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| My Digital Life | | Date Created: Sep 17, 2004, 03:33 PM |
As you can see I have embraced the digital lifestyle whole hog, from iPods, to iMacs, to iBooks to iBlog, this is where i get to write about how they work for me... and sometimes don't.
In mid 1996, taking note of Rich's handy-dandy looking box that was able to do all sorts of neat things, I took the plunge and bought my first Macintosh, a slightly basic Performa model that came with a CD and supposed audio and video capabilities. At the time, Apple was at the bottom of the barrel, having had it's lowest stock point in it's meager history just the day before I made my big purchased. But on a sunny day in July of 1996, I spotted a magazine in the newsstand that declared that the future of the Macintosh was "bright", so despite the fact that everyone around me who was thinking of getting a computer was thinking about getting (what was then called) an "IBM", I was 'thinking different' -ly, and bought an Apple.
The moment I sat at the machine, the creative juices started flowing back. I instantly devoured every magazine I could find, every book I could understand (this was my first real computer, remember), and trying out anything and everything, and soon enough, I was addicted.
My enthusiasm shone on for my siblings and friends, who were fortunate enough to wait long enough to be among the first to get iMacs, the friendly looking hub of a computer that came in all sorts of colors and eventually won back Apple's stature and prestige in the computing world. The current iMacs can do just about anything, as can it's siblings, the eMac and iBook, which are my mainstays and life utensils. Of course they are just computers and not necessities. But they are tools. They are a palette. They have allowed me to express myself and to share experiences way beyond what I ever expected back in 1996.
Some of my favorite moments:
* A live video conference with my family members from California and Florida and New York on the eve of the Millennium
* Viewing a photo of my (soon to be) Godson - within a day after he was born - via an email sent by his proud grandmother.
* Putting up my first website and allowing the family (and the world) to see the adventures I had during a cross-country trip
* Meeting extremely wonderful people from all over the world -- (England, Germany)-- and all over the nation (Iowa, Seattle, California, Tennessee, Syracuse, Arkansas, Washington) -- who share many of the same hobbies and (believe it or not) values as me, both in person, and through constant email contact.
* Being able to create my own movies and share them instantly over the net
* Having a personal studio that allows me to explore my artistic side, my musical side, my filmmaking side, my writing, as well as photography, all at my fingertips.
* Being able to carry all of my music with me at all times
* Knowing that my computer does not just sit on the shelf or supply me with endless hours of mindless chat. It is a tool. I can publish and produce my own CD's, DVD's, Photobooks, Videos, songs, you name it.
It's cool to be a part of the Digital age, particularly in this time of trouble, when our thoughts are usually reverted back to the ugly side of humanity's struggle to sustain itself. But there is always a flipside to adversity, and that is success and the promise of a new day.
In the meantime, I'll enjoy what's available to me.
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