MacComputing

I started out my computing days on an Apple IIe computer back in 1985. I was in high school. I never would have guessed that 19 years later I would return to an Apple computer. 

Back in 1985 at my high school in Southern California, Apple computers were in the labs and I convinced my parents that I needed (ok, wanted) one. It all started then. I loved that machine. I spent a lot of time on it, learning, programming and just enjoying my time discovering what I could make it do. I don't know why I enjoyed computing on that machine so much, but I did and that same passion carries on to this day - albeit with much more powerful machines. I would use that Apple IIe computer until 1987, then I pursued other interests outside the US for two years, returning in 1989. 

It was off to college then. I wanted to buy a Macintosh in college but the price was just too much for me. I got a PC instead and ran Lotus 123 and my Quicken financial management application in DOS. Then, later on in college, I started using a little application that ran on top of DOS called GeoWorks Ensemble. This was a great GUI interface that I really enjoyed. It was very stable, very fast on minimal hardware, and looked great. This is where I got into my online world experience via AOL. It was a great interface and allowed for some great fun. 

Alas, I ended up buying Windows 3.1 when that came out. That started my journey down the Windows world. I used Windows 3.1, then Windows for Workgroups 3.11, then Windows 95, then Windows 98, 98SE, Windows ME (yuck - that didn't last long), Windows NT, Windows 2000, and finally Windows XP. I have run every version of Windows since 3.1. I have seen Vista, but have not dared to run it. Why? Well, in 2004 I got fed up with the virus attacks on Microsoft Windows and bought a Mac. It was the 20" iMac, all-in-one. 

So, after four years of working with a Macintosh system how do I feel about my decision to switch to a Mac? Really, really, really good. :-) Is computing on the Mac platform perfect? Well, no. Nothing is perfect, but the Mac comes much closer to perfection than a Windows system running on who-knows-what hardware. I do have to hand it to Microsoft for getting a system working on so many different pieces of hardware. There are more problems - or should I say, potential problems - with that model of computing. I will definitely be sticking with the Mac for the long run. I think building the hardware and the software as a complete system is the way to go.

Well, that's how I got started on the Macintosh path. Come back daily as I post more of my experiences on Apple's Macintosh system along with tips and advice. I'll also be writing about my experiences working in a predominantly Windows environment using Windows tools and Mac tools where allowed/possible. I'll explain more about my work environment and job responsibilities on Monday. Have a great weekend!