I am writing this for current Windows-based users who've questioned whether or not to invest the money into an Apple Mac computer.
DISCLAIMER; this is all just my opinion, based on 25 years of using computers and I am not a technical expert on the specifications of each manufacturer.
When considering whether or not to spend the additional money that a Mac typically costs compared to a PC (Windows based computer), it is easy to wonder what the major advantages are to justify the expense.
For me, the biggest benefit of a Mac is the lack of virus issues. Beyond that the Mac offers lots of technology that many of us just don't use. If your daily computer tasks mostly revolve around surfing the internet, working w/spreadsheets, word processing and general business applications/software, you are probably better off saving your money, getting a good PC and investing in a good anti-virus software that is updated regularly.
My 20+ years of computer use has mostly been with PC's and Windows-based computers. Therefore, my comfort zone is in using MSOffice products. Even moving up from Windows XP to Windows 8 was not that difficult of a transition. However, even after a few years of owning a MacBook, it is still difficult to navigate opening downloads on the Mac. Maybe it is because I continue to use my PC for work and the Mac more for pleasure.
Some will argue that the Apple products now can open MSOffice documents, but it still doesn't seem as easy, plus there may be issues if a document is updated using the Mac and then trying to reopen it using the PC. Again, it mostly is a matter of what you're most familiar with.
If you are looking for a device that works well with your iPhone, no question the Apple products have the edge there. And no question that the iPhone is an amazing piece of technology that is very easy to use. I use an iPhone and like that I can sync my iTunes w/the Mac. However, with the popularity of sites like Pandora, iTunes may not be as important to as many people as it once was.
Bottom line to me; if you've been using PC's for 10 years or longer and you like them, keep on. If you grew up w/Apple computers in school and continue working with them, you might be best served to stay with the Apple line.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Easter & Religion
Today the local paper ran an AP article about how Easter is losing its attachment to religion. The story focused on about four people who will be feasting or getting together with friends and family on Easter but not going to church.
In the article people claim they don't "need" to go to church to have religion. One person interviewed did say she will attend church on Easter because it is about being a part of something bigger than yourself.
What was most interesting to me was the claim by some that religion is about relationships, but they never discuss their need for a relationship with God. These people seemed to claim they are good, religious people because they nurture their relationships with friends and family.
Well, great for you in your quest to have good family and friend relationships. But what are you doing to further the Kingdom of God? Maybe you are polite, caring and donate to charities on occasion. But there is something about belonging to a church that does make it about something bigger than yourself and that is important.
Here are some things I've experienced in belonging to various churches throughout my life;
1. As a child, I developed a love of music, an appreciation for it and a desire to sing out with joy to God and anyone who wants to listen.
2. I have learned, from talks with well-educated people, great amounts of knowledge and how science does tie in with biblical history. Had I not been a churchgoer, I likely would have never been exposed to these learned people.
3. People greater than myself have befriended me and taught me great restraint about issues and have taught me to be tolerant of those with whom I disagree.
4. Volunteering to go out and actually feed the homeless is much more effective (in teaching ourselves about their plight) than writing a check or dropping off a few cans of beans at the local food pantry.
5. Without being a part of a church there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that I just wouldn't have been a part of because I wouldn't have known about them.
6. Being a part of church has afforded me more time with God and motivated me to study the Bible more than I would've had I not been involved in church.
I could go on and on. But I think you get the point.
What is truly sad about Holy Days and religion is that we want to keep the Holy Days to celebrate and have an excuse to get together, but we don't want the religion part which requires action on our part.
So I say; go to church on Easter Sunday. Think about the positives associated with God and Jesus Christ. Leave the worrying at the door. Listen to the message, the good news.
In the article people claim they don't "need" to go to church to have religion. One person interviewed did say she will attend church on Easter because it is about being a part of something bigger than yourself.
What was most interesting to me was the claim by some that religion is about relationships, but they never discuss their need for a relationship with God. These people seemed to claim they are good, religious people because they nurture their relationships with friends and family.
Well, great for you in your quest to have good family and friend relationships. But what are you doing to further the Kingdom of God? Maybe you are polite, caring and donate to charities on occasion. But there is something about belonging to a church that does make it about something bigger than yourself and that is important.
Here are some things I've experienced in belonging to various churches throughout my life;
1. As a child, I developed a love of music, an appreciation for it and a desire to sing out with joy to God and anyone who wants to listen.
2. I have learned, from talks with well-educated people, great amounts of knowledge and how science does tie in with biblical history. Had I not been a churchgoer, I likely would have never been exposed to these learned people.
3. People greater than myself have befriended me and taught me great restraint about issues and have taught me to be tolerant of those with whom I disagree.
4. Volunteering to go out and actually feed the homeless is much more effective (in teaching ourselves about their plight) than writing a check or dropping off a few cans of beans at the local food pantry.
5. Without being a part of a church there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that I just wouldn't have been a part of because I wouldn't have known about them.
6. Being a part of church has afforded me more time with God and motivated me to study the Bible more than I would've had I not been involved in church.
I could go on and on. But I think you get the point.
What is truly sad about Holy Days and religion is that we want to keep the Holy Days to celebrate and have an excuse to get together, but we don't want the religion part which requires action on our part.
So I say; go to church on Easter Sunday. Think about the positives associated with God and Jesus Christ. Leave the worrying at the door. Listen to the message, the good news.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Constitutional Rights?
In light of the recent murders of teachers and innocent children in Connecticut, many politicians, talking heads and celebrities have voiced a desire for increased gun control laws.
Last week our local newspaper ran and editorial in which they said; "No civilian should have a military-style weapon capable of firing off dozens of rounds of bullets without reloading. Fortunately, in the Sandy Hook case, police arrived quickly. With hundreds of rounds of ammunition, it’s conceivable that Lanza would have kept killing. No one needs that kind of firepower to hunt deer or shoot turkeys."
I have experience firing weapons in the military, but am not a hunter. I am NOT a member of the NRA and I'm not a weapons collector. However, I have rarely heard more ignorant statements than those I've heard in the past few weeks.
The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is simply stated; "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." That's it. The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Nothing about shooting turkeys or targets. Nothing about protecting oneself from burglars.
Last week our local newspaper ran and editorial in which they said; "No civilian should have a military-style weapon capable of firing off dozens of rounds of bullets without reloading. Fortunately, in the Sandy Hook case, police arrived quickly. With hundreds of rounds of ammunition, it’s conceivable that Lanza would have kept killing. No one needs that kind of firepower to hunt deer or shoot turkeys."
I have experience firing weapons in the military, but am not a hunter. I am NOT a member of the NRA and I'm not a weapons collector. However, I have rarely heard more ignorant statements than those I've heard in the past few weeks.
The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is simply stated; "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." That's it. The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Nothing about shooting turkeys or targets. Nothing about protecting oneself from burglars.
Some say; we have a well regulated militia. Therefore, we have no need for military-style weapons. To that I would say; if/when the government decides to confiscate your property for whatever reason, they will not do it with pistols. They will come with maximum firepower. How will you defend yourself against that if we further restrict our existing rights?
Beyond the issue of existing laws, nobody (except the NRA President) is talking about the possibility of arming people at schools. I have no idea if that is a reasonable option, but I do think that when a bad guy with a gun is met by a good guy with a gun, the chances of mass killings are much less. Additionally, when people contemplate carrying out such horrific acts, I can't help wondering if they are less likely to attempt the act if they know their chances of carrying out the act are extremely slim?
In the end, it appears to me the people we normally look to for enlightened, educated and intelligent decisions and advice don't even care what the primary governing documents say.
Tell me what you think.
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