When Tech Became Cool

Nearly a year ago, I moved to Mac.

I recall it quite clearly when it happened.  I was planning a new Windows Box purchase as soon as Windows 7 came out.  Then I had a virus on my computer, which I managed to fix.  My wife and roommate of the time, both Mac users, had long been suggesting I use a Mac.

So after having blown an evening dealing with my first virus infection in years (apparently due to a PDF vulnerability), I began reflecting on the advantages of having a Mac:
* All the basic software I need.
* Great service and support.
* Much less viruses and such targeting it – and good onboard security to boot.
* Long lifespan.

This all added up though to one, important thing – less frustration.

I'm a busy person.  I'm a PM in technology, and thus no longer being a programmer, a computer crisis is not a Valuable Learning Experience.  I can't imagine what computer problems are like for people who don't have an IT background, though I can guess from the amount of times my friends and I play tech support.

But Mac is relatively frustration-free.  Mac is fast, slick, sexy, and gets the job done.

That's what I wanted.  That's why I got a Mac.  It's also a reason I hear for a lot of people using a Mac.

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Technology And Image

We are nerds, geeks and otaku.  We love technology.  We love gadgets.  We're into them.  We're fully 100% out as raging technophiles.  From the youngest geek to the oldest profan and protaku, we love our gizmos.

We use technology all the time.  We take our gaming systems on the train to kill time.  We take our smartphones to conventions to stay in touch and take photos.  We take our iPad to our job interviews to overwhelm people with how cool we are.

In many cases, we may realize that technology says something about us.  Having a DS is an invitation to trade Pokemon (even if you don't play it).  A smartphone will lead people to assume you have a GPS (which they may not tell you until they're lost).  An iPad says you're cutting edge and have spare cash.  We usually enjoy what these things say about us.

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Portability, Culture, and Mobile Technology

I commute on a train to work every weekday, and it's often a festival of portable devices.  I often have my DS or my laptop.  I see plenty of Smartphones, iPads, and of course other laptops and notebooks.  There's the usual gaming devices (though it seems like most of the gaming I see is on phones and tablets as of late).

In my household, most everyone has laptops  – and among my friends laptops are becoming more common over time.  Netbooks are popular among many people I know, low-cost and portable.

It doesn't matter if it's work or if it's personal, portable is where it's at for geeks and progeeks.

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