5 posts tagged “apple”
My mother had computer issues last night-today. She calls me early this morning, asking about their "slow computer." We determined she had disc errors... so I told her to try to fix it from the UNIX command line; when that didn't work, she ran the hardware CD.
She later admits she doesn't have a good surge protector, and the power goes out often with summer storms. Great.
So, I leave her be... and call her later when I'm at the grocery. "Mom, what all goes into gazpacho? I'm making it."
She was not in a good mood.
"I dont know. Tomatoes, I think."
"Yeah, professor, I have those... onion, garlic... a chile pepper... what else? I can't put in sherry..."
"I don't know John. Listen, I ran the hardware test and it said it was the software."
"No it didn't," I returned.
"Yes, it did."
"No, it didn't. It never says "it was the software," so what did it really say?"
There was a pause as I was getting my prosciutto.
"It said the hardware was fine," she added.
"Aha, so it wasn't the "software" it just said the hardware was okay..."
"Yes."
"Ok... well, re-install OS X again, and wipe the drive clean; it may help if the drive wasn't physically damaged."
"I have to wait. We have another storm now."
"Did you unplug the computer?"
"No."
I now rolled my eyes.
These things would be so much easier to fix if she lived near-by.
The other exchange we had was over "AppleCare," their extended warranty program. I never got it on a desktop, but I did this last time around, as my G5 tower has a liquid cooled processor core.
I suggested my parents get it. You have a year after you buy the machine to buy the extra coverage.
"Did you buy the AppleCare?"
"No."
"Why not? I told you to."
"We didn't buy it, OKAY."
Then I rubbed it in. "Well, if you have to get the drive replaced, you're going to have to drive down to the mall and carry it in."
"WE can't do that. I don't want your dad to strain himself."
"So, if you had the AppleCare, they overnight you a box; you put the computer in, and it goes to them... and in 2 days, you get a working computer."
"How much does that cost?"
"Nothing; it's part of the AppleCare service."
"Why don't we have that?"
"You're cheap. I gotta go, Mom..."
Wherein, I acquire new software that likes a fast video card.
Wherein, I have an evidently old video card. The computer has many slots. Seemingly, all I'd have to do is buy a new one, stick it in, and the new software would just work so much better.
But it's not that easy.
No one makes a faster video card for my computer. And if they did, it looks like I'd have to get a new monitor, at the same time.
Apple really messed this one up, for sure. While my computer is still fast, in terms of processor speed and memory, the video card is a crutch, alongside their proprietary video connectors (DVI vs. ADC).
So the moral of the story is...
Apple: I've bought your $1300 new software suite. Yes, I did check, and my computer meets basic requirements. But let's be honest. Spinning around in 3D with live previews isn't happening. In fact, it slows down my whole computer. About all it can do then is spin little colorful beach-balls at me.
What you should have added was that the $1300 software was only the beginning. I'd also have to shell-out for the new computer ($3500) plus the new screen, since the old one won't plug into the new cards ($1800). Point is, if i want to do what you are doing in your demo videos which got me to buy the software in the first place, well... it's gonna cost me well over $5000. And I don't have that for little podcast intros or fun.
Why won't someone (hello? ATI?!) a graphics card for AGP slots, instead of just PCI-Express?! Will this one work?
Today I drove to an independent Mac store to buy an ElGato EyeTV 610 to record tv shows.
They didn't have any. "We can order one," they said. They never sell anything. How do they stay in business? I can order it too, jackasses.
I wanted it now.
I wanted a home media solution, something better than Apple TV. I was set to buy the El Gato, plus a Mini, plus a hard drive. Busted. No go today.
And so then I returned to my stereo setup. Maybe I should spend the dough on the stereo.
After network issues with iTunes/Airtunes, it all worked perfectly this afternoon. I got my groove on using the Apple Remote.
Tonight, more problems. Then it just started working, but then the phone came into use. It's a Motorola 5.2 Ghz model. What the hell? Use that phone, and the streaming is dead. Hang-up, hello tunes.
I haven't spent thousands on my hi-fi to have this shit/crap/stinky network problem ruin my day. But it did. Wireless sucks some serious ass.
Options await.
- Use a wired solution, by stringing some Cat-5 cable across the house, and between floors. I'd need help.
- Buy a new N-capable Airport Extreme.
- Buy a Mini music server and put it in the family room with the hi-fi instead of using AirTunes.
- Replace my amigo's computer with a laptop, and move his computer downstairs with the DAC.
Yes, I'm having serious Apple lust pains. This weekend everyone's getting Apple TVs. Argh. I simply don't find it compelling on its own. I played with one at the store and left unimpressed.
So, I'm pumping gas. Another guy comes in, and is in the space opposite mine, you know, sharing the same pump. They're all double-sided, after all.
As he is waiting for his gas to fill his pathetic little tank, he looks over at my car, and notices my vanity plate.
"Hey! Is that your name on your plate?" I hear him say that. I don't want to talk to other gas pumpers.
"No."
"It's not? What does it say... Marc Book... no... MacBrook? You're not Mac? That's not your name?"
"Uh? Umm.. no. It doesn't say Mac Brook."
"Oh... Macbook... is that your name?"
Didn't we just go through this? "No, it's not my name, sorry." He wouldn't let up.
"What is it then?"
"Mac book." He stares at me, unaware of what a MacBook is. "It's a computer... a Macintosh."
"Oh!!!!! Oh, oh, I get it. Mac Book. Ok... yeah... so... what, like, you must work for Apple, huh?"
Maybe I should. I got asked that the other day in the Quiznos. "You work for Apple, don't you?" when they saw me wearing a shirt with an Apple on it. "No," I said then, and here again.
"No?" the gas pumper asked. "No, I don't."
"So, where do you work then?"
"That, my friend, is none of your business." I said, and promptly left. Why do people insist on talking and striking up a conversation at the gas pump? I don't mean sound trite or mean, but come on... I don't think you should talk to strangers like that, pumping gas and all, unless you're like, well, really attracted to them. And something tells me this guy, nah, he wasn't into me.
Upon receiving a new iPod Video (generation 5B, 80GB), I immediately sought-out new video podcasts to download. My intention was to only view them on the new iPod.
