Visio, Macs, and Google Pages Dec29 '06

Technical questions I was asked today, that I really don't have answers for:

Visio on the Mac

I don't know of any alternative to Visio, for Mac OS X, and I'm guessing there is nothing quite as usable from a business perspective. Still, a new Mac owner asked me, and as much as I wanted to give him a good answer, I just couldn't.

The whole conversation got me wondering just how great are Macs? Of course I know the answer to that - it's the main reason I like working on computers so much, and the reason I am willing to lug my laptop with me wherever I go.

But from a different perspective - someone switching from the business-world of Windows, and then trying to accomplish similar tasks on a Mac - they're in for quite a shock. The Mac is obviously not made for strictly "business use," but then again, neither is Windows.

It seems Windows tries to be more like the Mac, with managing your music, photos, etc - and the Mac tries to be more like Windows, by trying to lure current Windows users with similar applications.

So the only answer I could come up with for the gentleman asking me about Macs is, "Macs aren't really for business use."

Although something is now bugging me about that answer. It just doesn't seem to "fit" how I feel about Macs. Maybe I need more time to think about it.

Google Pages

I haven't used Google Pages that much yet, but I'd like to start. My brother recently completed a site for his company, and the results are relatively impressive - considering he had no prior experience designing a web page.

He'd now like to add some sort of survey functionality, which users can submit their "votes," on a particular topic or question.

I'm not sure if Google Pages allows you to do such a thing. I would imagine, much like MySpace, that you'd have to use a third-party online survey tool, and then embed the "widget" into your own web page, with some JavaScript code, or something like that.

I am not happy that I had to even mention "MySpace" just then, but it seemed to be a good analogy.

Categories: Google , Mac OS X , Software , Windows

Add Feedback (view all)

Leave feedback

Feedback

Input format: The editor controls below will assist with Markdown syntax.

Status

Sub-status

Your info

Have you tired OmniGraffle? The Pro version includes Visio compatibility: http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnigraffle/pro/ ... Read more.

Wow, that looks good. Thanks for the reference. ... Read more.

Try out ConceptDraw VI. I think from a business perspective it's t ... Read more.

Thanks Nick. ... Read more.

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

Contact Matt

Similar Entries

Stats

87 unique visits since August 2008

Syndicate

Advertisements