Could it be true?

My blog has moved

My blog has moved to: lucasrockwell.com.

The Debate is Over

Tech people, well, let's face it, geeks (and I include my self as a geek) sure do get fixated on things they feel are incorrect, and love to debate about them until they pass out. And for years, one of the biggest fixations and debates has centered around the price difference between a Mac and a Windows-based PC.

Prior to the Mac running on Intel, the argument was largely baseless because the systems ran different OSes. It really was like comparing apples and lemons (pun intended). But now that the Mac runs on the "x86" architecture, the argument is even more baseless. In fact, there is no longer an argument. And this post is my attempt to convey why "The Debate is Over."

Now that the Mac runs on the "x86" architecture, there is no more need to debate the price of a Mac vs. the price of an IBM, or Acer, or Dell, etc., etc. Why? Because they are not in the same league! First, the Mac can run 99.9% of everything that can run on the IBM, Acer, etc. (with the exception of peripherals that require a connection -- like RS232 -- that the Mac does not have). Of course, the Mac can run one very important thing that these machines can't: OS X. Not to mention the all of the thousands of applications that run only on OS X, like TextMate, OmniGraffle, etc.

However, that is not my argument, actually. The fact that the Mac can run more than these other systems, and even run Windows better than these systems (VMWare Fusion running with the Mac's superior "sleep" technology puts PCs to shame) is not the point. It's not the point because it doesn't have to be.

So, what is the point then? The point is that they are the same, and yet different at the same time. Back when the Mac was run by the PowerPC, you really couldn't make the argument that the Mac was like a Porsche and a Dell was like a Chevy because they didn't run on the same roads, i.e., the Mac ran OS X and the PC ran Windows, etc. But now that the all of these computers run on the same architecture (this is the same part), this sameness is what makes them different. You see, the Mac really is a Porsche, now: it not only runs on the same roads, it runs on the same roads faster, and with a lot more style.

Basically, you have a choice now: If you want a cheap computer, buy an Acer. Who cares. Just buy it and be happy with it. You want a computer that was actually designed by someone who cares about design? Then buy a Mac. (The sharpness of the MacBook edge not withstanding. But hey, every company gets things wrong every now and then.)

The Mac is not about status to me. It is about design. I care about design. I choose to buy products that were developed by people who have as much, if not more, passion about design than I do. Hey, I could go out an buy a really ugly, cheap La-Z-Boy chair, but I'm not going to do it, because I care about how my place looks. I could buy a cheap, white, ugly refrigerator for my kitchen, but I'm not going to do it because I would then have to look at it every day. 

See, the simple fact is, there are people out there who care about design, and there are people who don't. The really great thing is, when it comes to computers, people who care about design actually have a choice now! The people who care about design, and yet have to run Windows for whatever reason, can now buy a Mac! They can run Windows natively, or run it under something like VMWare Fusion (which I highly recommend).

So, there really is no debate anymore: You want a cheap computer that was put together by a bunch of geeks with no sense of style and who's product philosophy is, "People just want a cheap computer", then buy a Dell. If you want a computer that was designed by people who actually know what "modern industrial design" is all about, then buy a Mac.

And to the Mac fan-boys out there: Stop defending Apple by talking about iLife, etc., etc. It doesn't matter! Apple is now taken seriously by business, so there is no need to worry about being marginalized by a decreasing market share. It just isn't happening anymore. The Mac is not going away just like Porsches are not going away. Use your Mac, and enjoy it. And if the geeks want to continue debating prices, let them do it. It's meaningless chatter now anyway.

A Sanded MacBook is a Happy MacBook

I finally got around to sanding the sharp front edge of my MacBook... Honestly, I don't know what took me so long! Seriously, this is like having a whole new computer. The pain I used to feel when putting my hands down to type, is totally gone. It is really a weird feeling. Also, for some bizarre unknown reason, I used to rub my thumbs against the sharp edge. Maybe I did it because I thought it might actually cause the edge to wear down... Of course, that would have taken years! Now, however, I find that I don't do this anymore, saving some skin on my thumbs.

I used 400 grit wet/dry 3M sandpaper, and sanded the entire front edge of the MacBook, including the corners, and then about 3cm up each side. I didn't want to go too far up the sides as I was afraid of getting plastic dust into the slots/holes/etc. In all, it took me about 15 minutes to get the edge to an acceptable comfort level.

Check out the sanding picture to see more clearly what I did.

If you have not sanded the front edge of your MacBook, I strongly suggest you give it some serious consideration!

Never mind that...

Well, if you look at the dates on my blog, you will notice I've been a little remiss in my posting. Until tonight, I have not written on this blog since May 2005! Wow, that was over 3 years ago.

So, why am I writing again, and where have I been?

Well, I started writing again because I just couldn't stand the sharp edge on my new MacBook. So I had to say something about it, so I did. I also have some other things I've been wanting to talk about, so stay tuned for more writing from me very soon.

Where have I been?

Well, I have been right here, but I have been very busy. Aside from renovating the condo (which I mentioned in my second post, I have been working on a few websites. One in particular I have been working on a lot: Timefo.

Timefo is a website that allows you to make a timeline of your life, or anything else you want to make a timeline about, very quickly. The end result is a pretty slick timeline, so check it out. I still have a lot to work on, but it is getting there. I have changed 3 times now the way that the event details render, and I am about to change it yet again. But this next change is really going to allow the timelines to be portable, i.e., people will be able to embed their timelines in other websites like a YouTube video, etc. I think this is an important change, and it needs to happen soon.

Oh, and I also decided to finally do something with a domain name that I have had for 9 years now: sftonight.com. It is not updated all the time, but I thought it would be fun to finally do something with that domain. Bernadette and I have fun with it now and then. We obviously need to put more time into it... Yea, like we really have time for that.

Sand paper required for MacBook

I recently got a new MacBook.  At first I was using it alongside of my old iBook and I really hated the keyboard. The lack of contour on the keys was a huge PITA, and the spacing between the keys just seems (or seemed) really off. Basically, I had no feedback from the keyboard and I thought I was going to hate it. However, now that I have been using the MacBook full-time, I can say that I really like the keyboard. I can actually type very quickly with this keyboard, and it feel very comfortable... Well, until my wrists start screaming with pain...

Apple should give you a piece of sand paper when you get a new MacBook. The plastic edge that surrounds the bottom of the case is sharp, and it cuts into my wrists. I love the fact that Apple actually designs its products and they really get form and function correct 99% of the time. However, this is clearly an instance where design took precedence over function, and users are paying the price. I will be getting some sand paper tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Apple, please fix this horrible design.

Weddings

Well, since I just went to a wedding a week and a half ago and got invited to another wedding this week (don't know when it will be yet), I thought I'd list out all the weddings I've ever been to. I've listed out the names, location, and whether or not the couple is still together. So, starting with most recent first.

22) Kiki and Dan      Emeryville, CA     together
21) Jussi and Sirke   Espoo, Finland     together
20) Jeff and Ashley   Portland, OR       together
19) Aaron and Eiko    SF, CA             together
18) Alyssa and Jim    Scotia, NY         together
17) Gabe and Amanda   Bloomsburg, PA     divorced
16) Derek and Lisa    SF, CA             divorced
15) Two people        Sausalito, CA      don't know
14) Jussi's cousin    Finland            don't know
13) Matt and Tori     Key West, FL       together
12) Betsy and Bruce   Kennett Square, PA together
11) Darby and Frank   SF, CA             together
10) Todd and Julie    Philadelphia, PA   together
 9) Shelley and Jeff  Boulder, CO        together
 8) Leigh and Karen   NY                 together
 7) Greg and Tara     Moline, IL         divorced
 6) Mom and Bob       Albany, NY         together
 5) Mallie and Adrian Des Moines, IA     together
 4) Robin and Joe     Saratoga, NY       together
 3) Shaun and Nancy   Saratoga, NY       divorced
 2) Dad and Simone    Ballston Spa, NY   together
 1) Mom and Phil      Scotia, NY         divorced

I know I am missing a handfull... I'm sure I'll be updating this.

Weddings I was invited to, but could not make:
Lesley and Christian
Diana and Scott
Jo and Shadow
Shaun and Peggy (Did I get invited to this one...)
Michael and ...

Search engine manipulation...

Interesting piece about search engine manipulation.

The thing that puzzles me is, if links hold "currency" how can an article I wrote in 1996, hosted on a website that went defunct in 2001, be the top result when you search for "lucas rockwell?" And all my Berkeley posts come second...

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,66893,00.html