i and iMac

With the school year getting ready to start up, I just moved back into my dorm. One of the first things I learned was that the dorm no longer operated on its old Ethernet network, but instead had switched to dynamic IP addresses.

So I installed the new software, confident in the fact that I was enrolled in a major state university with a wired campus where 90% of the offices use Macintosh. I got out the directions (five steps, if you count "VTnet 99 for Macintosh will be installed on your hard drive and the Microsoft Internet Connection Wizard will run automatically" as a step, like they did), loaded the CD rom and ran the wizard.

I was in for a nasty shock.

Microsoft's wizard actually worked up to a point, and then it proceeded to ask me for a gateway address. I had not been provided with one. So it was time to contact the good student workers who were there to help us poor college students to "Get Connected!" The first thing I was told was: "If it's set up properly, you shouldn't need that."

Really? Well, I guess I'm just a moron, then, because I did everything as the instructions said. How horrible of me. This must be a dreadful waste of your time.

I was especially glad when the student helping me out finally diagnosed my problem. "You have a Mac," he said. "Not many people on campus have Macs. They're pretty much dead. If you had a PC I could help you out, because I'm more used to PCs. I don't have any idea what to do with a Macintosh."

Can't you just see the headlines? Alert Student Worker Informs Pitiful Mac User.

So what was the problem? Pay careful attention, because I'm about to lay down some pretty complex stuff here. Maybe you should take notes.

• Under the heading "Search Domain", the default is vt.edu -- it should actually be campus.vt.edu

Doesn't that just make your head spin? So why did he complain that the Macintosh was too hard to set up?

After he fixed their mistake, my computer still wouldn't connect.

It took him five seconds to correct the settings so that my computer would actually be set up to connect, then he spent ten minutes complaining about my personal choice of platform as he clicked through random control panels. No fewer than three times, he actually said to me "I really have no idea what I'm doing here."

Well, excuse me if I sound rude, but if you have no idea what you're doing, get your hands off my computer!

For ten minutes he rooted around, clicking at random, grumbling over the computer. Finally, I told him to go help my Microsoft Windows-using next door neighbor with his problem. "I'll come back to check on you later and see how you're doing," he said, as he beat a hasty retreat out of my dorm room.

Within five seconds I realized what the problem was. My AppleTalk was turned on. I fixed the glaringly obvious problem with one click. My internet connection works fine now, no thanks to the good people at VTnet, who screwed up their own defaults and have been blaming the problems on the Macintosh platform.

I went to them for help. I got insults and abuse over my choice of operating system. A Windows nut with no idea whatsoever of how to even run a Macintosh rooted around in my control panels. I was told that the intelligent choice was to completely change my computing philosophy to make things more comfortable for tech support people who couldn't be bothered with Macintosh problems.

To add insult to injury, I ran into one of my friends who was working at the bookstore. I proceeded to tell her the story of Alice's Tech Support and the Macintosh platform complete with refrain and four-part harmony and she stopped me right there and said:

"Yeah, we've been having some trouble with Macs. They won't connect to the Internet."

So I proceeded to explain to her about the solution to the problem of the Macintosh connecting to the Internet complete with refrain and four-part harmony and she said:

"Oh. I'll remember that, then. If anybody comes in here with the same problem, I'll let them know."

If she can understand it, why can't tech support?

By the way, in case you're wondering, the PC guy who said he'd come back and check on me later? He didn't.

Posted 8/22/1999

Tired of annoying salespeople telling you that the Macintosh is dead? Tired of hearing that there's no software for the Mac? Are you sick to death of all the stories on television that say "Apple is dead," "Apple's new success is a fad," or "Apple's doing good now, but they won't be able to keep up"? Then it's time to make your voice heard!

Fight back for the Mac!

Let's face it. The Wintel world is cruel, and I don't want anybody trying to correct me. Maybe someone reading this is a nice PC user, but that doesn't make up for the general behavior of the PC community toward Macintosh users. In the media, we are lambasted for being hangers-on to a "dying company." In magazines we're labeled as freaks and wimps. And on the internet we're chased out of chat rooms and cannot even keep Usenet groups of our own without five PC terrorists a week firebombing us. Well, we've had enough, and the revolution begins here.

"Fight Back for the Mac" items concern media centers where the Macintosh and Macintosh users are being lambasted, insulted, and/or swept under the rug. We publish public e-mail addresses and contact information. Macintosh users are encouraged to write e-mail, mail letters, and call on action items concerning these media centers. Keep in mind, we are reasonable, sensible people, if a little bit fanatical. Do not be rude, do not shout. The people on the other end are just doing their jobs.

But if they insult you, drop 'em like a lead tuna fish.

Are you aware of potential Fight Back for the Mac Action Items? If so, then e-mail them to Glen Williams at kallisti@slac.com

Posted 7/26/1999

That's the mantra that's been heard circulating ever since Steve Jobs premiered the new consumer portable at the Macworld Expo in NYC. Beaming like a proud new father (in between glowering over his slide clicker not working properly), Jobs announced the long anticipated system's specs:

• 300-MHz PowerPC G3 processor
• 32MB RAM, upgradable to 160
• 3.2GB IDE hard drive
• Built-in 24x-speed CD-ROM drive
• One (1) USB port
• Built-in 56k Modem supporting K56flex and V.90 standards
• Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
• Single mono speaker with 16-bit stereo sound output jack
• Built-in 2D/3D graphics acceleration through an ATI RAGE
• 4MB of SDRAM video memory
• 12.1-inch(!) built-in TFT SVGA active-matrix display
• 6 hour battery
• Full-size keyboard

In addition, the iBook uses a new latchless design ("Like your cell-phone."), has no sharp corners, and is made out of bullet-proof plastics.

With that impressive list of specs, the iBook weighs in at 6.7 pounds (3.0 kg). It measures 13.5 inches wide by 11.6 inches high by 1.8 inches deep (average). It will be available in blueberry and tangerine in September at a nice price of $1,599. Until then, orders will be taken at your local Apple dealer and through the Apple Store.

Posted 7/23/1999

Another announcement at the Macworld Expo is Rocket eBook's decision to support the Macintosh platform. The increasingly popular gadget allows you to download digitally-formatted books into a small, palmtop device to be carried and read anywhere. It weighs approximately 22 ounces with a backlit screen and will be available for $329. Titles can be purchased online at Barnes and Noble's website.

Posted 7/23/1999

It's time to come clean. Don't bother looking for "i and iMac" at the Macworld Expo this year, we don't have anybody there. Jobs' keynote address was viewed first over ZDTV's edited broadcast (in which, I understand, all the good bits were cut out), then partially through streaming QuickTime. "i and iMac" also has no inside sources, nor do we even have a staff. We aren't even a we. We're an I.

That's right, "i and iMac" is a one-person operation. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Glen Williams, and I attend college at Virginia Tech. I have been a dedicated Macintosh user since 1984 -- in since the beginning, in 'til the end. I comb the net and television sources every day, searching for content for "i and iMac."

Now all I need is content. Hear any juicy rumors? Send them my way. Credible rumors will be published and you decide if you want to be credited or remain anonymous. Editorials may occasionally be allowed to creep into the page. You never can tell what's coming next at "i and iMac."

If you're interested in communicating with "i and iMac," whether to submit or merely to point out a new rumor, news story, or even an iMac/iBook media sighting, send e-mail to Glen Williams at kallisti@slac.com.

Posted 7/23/1999

"i and iMac" is a Productions for the Most Beautiful production and is copyright 1999 Glen Williams. Credit is given to sources where appropriate.