Computing on the Road

Apple just finished their introduction of the iPhone 5C and 5S. They also introduced their new mobile operating system, IOS 7. 

I was a Windows user for many years. My first PC was actually an Atari ST. It was what I called “a poor man’s Mac.” There was a program called Publishing Partner (later renamed Pagestream) which was my first introduction to Desktop Publishing. I was fascinated with the sudden ability to combine text and graphics with complex page layouts. The Pagestream program is still available today.

Later, I became a big fan of Adobe’s PageMaker which was eventually replaced by InDesign.

I switched to Mac about the time that Windows 7 came out. Windows 7 was causing all kinds of issues with my computer. My first Apple computer was (and is) a 24” iMac. I started on road with the RV soon after I switched to Apple. The first year I took the iMac on the road with me. It wasn’t  long before I acquired a Macbook Pro, an iPad2, and an iPhone.

I have a Verizon 890L 4G, LTE Jetpack for internet access on the road. I think this is the third or fourth generation of this device which I’ve owned. I’ve traveled considerably around the States and generally found good coverage.

I use my computers for email, surfin’ the net, Skype, and arranging and editing photos. Probably my favorite past time with computers is downloading and listening to Podcasts. I like to take regular walks and it’s so great to be able to listen to a variety of programs which include, This Week in Tech (TWIT); Ted Talks; Grape Radio; The Moth; London School of Economics: Public Lectures; Econ Talk; Freakonomics Radio; Commonwealth Club Radio Program, and C-Span's After Words.

I’m constantly amazed at the variety of things available on the Net. I recently watched many of the sessions of the US Open Tennis tournament. I also got hooked on Netflix’s “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.”

I’m kind of old school when it comes to books but I do have a couple of Kindles and sometimes I download books to my iPad.

I really enjoy a number of college courses available on-line. Check out Open Yale Courses especially, Roman Architecture with Prof. Diana Kleiner, The American Revolution with Prof. Joanne Freeman, and Listening to Music with Prof. Craig Wright.