Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Yesterday afternoon I drove up to Fritz's and, after picking three quarts of raspberries, we had a little supper and headed out to a birthday party for A, the Ceramicist given by B, the Chef. A and B had known each other for years, meeting regularly at our Sweat Lodges and other gay events when, a little less than a year ago, it became obvious that a little romance had started. It's grown steadily. The party was really sweet--several gay couples, a straight couple, and a stunning lesbian--chic, smart and funny. The birthday boy had specified no gifts, which of course everyone totally ignored, and B had made one of his patented cakes, trimmed beautifully. Lovely evening.
At work, I have a fair amount of money to spend on myself and the lovely thing about it is that it's not my money. A couple of years ago, MIT decided to go with the Open Courseware movement that was becoming popular with colleges across the country. Professors were to put detailed presentations of their classes on the college's site, everything from a syllabus to examples of students'isual or written work, a bibliography, a statement concerning the goals and philosophy of the course, and a lot of other supportive material. The idea, as in a lot of contemporary architecture, was to make the institution transparent to the outside world, giving to
prospective students, and to the world in general, a detailed look at MIT and what it offers (including the fact that many of the great professors at MIT teach introductory courses rather than leaving them to their teaching assistants).



So the question is, what to buy? I'll be looking for something reliable, fast, compact and easy to use. I've never had or even used a lap top before, so any suggestions from those of you with experience of them will be greatly appreciated.
Using it (not just poking keys in a store) is very important, to be sure you can COMFORTABLY type on it, and that the useful keys (home, delete, etc) are in places your hands will go.
Also, figure out if you are comfortable with a touch pad (like the ones in your pictures), or if a pointer (like IBM - the little "eraser" thing in the middle of the keyboard) work better for you.
As for the laptop, I'm probably not much help. I switched to a Mac about a year ago and I am a die hard fan now. But if you need advice in that direction I'll help as much as I can.
you're too limited in cases and backpacks which can hold the computer. (Most cases, backpacks, etc are for the 15.4" screens. Like out of everything at Best Buy and Circuit City, you might have 2 cases and 1 backpack for a 17" screen.)
If it's really a work thing, best see what your IT department supports and get that!! :)
Alan B
Chattanooga, TN
I just posted today that I'm looking for a laptop, although my meagher budget is surely going to limit my choices. I need to keep it below 800$ after taxes/incidentals etc. Any suggestions?
Have a great weekend, the 15th is looking pretty good for me, just have to iron out one more detail at work.
*hugs*
And thanks as always, for taking time out to post to my blog. What you wrote is so true. Gay progress without protests from the religious right or other such nonsense, just praise of a milestone. Wish all the world would celebrate gay accomplishments like that.
Wishing you all the success on getting your dream home built. I definitely know something about that.
cheers - Joan R
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