Switching from PC to Mac After Corporate Life

Computers have been a part of my life since the 3rd grade. I was truly introduced to the concept of interacting with a computer daily during my 15 years in Corporate America. PC's rule the corporate landscape of operating systems and hardware. Beyond my occasional visits to the creative department and viewing Apple Mac's as a toy computer, I believed Mac's weren't an option for "business associates".

Becoming an entrepreneur is largely about a mind state shift as you channel your respective talents. As I started my business I also decided to make a platform shift switching from PC to Mac.

Making the switch from PC to Mac can seem daunting. I viewed Apple's extensive tutorials on conversion and how to use the new Mac OS X system. I built over 15 Mac's via the Apple Store online with various specifications simply window shopping. I also had extensive conversations with many previous converts that had gone down the path I was considering. Resoundingly they urged me that it would "change my life". A boast that I thought was saying a bit much, but truly appreciate now.

The single factor that pushed me over the edge was my forced introduction to Microsoft Vista. I purchased a Sony VAIO laptop that was maxed out at 2GB with Vista pre-installed. The operating system navigated slowly and brought me to a halt. I developed work avoidance based on start-up and shut down hang up time. Overall it was a bad experience. So I packed up my Gigs on a hard drive and headed to Apple.



At almost a year later the experience exceeded expectations and has been the single most innovating technology decision I've ever made. From the packaging, design to operating system the Apple immerses you in a bright and clean counter culture of efficiency. Programs seem intuitive. Installations are a breeze and seamless. In fact it becomes clear what Window's has been trying to achieve on PC's but hasn't accomplished nearly to the quality of Apple.

Microsoft Office for Mac provides all the PC conveniences of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and an Outlook equivalent in Entourage. PC users are able to open the document with retro-compatible file formats (unless I forget and leave it in a .docx format). I've been asked if I run Windows on Bootcamp on my Mac and my simple response is, "Why would I do that?". I continue to use the Sony VAIO for webmaster responsibilities that require Internet Explorer. But 90% of my work is made on a Mac.

As I've met more Apple users that have converted there's a shared sense of enlightenment about the product and affection for all things Apple. I joked to my cousin, a neurosurgeon and recent Mac convert that "If Apple made underwear, I'd buy them." Looking through his Christmas photos he is sharing his love through gifts as his 7 year old got the new 13" Black MacBook. Why not start them early.


Beyond the computers the iPhone, iPod Touch, Nano 4G and AppleTV provide platforms that expand Apple's domain in our households and businesses. I say welcome to the family, I'm glad I made the switch.

VH1 Hip Hop Honors: KRS ONE's Philosophy?

The VH1's Hip Hop Honors Award Show seems to get better each year (Click Here to view VH1 Hip Hop Honors Site). As a 35 year old hip hop head it was real with a list of all star performers.

There were so many notable moments during the show's broadcast that it has all blended into a memory of a great show. The production, music, art and dialogue have branded the show with authenticity and a historian's reverence to the great culture of hip hop.

Your boy Phife Dog from A Tribe Called Quest can still rip the stage. Winning the day to day of Diabetes, his fragile frame houses a precise and seasoned classic MCs swagger. The background segment on the group featured a quote from Q-Tip sourcing the Low End Theory as a source of inspiration for Dr. Dre's seminal classic The Chronic.


Most interesting in VH1's Hip Hop Awards discussions has been KRS ONE's vehement support of 50 Cent's Curtis production and slanted comments against, Kanye West's The Graduate. Who'd a thunk it? BlastMaster KRS ONE is such an endearing 50 fan. At the same time, the mass of KRS ONE's work has always been intimately connected with the foundations and pillars of hip hop culture, not a real surprise.

I agreed with some of his comments but overall, was disappointed with "The Teacha". He was too hard on Kanye unnecessarily. KRS is a talented communicator and made his point early and unfortunately again, and again. KRS ONE published an article (click here to view)on http://www.allhiphop.com/ that explained his perspective in an academic manner. Cognizant of his interview he offers a diligent balance to the media hype.

KRS offered a jewel of wisdom in the interview when he identifies the problem with the measure of artistic talent being reduced to simply record sales. Let's put this in a global perspective; has there been a barrage of blogs over Steve Jobs domination in the sale MP3 players with the Apple iPod vs. Bill Gates' Microsoft Zune? Is Michael Dell on the sideline rhetorting, the Zune ain't a MP3 player with all it's "lights" and "action"? No, clearly not.

Kanye, 50, Common, Talib, T.I., Ludacris, OutKast and many others are all hip hop. There has been growth and evolution. Technology, digital or not is enhancing the quality of production that is the natural development of a dynamic medium. Premier, Marley Marl, Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mantronix these were all innovators that made historic sounds during times when there was nothing available. Respect and big ups for that. But you can't be mad at the likes of J. Dilla, Dre, Will.i.am, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Just Blaze, Pharrell that are creating straight fire digitally.

Now that we have improved access and technology aren't we obligated to take it to the next level. Are we to assume that because a portion of the dialogue has strayed from gun play now it ain't real?

Big props to AllHipHop.com for gettin' it in with the KRS ONE interview. I'm just hoping KRS ain't open off that Vitamin Water.