just an asterisk

I have been avoiding the subject of the iPad.

It has barely been a week and the hubbub online about the hardware, software, features, design, upgrades, and potential yadda yadda is (almost) enough to make me revert to paper news.  The use of the phrase paradigm shift has hit an all time high… (sigh)

However, a friend asked me when I was going to write about the iPressrelease and casually added “isn’t it about exactly what you preach to your readers?  The ultimate goal isn’t the technology?”

Damn.  Touché.

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I know that YouTube video you received from your buddy at work was hilarious.  In fact, you’ve probably received so many at this point, that YouTube is synonymous with humor and/or embarrassment.  However, do you want to hear a little known secret about YouTube?  It’s not just for videos of cats riding on Roombas.  There are quite a few educational videos that could help you ace your next test, impress your friends, checkout faster at the supermarket or simply catch up on things you might have missed in school.

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Truth be told, I was probably more excited to read this article than most… I love to read old technology reviews, detailed descriptions of gadgets that are no longer a mystery, circuits that nearly every self-respecting geek can explain down to the wire.  An ego booster for sure, these articles make me smile, as I chuckle about how little they know back then.  Moreover, I know I’m not alone – millions of geeks probably got the same kicks.

However, from time to time, these reminiscences spark a different fire, forcing me to think (with great respect) on how much has changed in so little time.*  Here is the article that got me thinking.   There are few quaint moments “The case and computer together weigh 22 pounds” and “Your type can be in bold, italic, underline or even shadow print“ but the part that really got me was this line:

… it uses a hand-held “mouse” — a small pointing device which enables the user to select programs, and move data from one part of the screen to another…

Isn’t that incredible?!?  A “mouse” in 1984 was a tremendous novelty.

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