LAPTOP'S LAST GASP: Upon my return from London, I noticed that my trusty laptop -- an HP now in its sixth year of use -- was acting up. This weekend, it decided to completely lose its shit. Most of Sunday was spent in tech support hell trying to figure out what was causing email to crash, script errors in Internet Explorer and the response time basically grinding to a halt. I think I've got it half-way back, but still need to download the latest version of IE to see if I can clear up the script errors. I was planning to buy a new laptop for Christmas anyway, so I'm hoping my current one can make it another week or so until I'm ready to purchase. Now I must make the difficult decision on what brand. All year I've been planning to splash out on a Macbook. After doing more research, I'm not so sure. There are still a number of programs I use regularly -- like Blogger -- that aren't compatible with Mac. Sure, you can do Blogger on a Mac, but if you want links, italics, etc. it all has to be done in HTML. A total pain in the ass. And then there is the price.
You can get a really great HP notebook for hundreds of dollars less. The HP I'm eyeballing (pictured) has LightScribe built in, where you can scan photos and images to make professional looking DVDs and CDs, a 160 gig harddrive, 1GB memory, Vista premium, a 16 inch screen and only costs $699. The Mac I want with similar specs: $1,499. Yeah, I know, Mac is cooler, but I also want to be practical. And if I'm really honest, this HP is thinner, comes in snazzy looking titanium silver and has a huge screen in comparison to Mac's dinky 13 inch screen. Sorry Mac.
Another radical change I'm thinking of making is doing away with my www.collinkelley.com site. The address would still exist, but redirect here to Modern Confessional. I'm paying for monthly web-hosting for a site that doesn't get half the hits this blog does. I'm averaging about 1,000 hits a week at the blog, compared to a couple hundred at the website. Anyone have thoughts on this? One fellow blogger has already said he thought it was a bad idea, but it just feels like a duplication of info, not to mention the blog is more interactive. Give me your feedback. I still have a month or so to make up my mind on this.
Comments
i think a lot of websites are going blogal (as in going global via their blog! i just made that up! i should write for the NY Times of something!)
I'm just feeling the need to simplify. Updating the website, the blog, the MySpace(s) and probably Facebook in the near future...that's just more tech than I want to deal with. Plus, I want to save some cash.
I also didn't mention that I use FrontPage do my .com website and FrontPage is now obsolete. It doesn't work with Vista, so I'd have to find a new site builder anyway. It's just more hassle than I have time for.
There must be computer demons about! Thinking good thoughts for recovering info from your computer. Lots of shiny laptops on sale everywhere - but ask for one with XP not Vista! I think you can get them like that at Dell now (but don't ask me about their customer service - nonexistant, cough, hm)
If you buy your shoes at payless (a PC) you will wear those shoes out in under a year and have to replace them. If you replace them with another pair of payless shoes...the same will happen.
If you buy a really good quality pair of shoes (mac), you will not have to replace them for years and you will love them and kiss them and call them george!
oversimplification, I know, doesn't take into consideration cash flow problems but I tell you: I type this to you from my very first mac ever and I will never go back to PC.
I've had my PC laptop for six years and this is the first major issue I've ever had with it. I think that's pretty remarkable. And yes, I must take into account cash flow, which I have very little of at the moment.
Luckily, I've solved a few of my issues. New post later today. :)
Whatever you choose, FOR GOD'S SAKE remember to PARTITION YOUR DISK BEFORE you load up all your stuff!!!!!
Robin
robinkemp.wordpress.com
And MM, don't you think 'blobal' is even better?
(And I'm in love with my Mac.)