OPINION Tuesday, January 13, 1987 Page 4 The Michigan Daily U 'hucksters' mislead students By Eric Schnaufer Buyer beware. University hucksters are currently hyping soon-to-be obsolete Apple Macintosh microcomputers. This month, the University hopes to sell a "truck load" of Macintoshes to students and deliver them during a "Computer Weekend". In order to sell so many Macs, the University is engaging in questionable marketing and promotion techniques. The Computer Weekend sale should also be understood in light of overall University computer policy. The University is pushing students to buy their own Macintoshes because it will not provide enough Apple computers to meet the growing demand. In the University's slick promotional materials for the Computer Weekend sale, the University explicitly acknowledges that the demand for Macs grossly exceeds the supply "during the end of each term". Anyone who uses Macs regularly knows that queues for Macs are routinely hours long throughout the term. Since there are currently less than 250 public Macintoshes in the University and since the University does not plan to meet student demand for Apples in the near future, students are encouraged to buy their own. This is so even though all students Eric Schnaufer is a University law student pay at least $100 per term "computer fee," which was purported to be for the expansion of public microcomputer sites. Predictably, the University is changing its rationalization for the fee. It now says that, if "you are a student, personal ownership of a computer will give you the utmost leverage from the fee." Where before the University told students $100 per term would give them access to computers, the University now says that if students want to have access to the computing facilities they need their own computers. If you want to use a microcomputer that is very good advice. Like anywhere else in America, it is advantageous to have money, lots of it, at the University. Too bad for those students who do not have $1,500 for a new Macintosh. While the wealthy use their computers at home, the less privileged can wait in line for hours. Sometimes the most important lessons about America are learned outside the classroom. In promoting the Computer Weekend, the University is shamelessly emulating discount appliance outlets and late night television advertisers. The University is not a neutral, disinterested vendor of computers; it agressively promotes the makes and models it sells. For example, Interim University President Duderstadt and University advertisements falsely claim that the Computer Weekend prices will only be available "only" during the Computer Weekend. Just last month, the University was encouraging students to take advantage of a "limited time offer" special "bundled" price for Macs. Needless to say, the new prices are lower. Like other electronic products, prices of computers fall as improved products are introduced and competition increases. There is nascent competition in Apple's segment of the of the computer market. More importantly, Apple has recently announced a new, improved computers code-named the "Alladin" and "Paris." One suspects that Apple is unloading a large inventory of Macs before they are superceded by the Alladin and Paris. The University itself may be delaying purchasing Macintoshes in anticipation of those new Apple computers. The University also falsely claims that the Macintosh's printer is "not available separately." On the contrary, Computer Weekend buyers can order the Imagewriter II printer from the University apart from the Computer Weekend sale. Besides, the printer can be purchased cheaper mail- order than through the Computer Weekend sale. Furthermore, during the Computer Weekend sale, the University is trying to limit access to information about purchasing a Macintosh. According the the University, there are "only" two ways to receive information about the Computer Weekend sale: University seminars and University "packets". No mention is made of the extensive resources available at the Microcomputer Education Center. In fact, MEC experts are not supposed to counsel Computer Weekend purchasers. In the seminar I attended, the audience knew more than the University salesperson. Significantly, the information packets distributed by the University intentionally overstate the virtues of Macintoshes and understate its disadvantages. The University claims that the main advantage of the Macintosh is its economy. In reality, the Macintosh is expensive, even at "truckload" prices. There are many locally available IBM compatible computers which are less expensive than similarly configured Macintoshes. (The University's IBMs and IBM compatibles are overpriced; it is cheaper to buy one outside the University.) Relatedly, because there is virtually no competition in the production of peripheral devices such as printers, choice is often limited to what Apple produces at the monopolistic prices Apple sets. It is not that the University is offering a special price on the Macintosh and its peripherals, but that list prices are inflated. In contrast, there is healthy competition among IBM compatible computer and peripherals manufacturers. For example, the price an Apple hard driveat the University ""truckload" price is still twice that of a comparable IBM compatible hard drive at normal retail price. Most students purchase a personal computer to write papers. The University would have students believe that the Macintosh is a good wordprocesser when the Mac's substandard keyboard, which according to one analyst "has the feel of an arthritic sponge," puny screen and dreadfully slow speed seriously limit its value as a wordprocesser. (According to Info World, the new Apples have improved keyboards, bigger screens and a substantially faster than the Macs the University is pushing.) The University would also have students believe that Macintoshes which use icons instead of words to control the computer's operating system are easier to use and more intuitive. The University seems to think that students are toc stupid to read a manual or type a series of characters. This is not only a cynical appraisal of students' abilities, it also ignores the fact that to make efficient use of any computer or program, one has to read something about it. In short, do not rely on University salespersons or promotional material for a decision on whether to buy a Macintost or other microcomputer. Students and student organizations should also pressure the University to provide enough microcomputers to satisfy student demands. Finally, equal educational opportunity within the University may be possible only if all students have equal access to computers. Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan Vol. XCV11, No. 73 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board All other cartoons, signed articles, andiletters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. Wasserman WN~kl15 BEV1 MOR~E CW&9ESONAt D eficil OaIR 2 t2uLOV*" AND &lG (? 1NVESTIAION9S. . IMP TISW P.E ECTON OF- tVOUR 1UP6ET > 10" Abrams' policy I Ai(((.(ll l/iIIL[/!////ll if/A/L/U 1 1WWlitl i(.1(l ltt/Ill/YIMLI!!fY t s A ELLIOT ABRAMS, the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter- American Affairs, is a prime architect and initiator of the Reagan administration's Central American policy. His recent comments to the New York Times, in which he states an intention to lobby Congress for Contra aid, typify an administration policy that is hypocritical, unduly hardline, and detrimental to peace efforts in the area. Abrams, who is in charge of overseeing the distribution of CIA funds to the contra rebels, continues to advocate military support of the Duarte regime in El Salvador. The Duarte government was put into power by an election in which the rebel opposition was not politically represented in contrast to the broad participation in Nicaraguan elections. Yet Abrams has insisted on ousting a government brought in in elections sponsored by the United Nations and validated by visiting U.S. congressmen. The Reagan administration and Abrams have for many years led a double-sided political campaign in Central America. Human rights violations in countries friendly to the United States are consistently ignored and refuted. El Salvador and Guatamala are illustrations of morally negligent nations supported economically, militarily, and politically by the United States. Countries such as Nicaragua, however, are vehemently harassed because of ideology not- withstanding a relatively impressive human rights record. Peace initiatives have continually been bogged down and hampered by the Reagan administration. Even such plans as the Contadora peace process, which claims the support of moderate countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica, are hurt by U.S. reluctance to cooperate. In a recent meeting in Miami with Costan Rican officials, Abrams said the United States would not participate in peace negotiations until contra rebels hold a stronger military position. This line of thinking only results in continued abuse of American prestige and the loss of innocent Nicaraguan lives. Abrams demands democratization of the Sandinista government as the only acceptable end to Reagan efforts in the area. The stated purpose of U.S. pressure on Nicaragua is to force internal changes in the structure of Ortega's government. This is a far cry from the previous administration stance that tied U.S. involvement in Central America to the insurance of security for countries bordering Nicaragua. This policy is also in direct violation of international law that prohibits states fromover-throwing the governments of other sovereign states. With advisors and policy makers such as Elliot Abrams formulating foreign policy, it is no wonder that American servicemen are in Honduras and in ships off of the Nicaraguan coast. AND KS TALVIN@ ?EA(-, EVEN M~Y WORST' ENEMPYw 609ACV? OPENNES AND CON- AG TURNEDP A(,AINST ME CGLIATfONW Letters, Academic judicl ary requires concern To The Daily: Today's feature story about the academic judiciary ("College Plagiarists Risk Suspension," Daily 11/18/86) mentions the problem of the inconsistency of penalties imposed by the independent actions of professors, and also the claim by some people that the penalties imposed by the judiciary are inflexible and unduly harsh. Perhaps there is also another problem. At least it is a problem that I have. This involves the difficulty of obtaining a conviction in that judiciary - or perhaps it is just an inconsistency in conviction. Last year I brought a case to the judiciary. The evidence in that case seemed to me to be over- whelming. Nevertheless, the panel brought in an acquittal after a deliberation of about five minutes. I cannot imagine how there could reasonably be any stronger evidence in a case of academic dishonesty. But according to today's article, there have actually been some convictions. I have to suppose that these students have been convicted on evidence no stronger than that which resulted in an acquittal in the case I brought. In fact, they have almost surely been convicted on weaker evidence. I don't know whether that is an injustice. I would not be surprised, however, if some students thought so. Is it possible that I'm mistaken about the evidence in my case compared with others? Yes, it's possible. But as I understand it, these trials are closed, secret affairs. We cannot observe the trials in which we are not principals, so as to get an idea of the standards of evidence which are being used, or of whether these standards are being applied with any reasonable consistency. So I am left with my own impressions Will I bring another case to the academic judiciary? My own experience certainly doesn't encourage it. And the failure of that judiciary system will be more damaging to students than to me. -George I. Mavrodes November 18 Fast raises student awareness of hunger To The Daily: The goal of the fast sponsored by the WHE-AC in mid-November was not only to raise money for local and international hunger projects but to increase students awareness and understanding of - the problem of hunger. Though this fast may have achieved this goal with some, many students completely missed the point. The night of the fast many students ordered pizza or saw it as an opportunity to get away from the usual dorm food and go out for dinner. This totally bypasses the main purpose of the fast, which is exactly that, fasting. Some may ask, what is the purpose of punishing ourselves, we're giving up pur money, isn't that enough? Fasting isn't punishing yourself, it is giving yourself the chance to really understand the other side. In this incredibly affluent society, it is important that we, as educated people, take time out to reflect upon things other than ourselves, our friends and university like. In a survey conducted after the fast many students replied, when asked what could be done to improve this education process, that there should be more information, speakers and presentations on hunger to facilitate a better understanding of the fast's purpose and the problem of world hunger. Many of these things were going on the week of the fast and actually, the whole month. Publicity of these events could; probably improve, but students also need to be more aware of happenings going on in their own community.. Organizations such as WHEN AC and others oan only publicize these events, they cannot drag students to them. One of the goals for next years fast should be better publicity and a better explaination to the students of the purpose of the fast, but also, the students of this university need to set a goal of better awareness of events and world towards a greater understanding of the issues and problems of hunger. -Johanna Soet November 22 The Daily welcomes letters from its readers. Bringing in letters on personal computer disk is the fastest way to publish a letter in the Daily. Readers who can not bring their letters in on disk should include their phone numbers for verification.Call 747-2814 or 763-0379 for details.