Andy’s Home, Home on the Range

andy January 17th, 2006

Here’s an e-mail I sent to a friend regarding the new MacBook Pro Intel based computers.

Hi ,

Yes..this is the new computer that I was referring to from Apple.

The new MacBook Pro has an Intel chipset inside similar to that which is present in current computers that run Windows XP. In theory, this means that Windows XP could potentially be installed on this computer alongside the Mac operating system potentially making a “dual boot” machine. (Can you feel my caution?)

I haven’t come across any information that would either confirm or deny this claim. Apple has not offered any information about how to accomplish this feat except to say that there is nothing within the hardware or software that would hinder the ability to install additional operating systems.

I think it may be too early to pick up one of these computers as a main computer, unless you want to work primarily using the Mac OS. The MacBook Pro’s are not scheduled to ship until Feb. sometime, and I think it will be yet a few more months before anyone figures out how to get the thing to do the dual boot. This puts us just about into the summer.

I think the learning curve to get started using a new OS may be a little frustrating at first, but I think the elegance of the Mac OS and the relative freedom from virus and spy ware attacks may be attractive in making you a “switcher” from Windows to the Mac platform.

I think the checklist below could be helpful in deciding.

1) Can I hold off for 6-8 weeks until the MacBooks are actually shipping? Can I make do with my current computers?
2) Do I want to take the time to learn the Mac OS?
3) Can I live without any “Windows Only” applications that I currently use?
4) Can I deal with the glitches and bugs that invariably occur with the release of brand new technology and am I prepared to not toss the computer into the lake should I loose data on said new technology?

If you’ve answered “NO” to one or more of these questions, then it may be early for you to switch to Mac.

All this being said, I have one on order through work so once I get my hands on one, I’ll be better able to give a first hand report.

I think the key is this, if you’re current computer is doing what you need to do reliably, then you may benefit from holding off. Some Windows suppliers may even drop prices once the Mac’s actually start shipping in order to try and woo customers. However, if you are not able to do what you need to do with your current computer, I’d recommend upgrading to a new Windows system, especially if the new system is going to be your primary computer.

Please let me know if you have an questions or comments. I’d be happy to chat about this.

Hope this helps!

Talk to you soon!

Begin forwarded message:

>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> From:
>> Date: January 15, 2006 11:29:21 AM EST
>> To:
>> Subject: Fw: Meet MacBook Pro and iMac powered by Intel.
>>
>> Can you check with Andy and see if this is the computer that
>> he said I should wait to buy?
>>

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andy October 19th, 2005

Hello Everybody!

Just a quick update to let you know that a new AndyCast has been released. You can see the show notes and access to the mp3 file directly. Head on over to the AndyCast site should you wish to do so.

POdcasting has generating a lot of buzz in the office and with the handful of non-tech people I know and wanted to take a few minutes to consolidate instructions for accessing podcasts.

Podcasting is a new media/art form that is barnstorming the world. Basically it’s a new form of audio and video entertainment that is not restricted by main stream media nor govermnent regulation…to an extent. Basically any and everyone with something…or nothing to say can be a podcaster…look at me..if I can podcast…anyone can. :)  Listeners to podcasts use what are aptly named podcatchers to access the podcast content into a single place and listen or view podcasts at will. There are currently a small number of video, vidcasters, but with Apple going full ahead and releasing a video iPod I am sure you will see more and more video casts. But, by far the majority of podcasters are audio only. There are a number of free and for fee podcatchers available and each with similar and unique features. It would be impractical to provide instructions for each, so I thought I’d simply offer instructions for the podcatcher I use. It is none other than Apple’s iTunes.

The easiest method to access iTunes is to download and install (for free) Apple’s iTunes software version 4.9 or higher. Actually if you download it from Apple, you’ll never get less than the most recent version so that tidbit was a moo point. What is a moo point I hear you ask? Shouldn’t it be a moot point? A moo point means that it isn’t important to a caw, so it’s eqaully unimportant to humans. (total stolen from Joey Tribiani from Friends) There is a version for the Mac as well as a version for Windows. You can find both versions of the software at Apple.

With the release of iTunes 4.9, Apple embraced the podcast community by offering a directory service for podcaster to access the millions of iTunes users currently using the iTunes software. There is further speculation (mostly by me) that Apple is writing podcast creation software and will release it soon as iPodcaster. This is solely my opinion and totally not based on anything released or leaked from Apple or anyone smarter than I ;-).

In any event, podcasts are easily available from the iTunes Music Store. You don’t need to have an iTunes account to access podcasts, however, if you want to register a podcast into the directory, you will need an account, however, most people simply use the podcast directory.

The podcast home page lists a number of select podcasts that are either popular, interesting or paid to have their links there. Clicking on a picture brings you to the iTunes details page for a podcast. Here you will gain any information that the podcasters want you to know. It’s akin to the TV guide listing…short and sweet and hopefully enough to engage you to listen. You will also see, in the lower half of the screen, a listing of tracks. Each track represents a different podcast or show. You can click on any individual show and listen to it right from there. Where the power of iTunes kicks in is if you subscribe to a show.

Now unlike most subscriptions in life, podcast subscriptions are completely free. There is no charge to you as the listener or to the podcaster as the content provider. This simply allows iTunes to keep track of this podcast for you and keep grabbing new episodes as they are released from the podcaster. Further, iTunes is able to remember your place in a podcast should you not be able to finish a show in one sitting. For example, you’re listening to an AndyCast and you want a beer. Since there are no commercials, there is no natural break as in TV to jog to the fridge for a cold one. Here’s the power of podcasting. Simply pause the show. Pressing the space bar is the easiest. Can you do that with NPR or z98 Power Grunge? I don’t think so. Pause the podcast, grab a beer, a few snacks and back you go to resume the show.

 The fun of podcast gets more intense if you have an MP3 player like an iPod for example. iTunes will automatically sync your podcast subscriptions with your iPod as it does with any music files. If you have an MP3 player that is not iTunes compatible (there are one or two out there) you can simple copy the tracks from your iTunes library to the appropriate sync software for your device. Now, you’ll have your favorite shows (the AndyCast of course) available and in your ears when you like and where ever you like.

As a new podcast listener you will find that there are show that you like, there will be shows that you don’t like. I highly recommend your 2nd subscription be Adam Curry’s PodFinder. Of course your first is the AndyCast. Adam is considered the PodFather of podcasting since it was his imputeous that really push podcasting into the spotlight. There are several other people that obviously were involved, but Adam really did a lot of pontificating to get podcasting to where it is today. Check out AndyCast’s 9 and 11. I’ve reviewed a few podcasts that I listen to.

Stay subscribed to the AndyCast..I plan on making the Podcast Review a permanent feature of future shows.

Please let me know if the instructions are appropriate or if you have questions or comment. Please use the comments link or if you wish to be discreet, simply e-mail me at andycast@gmail.com.

I think this a record post…in length anyway…as always the content is suspect.

Please stay subscribed and thank you!

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