Hey, remember a couple of months ago when a new page showed up at Apple's site describing and debunking some long-held Mac Myths? Remember how, since it was targeted squarely at Windows users, we surmised that it might represent a first step in Apple's fading reluctance to tackle the existing Wintel market head-on in its advertising? Well, something's definitely up, though we might have to wait a bit longer to see just what it turns out to be-- but in the meantime, Apple is apparently doing its homework.

Check it out: faithful viewer Justin Resuello notes that Apple is now flat-out asking current and former Wintel users to "share what's on [their] mind[s]." But please, no cheap jokes about the sound of crickets chirping amid otherwise utter silence (well, okay, maybe just one), because Apple appears to be gathering data not from the "BILL GATEZ IS GOD" crowd, but rather from Windows folks who are either considering buying a Mac or have already taken the plunge and unwittingly sold their souls to His Steveness like we have. And lest you think that no one's going to stumble upon this little page tucked neatly away on Apple's web site, we should probably point out that Apple has placed fairly prominent links to it on every single one of its Mac product pages: "Hey PC users, we'd love to hear from you."

If you ask us (admit it-- you know you want to), it's a step in the right direction. If the folks in Apple's marketing team have any grasp on reality whatsoever, they realize that Apple is never going to learn much by asking the die-hard Windows zealots why they won't consider a Mac, because all they'll get back is a bunch of drivel about how "MAC sux" and "MAC makes crappy compooterz"-- useful only as evidence of our civilization's continuing decline and eventual collapse. But by asking those Windows users who are already sniffing around a Mac (or those who have already bought one) what prompted them to investigate jumping platforms, Apple might be able to put together an ad campaign that'll persuade the relatively open-minded subset of the Wintel crowd to take a look at the alternative. We love this plan! We're excited to be a part of it!

So if you're a former PC user who has come over to the Mac side of the Force, first of all, welcome; If we'd known you were coming we'd have baked a cake. But secondly, if you're so inclined, Apple would like to hear about your platform-hopping experiences at apple@apple.com; if you tell them it's okay, they may even write back with "a follow-up question or two." So if you think that some of your Wintel-using brethren might benefit from a platform switch as you have, consider helping Apple help them. We can always use more members in the cult, after all.