AppleComputerGoing for Broke

Ouch

It had to happen. The law of averages states that if you have too many outliers in one direction, something is bound to come along to balance the books. I just didn’t expect the hammer to fall on my poor, unexpecting iBook. It turns out my computer didn’t have The Qualifying Logic Board Problem after all. What does this mean? It means that it would cost around $400 dollars to fix.
Read more
AppleComputerWellbeing

It’s not easy being responsible

“This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.” If you’ve been following my recent adventures, you know that I was talking to my poor iBook, just before I left it at the shop for repairs. I feel guilty. I feel lonely. Most importantly, I feel bored. My five year old, Bondi Blue, original iMac hasn’t seen this much action since, well, I bought a new iBook…
Read more
AppleGoing for Broke

Balance of power

An important component of the Kauffman household’s (version 2.2) fiscal responsibility is its balance of powers. We have what you might call a bi-camel financial office. (Others might call it being considerate, being responsible, or being married.) Proposals for spending may originate from either side, but must ultimately be approved by both sides before they can be enacted. Case in point: I…
Read more
AppleComputerGoing for Broke

Back in the saddle; or, when a good computer goes bad.

We are back on the air after some technical difficulties this evening. They say that when you run your own web server, you can’t blame anyone else for your site problems. Well, one of our poor old iMacs bit the dust right in front of me this evening. It happened just as I was walking in the door, coming home from work. The monitor flashed, an electrical “hissing” noise rose from…
Read more
AppleComputerCurrent Events

To Mac or not to Mac?

Pinellas County Schools, at the urgings of it’s fearless leader Howard Hinsley, has decided to phase out all of the Apple computers and replace them with PCs running Windows. For what reason, you may ask? Well, it wasn’t cost. Many arguments have been made as to wether the upfront savings of a Windows box make up for the down the road savings of a Mac – so I won’t waste…
Read more
AppleKitchen Sink

Getting your money’s worth.

How much is a good song worth to you? Do you believe music is property that should be bought and sold, or do you believe it belongs in the public domain? How do you keep people making music if music is free? I’ve heard several arguments both for and against Apple’s new music download service. For me, it’s a simple moral question. Music is someone’s craft. Like any other…
Read more
AppleKitchen Sink

I’m dreaming of an iMac Christmas.

When it comes to shopping, I’m a bit of a masochist. It seems that I only enjoy shopping when I don’t have any extra discretionary income. Notice I didn’t say I don’t have any money. That wouldn’t exactly be true. We’ve got money around, it’s just that we shouldn’t spend it. Some of it is for upcoming bills. Some of it is savings for emergencies. I…
Read more
AppleCurrent Events

David vs Goliath.

A little while ago I was siting with a group of people when the topic of Apple computers came up. One of the folks in the group voices his disdain of all things Apple, and pledges his allegiance to the evil empire, by muttering two syllables in a sarcastic tone “Apple!?!” Another member of the group suggests that there may be more disciples of the Apple faith in the crowd and suggests…
Read more
AppleFamily and Friends

Helping those who want to see the light

We had an unexpected visitor on Friday, a little boy who lives down the street. Beth was just tickled to have someone over to play at her house again. Later, when the boy’s father came over to pick him up, he was bathed in the glow of our tech savy. Sitting in the corner was our old bondi blue iMac and our new iBook. “Youv’e got to talk to my wife”, the boy’s father…
Read more