Welcome to Macintosh

"This is a mac, it comes from a little company called Apple."
This understatement is the beginning of 'Welcome to Macintosh: the Documentary for the Rest of Us', which details the story from beginning to present of the workings behind one of the most influential corporations in the technological industry, Apple computer. This video was obviously written with the same mindset that permeates the Apple company, making every attempt to do the best job possible aside from what others are doing. Being "trancendently brilliant," as Andy Hertzfeld would say.
One of Apple's marketing managers, Guy Kawasaki, expressed that, "The core of Apple is to change the world." The premise of the documentary is showing how that sentiment is reflected by everyone involved with the company and is evidenced to the world by the ingenuity and love put into every new mac. Many people from my father's generation will remember the statement from the macintosh computer's keynote address, "I would like to deliver this maxim after my first encounter with an IBM computer, 'never trust a computer you can't lift'." But not many know how much work went into every portion of the computer system. Even the opening sound that so characterizes macs nowadays took years to develop.
The account features several important figures as well as chronic mac users to speak of the glories, and problems of designing the mac. With so many positive influences, I was impressed that the documentary team brought in former mac engineer Jim Reekes. Reekes spoke in down-to-earth terms about the designing of the mac system and made outrageous statements. "It's like a sausage factory, you don't want to know how it all goes together." and "Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain." are two of his most memorable statements, but my favorite interview was when he spoke of himself and his colleagues. "Engineers are retarded. They have some kind of brain damage that allows them to not have social skills so that they could concentrate long enough to write code. But it's a disease. That's why I had to quit."
All of the Apple employees had this attitude of laid-back professionalism. The interviews were well personal and informative, yet interesting. Even when one man John Moltz was only interviewed via web cam, the interest was not lost and it turned out to be a plus. The only complaint I would have with the documentary is one portion when they were interviewing a man who had collected macs for most of his life due to his computer business. Around five minutes was spent touring his numerous garages and storage sheds looking at all of his junk. I know a point was being made but I don't think it was a strong enough statement to warrant such a long section. Other than that I felt the documentary to be wonderfully organized and interesting.
From the first Apple I to the iPhone 'Welcome to Macintosh' walks through, painting a clear picture of the struggles and many triumphs of Apple inc. The feeling and creativity behind Apple is well portrayed through the whole and I am a more confident mac user because I watched this movie.