toddpw@tybalt.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel) (03/21/90)
Here's something I dragged off of America Online. I like it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Apple Dictionary of Personal Computer Performance The personal computer industry abounds with grand claims about performance. "The world's most powerful computer." "The fastest system on the planet." "More MIPs than ever before." How are these claims substantiated? While many vendors back up their assertions with speeds, feeds, and varieties of high-tech alphabet soup, Apple takes a different approach: We define performance in human terms. We know that the only power, speed, and performance that matters is the power, speed, and performance of the people who use our computers. Accordingly, we'd like to present the industry with a different way of looking at personal computers--a new language--that puts performance where it belongs: in the hands and imaginations of individuals. This lexicon intends to provoke discussion and challenge conventional wisdom. It should be read in that spirit. balanced, adj. A method of designing personal computers such that the capabilities of each component are maximized and all parts work together. The result is higher performance in all facets of computer use; leading to greater user productivity, higher quality work, better ideas, and improved job satisfaction. Often contrasted with an imbalanced design that focuses on only one element of system design (such as MIPsPsee below) and ignores overall system performance. clockspeed, n. The speedPPmeasured in megahertzPP with which a computer executes instructions. An important element of system performancePPbut by no means the only one, as increases in clockspeed can be negated by inattention to other system components. innovation, n. The process of bringing new ideas, fresh paradigms, and novel processes into mainstream uses. The highest level of innovation occurs when completely new capabilities are introduced without disruption to previous customers or a technology foundation. mainstream, adj. The arena of computer use in which the significance of performance is determined. Denotes the type of computer usage in which normal people spend most of their time, hence the area in which true performance increases have the most effect. Increases in mainstream performance capabilities also lead to improved organizational effectiveness, as communication, the exchange of ideas, and the quality of organizational information is enhanced. MIPs, abbr. Derisively referred to as Meaningless, Idiomatic Performance Standard, MIPs refers to "Millions of Instructions Per Second." In less sophisticated days, MIPs were used as comparative standard of performance measurement. responsiveness, n. Quality of a computer that describes how quickly the system reacts to human commands and desires. speed, n. Quickness with which computer processes the whole range of what people do on a computerPPfrom opening files and saving images to moving windows and updating data. transparency, n. Quality of computer processes that shields users from underlying technical activity and complexities of a computer. Often used to describe communication processes and upgrade capabilities. time, n. Unit of measurement describing how long it takes normal people to get work done. Not to be confused with unit of measurement describing how long it takes a computer to recalculate arcane data. Apple and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Press Materials & Information PR Express