Saturday 9 November 2002

I've been very bad in terms of posting updates to this part of my site. Why has this been, I wonder? To a certain extent it's because I became obsessed with a small number of rants on my main page—most specifically US policy since Dubyoo's election and the antics of the Israeli government (whose change of direction so coincidentally coincided with the likelihood of a change of complexion in the White House at the end of Bill Clinton's second term).       But this is all very unfair to my Apple interests, so it's time I rectified the situation. Right now it seems appropriate to do so because of the announcement a couple of days ago of the latest revisions to the iBook and PowerBook range. I invested in a new 17-inch flat-panel iMac about two months ago, and part of my rationale when doing so was that I would follow this move with a trade-in of my old iMac and my old (clamshell) iBook for a new iBook. The revised specification makes this idea all the more enticing.       Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the experience of OS X 10.2.1. I had already installed this on my previous DVD-SE graphite iMac and was very pleased with its performance. Now that I have the added benefit of a G4 processor I'm really seeing the new OS in something like its true potential. As one of the earliest adopters of OS X (I got my copy of the Public Beta back in September 200 when it was released at Apple Expo in Paris), I've been using the new system for over two years now. I've gradually found myself abandoning my other machines which don't run it—indeed my iBook sits on the coffee table downstairs largely unused. I've found myself drifting into a situation where OS X now fulfils most of my casual and business needs, only using Classic now for the occasional times I need to work in Quark XPress.       Now, with Christmas already upon us as far as advertisers are concerned (our streets and stores already have their decorations in place, and cynical ads for kiddy toys have taken over TV ad-slots), I'm becoming infected with the idea of getting something for myself. I'm torn between a digital camera and an iPod. I have legitimate reasons for both, and sometimes even find myself trying to justify getting both rather than just one. Being realistic, I think my instinct is to plump for the camera. I definitely have no need for the iPod's primary function as a portable music device (I can't abide the idea of music on the move), though I'm tempted by its other potential as a super-compact portable hard drive.       Let's be realistic here: a digital camera would be something I could use for work and play. And if I get it within the next couple of weeks I could take it with me on my forthcoming trip to Brussels and be fully familiar with it for my trip to Vienna in April next year. OK. That's decided: I must get a camera and enable my iMac's potential as a real digital hub. 4:16:17 AM

		© Copyright 2002 Jim MacCormaic . Last update: 14/11/2002; 09:39:09 am .