Why are new mac users called converts?

The word convert is a little strong to me. Convert is usually associated with religions and cults. People who join certain popular monotheistic religions go on pilgrimages and live a disciplined and changed lifestyle. Other people have been forcibly converted to certain religions at the threat of death. People face religious persecution for being a convert. When the Apple community uses the word convert, it stirs up a possibly negative connotation in my eyes.

To compare a person's spiritual and philosophical outlook to a largely materialistic and image driven consumer commodity can be out of base and offensive. A better word to use would be adopter or enthusiast.

 

haha, this is a joke right?

 

It isn't intended to offend you at all. It's used to refer PC user's who have "converted" to the Mac side. It's kinda like a rivalry, and switched sides willingly, which means you converted. Here's an example**: One person is a Boston Redsox fan, and another is a New York Yankees fan. If the Boston Redsox fan willingly switches sides and befriends/becomes a New York Yankees fan, he is a convert, because he converted from one side to another.

** For those of you who don't know, the Boston Redsox and the New York Yankees have a bitter rivalry. That's not intended to compare the Mac/Windows Rivalry.

 

I'd be interested in knowing which one has shed more blood and talked more smack about the other.

 

Speaking of conversion:

http://www.nch.com.au/switch/

Seriously, though, and if this really isn't a joke as I hope it is, taking offense of the word "convert" is being a tad too sensitive in my book.

 

again???...you have too much of free time...

 

Boston would definitely shed more blood than MY Yankees. We talk more smack though....

 

Did he post the same "wish" earlier?
(just curious).

 

Sorry?what do you mean by wish?

 

Convert has nothing to do with religions or cults.
I converted a $10 bill for $10 in change.
I have convertible.
I converted my music to from wma to mp3.
I converted to OS X from Windows.

The word Convert is associated with crap that is being converted!

Next time use google before trying to start BS.

 

That he "wishes" that we woud stop using the word "convert" because it's "offensive".

 

ah,i see...

 

I use Uncle Bens converted rice. Yet I'm not offended.

 

So what are Mac users that start using a PC called?

 

I don't see the big deal with the word "convert" as it is being used within circles of friends more than anything else. There are lot of Mac users that are new at the beginning, just like Windows users - and vice versa.

Much ado about nothing ;-)

cheers ...

 

Is that Kate Beckinsale? I love her.

 

It is

 

unconverted?

 

antidisestablishmentarianists

 

Hybrid.....

 

My rice converted

 

could be one of two.... Forced, or Stupid.

 

Seduced by the "Dark Side"?

Scary thought, wasn't it Vader and the Emperor who kept talking about the "power" of the Dark Side?

 

Hey Colton, I corrected your post (see below)

 

You know the Yankees will whip the Redsox, just wait. Trying not to go too far off topic, I think Convert is a mild/neutral word, and is appropriate for the situation.

 

You're dead wrong, my friend

Back on topic; to better help the OP understand what a convert actually is, Colton is thinking of switching to PCs AND becoming a Redsox fan. Double whammy!

 

I won't push it, but what can I say, the Redsox... Blah... Anyways, I gave an example of switching, which is a conversion, and the person who switches, in effect, is a convert.

 

>Originally Posted by pacmandelight View Post
>The word convert is a little strong to me.

So don't use it.

>Convert is usually associated with religions and cults.
>People who join certain popular monotheistic religions go on pilgrimages >and live a disciplined and changed lifestyle. Other people have been >forcibly converted to certain religions at the threat of death. People face >religious persecution for being a convert. When the Apple community uses >the word convert, it stirs up a possibly negative connotation in my eyes.

Your opinion. You don't like the word. My question is: so what? Maybe some people like the word...

>To compare a person's spiritual and philosophical outlook to a largely >materialistic and image driven consumer commodity can be out of base >and offensive. A better word to use would be adopter or enthusiast.

Sounds like some politically correct trash talk to me. I'm an Mac convert, my wife is a Mac convert, my two grown sons are Mac converts. And we don't have a problem with it.
Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but why does the whole world have to change just because someone doesn't like a word?
Deal with it!
(there...I feel better now!)

 

I dont know who would use something so retarded.. that must be like the ultimate geek. and please dont tell me that offends you because thats just rediculous