Tag: Apple

A Year in MINIons- MINIon #4176

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Bruce

4176I know the world is divided into three camps: the luddites, the non-Apple users, and the Apple users.  Those who dislike Apple have their reasons.  Those who love Apple have their reasons.  Luddites? They can’t read this so who cares.

My first computer ever- was an Apple II+ It had a cassette tape drive and a whopping 48k of memory.  We’d play things like Beneath Apple Manor- an adventure game in which you traveled through a dungeon taking on monsters and gathering treasure.  You were a white, flashing square.  The monsters were a colored square. You used the keyboard to move and fight.  It was a computer, and I learned a few things from it.  Most importantly- I learned I hated the way it worked. Yes, I hated working on a computer.

Once I was introduced to the Mac I saw how simple an interface could be and there was no going back.  Intuitive, and it just worked.  I’ve been a Mac owner since 1984.  I know people can list off thousands of reasons to not buy anything from Apple.  Don’t waste your time on me- I’m part of the cult, I have drunk the Kool-Aid. There’s no saving me now, just move on. Heck, I had a Newton that should tell you how far gone I am.  I like what I like, and like simplicity.

Oh, and one more thing… Here’s to whatever Apple is announcing today, it might not be Earth shattering, but I’m guessing it will be, in some small way game changing.

doodling…

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Bruce

A colleague sent me a link to a TED talk about the power of doodling-

something I have been aware of for years (see any notebook from any class, workshop, or lecture I have attended). but today I decided to settle back and do some refining of my characters. I’ve also considered adding a few to the cast as I expand stories.

While fiddling around with pencil and paper I did this little doodle that I felt was good enough to finish and post. I originally had Cecil holding a Newton (I still have one- it still works) but decided that would be a bit obscure. I then thought about a different caption- “with great power, comes great responsibility, and a black mock turtleneck.”

letting my mind wander with a pencil can be a dangerous thing.

 

Just playing- oh I pre ordered my iPhone 4S this morning… since my iPhone 3, while it still works, has seen better days.

 

Wow- New Toys!

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Bruce

So yesterday there was a speech given that uplifted spirits and in my opinion will shape the future. Yes, Steve Jobs announced a new product. Oh, the president did give the State of the Union address, but…

A bit of history… my first computer was an Apple II+ which I shared with my brother.  In 1984, my parents decided that I needed a computer for college.  So I looked  at an IBM PC Jr. thinking I needed a “computer.”  The salesman turned me towards this new thing called a Macintosh.  I thought it was so cool, especially- having a cassette to guide me through using this thing called a “mouse.”  That 128kb Mac got me through college, and sold me on the Mac.  I am definitely opinionated when it comes to computers- even having worked in an “anti-Apple” environment for almost 20 years.  So Apple introduces the iPad.  People don’t get it and I think… “wow.”

See my parents are interesting beasts.  My dad is under the impression that the top of line is what he needs no matter what.  I have seen them buy computers that they don’t need.  So I see the iPad as a perfect device for people like my parents.  those people who only use computers to check email, Facebook, and use the Internet.  They don’t need much else.  This fits-  Sue and I are thinking about getting these as replacements for our 5 year old laptops.  I’m interested in seeing an iPad up close and mostly seeing how this will change the playing field… like the iPod & iPhone.  Yes, yes there are things that need work, but then again I am a Mac Zombie and I can’t wait to see My Geek Odyssey on an iPad.