The World of Scott Mindeaux

Me and my MacBook

So I did it. I have owned quite a-many computers in my time. My first computer was an Apple IIc that my dad bought for the “house”. He and I were the only ones who used it. Surprisingly, my dad took to Appleworks and started to do business things in it. I, of course, was using it to play games and write those kewl little basic programs. Then I got an Apple IIgs. Graphic interface, mouse driven and in color. I had a keyboard attached to it and did music stuff (I was a big ol music guy back in the day). I even owned a pair of Apple-branded Bose speakers. To this day I still have those speakers and they sound great. As the years went by I went on to own a Mac 512, Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac IIx, a few Performas, a 6610, then a Quadra 800 and even a Mac clone from Power Computing. More recently I have had a Powerbook G3 (Pismo), a G4/450, an iBook 500(12″) and 800(14″). a Mac Mini 1.42 and a Mac Mini 1.5 Intel single core. But what have all of these computers have in common?? I purchased all of them USED and probably months or years after their introduction. Even the Mac Mini Intel I got recently wasn’t “new”. I bought it off of eBay from a Mac reseller.

Then came the release of the MacBooks. The same Monday they were introduced, I rushed over to my nearest Apple Store (Irvine Spectrum) and had to see it for myself. I fell in love. One week later, I walked back into that store and bought a new MacBook, in white. Not black you ask? Well, I couldn’t justify the $150 price difference between a similarly outfitted White MacBook. Lisa, the Apple salesperson, was the only one who would approach m e in the store and ask if I had any questions. There were plenty of sales people around, but no one would greet me. I was actually surprised. Lisa was with customers, but when she was done, she came up to me and asked “…you like that new MacBook eh”? I said that did and stealthfully asked if there were any White MacBooks with the superdrive in stock. She said she would check. I told her I was really nervouse cuz for the 2nd time in my life, I was buying a new computer withing weeks of it coming out. The very first computer I bought during its introduction was the Macintosh 512. I remember going to Wabash Computers in El Toro and along with an ImageWriter II and external 400k floppy put down a whopping $3700 down. Crazy eh?

So after paying my new MacBook on my card, I was the Proud new owner of a White MacBook. I picked up my box with its handle and I remember strutting out of the store saying to myself “I can’t believe I just paid for a new computer”. Even before I could drive out of the parking structure I was cradling the box in my lap, clutching it with both hands, still in awe.

As soon as I got home I started to open and check everything out. I took pictures even! How crazy am I? I LUV this MacBook. I sold my MacMini Intel and reaped some of my costs back with the proceeds. The bonus is, I took my 2GB of RAM out of my MacMini Intel and transferred it to my MacBook. How kewl was that? Next thing I did was run the updates and then loaded a copy of Parallels. I installed Windows XP and I have to say that it seems to run pretty well. On my MacMini I loaded BootCamp, but I have decided not to on the MacBook, opting to test out Parallels instead.

If you are looking to replace an older Powerbook G4, this is a no-brainer. The only caveat is if you are a heavy Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator user, you should hold off until Adobe releases CS3. Adobe products do run slower on a new MacBook/Pro than on your old G4 or G5.

Its amazing how I have been treating this MacBook like its an egg. I’ve been very careful about not scratching it. I keep the protective sheet between my keyboard and screen and until someone releases a sleeve that actually fits the MacBook, I’m using the temp sleeve it came with in the box.

It’s my baby….

Idol Chat – The Finale

Its about 45 minutes since the Finale aired and I’ve been watching House MD on Fox trying to distract myself from what I have to say was the worse American Idol ever!

I agree with Simon, thru the end of the 2nd set set, both Katharine and Taylor were probably tied. Then came the “debut” songs. Who the hell wrote that song for Katharine?!?! Please, please tell me that you didn’t pick this song Kat. Paula and Randy were right, you are brilliant, but the song sucked! There is a weird part of me that hopes you don’t win, so we don’t have to hear that song on the radio for weeks to come after your win. But I luv you Kat, so I continue to hit redial on the phone trying to get my votes in.

Now Taylor, you were EQUALLY brilliant tonite, but I do have to say that your debut song was WAY better than Kat’s. This song spoke to who you are as a performer and where your talents lie. It will be interesting to see how America will vote tonite. Taylor, I have to tell it like I see it, you were spectacular tonite. Kat seemd unsure of herself and was unsure of her abilities in her last song. With that said, I still want Kat to win, but I will understand if America picks you. You will do well and no matter what happens, I look forward to hearing you BOTH on the radio soon!

Idol Chat – Top 3 – The Semi-Finals

Here we go America. We’re down to the final three: Taylor, Katharine and Elliott. This is a wonderful nite. We start the evening with songs chosen by Clive Davis . A recording industry mogul. He has worked with so many great artists. He has worked with some of the greatest groups and singers in this century.

Our final three contestants will perform three songs tonite. Clive will pick the songs in round one. First up? Elliott!

Part I

Elliott - “Open Arms” by Journey. Clive asked Elliott to sing this classic Journey song.

Katharine – “I Believe I can Fly” by R. Kelly – Clive wanted Kat to make this song her own. I sat there mesmerized by Kat. She sounds great tonite. She was on top and there were a few bumps towards the end, but I think she will own this song. Randy didn’t like it. Paula felt the same. Paula said it was song choice and Kat said, but I didn’t pick the song. Then in a surprising move, Simon disagreed with Randy and Paula and said he felt there was a small moment for Kat. Did you see Gabrielle Solis in the audience?

Taylor – “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen. Clive called Bruce himself to get permission to perform this song. This was a good choice for Taylor. Taylor, you’re not smiling. You look pissed. Great stage presence as usual and it sounds great but I think Simon was say it was a bit Karaoke. Here we go, Randy said he knows how to have a good time. Oh Taylor…no white socks with black shoes during your interview with Clive

Part II

This time, Paula, Randy and Simon pick the songs…

Elliott – “What You Won’t Do For Love” Paula said they picked this song for the funky white boy. Elliott this was your chance to own the stage and play with the audience. You’re in the top 3 and you haven’t connected with the audience. This song was ok. You didn’t spin this to your own. No big deal. Simon said he liked it.

Katharine – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow ” Simon picked this song. He felt this was the most perfect song for her. Oh My God…I had goosebumps. I didn’t not expect you to start the song acapella. You look radiant. The simple guitar coming in after your intro was just perfect. I like your interpretation of ths song. This was yours kat. This song WAS THE MOMENT Simon has been looking for all season!!! Randy said it was the best all season! Paula said to soak in the moment. Simon it was the single, best performance of the season!!! You GO KAT!!!!

Taylor – “You Are So Beautiful” Randy picked this Joe Cocker song for our Taylor. You’re trying to play that coy, shy boy. But it sounds like lack of confidence to me bro. You look uncertain. What’s up? This song was made for you, but I’m not feeling it. Why? I’m still in shock from Katharine’s performance. Simon LUVED it!

Part III

Contestants pick the songs…interesting.

Elliott – “I Believe To My Soul” – A Ray Charles classic. You look happy and bright. You sound great, but I don’t think its a good last song for you. This will be the song people will have in their heads before they pick up the phone tonite. You’re my choice bro..but the song was just “ok” for me. I don’t think it was a good choice.

Katharine – “I Ain’t Got Nothing But The Blues” I always like a girl in high black boots. You look great. What I like about you is that you have stage presence. You know how to move around and you know how to connect with the screen and the audience. This is what will give you a head up on Elliott. I liked this song. This was a good choice for you. Randy didn’t like it. Paula said the magic was “Somewhere” but didn’t say she liked this song, and Simon said he wished the order was reversed and that she went out with “Somewhere”.

Taylor – “Try a Little Tenderness” taylor said he chose this for the Soul Patrol! All night you looked like you were in pain. I’m not sure what was up. You ok bro? Ok…it was a good song overall. You’re so over the top sometimes! randy said his new name is “Have a Good Time Funky Taylor”. Simon said great choice, good song, but hideous ending.

So what’s going to happen??? It will be Taylor and Kat. Elliott..luv ya bro..but I think it will be Taylor and Kat.

Stay tuned for tomorrow nite.

Idol Chat…out.

I touched it, I played with it – The New MacBooks

All day I was waiting for 6pm to hit. I packed my bag, said my good byes and headed straight for The Apple Store. I went to the Irvine Spectrum store and oddly, it was kinda empty. There were 3 associates towards the back talking to themselves. I looked around without trying to be TOO obvious that I was looking for the new MacBooks. I took about ten steps in and missed it. It was tucked in the corner all by its lonesome. No one around! Yes! So here are my observations and comments about the new MacBooks.

First off, did you know the MacBook the comes in Black is actually a Black brushed aluminum? Yes…its metal. While the white MacBook is in it’s familiar white acrylic. The 13″ widescreen does seem big compared to a 12″ iBook/Powerbook. The first thing I noticed on the black MacBook is the keyboard. It’s a departure from how they’ve done keyboards in the past. Each individual key pops up from a grid made of the MacBook material. In the case of the Black MacBook, in metal. Each key jets out, they don’t touch like on the currernt models. The first thing that came to mind is the keyboard from the IBM Jr. Remember those??? I know…I’m dating myself. There is considerable space between each key so when typing, it feels like you’re having to stretch just a little to get the typing done. It’s a little awkward, at least for me.

The next thing I took a look at closely was the new glossy screen. Yes, it does have glare, just like the Toshibas and Sony laptops with the similar screen finish. But it’s not that bad. I have to admit that having the glossy surface does saturate the colors more and it seems brighter. I recently purchased a 19″ LCD and when I opened it, it had a protective plastic sheet over the screen. Unlike the Dells, there is no writing on this plastic sheet. My screen looked better with it on. However, it was taped on and looked kinda goofy. I kept it on for about 2 months before taking it off and I have to say that I notice the difference.

After playing with the Black MacBook, I looked around to find the White MacBook. Nowhere. None. I walked up to the Genius bar and spoke with a Lisa there. We talked abit about the Genius bar and tried to log some time in with the concierge cuz I had some questions about a few Macs at the office. On any computer in the store, you can click on the concierge icon and book time at the bar. Well, when I did that, it said that due to high volume, there were no spots available…

Hmmmm…. I looked around the store and there were maybe 15 people in the store. The bar was empty except for one guy who was being helped by a cute Genius! So I told Lisa and she didn’t believe me as she glanced over at the Bar as well. She asked me to log back into it and try and lo and behold it said they werre too busy. So she went behind the bar to get me in. So while she was typing I just said I didn’t have the machine with me, but that I had questions. Well…I’ll save this particular story for another post.

I asked Lisa if they had any of the White MacBooks and she said they didn’t have room for a station on the floor, but that she had one in the back if I didn’t mind waiting a few minutes. I said, not a problem at all, take your time. While she was in back, I went back to the Black MacBook. Lisa came back to the Bar and had the White MacBook with her. These MacBooks are skinny! A definite change from its predecessor. I opened the lid. Magnets hold the lid shut now. I like that ALOT. The latch on one of my earlier iBooks broke and I had to keep he lid closed manually and sometimes with a rubberband. This MacBook is in everyway the same as the Black MacBook but not in brushed metal. Now that the keyboard is built into the MacBook, how do ou do upgrades I asked. Lisa didn’t know off hand. I asked if I could remove the batter, which weighs nothing, and it was under the battery that I think memory upgrades are done. As you recall, you had to lift the keyboard out of the iBooks to do upgrades.

All the normal ports are on the MacBook but this time sporting both IN and OUT audio ports. This is very nice. I also played around with the built-in iSight. I pulled up the PhotoBooth. Once my face showed up in the window I immediately shut it down…I looked awful!

It was very nice of Lisa to pull the White MacBook from the back for me to look at. She answered all my questions to the best of her ability and I give her at A+ for customer service. I also give an A+ to the cute guy at the Genius Bar!

I like these new MacBooks. I have been holding off on buying a MacBook Pro waiting for these new machines. Here are the main difference between the MacBooks and the MacBook Pros:

1. The video ram is shared with the system RAM on the MacBooks.
2. It’s a 13.3″ widescreen
3. The White MacBook comes in the acrylic. The rest in brushed aluminum.
4. The price

Other than that, there are no real differences. I would not use a MacBook to do anything graphic intensive, that’s what my desktop machine is for. So if I look at it, I can get a 2.0Ghz Apple MacBook for $1299. For $200 more, you get the black brushed metal and 20G of more hard drive space.

Here’s a note on the brushed black aluminum. It scuffs. On the back side I took my fingernail to see if it would mark. I mean come one. The question begs to be asked. On the silver brushed aluminum, scratches and scuffs get lost in the silver. But on the Black..its very apparent. One good scratch and you’ll see that scratch everyday you look at your MacBook. Other than that, I lusted over the Black MacBook.

I almost bought one right there on the spot. They Black MacBooks weren’t in stock, but they had plenty of the White MacBooks in stock. Incidentally, the iBook G4′s were dropped to $999 on the 12″ models and $1299 on the 14″. I called my friend Scott Shumaker, who would be the only person that appreciate my Mac geekness other than Peter at Oh My Pod. I told him I was ready to buy a White one on the spot. He said, turn around and leave. You never buy a product on opening day.

He was right…

I’ll get one tomorrow!

Tea, Earl Grey, Hot

I’ve been drinking alot of Earl Grey lately. It has always been my favorite tea next to Green tea. I have even been known to put creamer into my tea. How English of me! [smile]

Today at my new job, I realized that I have been drinking ALOT of Earl Grey. So I went online and found the following. I can honestly say that since my recent binging(sp) on Earl Grey I have felt “better”.

Key health benefits of Earl Grey

Bergamot has been documented as a useful and healing fruit in 12th century Europe

The Italians used bergamot for treating fever and intestinal worms

Bergamot’s main properties are as a disinfectant and an antidepressant

The esters and alcohols present in bergamot reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system

The active components in bergamot are antiseptic, germicidal as well as relaxing

The catechin and fluoride content of black tea prevent tooth decay, while the antiseptic properties of bergamot can alleviate halitosis and oral infections

Contains beneficial amounts of caffeine that helps you to think clearly

The bergamot content fights flu, fevers and colds

MacBook or MacBook Pro

I’m genuinely torn. This morning Apple announced the much awaited MacBook. The MacBook will be replacing the iBook series with its new Intel Duo Core processor. Here’s the skinny: It comes in a white or black case now and sports a glossy 13.3 widescreen LCD. It comes in two speed flavors: 1.83 or 2.0. So what’s the difference between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. Several things. Screen size for one and the 2nd is that the video memory is shared on the MacBook. This to me is enough to spend the extra $500 on the low-end MacBook Pro versus the high end MacBook. Having dedicated video RAM is much better than having to give up RAM from my system. Both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro have a high RAM limit of 2GB of RAM.

The new MacBooks are shipping now! Visit www.apple.com for more info! Go! Go ahead and click the link…you know you want to!

I wish they kept the name as iBook. The whole MacBook moniker thing bugs me.