is running.
Seriously, though, this isn't an issue of the new staff being "computer illiterate" or thinking it's a "production shop". This is a matter of people used to getting things done faced with systems from people who were used to business as usual. That pretty much summarizes not only Mac vs. Windows but Obama vs. Bush and Big Government vs. what we could have.
But overall they are all on XP.
6 year old software or not. Cheers to at least having adults in the Whitehouse now.
In a corporate environment -- speaking from experience -- it is expensive to upgrade and fraught with security perils. Hopefully the US Gov in all its branches has some basic computer hardware purchasing standards. No reason why they should give every White House employee expensive MacBooks unless they are going to do the same for every employee of the FBI, NSA, IRS, etc, etc.
Most large organizations have an art or publicity department with a few macs, but I have not seen an office environment that runs mainly Apple software. (Yes, I am sure that they exist, I just have not seen them).
"One White House official, who arrived breathless yesterday after being held up at the exterior gate, found he had no computer or telephone number. Recently called back from overseas duty, he ended up using his foreign cellphone.
Another White House official whose transition cellphone was disconnected left a message temporarily referring callers to his wife's phone. "
Personally I'm more shocked that computer infrastructure apparently isn't more of a non-political position so that there is carryover between administrations. Also shocked that they were surprised by this. There wasn't some kind of transition staff to train them to what they'd be walking into?
These things bother me far more than whether they run this OS or that one.
They should throw old stuff away and replace it with Macs (even priciest Macs for entire White House won't make a dent in national budget, it's less than 0.0000001% of the bailout :)
You can still do your JOB with a PC, people. You know - when you aren't writing bad songs or a terrible screenplay about relationships which I believe most Apple users are fond of.
Most of my friends use Yahoo or another mail portal service that does not use a mailtool on the virus loving Window's OS.
MS is stupid for not going to a stable based UNIX OS in Sys 7.
I guess Obama and staff are in for a LOT of down time using VISTA. And time is OUR money!
Sheesh... You people just luv to hate and unfortunately our country has too many of you. Europe or China will soon own us due to your mentality (or lack therof).
Oooooooooh, he's the ONLY ONE of THOSE on here.
We better watch out, or he might hack our Blackberries in the "blink of an eye".
Dude, chill out. :D
Second.....Anyone who says "Apple tax" for "Cool looking" devices is a moron!!! Apple has been able to prove to the CIO's and CFO's of Google, Cisco, Johnson and Johnson, IBM, and oh yeah.....the FDA(a government agency), that Macs in fact have a lower TCO than PCs in a corporate setting.
Third....Did anyone consider that the 6 year old software is because the White House either didn't want to go to Vista, or didn't want to pay more licensing fees to Micro$oft? Dell's, HP's, and Lenovo's employees are still running XP as the standard OS, with an option to upgrade.
Fourth.....The particular function they are referring to having difficulty with is basic video editing. Who OWNS the market for video editing......APPLE(Final Cut Studio, Shake, Motion)!!!
The White House will likely stay with Windows for most of their users(familiarity, plus MS Exchange), and they will probably have a large percentage of desktops than laptops(security), but if you don't know what you're talking about, you should save your opinion.
...but, not know that the word 'Mac' is not an acronym. (MAC, like in the phrase "My network uses MAC address filtering" is proper usage.)
...or the proper way to spell 'ignorant'
Regardless, there's no excuse for the software in the offices of the leader of the free world not being completely current.
And yes, the White House should do what the rest of the world does — use a mix of Macs and PCs. (Some of us will just pity those saddled with the PCs...)
Apple is a corporation and it runs on Macs.