Mac or PC?

It's a beautiful day, stop blog hopping and get outside! When you come back in watch this.

Happy iPhone Day

Yes it's true that I chnage cell phones more than any person I know but I will not be getting an iPhone. There are a few reasons for this but the most important are:

1. There's not Cingular up here and they piggyback on the towers of Uni-Suck so the coverage isn't great.
2. I already bought a first gen. product and I do not want to go through that again.
3. I have an awesome phone and a brand spankin' new iPod so what's the point.
4. 8GB? Are you serious? Listen carefully--SIZE MATTERS.

Any who, in the mean time here's some Apple trivia.

• Apple was formed on April Fool's Day in 1976. Although most of us have heard of Apple's two well-known founders - Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak - fewer have heard of the third. His name was Ron Wayne, and he wasn't as convinced of the company's success. That's why, only a few weeks later, he sold his 10 percent stake in Apple for $800. The company's market value just passed $100 billion last month, so we'll let you calculate for yourself how much money he missed out on. Go ahead, we'll wait.

• The Apple II was a huge success in 1977, as was the Macintosh in 1984, but the period in between was difficult for the company. In 1980, the Apple III premiered to lukewarm response, which led the company to refocus its efforts on supporting and improving the Apple II line. The Apple Lisa in 1983 was a huge step forward, as the first personal computer to offer a GUI (graphical user interface) to users. The reason for its demise had to do with one particular factor: its $9,995 price tag.

• Apple has had to face the business world with a brash sense of humor in order to maintain their chunk of market share over the years. Concerned with the use of its "brand name," Apple Records signed an agreement with Jobs and Wozniak in 1981 to allow them to use the name "Apple" as long as they steered clear of the music world. Not surprisingly, it was only five years before Apple Computer found it necessary to include music capabilities in its models, and the Apple IIgs (1986) was the first. The record company went through with its threat of litigation in 1989. Apple Computer responded in true smart-aleck geek fashion: programmers of the then-new System 7 renamed the "xylophone" sound to what they said was a Japanese word: "sosumi." The resulting settlement was reportedly in the neighborhood of $25 million.

• There's more to the Apple Records/Apple Computer connection. In February 1968, the Beatles headed to India to study transcendental meditation under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. That May, they officially started their own label, Apple Records. Similarly, Steve Jobs took a job at Atari in 1974 and used the money to finance a trip to India in his own search for spiritual enlightenment. When he returned to the States, Steve Wozniak invited Jobs to join the Homebrew Computer Club, forming the roots of what would become Apple. But in a twist, it was Woz who viewed personal computers as a hobby, and the "enlightened" Jobs who determined that there was money to be made in marketing them.

Update (finally)!

Wow, I have a lot of pics to share here. First, the. non-knitting news. I went to go see They Might Be Giants and had a blast! I could blather on and on about it but Stoneking did a great job over at her blog (even if she did expose me in all my nerdly glory) and Bill also has a pretty sweet post. Apple has finally agreed to replace my iMac. They don't make mine anymore so I was upgraded to an Intel machine with all the same junk as my current computer (17" screen, 1GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, etc.). I always regretted not buying the 20" so I asked if I could upgrade and pay the diff. I can and I am. I'm also getting the better graphics card. So, my experience wasn't fun and I don't think it should have been so hard to get a replacement computer but I am so excited at the prospect of a shiny new iMac that I can't help it.

On to knitting............


I ordered those a while ago but they were on backorder. When they showed up it was a total surprise. They're pretty big; I included a penny for scale. Purchased from patternworks.


I joined the PureKnits Yarntini sock yarn club a couple of months ago and my first package arrived Friday! Included is a Yarntini self-stripe colorway called "pure breeze," a beautiful handmade bag from misocrafty, lip balm (also called pure breeze) that smells like the beach (think tanning oil and tropical drinks, not empty beer cans and sun-baked seaweed), stitch markers from Dress Up Your Knitting, a sample of Soak and Cool Socks Warm Feet. *whew* I've decided that I will finally cast on a pair of Jaywalkers but first I have some WIPs to finish up.



I just put the sleeve stitches of Rusted Root on scrap yarn! It seemed like it took forever (I swear I'm going on a diet so I can finish my knits faster!). It's actually going quite fast, I'm just being impatient. I'm excited about knitting top down, I don't have to remember what I did on one side so I can duplicate it on the other. If I have enough yarn I'll lengthen it because once it goes over my bewbs it'll be pretty short in the front. If I don't have enough yarn (or probably even if I do) I'll wear a long tank underneath.



Here's the back of the Central Park Hoodie knit in Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed. I haven't been knitting it lately because I fell in love with Rusted Root.


The first sock is done for Elah's teacher. It's Online sock yarn I received from my Secret Pal 9. I actually finished this one about 6 weeks ago but never took a picture. I need to get the other one done because school is done soon. The teacher has big feet (for someone her height), this is a 72 stitch sock.


One more sock that needs a mate. This one has a short row heel and a star toe. The yarn is Lorna's Laces, gifted to me when I did Yarn Aboard.


Watch out, it's a FO! Chek me out, I'm all cammo. Simple stockinette sock with garter short row toe and heel made with Panda Cotton.

Pattern: My own.
Yarn: 2 balls, Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (they have a similar yarn coming out his fall)
Colors: Fall herbs
Needles: Inox Grey US 1 crics for the stockinette and Addi Turbo US 0 for the ribbing
Time to complete: I should just leave this tid bit off the list but I think that if I keep posting in with some lame answer then shame will make me a better note taker.
Details: I usually knit a 68 stitch sock but the Panda Cotton was so stretchy I only cast on 60 stitches. When I make socks like this again I'll add about 5 rows of garter to the shot row areas. These socks were the first time I used a sewn bind off for toe up socks. The bind off is great; it is nice and stretchy isn't tight at all.

Damn, I'd better get knitting so I can show ya'll some more.

Where is Emily? Brought to you by the letter F.

I know I haven't been around much but I'm fixin' to come back! My last paper of the semester, a literary analysis, based on the historical cultural norms of early Christians, of the parables of Jesus in the synoptic gospels, is almost done. It's my last assignment of the semester. What does that mean for you, dear reader? It means I'll have time to sleep and post.

Not only that, but the sun has returned to Vermont and natural light means that I will be posting some update photos this weekend. Curious? A progress shot of Central Park Hoodie, a picture of Rusted Root (my latest proj), the finished Panda Cotton socks, one completed Lorna's Laces sock, one completed sock I'm making for my daughter's teacher and, finally, the book weight. *whew*

See ya this weekend!

PS I may be in love with Apple again. Guess what's coming to my house?

Actual Knitting!

I went to Jamaica's baby shower today and brought along some hand knit goodies. More detailed pictures can be found of Flickr (just click one of the photos).


The Baby Bib O'Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I used less than 1 ball of Peaches & Creme in fiesta.


The Baby Genius Burp Cloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I used left over Peaches & Creme.


One-Hour Baby Booties from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation, knit with left over Peaches & Creme.

If you're interested in an Apple update; the logic board and power supply have been replaced and the problem is still happening. I'll worry about it next week, this is the last week of the semester!!

Apple Lemon

I promise more knitting content within the next two days.

Want to read a long, long letter I wrote to Apple? It's below.
Want the short version? They don't want to replace my computer, two of their agents openly lied to me, they want to replace my logic board and power supply again.

Here's the long version:

Apple Computer Inc
ATTN: Customer Relations
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014

Dear Customer Relations:

I am writing to express my frustration at my treatment by agents of Apple Computer Inc, through your AppleCare service. This letter will be long; I have chosen thoroughness in lieu of brevity.

My iMac G5 has never worked properly. Indeed, it has been plagued with issues since it came home with me. Purchased in 2004, it has gone through three major repairs. In 2004, the computer kept shutting down unexpectedly. Apple support staff didn’t seem to know what was wrong with the computer until I did some digging on my own and found that a number of iMacs were suffering with the same problems. I called support again and suggested that I could have a faulty power supply. The agent seemed unconvinced but agreed to send me a new power supply, warning me that when I sent the faulty power supply back if Apple found it to be good then I would be charged for the unnecessary replacement part. I had no doubt the power supply had burned out since I found ash inside the computer.

In 2005, my computer was again having problems. This time I made an appointment at a local Apple authorized service center where they discovered that I needed a new hard drive and a new logic board. At the time, the closest service center was a 45-minute drive away and I had to take time off work to both drop off and pick up my computer. In home service is not an option as the closest authorized in home tech is in New York.

In 2006 my computer had yet another problem. CDs and DVDs were failing to mount, failing to eject, launching out of the drive slot when they did eject and burning with heavy distortion (when I could get them to mount). I did not want to take the computer in yet again so I waited awhile before I called Apple support. When it became obvious that I would have to bring it in yet again, I just stopped using discs. In 2007, the problem became too disruptive to ignore and I broke down, called Apple service again, and brought it in for another repair. This time the local authorized service center had just opened a new, local, facility so I did not have as far to drive but I still had to take time off work to bring it in. The optical drive was replaced.
The computer was not home three days when I realized that it had more issues. I would shut down the computer at night and when I woke up in the morning, it would be on. At first, I thought that maybe I just thought I shut down when I in fact did not. So, I shut down during the evening when I was still awake and waited. Sure enough, the computer restarted itself within two hours. Over he next couple of days I realized that the computer would restart itself every time I shut down and twice I experienced kernel panics where I had to manually restart the computer.

I called Apple support on Thursday, 19 April and spoke to an unknown agent. The agent with whom I spoke (I don’t remember his name) was very helpful. He told me that I was eligible for a replacement computer and that he could not believe, after all I had been through, no one had offered a replacement sooner. I was told that I needed to take the computer to be examined and then, very firmly (his words were put on your “poker face and your John Wayne grimace”) ask for a new computer. He said that I might get some push back but that my AppleCare agreement clearly stated that I was eligible for a replacement computer, as the one I initially purchased clearly had never worked properly. When I hung up the phone I was so relieved, I thought that my computer troubles were finally over.

I spoke with someone at my local repair shop and some of the things I was told on the 19th came into question. I called Apple support again on Friday, 20 April and spoke with an agent who identified himself as Harley. Initially I spoke with a support agent who said that he was not authorized to talk replacement and that he would transfer me to a “product specialist.” I was transferred to Harley who identified himself as an Apple product specialist. Harley told me that the gentleman with whom I had spoken on the prior evening did not have the authority to offer me a replacement computer and that the notes in the system did not accurately reflect what I had been told.

Harley said it appeared that I did not qualify for a replacement computer and I should not have been told anything to the contrary. Initially Harley said that I did not qualify for replacement because I had not been through enough “major component” repairs. When I asked him what repairs he saw, he listed the logic board, hard drive and optical drive and told me that because the logic board and hard drive had been replaced at the same time they only constituted one repair. I then asked why the power supply did not factor into the equation and he explained that he did not see the repair listed. When I explained that I had replaced the part myself, he said that he did see it; he had not looked at the repair because most customer replacements were something simple like a mouse or keyboard. He also expressed surprise that the power supply was something that customers were allowed to replace as it was an easy task (“even my grandmother could do it” were his words) but that people who didn’t know what they were doing could really damage something and that he was surprised Apple would open itself to that kind of liability. Once we established the validity of my claim that the power supply had been replaced (he didn’t really believe me initially) then his story changed. Now I was not eligible for a replacement because the repairs that had already been made did not happen within a certain (unspecified) amount of time relative to each other. I could not get Harley to be any more specific about this.

So, now I was in the position of going through what was happening with my computer, as I never received a case number during the course of my call on the 19th. After I explained what was happening and what steps I had taken to remedy the problem (reset the SMU, restart with no peripherals attached, search the Apple knowledge base, post on the Apple support forum, etc.), Harley suggested that I chose restart from the Apple menu instead of shut down. I suggested that 1) I know the difference and 2) that did not explain why the computer would be shut down for as long as three hours at a stretch and 3) it didn’t explain the kernel panics. Harley then suggested that I try a different outlet; he seemed very reluctant to admit that it could possibly be a problem with the actual computer. Throughout our entire conversation of more than an hour, Harley was openly hostile and condescending. He finally told me to take it to a repair specialist and if it needed to be repaired (he wasn’t convinced) then AppleCare would cover the cost. I was assured that should I need another repair, I would qualify for a replacement computer.

Today, 24 April, I brought my iMac to an Apple certified repair center for some diagnostic tests. When I pick the computer up I was told that I need a new logic board and power supply. Because I live close to the repair center and because I am in the middle of finals they let me take the iMac home with the understanding that I will bring it to them the same day the replacement parts come in. This means that my options are to live without my computer until the parts come in from Apple or to bring my computer in twice as one of the parts is on back order and the two parts will not likely arrive together. I have to choose the latter option as I am a single parent with a small child at home who works full-time and attends college (half of which is online) part-time. The only time I can do homework is at night after my daughter goes to bed; I do not have the luxury of going to campus or the local library to use the computers there.

When I returned home on the 24th I called Apple support once again because I wanted to let them know what repairs had been suggested and make sure that I was still proceeding along the correct course of action. The agent with whom I spoke, Justin, informed me that Harley did not have the authority to deny or offer me a replacement iMac, that only someone from Customer Relations could do that. I asked Justin if he was saying that Harley, the agent with whom I last spoke, was not authorized to offer or deny a replacement computer to me. At this point, I wanted to make sure that I heard everything correctly. Justin confirmed that was indeed what he said.

At this point, I am beyond frustrated. I own a computer, for which I paid more than $2000 USD, that has never worked properly. I own a computer that had been plagued with malfunctions and repair needs almost from the day I brought it home. I own a computer that has contributed to my missing work and struggling to fulfill my collegiate obligations. I understand that no computer, no matter how stylish, is perfect; I expect to have some problems, but the number of problems I have had with this iMac is unacceptable.

People I know and others who read my blog have asked me why I stick with a computer that has become known as the Apple Lemon amongst my friends. I have been the constant cheerleader for Apple, defending and supporting you from day one. I consistently assure them that the latest issue is a fluke and that once the computer is repaired this time all will be well. I remind them that Apple computers are known for their reliability. I feel taken advantage of and I feel like a fool.

Not only have I been given the run around by agents at Apple support but also I have been openly lied to by two of you agents who misrepresented themselves. I do not think I am asking for a lot. I want a new computer, one that works as the first was supposed to; one that may have the occasional problem but one on which I can rely. The computer I purchased has never performed as represented by Apple; I just want one that does.

Respectfully,
Emily Blah Blah

cc: Attorney General's Office
ATTN: Consumer Protection
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001

Apple or Lemon?

Hey guess what, my computer is broken again (just in time for finals)!

Last night I spoke with someone at Apple Support who assured me that my computer was eligible to be replaced. Unfortunately when I called back today and spoke with a Product Specialist I got the run around (the first guy didn’t have the authority to authorize a replacement). What he told me was that even though I had replaced the power supply, the logic board, the hard drive and the optical drive, my computer didn’t qualify for replacement. I was unclear as to whether this was because the repairs didn’t happen within a certain amount of time relative to each other or because I had replaced the power supply myself instead of taking it to an Apple Specialist but he was the opposite of helpful.

I wasn’t mean but I did try to convey my frustration, to explain that the computer has never worked properly, that I am an online student who can’t do her homework at home while her 6 year old sleeps if I don’t have a functioning computer and that I was tired of missing time from work to take my computer to the shop or spend time on the phone with tech support. The Product Specialist still said I had to take it to the shop to try and get this problem resolved and that if it broke again then we could talk replacement. Even better, while he told me this he was condescending; as an example, after explaining that I had tried to shut down without anything connected to the computer and reset the SMU, etc. he suggested that I was choosing restart instead of shut down from the menu (like I didn’t know the difference). He also said that when I took it in to get repaired, IF (note the emphasis) it actually needed to be repaired, it would probably be something minor.


More than anything I am frustrated and I feel like a fool. I can’t tell you how many people hear my story (or stories) and ask me why I didn’t push harder for replacement or, before this current issue, why I still own a computer that is obviously a lemon. My response to these questions? I defend Apple! I assure them that the issue is a fluke, that the computer will be repaired and all will be well in the land of Apple, that Apple computers are known for their reliability. I’m like a fucking Apple cheerleader! But honestly, I sometimes ignore small problems just so I don’t have to go though the hassle of getting the computer fixed again and I feel like an ass who has been taken advantage of. This computer will probably be my last Apple purchase.

Fake iPods

Small Dog recently posted about a customer coming into the store with a fake iPod. It sucks to be ripped off so remember: if you're getting a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Not much blogging for me lately, my computer is at Small Dog getting a new optical drive. Soon she'll be back home where she belongs and I can share knitting pictures with you.

Christmas in October

The President of the college where I work sent this to me today, I told him I needed a raise...

Small Dog Electronics, New England'’s premier Apple Computer Specialist and a top five Apple Specialist in the USA, announces the opening of its first retail store in Chittenden County, located at 100 Dorset Street in South Burlington, one of New England'’s most popular shopping destinations. This will be Small Dog Electronics flagship retail operation, and will offer an unprecedented Apple Computer shopping, service, and education experience. The retail store plans to open in mid-October of 2006.

In blogging news, this is my 200th post! I will celebrate by eating cake at Elah's 6th birthday party tomorrow.

Small Dog, Big Bite

Well, I took my iMac down to Small Dog yesterday and it ends up that I have a bad hard drive like I suspected and that I also need to have the logic board replaced. I almost expected that as well as my serial number falls in the range of iMacs eligible for the repair extension program. On the bright side it should be fixed by tomorrow but since it's an hour away I'll probably wait until Thursday to go down as I already have the day off. Elah also has no school and her old day care friend, Na'ani, lives next to Small Dog so two birds, one stone...

:^[

So sad, I've been getting random computer freezes and kernel panics over the past week or so. It took me a long time to figure out exactly what was wrong because I can't find my Tiger DVD and can't use disk utility from the Panther CD. I could however use hardware test and got the following error message when it was scanning mass storage:
2STF / 8 / 3: S-ATA BUS 0-Master
What's that mean? It means I need a new hard drive!

I still believe in the reliability of the Mac but having to replace the hard drive and the power supply in a machine that is less that a year old is testing my faith. Hopefully I'll be able to get it down to Small Dog today I'll probably end up buying another copy of Tiger as well, not terrible since I get the educational discount but not great either.

UPDATE: I talked Small Dog and they can do the repair but not for a week or so. I should be OK, as long as I keep my computer on, don't let the hard drive sleep and turn hiding and magnification off on the dock I can avoid most of the problems...hopefully.

The iTunes 5 Announcement From the Perspective of an Anthropomorphized Brushed Metal User Interface Theme

A very funny post for my Mac nerd friends can be found at Daring Fireball.

IApple

I love Apple. Let me tell you why. As you know my power supply in my iMac G5 died. The good folks at Apple told me that they'd send me a replacement part (which happened to be< customer installable) and it arrived the next day! The power supply consisted of 3 screws and 1 plug; I swapped it out in about 10 minutes. I am so happy to have my computer back!

Help, Computer...

So my iMac G5 died, hence my recent silence. It just started randomly shutting down, sometimes 20 minutes after I started it, sometimes before I even hit the grey screen. After trying the internal power button, resetting the SMU and the PRAM and anything else I and Apple could think of we determined that I need a new power supply. The bad news is that it looks like I am not alone in my experience. The good news is that my iMac did not melt and that the new power supply should be here by Monday. In the mean time I have to schedule extra time at work so I can do my homework.