Cause it feels good!

Over the years much has been said and written about the Mac vs PC debate. I could go on and on about the benefits and shortcomings of each platform here and certainly you would not see anything you haven't read elsewhere ad nauseam and almost certainly it wouldn't change your mind as to your preference. Most times the choice to go with a Mac or a PC boils down to what you have used in the past and are familiar with and/or how good a previous experience you have had with a particular brand. For my own part I have flipped back and forth using friends PCs or Macs, whatever was available at 2 in the morning as I was scrambling to get and assignment done for a 8 am deadline, during my early university days. My first computer purchase was a PC. Despite the fact that I had always preferred the "feel" of the MAC I was seduced by the compatibility and the lower price of the PC, plus my dad could get me a bunch of free software from his work. This was pre-internet days and really after university was finished I did not had a whole lot of use for a computer other than wasting a few hours every once in a while on Civilization. When I started teaching several years later the school I was at had a few old Macs and I had a chance to reacquaint myself with the platform. As the new iMacs came out and the price came down I decided to go with a Mac the next time I bought a computer, plus I also could get a bunch of free software from work. I have been very happy with my iMac and it is still being used by my kids. During the time I had this machine the internet exploded and the ease and functionality of Mac's iLife products really won me over. Then a couple years ago I changed jobs and was also back at university taking my master's. I needed a laptop and despite being very happy with my iMac and iBook I decided to by a PC laptop. The job I was taking and the school I was at used PCs so I decided to go with compatibility, plus I could get free software for the PC from my new school. The laptop has been a good machine and despite a few maintenance issues, thank god for extended warranties, it has preformed very well. I have found that with a little searching I can find applications to do what iLife did for me and I have enjoyed not having to worry about compatibility issues. Back on the Mac side, the other day a friend of mine lent me his MacBook for a few days. I must say, even though I am preforming the same task as on my PC laptop I am enjoying the look and feel of the Mac once again. As I was playing around making a website with iWeb it dawned on me, why use a Mac? Because it feels good and in this day and age isn't that enough. Everywhere we turn we are confronted with death and destruction, global warming, rising costs, decay of the family unit, unwinnable wars ........ so if we are going to be inundated with email for Viagra and the next can't miss stock option shouldn't we at least enjoy it. My PC has some life left in it but when the time comes I may just break from my tradition of following free software and go with what feels good.

Island Life

 

Well my family and I have been lucky enough to spend the week at my friend Val's place on Gabriola Island. I have never been on any of the Gulf Islands and I find myself asking what the hell have I been doing? It is quite spectacular here, not to mention Val's place is located on Killer Whale Lookout, how cool, and you actually look right out on the ocean from the living room. It made it a little distracting, however, to try and watch a movie last night as my wife and I kept looking out the window to watch the Otter's play on the rocks.