Taking the Plunge

So, years ago, I jumped off into the computer world.  I decided to go to school for architectural drafting.  I knew that computers were starting to make their way into the world in a big way and I knew that I would be spending years in front of one.  I was fortunate not to have to learn Windows 3.1.  I started with Windows 95 and it was a pretty friendly little OS if you didn't have to get serious with it.  Next came Windows 98 and that was a huge improvement, but you still had to reboot the thing every time you did anything important.  Then Microsoft tried this little thing called Windows ME.  It was a great speed improvement, but what a horrible horrible OS.  It wasn't long after poisoning millions of computers with ME that Microsoft released the ever famous Windows XP.  Microsoft almost screwed up with Windows XP.  They almost made it their last ever OS.  From 2000 to 2008, this was what was available.  8 years w/o a new release.  That is ancient in technology years.  If something lasts 7 years in the IT world, it is a miracle and it is considered a classic.  If you want your OS to last that long, it better be amazing, and XP is NOT amazing.  Finally Microsoft released the much anticipated, newly written from scratch (supposedly) Windows Vista.  CHOKE!!!!!  This was the same kind of deal as Windows ME.  They wanted to get it out there and it was over due, but it was again, poisonous.  You had to have the latest and greatest hardware to even get it to run right.  So, finally, a year later, Microsoft got it right.  FINALLY!  After almost 15 years, we have an OS that is worth using.  Stable, fast, beautiful, friendly, and just fun to use!  So, guess what I did?

I WENT AND BOUGHT A MAC!  WHY OH WHY?!?!?!

Well, I'll admit that I am biased towards Windows.  I know it, I can almost always fix it, and it goes on anything.  I can build my PC's very cheap and it's just easy to have around.  But about 6 years ago, Wheat Belt's IT guy introduced Mac's to the rest of the company and I.  He worked on me and worked on me.  I just laughed and said no way would I spend that much money on a computer.  Ridiculous!!  Well, this many years later, that guy is the GM of the company and the new IT guy and I are in charge of manning the IT department.  There are two Mac Servers running and we need to know how to run them.  Well, WB buys the new IT guy a MacBook Pro.  He starts using it and learning it and next thing I know, this guy owns and iMac at home too.  Sells his PC.  Then starts raving about his Mac.  I was like, riiiiight, not going to do it.  Well, as the weeks go buy and I'm trying to do some things on the servers at work, I am finding out that I could really use a Mac.  Then I go to the FileMaker conference and learn that FileMaker was designed on a Mac and owned by Apple.  My training materials are all written for the Mac and while this software runs on a PC, the materials are all dictated and illustrated for a Mac.  GREAT!  Now I have a choice to make.  I can either suffer for who knows how long with a PC or I can go buy one and just finally learn to use it.  I finally found two justifications.  1: I really wanted a laptop for traveling and just ease of use around the house, instead of hiding out in the basement to use a computer. 2: Since WB couldn't really justify buying me one, I could buy one and use it at work so I didn't have to bug the others to use their MacBooks.  Finally, I took the plunge.  I bought me a 15" MacBook Pro.  This thing is amazing.  I'm learning the OS and they have so many cool useful little tools that are included that just make things easier.  Maybe this stuff is available for Windows, but just like Microsoft does with all their software, you have to buy it, or find it.  It's not just included.  I'm still not a die hard, don't get me wrong, but I'm learning and enjoying my laptop.

It's not as pretty as a lot of those Windows based laptops that you can find, but this thing is functional.  And something about having a metal laptop...well, that's just cool!  And Apple's trackpads that they put on their laptops...this thing is great.  I would rather use it than a mouse!  Never thought I'd say that.  

So, there it is.  An expensive decision and still not crazy about the $$ I spent, but if this thing in fact lasts as long as all the "critics" say, well I'm sure in  6 years, I'll be happy I bought this.  =)