Wow, you guys are sure full of advice! And good advice, too. Thanks so much for passing it along to me. I cut and pasted all of it into a Word document (sorry Mac users,) and if you are interested, you can check it out here: Mac Tips.doc
I assumed that by now I'd be typing this on my new Macbook Pro, but cooler heads prevailed. My friend Doug reminded me that our State will soon be having a tax-free "holiday" that includes computer purchases. And then I realized that my son, the teacher, qualifies for a discount on a Mac purchase. By combining the two, I should save some serious moola - certainly enough to buy at least one cool new computer program. Since my PC isn't really on its last legs, waiting should be no problem, and in the meantime I can do a bit more research on what I'll need to do to make sure all my favorite programs transition smoothly. I've been a PC user since 1986, and while I've never experienced the dreaded "blue screen of death" or had any virus problems, there have been enough other issues, especially with my newest laptop, that I felt it might be good to give the other guy a try. Especially after I watched my husband trying to get his mom's new laptop, running Vista, to recognize our wireless network. What should have happened immediately took him almost two hours. And he knows what he's doing. Feh on that! I do have some worries about a couple of my older programs, but I'm hoping the Windows emulator will take care of that. At any rate, change is good. Upsetting sometimes, but good. Right?
Now, the winners! The online integer generator at Random.org chose Mac user #32 - Marie. She said: "My biggest piece of advice would be to purchase AppleCare ASAP and register it as soon as you get home the day you buy it. My PowerBook's wifi card stopped working correctly and I sent it to Apple expecting them to easily fix it. I was even told I would get my computer back in 4 days at the most. Well, a month later I still had no computer and was finally told that the parts for my PowerBook were no longer being made because it was out of date. Because I had AppleCare, I got a brand new, completely free, MacBook Pro as a replacement! - Talk about customer service." Thanks, Marie, I'll definitely look into that. Also, be sure to go visit Marie's blog. She's a new knitter and blogger, and is off to a great start!
The non-Mac winner is blogless Jacquie! Now, Jacquie is a friend of mine, although that in no way influenced the outcome. In fact, Jacquie has been trying to win one of my contests for a long time. Congratulations on finally making it!
As for the prizes, I have to admit I've fallen down on the job of picking them out in time to write this post. But rest assured that you will each receive some very nice yarn. I can say that Jacquie will NOT get sock yarn, but instead, maybe some roving will make its way to her house. I happen to know she likes to spin.
The sock yarn stash continues to decline around here anyway. See - more socks.
- Regia 4-ply in the sadly discontinued Nation Colors. I love this colorway. And yes, it's the same one that the Yarn Harlot was coveting a few months ago. I made myself a pair of socks from this yarn several years past, and they never fail to make me smile when I wear them.
- These socks, along with the pair I showed in my last post are going to someone special. Since they are in the mail yet, I still won't tell, but all will be revealed soon. Suffice it to say, they are going to someone who REALLY needs a reason to smile. I hope these help.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Even though it doesn't show up very much on the blog, I like to spin, too. Even though I still feel like a rank beginner, it's something that gives me a lot of pleasure - when I get around to doing it. I have an Ashford Traveller wheel, and although it's fairly small, it isn't really as portable as other wheels - such as this one.
That's an Ashford Joy, single treadle. And one just like it (minus the pretty yarn) is now mine! Yup, I finally took the plunge and brought it home from Knitch last night. We spent some quality time together this morning, and I LOVE it! The Traveller will now, with the addition of my WooLee Winder, become a plying wheel. Yay! So now, while waiting for the right time to buy my Mac, I can spend my time spinning.
Have a good weekend, everyone, and thanks for stopping by and joining in the contest.
Those socks look as great as the original Key West pair! Plus, congrats on the wheel!
Posted by: J.P. | May 26, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Those socks are just very cheerful! I have a couple of the Nations colors in the stash somewhere.
Oh, and Mac users CAN open doc files. It's one of the glorious things about the Mac!
Posted by: Lorette | May 23, 2008 at 09:15 PM
You know I forget about sales tax. Oregon has luckily never gone that route. I don't trust our government to give back in another area if they decided to go there.
Anyway, you have re-energized me to love my Joy again. I was just thinking yesterday that I should find a good home for it. Now that I have a Schacht double treadle I never use the little Joy. But there are travel times and plying times that I could want two wheels.
Thanks:)
Posted by: deb | May 23, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Jane has got a new toy! Awesome!!! We have to have a spin-in when I get back to Hotlanta in July to show off your new gadget and all the plying you will have done by then! Very smart planning on when and how buying the Mac! Let me know if you want me to look for some Regia Nation (and which one) while I am here! Miss you!
Posted by: Claudia | May 21, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Congrats on the new wheel and congrats to the winners! Nice socks. I'm trying not to upgrade to Vista until I absolutely have to.
Posted by: Sydney | May 20, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Congratulations on your new Mac! We took the plunge last year. I have a lot to learn and look forward to your document of tips! I think you'll be a lot happier with the Mac's capabilities.
Posted by: Debby | May 19, 2008 at 02:52 PM
I just read about your mom, I am so sorry!
Posted by: Kenyetta | May 18, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Good for you for waiting for the discounts! I got about $300 off with my educational discount. I must admit that I waited a few months to officially quit my teaching job so that I could take advantage of the discount.
Oh, and I can open your Word doc just fine with my Mac. I've always had Word on my Mac, although it didn't cross over in the past, it does now. ;)
The stripey socks are very pretty, and so is your new wheel. Have fun waiting!
Posted by: Becky | May 17, 2008 at 05:26 PM
There will be Mac in our house soon. My son will need one for the film production program he was accepted to. Pretty pricey compared to my $899 hp specials.
Posted by: Li_B | May 17, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I waited to get Apple Care until close to the end of the first year that I owned the laptop...I figured there was no need to pay for it until then because their warranty is quite good. I'm so glad that I got it as soon after, the mouse pad wore out (I blame the hubby...just because) and it was completely covered.
As far as software, wait until after you get your Mac to decide on what to get. Most (and maybe even all) your files are likely to just open up when asked for on the Mac.
Your Joy is very nice; enjoy spinning on it. I've sure been enjoying spinning this spring...most just for fun and no particular project in mind!
Posted by: Diane | May 17, 2008 at 12:07 AM
I have that wheel as well, congrats I think you will love it!
Posted by: pixie | May 16, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Woo hoo! Congratulations on the new wheel!
Posted by: Sandy | May 16, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Ooooh! Congratulations on your new wheel! I haven't spun much these days but I think I just need to get back into the habit. Let me know if you run into problems with your Woolee Winder on the Joy. I didn't spend a whole lot of time playing with it, but it certainly was giving me a run for my money, tension-wise. Hopefully you'll have an easier time of it. If you figure out any tricks,please pass them along!
I think I am going to the Apple store next week. I want to find out as much as I can before I take the plunge, but I am definitely ready. (and excited!) I have heard horror stories about Vista and I'm just not interested in having that shoved down my throat, KWIM?
Take care and happy spinning!
Posted by: Trish | May 16, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Congrats to the winners! Heh, I'm clinging to my copy of XP Pro, darn it... Isn't that the most fun colorway?! The Jaywalkers I knit from it don't fit right, so I've been contemplating ripping and reknitting them as plain socks.
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I am so excited I won!! I actually do own a Mac laptop. I even bought my hubby a Mac desk top as he is not a laptop type of guy. Both my son and daughter own a Mac as well. I guess you could say we are as much a Mac family as we are a Honda family. I just leave the expertise up to everyone else. I love my Mac because it never seems to give me any problems!
Posted by: Jacquie | May 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM