From My Keyboard

From My Keyboard –
The Holiday 2004-05 Edition

BY BILL CHACHKES

Nov | Dec 04
Issue No.19

It’s been an interesting year on a lot of fronts for Mac users. First was the iMac G5. Wow, is all I can say. What a stunning new machine. Only one person that I know who’s bought one has told me that he misses his old PC-Windows machine. Well, if he wants to give it away, I have a very deserving nephew in Florida. While I miss the design of the iMac G4 (I know, I’m weird), the whole concept of, “Hey, where’s the computer?” is nothing short of Masterful.

Next, Apple came out with a new “Mini” store design. Six new ones opened in late October, including two within driving distance in New Jersey. Even though there are several stores in New York already, one of these new ones would look really good in the Manhattan Mall, don’t you think? I do.

Ever try to buy a Mac product at one of the big, electronic stores? I stopped trying at places like COMP USA. Even though the company has made an effort to do better over the last few years, it still makes sure the “buying experience” is optimized for the PC user. Aside from mail order, and places like Tekserve and Digital Society, who have dedicated their existence to Mac users, J&R is the only “big” store with a real Mac presence. Best Buy and PC Richard sell Apple products through their website, but you can’t walk into one of their stores and ask questions in the same way you can ask a mail order vendor over the phone, or, of course, in an Apple authorized retail location.

At the Apple Retail stores, the staff is trained to serve the consumer. Recently, at one of the stores, an overseas visitor was having trouble with his iPod. He remarked to me that the young, staff person who’d been helping him was unable to satisfy his need for quick turn around service. I pointed him in the direction of one of the managers, and within minutes, he was told that it although it wouldn’t be ready by the following morning at flight time (he’s a commercial pilot), it would be ready for him by his return in 5 days. Now, if he had an Apple pro-service card and they couldn’t fix it, they’d have given him a new unit.

So, what will you buy your favorite Apple Geek for the Holidays? If he or she doesn’t already have it, Apple Care should be purchase #1. (That goes for you, too.) So many problems can be solved for the cost of the warranty that no one should be without it.

My #2 idea is a new digital camera. Having bought one just last year doesn’t mean there isn’t exciting new technology to enjoy. Wouldn’t you like a digital camera that takes near DV quality Video (Cannon Power Shot S1 IS, Konica Minolta A2/Z3) and can shoot continuously, or a new DV cam that saves directly to DVD-R?

Does your Mac Geek have a Music Player? No?? Why Not? If you can’t afford even the least expensive iPod, there are some decent alternatives so go and investigate. Software is always a nice gift, as well. Everyone I knows always seems to be in need of at least five, new pieces of software. So, go and buy some.

With the departure of Henry Marcinkowski as our Managing Editor, I have again taken over “that which he took over from me previously.” While I hope we can find a permanent replacement for both of us sometime soon, I will continue to lead to the best of my ability until then. During this time, I won’t write a standard editorial piece for each issue. I’ll use only part of this space to address whatever needs to be said, because I prefer to leave space for other voices.

I’m finishing up this column a bit late this issue, so I’d like to relate a funny tale. It’s especially for those of you who don’t make meetings on a regular basis. Due to several cancellations by presenters, we almost didn’t have a feature presentation for our most recent meeting. Enter our brave leader, Chris, who put together his own entitled “Crossing the Digital Divide”, and executed said presentation quite well, even with some minor, technical problems rearing their ugly heads. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Bastian.

Finally, I’d like to thank the people who do their best to make the Express a quality publication. Without you… well, you know the rest.