High-paid newspaper and magazine “Critics” always like to think they know best.  Here is an excellent example of why I never pay much attention to them:

The nature of the personal computer is simply not fully understood by companies like Apple (or anyone else for that matter). Apple makes the arrogant assumption of thinking that it knows what you want and need. It, unfortunately, leaves the “why” out of the equation — as in “why would I want this?” The Macintosh uses an experimental pointing device called a ‘mouse’. There is no evidence that people want to use these things. I dont want one of these new fangled devices.
–San Francisco Examiner, John C. Dvorak, 19 Feb. 1984

There are two schools of thought, I suppose.  On one hand, you have folks like Dvorak; yet, on the other hand you have innovators like this:

“If I’d asked people what they wanted, they’d have said faster horses.”
-Henry Ford

Where is John C. Dvorak now?  He’s still writing about computer technology for PC Magazine as well as some other places – on a typewriter, I assume.  I particularly enjoyed reading this story about his son buying a MacBook Pro.  Clearly, he’s still not an Apple guy.  However, it’s encouraging to read in the article that after 25 years, he’s finally able to admit that “all these whiz-bang features make me realize that I have fallen behind.”

Signing off now, from my mouseless iPhone …

• John C. Dvorak’s blog
• John C. Dvorak on Twitter
• More quotes from critics of the Macintosh from 25 years ago