Can you believe it? Today we celebrate the 25th birthday of the Macintosh. My first computer experience was on a "Fat" Mac in 1986. The first Mac I wanted to buy was the Macintosh SE/30. The Mac I finally bought and joyfully use is a MacBook Pro. In my way of celebrating the birthday of a revolution, and an expression of appreciation, I offer below an article I wrote (and tried to publish) in the early 90s. Happy birthday Mac! Thanks for the ride.
"As the countdown continues for the long awaited release of Windows 95, Apple continues its pursuit of peaceful co-existence. Talk of a PowerPC that will run Windows and Mac software on the same platform fills on-line message boards and magazines. I guess the IBM vs. Mac war is over. It now has become the Mac vs. Microsoft war and Apple has entered into some strange alliances to do battle with the Redmond giant.
"What has happened to the Apple that I grew up with? Should they settle for this peaceful co-existence as if accepting an inevitable truth? 'Our machines will run Windows better than IBM machines and we will throw in Mac software running under System 7.5 as a bonus!' The world has fled a long ways from the Mac world that I remember—a day when the letters IBM stood for 'I’ll buy Mac!' Oh, how the Mac-patriots rallied!
"It was 1986 and I was beginning post-graduate work at Utah State University. I received my first introduction to Macintosh. It was a desktop publishing seminar and I was in computer heaven. I cut my teeth on a Mac and then was weaned from it in a matter of a year. I eventually gave in to the reality of being employed in an IBM world and succumbed to the DOS disease and nearly died. I watched the Mac from a distance. I loved its revolution. I loved its daring philosophy. I loved its appeal. I loved the fight with the IBM enemy. But I owned an IBM clone.
"Now, all these years later, my IBM looks more and more like a Mac with each passing day. Yet, I know that it will never be the same. Windows brought ease of use to a whole generation of users who once upon a time argued for DOS. Now they feel as though they are part of a revolution and a daring philosophy. It’s a mind game; a facade. The revolution is over. It came and left almost unnoticed by the lion share of computer users around the world. There are those now who enjoy WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) and wonder how they lived without it; others marvel at the promise of plug-n-play and dream about adding a modem without the worry of proper IRQ’s, etc.; still others salivate as they ponder the articles regarding Windows 95 Explorer that will free them from Program Manager’s constraints; others consider the joy of making up titles for files that actually represent what is in it rather than some eight character cryptic code that looks like a foreign language when they scroll through their files. Yet, at the true revolution, the Mac revolution, all of these things already brought joy and peace to Mac-patriots.
"Is it true then that since Apple has been dealt the deaf ear by so many for so long, that the war is over? Should they raise the white flag and concede the victory to Microsoft? To many, that is what peaceful co-existence appears to be. Maybe Apple could still keep a place in history as a trailblazer while Microsoft builds the cities. If there is any truth to this image, sadly, people will flock to the urban areas for work. Once again, Mac will be left out in the cold.
"I don’t say that it’s fair nor does it mean that the best man wins. It may come down to the simple fact that the DOS world won the 'it makes sense' war. With all the marvelous things that the Mac environment brought, business only wanted to crunch numbers and novices only wanted to type letters. They never took notice of the special features that made the Mac different.
"Besides it made dollar sense. Mac’s appeared pricey because its specialties weren’t noticed as necessary. As people became aware of computer talk and techno-jabber and once again looked at that other machine they would notice some startling differences. They would see a 68040/33 with a 170 meg HD and one 3.5@ disk drive and go goo-goo eyed over a 486/33 with a 420 meg HD and two disk drives to boot! What gives! Who’d buy a Mac? Who can afford one? They’d never realize for example that you can fit a lot more Mac programs on its hard drive because of code variances. They’d fall for the 'it makes sense' ideology once again. 'Besides, I have Windows now.'
"Yes, that’s it. 'We have Windows now.' It all seems like a betrayal to me. The great coup! The Mac revolution may have seen its final days. Or has it? Time will give us the answer. In the mean time, Apple needs to send out its disciples once again, declaring the doctrine of first cause. 'Why get a clone when you can have the original?' Then Apple needs to back it with an even better pricing structure. It may mean some lean times but that is the nature of the beast these days. Capture the hearts of patriots. Win the battle for the home and patriots will want to work in that environment at the office. Only don’t delay. Start another revolution by capturing people’s imagination. Win the war of ideas. And when they look this time make sure that 'it makes sense.' Remember, there is no revolution in peaceful co-existence.”
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
"There's No Place Like This Home"
We recently had our son and his family spend a week with us. My son is in his last year of law school in Nebraska and had come for some potential job interviews. It was a great week to have him, his wife, and three kids with us. We don't see them that often. So when the week ended, it was hard to watch them drive away.
Since it is a long drive home we naturally worried about them. We called every so often to check on their progress. After they got home, I asked my son if his kids were glad to be home. He said as soon as they arrived, the two oldest jumped out of the car and ran to the front door of the apartment complex. Once inside, he said he found his 4 year old son excitedly hugging his bedroom wall. Now, if that isn't happy to be home, what is?
Isn't that the way it is? Like Dorothy declared in the Wizard of Oz: "there's no place like home." And so there isn't. I suppose that most of us are like that. We have a place we call home and prefer to be there. It is the place we are most comfortable; the place where our best memories have a life of their own. There is no place we'd rather be for the holidays.
In some ways that's how I feel about my country. I'm comfortable with its beginnings and history. I love its institutions and ideals. All are created equal and have access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It just feels like home. In fact there's no place like this home.
Sadly, like so many homes of the past, this home is being sold for a price. New owners are threatening to move the furniture, change the carpet, and paint the walls. It won't be long and it won't feel like home anymore. From the Whitehouse to Wall Street to Main Street, the storm clouds on the horizon portend an Ozian twister that will sweep us to a place that cannot really exist in a constitutional world. I hope that there will be masses of basicguys like me longing for Kansas because "there's no place like this home."
Since it is a long drive home we naturally worried about them. We called every so often to check on their progress. After they got home, I asked my son if his kids were glad to be home. He said as soon as they arrived, the two oldest jumped out of the car and ran to the front door of the apartment complex. Once inside, he said he found his 4 year old son excitedly hugging his bedroom wall. Now, if that isn't happy to be home, what is?
Isn't that the way it is? Like Dorothy declared in the Wizard of Oz: "there's no place like home." And so there isn't. I suppose that most of us are like that. We have a place we call home and prefer to be there. It is the place we are most comfortable; the place where our best memories have a life of their own. There is no place we'd rather be for the holidays.
In some ways that's how I feel about my country. I'm comfortable with its beginnings and history. I love its institutions and ideals. All are created equal and have access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It just feels like home. In fact there's no place like this home.
Sadly, like so many homes of the past, this home is being sold for a price. New owners are threatening to move the furniture, change the carpet, and paint the walls. It won't be long and it won't feel like home anymore. From the Whitehouse to Wall Street to Main Street, the storm clouds on the horizon portend an Ozian twister that will sweep us to a place that cannot really exist in a constitutional world. I hope that there will be masses of basicguys like me longing for Kansas because "there's no place like this home."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
America's Hope or Last Breath
I was a little surprised recently to find out that their are those in this country who believe that Western civilization as we know it is nearly on life-support (for example, see Pat Buchanan's "The Death of the West"). Since I'm a fully vested Western civilization person (actually a 4th generation Norwegian American), I must admit, the premise caught my eye. I kind of like our Western civilization. I know it has its flaws, but I'd take it over other offerings around the globe.
Now one of the main insights by those who warn us about our lifeless Western civilization, is population demographic numbers. I have to admit, the numbers are very disconcerting. However, there is one bright spot in the midst of all the gloomy news. That is Ben Steyn's "America Alone." According to Steyn's numbers, the United States still produces enough children per couple to replace our society. The news isn't so good for any of the other countries considered part of Western civilization. They are slowly dying.
Sadly, America isn't fairing all that much better, but at least we are still on the positive side of the ledger. Along with having fewer children, smaller families, what makes things worse for the propagation of American civilization is the 1,000,000 plus abortions that take place each year. If we continue on this path, America, the last gasping breath of Western civilization, will die and disappear into the fabric of some other social order.
Are we willing to listen to reason? If so,
First, let's keep America (indeed Western civilization) alive by holding fast to the ideas and institutions that have made this country free and great for over 200 years. That will be a challenge because there are people arguing for and promoting different ideas and institutions that contribute more to the demise of America than its life.
Second, let's get excited about family again. The traditional family is the best suited option for propagating our species and nation; the larger the family, the better. Now I do realize that there are some legitimate restraints for capping family sizes. Some can have more than others. But if we would all have as many as we are able to under our separate circumstances, America will live on and even get up from its bed of affliction.
Finally, we need a sane approach to abortion. There are way too many frivolous abortions in this country and throughout the world. There are those who say that most Americans support abortion (or a woman's right to choose). That's just nonsense. Fortunately, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops recently commissioned a study (which surveyed a cross section of American society) on the matter. Deirdre McQuade, assistant director of the study said:
"Four out of five American adults -- 82 percent -- think abortion should be either illegal under all circumstances or with limited legality, and only nine percent said that abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during pregnancy."
Well, there you have it. That's my take on saving Western civilization. Now, I know I'm only a basicguy, but being a father of five and a grandfather of four (# five is due any day now), I think I can speak from a position of knowledge and experience. My family loves our Western culture, and especially this great country we live in. I'd hope that all similar loving folk respond before America's last breath.
Now one of the main insights by those who warn us about our lifeless Western civilization, is population demographic numbers. I have to admit, the numbers are very disconcerting. However, there is one bright spot in the midst of all the gloomy news. That is Ben Steyn's "America Alone." According to Steyn's numbers, the United States still produces enough children per couple to replace our society. The news isn't so good for any of the other countries considered part of Western civilization. They are slowly dying.
Sadly, America isn't fairing all that much better, but at least we are still on the positive side of the ledger. Along with having fewer children, smaller families, what makes things worse for the propagation of American civilization is the 1,000,000 plus abortions that take place each year. If we continue on this path, America, the last gasping breath of Western civilization, will die and disappear into the fabric of some other social order.
Are we willing to listen to reason? If so,
First, let's keep America (indeed Western civilization) alive by holding fast to the ideas and institutions that have made this country free and great for over 200 years. That will be a challenge because there are people arguing for and promoting different ideas and institutions that contribute more to the demise of America than its life.
Second, let's get excited about family again. The traditional family is the best suited option for propagating our species and nation; the larger the family, the better. Now I do realize that there are some legitimate restraints for capping family sizes. Some can have more than others. But if we would all have as many as we are able to under our separate circumstances, America will live on and even get up from its bed of affliction.
Finally, we need a sane approach to abortion. There are way too many frivolous abortions in this country and throughout the world. There are those who say that most Americans support abortion (or a woman's right to choose). That's just nonsense. Fortunately, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops recently commissioned a study (which surveyed a cross section of American society) on the matter. Deirdre McQuade, assistant director of the study said:
"Four out of five American adults -- 82 percent -- think abortion should be either illegal under all circumstances or with limited legality, and only nine percent said that abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during pregnancy."
Well, there you have it. That's my take on saving Western civilization. Now, I know I'm only a basicguy, but being a father of five and a grandfather of four (# five is due any day now), I think I can speak from a position of knowledge and experience. My family loves our Western culture, and especially this great country we live in. I'd hope that all similar loving folk respond before America's last breath.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
One Bad Apple
A few months ago, eating an apple during a lunch-time walk, I bit into an area that immediately tasted bitter. As you might expect, I quit chewing and looked at the apple. It was rotting from the inside out. I spit out the offending chunk into my other hand. If I hadn't, it would have come up anyway... an involuntary expelling of matter.
Now, some have tougher stomachs than I do and could have finished that apple without a skipping beat. Or is it that their taste buds are numb... so they can get anything down? I know I'm just a basicguy, but I'd prefer to be able to taste things and repulse food that is rotten.
Now why am I talking about such a silly subject? One reason. I've been following the multitude of news stories that reveal a rotten core in American society. We see it in politics, business, schools, families, neighborhoods, entertainment, and even religion. The recent story of corruption in Illinois politics is just the tip of the ice berg. Watching the evening news shows waves of corruption throughout American society.
Are American societal taste buds numb? How can we continue to stomach such corruptness in our midst and not do something about it? Will we continue to allow individuals with rotten cores to take office without a fight? Personally, I'm sick of the ever growing rotten core. I say cut it out before it corrupts everything else.
Now, it will take an effort. We need more interest at the grassroots level in this country. It's in the grassroots that most normal people reside. That's right... we need to get back to basics. I know, we need a bunch of basic guys and gals to step forward and challenge the rotten status quo. Too many are in business and politics for power, prestige, and profit... what's in it for me. That attitude corrupts. Basic guys and gals tend to think of others and do things for the greater good. Somehow, we've lost that feeling in much of public America.
Now, most apples that I eat have no rotten core. I know America is yet full of good apples. Let's find them and encourage them to stand up to the growing corruption. Then let's support them so they have an opportunity to win and help set new standards for our country. It won't be easy... there is a lot of money in the hands of all the wrong people. But their money can't by votes, only the ability to deceive.
We, the people, the grassroots, must become more vigilant in finding the right people to lead us. We have to take more ownership for the information we obtain, understand, and believe. But we can do it. If we will. I'll do it if you will. Good luck.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
All in the Family
Have you ever just wanted to be "one of the boys" or part of the crowd? Now, some crowds aren't worth being part of, but most of us have a need to belong, to be part of a group.We just want to fit in and be accepted for who we are. I guess it gives some feeling of worth. Yes, it would be nice if we were self-confident enough to not have such needs, but it seems that our lives have that much more meaning when we can share life with others... giving to... and taking from... others. (I wonder if this is one reason why a family is such a necessary part of society?)
Well, that appears to have been the case last night for one member of our family.
My wife and oldest daughter... well, my only daughter... were watching a Christmas movie last night. Well, it was a movie that had been given as a Christmas gift, that is. Anyway, as is their custom, they were all wrapped up in their blankets, very engaged in the film. Sadie, the family beagle, left her perch on a new Christmas pillow and tried to sneak under one of the blankets with the other women in the family. Apparently there wasn't room for her.
However, not to be dissuaded, Sadie ran into the office. You see, in the office we keep a nice blanket where she sleeps on cold winter nights. Smart dog. Sadie nudged her way under the blanket and then returned to the family room... blanket in tow, hooked on the brow of her head. Yes, Sadie got herself all wrapped up in her blanket, just like all the other ladies of the house. I suppose Sadie just wanted to be part of the family.
Now, I may have not even noticed this event if I hadn't recently seen "Marley and Me," a movie about a couple, a dog, and a growing family. Marley (a very rambunctious yellow lab) became as much a part of the family as anyone else. The Grogan family would not have been the same if it hadn't been for Marley. You could say the same for us.
As a New Year dawns upon us, and the troubles of life grow beyond measure, it will be tough to tread life's path alone. We're all going to need to belong to something or with someone. Maybe that something or someone can be a family. In most cases, it's hard to replace a family. So, like Sadie, get yourself a blanket, get all wrapped up in it, and join the others in the family room!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
"Bleeding Heart Tightwad" or Cheerful Giver?
Well, it's finally here... Christmas is tomorrow. It's interesting how the season slowly builds up for weeks and then sadly abruptly ends. I love the season... always have... but it's turning more and more into a deja vu experience each year. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day! Fortunately there is a way to keep Christmas all year long. That is to follow the "giving" way of the Savior of the world... the One born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem... the One whose birth we celebrate every December 25th.
In an interesting article by Nicholas D. Kristof, a self-professed liberal, it appears that the most giving political idealists are conservatives (see "Bleeding Heart Tightwads," NY Times). Ole Nick was very surprised and disappointed to find that those who share his political idealism lag far behind in charitable giving. Well, I know I'm just a basicguy, but I don't share Nick's surprise.
Liberals that I know tend to be more secular and less religious. God is less important than the "village" and church is less important than the state. In this environment, you pay your taxes to the government and they then take care of the people in the village, both here and abroad. It's pretty convenient... you never have to actually confront people in need or see them or talk to them... the government just takes care of it.
On the other hand, conservatives tend to be active Christians (think Religious Right) and as such feel the need to learn of, and live like, the icon of Christianity... Jesus Christ. The scriptures record that Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and most often this good was of a very personal sort... one on one... person to person.
Each of us can "keep" this Christmas... make it last a little longer and keep it from abruptly ending... by following the "giving" way of the Christ. Spend some quiet time in the scriptures and learn how to be a more personal giver. It helps while reading to ask the question posed by Saul, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (NKJV Acts 9:6.) I've found that keeping Christmas in this way, tends to make me a cheerful giver instead of a "bleeding heart tightwad." This year of all years, when so many are in trouble and hurting, let's make it so.
Merry Christmas!
In an interesting article by Nicholas D. Kristof, a self-professed liberal, it appears that the most giving political idealists are conservatives (see "Bleeding Heart Tightwads," NY Times). Ole Nick was very surprised and disappointed to find that those who share his political idealism lag far behind in charitable giving. Well, I know I'm just a basicguy, but I don't share Nick's surprise.
Liberals that I know tend to be more secular and less religious. God is less important than the "village" and church is less important than the state. In this environment, you pay your taxes to the government and they then take care of the people in the village, both here and abroad. It's pretty convenient... you never have to actually confront people in need or see them or talk to them... the government just takes care of it.
On the other hand, conservatives tend to be active Christians (think Religious Right) and as such feel the need to learn of, and live like, the icon of Christianity... Jesus Christ. The scriptures record that Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and most often this good was of a very personal sort... one on one... person to person.
Each of us can "keep" this Christmas... make it last a little longer and keep it from abruptly ending... by following the "giving" way of the Christ. Spend some quiet time in the scriptures and learn how to be a more personal giver. It helps while reading to ask the question posed by Saul, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (NKJV Acts 9:6.) I've found that keeping Christmas in this way, tends to make me a cheerful giver instead of a "bleeding heart tightwad." This year of all years, when so many are in trouble and hurting, let's make it so.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Only Bail Out I Like
Is anyone else out there getting just a little fed up with the increasing bail out talk? How many bail outs can the US taxpayer cover? I guess the answer to that is how many future generations of Americans you include in your calculation. From Wall Street to Main Street and all those in between (even states are asking for a bail out!), the numbers are staggering. Of course, to a basicguy like me, I was more than staggered at the initial $700 billion.
Like many normal people out there, I opposed all of the bail outs. Practices like financial planning, an organized budget, and living within your means are apparently too old school for the financial wiz kids that supposedly know much more than me. I hoped that congress and the offending financial institutions would come to their senses and begin to show some restraint. But I guess that was a bit too much to ask.
Why? Because we have a president-elect (you know, the one whose going to change the world for the better?) who is planning yet another bail out. You heard me, another bail out. And this one offends me more than them all. Obama's transition team is calling for "dramatic policy reversals on abortion, including $1 billion in taxpayer money for international abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. The report, titled 'Advancing Reproductive Rights and Health in a New Administration,' also calls for a 133-percent increase in funding for the Title X program, which funds Planned Parenthood clinics across the country."
So much for change, huh? Not only am I opposed to bail outs in general, but I am also opposed to abortion, particularly those performed for casual reasons. How can we even consider bailing out an industry that encourages the demise of 1.4 million people. That's right, I said people. Most aborted babies would grow up to be living breathing, productive Americans... future generations that could help us grow our population and income potential as a nation. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
It seems to me that maybe I am in favor of bail outs after all. If America was a plane, it might be helpful if some of our worst offending members of society bailed out without a chute! Maybe then, saner minds would prevail and our country could be set back onto a more financial secure path. However, I am only a basicguy.
Like many normal people out there, I opposed all of the bail outs. Practices like financial planning, an organized budget, and living within your means are apparently too old school for the financial wiz kids that supposedly know much more than me. I hoped that congress and the offending financial institutions would come to their senses and begin to show some restraint. But I guess that was a bit too much to ask.
Why? Because we have a president-elect (you know, the one whose going to change the world for the better?) who is planning yet another bail out. You heard me, another bail out. And this one offends me more than them all. Obama's transition team is calling for "dramatic policy reversals on abortion, including $1 billion in taxpayer money for international abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. The report, titled 'Advancing Reproductive Rights and Health in a New Administration,' also calls for a 133-percent increase in funding for the Title X program, which funds Planned Parenthood clinics across the country."
So much for change, huh? Not only am I opposed to bail outs in general, but I am also opposed to abortion, particularly those performed for casual reasons. How can we even consider bailing out an industry that encourages the demise of 1.4 million people. That's right, I said people. Most aborted babies would grow up to be living breathing, productive Americans... future generations that could help us grow our population and income potential as a nation. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
It seems to me that maybe I am in favor of bail outs after all. If America was a plane, it might be helpful if some of our worst offending members of society bailed out without a chute! Maybe then, saner minds would prevail and our country could be set back onto a more financial secure path. However, I am only a basicguy.
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