Tuesday, May 20

Post 1172, Day 140 of 2014
- 1,236 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I am slowly falling out of the Apple camp, as far as devices are concerned.

It isn't that the products aren't great. The MacBook I have is easily the best computer I have ever owned. My new iPod Air is also a technological amazement.

But...

Having been 'raised' in the PC environment, the Apple way of doing things is not only foreign, it is frustratingly more difficult.

The simple fact of the matter is, I don't use my computer devices the way Apple users usually do.

My computers are not entertainment centers. I am way more text than graphic-oriented. All the Apple's ease-of-use features seem to pertain to apps/programs I don't use.

My favorite programs (as in, the ones I use most) were all designed for Windows. I find Apple file-handling to be frustratingly more difficult than Windows drag-and-drop.

I had two reasons for wanting an iPad. One was to put it on a music stand, and use it as a teleprompter for song lyrics or chords. The other was to use as a browser at work, where internet access is extremely limited, and there is no wi-fi available.

The difficulty with file-handling (and the lack of good word processing on the iPad) has meant I have never used it in a musical performance - also an indication that maybe I didn't need it for that in the first place.

At work, I have found myself using my work browser whenever possible. I check my mail and messages on the iPad, but that's it. 

Of the 44 apps I have on my iPad, I have only ever used 7, and only regularly use 4. That includes Safari, a browser I don't particularly like.

And I hate iTunes, and always have.

Finally, I like Windows keyboards better. Much. I like having a delete key (as opposed to a destructive backspace key. I also like on-keyboard navigation. And a real CTL key. And a numeric keypad.

I'm pondering this today because, as of yesterday, my Verizon cell-phone contract is up. My knee-jerk reaction is to wait for the new iPhone 6 in August-September, but I'm thinking about not doing it. I might switch teams... again. Including maybe going with T-Mobile as a less-expensive provider.

And my next (final American-purchase) computer will probably be a Windows machine, even though whatever the MacBook Pro version is out there will probably be a much better machine (in nearly every respect). Of course, that's further out (at least a year-and-a-half away).

Let me be clear: Apple's products have been phenomenally good, not only compared to their direct competitors in the tech world, but compared to any other consumer experience I've ever had. Their service has been equally above and beyond expectaions.

But their stuff doesn't do what I want it to do - I don't use a single application for Apple that I favor over its Windows equivalent (and especially not the made-for-Windows, ported-to-iOs software), or, in the case of iTunes, above not having to use an application at all.

Sigh. I love Apple, as a forward-thinking, design-leading, confidence-inspiring, son-employing company, and I wish it nothing but the best. But I am feeling a gravitational pull out of its customer space.

Also, the Red Elvises.

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 Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         206.4 lbs

Previous Weight:        207.8 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 1.4 lbs

Diet Comment

Last night's three Quest bars? Nada.

Food Log 

Breakfast
A Quest bar.

Lunch
A kale protein shake (almond-coconut milk, kale, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend; also, celery and home-made mayonnaise.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Dinner

Pepperoni and Swiss cheese.

Snack
Quest bars.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 102+ oz.

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