Hooked on Apple
At work I’ve become the Mac/Server Guy (along with the Type Guy, Web Guy, InDesign Guy, Know-it-All Guy, and a few other titles). As a result I’ve learned a lot about and become more comfortable working with Macs. As usual, this has affected my life at home and I’ve become more of a Mac Addict than before.
Since I got my shiny new, speedy iMac (Rotwang) I’ve been wondering what to do with my old, temperamental G4 (Fritz). Over the weekend I turned it into a media center. It’s hooked up to the stereo in my living room and mostly just runs iTunes. I have easy access to all of my music, can stream broadcasts from radio stations like WMFU (the only station I listen to), and listen to the few podcasts I subscribe to. I also have it hooked up to my TV so I can watch video podcasts, The YouTube, and stuff from those websites that have free movies and TV shows — I wish Netflix was available on Macs. I can do all of that from the comfort of my living room, where I can stretch out on the couch, lounge in the movie theatre seats, or roll around in my wheelchair.
The only downside – not really a downside, I’m just lazy – is I don’t have a wireless keyboard and mouse. If I want to change what I’m listening to or watching, I have to get off my skinny ass and walk (or roll) to it. Fortunately, I found a solution: my iPod Touch and a couple of free applications. The first one is Apple Remote, which lets you control iTunes on any computer on your Wi-Fi network. The second one is Mocha VNC Lite, which lets you view and control your computer as if you were sitting in front of it. It’s a bit clunky to use, but it’s amazing it can do this, and that it’s free.
I acquired my amazing iPod Touch when I bought my iMac – I’m in love with both of them and can’t imagine life without either of them. I was able to get it for more than half the price because of my good looks and winning personality. OK, that isn’t entirely true. Small Dog had a deal with any new iMac purchase. It was an online only deal that I found out about after I purchased my computer. I went to the store to ask anyway and they were nice enough to give me the deal. Perhaps it was because of my good looks and winning personality, but I doubt it since I have neither of those, just a snazzy iPod.
Anyway, It’s basically an iPhone without a phone, camera, and the exorbitant monthly fee. It’s like having a tiny computer that fits in my tiny pocket. I can sit in a café that has free Wi-Fi and browse the internet. I can do the same from my bed, bathroom, or broom closet. I can also watch movies on it, which will be great for traveling – if I’m ever allowed to leave the city of Burlington. And, of course, it plays music.
One thing that kind of creeps me out is when I open the Google Maps application it accurately determines my location within a few hundred feet. I don’t know how it can do that. It doesn’t have GPS. It must have something to do with Wi-Fi, but it even works when I don’t have a signal. Even if it was getting the location from a Wi-Fi router, they don’t have GPS either and… I just don’t know. It’s magic.
Messing with My Mug
While I was setting up my computer, I was surprised to see my face on it when I made my user account. There’s a camera built into the monitor for doing video chat or some such nonsense. There are also effects that are entertaining, especially with sleep deprivation.
I doubt I’ll ever use it. Hell, I stopped using regular ol’ chat awhile ago — I type too slow and I don’t pay attention to it. Maybe I’ll set it up as a webcam and people can watch me sit in front of a computer. Wouldn’t that be exciting?
iExcited
It’s Sales Tax Independence Days here in the lovely state of Vermont that I now call home. Since it’s the perfect time to make a large purchase, I finally did something I’ve been thinking about doing for quite awhile: I purchased a new Mac, a 20in 2.4GHz iMac to be specific. Being the geek that I am, I’m absolutely thrilled about. And, to sound even geekier and provide further evidence that I need to get out more, it looks rather sexy (my camera batteries are dead, so no photos right now)
Not only is there no sales tax this weekend, Small Dog, where I purchased my lovely new iMac, has some great deals. I maxed out the RAM to 4GB (a must for working with Photoshop), which qualified me for $50 off, free installation, and a free printer/scanner. I also got Applecare (like most things, computers don’t have problems until they’re out of warranty) and an external 320GB FireWire hard drive (losing everything, as I once did, really sucks).
A computer is the most important tool for what I do, so having a reliable machine is paramount — speed helps too. My current machine, Fritz, frequently crashes; it’s almost impossible to work on and I’ve lost a lot of work. I haven’t been able to do a lot of things at home: take on graphic design projects (freelance and pro bono); learn Flash; experiment with animation; work on large photographs and digital collages; and so much more. My new iMac will pay for itself in no time.
As you’ve probably guessed, I’m going to be up late tonight setting up my new machine. First, I have to set up a scratch disk (another must for working with Photoshop), which means partitioning the hard drive and then reinstalling the OS. Then, I need install all of my software and move all of my files over from my old machine. After all that, I can start using it!
While I’m waiting, I always name my computers, so I need to come up with a good name. My previous two Macs were named after my favorite directors, Alfred Hitchcock and Frtiz Lang. I have other favorite directors, but none of their names seem fitting. I’m thinking of naming it Rotwang, after the mad scientist in Metropolis, but I’m open to suggestions.