Quality, Mac vs. PC, and my eyes
Oct/27/09 23:52 Filed in: Medical devices | Medical products
The largest argument in the internet isn't Obama's healthcare plan, whether the Yankees should lose the World Series, or why does gas cost so much. No, it's Mac vs. PC. Across the internet, it's the argument that gobbles up bandwidth in a never-ending discussion. There are several websites that keep tabs on new technology. They are interesting if you want to read about a new mobile phone or a new rice harvesting robot. But whenever they talk about a new product from Apple or something from Microsoft, there's dozens, if not hundreds, of comments about one or the other. Then it gets personal.
I find these discussions amusing, because the arguments on both sides fall a little flat. Now, this website is hosted on Mac servers. And I wrote and designed this website on a Mac with a Mac-only web design program. So, you might think I'm biased, which I am. I'm not going to get into all the arguments between the two devices, but Windows based computers vastly outsell Macs. Most Mac users tend to very loyal to the brand for a number of valid reasons, including ease-of-use and fewer problems. Most PC users tend to look for lower prices without regards to the brand. However, there is a small, but vocal, group of very technical individuals who are loyal to PC's because they are more adept at maximizing the potential of PC's. I'm not convinced of all of their arguments, but they certainly are.
I was thinking about the "war", and I recalled an issue that happened to me a few years ago. I had decided to undergo LASIK surgery to correct my severe myopia and astigmatism. The procedure is quite complex and is usually performed by an ophthalmic surgeon. The surgeon has one important job in the whole procedure, and that is to create a corneal flap, which is moved out of the way, and a computer guided laser remodels the cornea. The laser equipment used in my procedure was controlled by a typical desktop computer running Windows XP. During my procedure, the computer locked up. It crashed. Full blue screen of death. I'm laying on a table, my eyelids taped open, and a flap of my cornea laying to the side of my eye. You can imagine I wasn't too happy.
The technician immediately got on the phone with the company's customer service, which was closed, as it was 4PM in California, where I was getting the procedure done, and 7PM in the company's location. They then tried to contact the local clinical and technical representative, who didn't return the phone call. At that point, I suggested they just turn the computer off and turn it back on. Windows booted back up, and after a long conversation between me, the surgeon, and his technician, we decided to complete the procedure. Not completing it would have been very inconvenient. The machine completed one eye, then the other. Today, I have perfect vision. Apparently, though no one would officially admit it, the computer was infected by a virus. Somewhere, a software hacker, who thought he was having fun, nearly made me blind.
I learned a lot about how a medical product should be serviced after it's in use.
Now, in full-disclosure, I have used a Mac since 1984. After this experience, I won't touch a Windows product. So when it comes to Mac vs PC, I hold a more personal level of interest that is beyond image, advertising, or technical knowledge.
By Michael W Simpson
I find these discussions amusing, because the arguments on both sides fall a little flat. Now, this website is hosted on Mac servers. And I wrote and designed this website on a Mac with a Mac-only web design program. So, you might think I'm biased, which I am. I'm not going to get into all the arguments between the two devices, but Windows based computers vastly outsell Macs. Most Mac users tend to very loyal to the brand for a number of valid reasons, including ease-of-use and fewer problems. Most PC users tend to look for lower prices without regards to the brand. However, there is a small, but vocal, group of very technical individuals who are loyal to PC's because they are more adept at maximizing the potential of PC's. I'm not convinced of all of their arguments, but they certainly are.
I was thinking about the "war", and I recalled an issue that happened to me a few years ago. I had decided to undergo LASIK surgery to correct my severe myopia and astigmatism. The procedure is quite complex and is usually performed by an ophthalmic surgeon. The surgeon has one important job in the whole procedure, and that is to create a corneal flap, which is moved out of the way, and a computer guided laser remodels the cornea. The laser equipment used in my procedure was controlled by a typical desktop computer running Windows XP. During my procedure, the computer locked up. It crashed. Full blue screen of death. I'm laying on a table, my eyelids taped open, and a flap of my cornea laying to the side of my eye. You can imagine I wasn't too happy.
The technician immediately got on the phone with the company's customer service, which was closed, as it was 4PM in California, where I was getting the procedure done, and 7PM in the company's location. They then tried to contact the local clinical and technical representative, who didn't return the phone call. At that point, I suggested they just turn the computer off and turn it back on. Windows booted back up, and after a long conversation between me, the surgeon, and his technician, we decided to complete the procedure. Not completing it would have been very inconvenient. The machine completed one eye, then the other. Today, I have perfect vision. Apparently, though no one would officially admit it, the computer was infected by a virus. Somewhere, a software hacker, who thought he was having fun, nearly made me blind.
I learned a lot about how a medical product should be serviced after it's in use.
- The most important lesson is that whatever is your commitment to quality, you're going to rely on another company whose objectives may not be in alignment with your company. Microsoft probably (well I hope) didn't create a bad product intentionally. But because Microsoft is not a medical company, it doesn't have the management DNA that reminds them that a mistake can cost lives. The company who made the laser ought to have remembered this and did everything it could to mitigate issues.
- The second lesson. If you're going to have a product that is going to rely upon any type of software, have technical service available always. Not during your working hours in your time zone.
Now, in full-disclosure, I have used a Mac since 1984. After this experience, I won't touch a Windows product. So when it comes to Mac vs PC, I hold a more personal level of interest that is beyond image, advertising, or technical knowledge.
By Michael W Simpson