Apple vs PC

Which side are you on? Are you pro-Apple or pro-PC/open source/etc??


Back when I was in college the debate was always about which computer system was better, and generally Apple won by popular opinion in the art/photography groups.  I had still have a slow Compaq computer that did a horrible job processing photographs compared to the MAC computer in the library.  I usually spent every free moment on campus in the library on those macs. But when I got home I was stuck with my dinosaur.  I vowed when I finally got a new computer I'd get a MAC.

In June 2009, I got my first smartphone.  Until then is been using an old phone on which I could  only make phone calls and listen to voicemail... I couldn't even text!!!  Enter iPhone 3Gs and key world flipping upside down.  Pictures, emails, texting, social media, EVERYTHING was at my fingertips at anytime of day. For the last 2 years its been great (except for the ATT network it was attached to, but that's a different story for another time).  Up until the last 2 weeks I've been pro-Apple.

Apple has a great reputation and the stuff to back it up.  BUT they aren't the only option.  You'll spend twice as much for an Apple computer than if you build it.  My dad is an engineer and has built all our family's pcs as far back as I can remember.  I put off buying a new computer for years because I couldn't commit  to spending the extra money for the Apple name, but I couldn't give up really really wanting an Apple.  In the end I chose to have my pc custom built.  I saved over $1000 that I'm going to use for a new lens.  My new computer is racing fast and is exactly what I wanted.  It may not be a MAC, but its the quality of the photographic work I create and provide to customers that matters, not what system I edited them on. 

Last week we found out ATT decided to let us out of our contract early and free of charge (we've had THAT many issues... But again its another story for another time).  Our friend Akiya works at Verizon and so Jeff (hubby) figured out everything to get new phones and s new contract setup asap.  I'm usually the one to take months to make a decision, and suddenly I was faced with choosing between the Apple iPhone4 or the HTC Thunderbolt.  I stressed like crazy trying to decide. I knew and loved my 3Gs but heard the iPhone 4 on Verizon had bad signal, and couldn't do some other important things (Anyone have a Verizon iPhone who can comment?). The tbolt had a bigger screen, would run on 4 LTE (which is supposed to be fast.. whenever that comes to our area) and had perks of running on open source software.  I went back and forth and even woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it.  

I went with the tbolt with the assurance I could exchange it during the trial period. It's taken me a couple days to figure it out, but its a pretty neat phone.  Smart phones are so similar that its mainly just a matter of relearning locations and such.  I miss the ease of screenshots and Instagram, but those aren't dealbreakers.  I'm no less of a photographer or artist because I don't have an iPhone.  Technology is great, but I really believe its what a person expresses about themselves that holds value, not the technology they use to do so. 

But what do you think? Are you pro-Apple, pro- pc, or neutral?  What products do you own and what do you think about them?


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New Website Launch!

Today I launched my new website!!! It went live this afternoon, and while there are still a few small bugs and a few pages under construction, I think its a great improvement over my old site!



I've been working on my redesign for over a year. I'm way lame and do everything from scratch, and so it takes forever. It doesn't help that I am indecisive and changed the entire theme more than three times! But I did a test run with a new background on this blog. Since I didn't have any complaints (haha.. don't send them to me now, its too late!) I went with it.


Here's some of the biggest changes:


one - The splash page (or the home page) was pretty bland:

and now it has been redesigned. Plus I'll have a separate website for all of my art-related work (photography, painting, ceramics, bookarts, etc...):




two - The portfolio page before had portraits and weddings in two galleries that only worked if you had the most recent version of flash:

The new design split portraits into one page and weddings/engagements into a second. The portraits page is then divided into multiple portrait groupings. And rather than use flash galleries, the galleries are now visible to all users by a scrolling gallery(except mobile cellphone - I'll figure out how to fix that access eventually):



three - The new website now has a dedicated contact page with a form that lets you submit inquiries straight from the website:



four - And finally (I think I'm most excited about this), I was able to replace the standard Internet Explorer icon with my own little icon!


Now its your turn! Give me your input. What could make the website better (or this blog?)? Are there any links that don't work? Are there layouts that aren't showing up properly for you? Any creative criticism and input is welcomed!

Help! I need to replace my dinosaur...

It seems like these past few days or even weeks have been a blur. I've been running in overdrive, and somehow managing to just barely keep up! Between church, the gym, my office job, and photography, my days are completely full.

I've been shooting more than ever (portrait sessions) and love it. But I'm being bogged down by my dinosaur (also known as my 4 year old laptop computer). Its had a good run, but despite upgrades (added memory) and TLC (deleting old files, etc) it just can't keep up. I'm ready for a new computer.

So I'm stuck in this dilema. Its nothing new... I've been here for a year or two. I really need a new computer. It was slow two years ago, and so it seems even slower now. But I can not make up my mind! I'm indecisive when it comes to green tea... [I know it shouldn't take me 10 minutes to decide which brand to buy.. but it does!] ...and so its no surprize that I'm indecisive on a computer. So since I've finally reached my limit with my dinosaur, I'm asking for all my lovely reader and friend's help in giving me their input (and helping me make up my mine already and get a new computer!)

Here are my options:
(1) Build an epic-fast tower computer w/ Windows 7
Pros:
- Completely customized. My dad is a software engineer so he'd build it for me, all I'd have to do is spec out the parts with him based on what I want, and purchase the parts.
- Way cheaper than the other options (maybe even half as expensive)... (translation: more money left over for lenses!)
- Easy to upgrade in the future
Cons:
- Tower takes up space
- Have to find/buy a really nice monitor
- Not portable

(2) iMac
Pros:
- Amazing screen resolution, big screen
- Great reputation with other photogs/media ppl
- Space saver
Cons:
- Not portable (not completely.. I can move from office to kitchen/living room, but can't really take it with me to Starbucks...)
- Have to get the Mac version of software
- Costs more (translation: less $ for lenses, software)

(3) MacBook Pro
Pros:
- Portable (yay starbucks!)
- Great screen resolution
Cons:
- Small screen,
- Most expensive option (translation: no lens money or software money)
- Not easily upgradable
- Have to get the Mac version of software

Other background info: My dinosaur was a gift from my parents when I graduated High School. It served its purpose in college, but could never keep up with my photography demands. Now that I'm not in college I have no access to the sweet MacPros, and am stuck doing all my editing on the dinosaur.

So what do you think? I've changed my mind many times between the three and so can't settle at the moment. Post your comment and let me know your thoughts!