Thursday, February 27, 2003
Mac OS X Unleashed
I pride myself on being able to figure things out, but sometimes I need a leeetle bit of help. This is happening once again as my company is making the transition to the latest Macintosh operating system, OS X. I've heard that there are a number of changes to the system and that it's not quite as idiot proof as the previous Mac systems. (My first attempt to play with OS X resulted in a frantic hour late one Saturday night. 'Twas a problem that was due, I believe, to moving a few files out of the appropriate folder.) So I made a rare financial investment in my (snicker!) career and bought this book. It does a nice enough job explaining the new system and pointing out major differences between it and its predecessors. It also gives a good explanation of OS X's origins and the rationale behind some of the changes. (So now I'll stop cussing every time I have to log in just to use the estupido computer) From there, however, it goes on to detail the possibilities offered by the UNIX system 'pon which OS X rests. It was a bit interesting. However, I don't see myself using much of it, even if I should somehow be granted administrative access to the system. I guess I'm not the tech head I used to be. Anyway, even though I sometimes wish I had bought Robin William's OS X book instead, I would definitely recommend that anyone running a modern Macintosh check this book out.
Labels: CheckItOut
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Nickel and Dimed
Between this book and the January-February issue of Atlantic Monthly, I'm not feeling too good about myself these days. You see, I have a prejudice against the wealthy and for the working class. It's a dumb prejudice, like most. Anyway, as I was reading these works (and working on my income tax forms) I could not escape the fact that I am nowhere near living in poverty. But enough of my shortcomings. This is a very good book--well written in an amusing and engaging style. In order to test the American belief that hard work will lead to success, and to get a first hand report on how well one can survive on minimum wage, Ms. Ehrenreich left her home and attempted to live as an "unskilled" worker. On three different occasions she went out, got some entry level jobs and tried to make ends meet. If she managed to save enough for the next month's rent, she would consider herself "successful." The results weren't a total surprise. I won't spoil anything by mentioning specifics, but I think most people are aware that minimum wage is not enough to escape poverty. But the book was good in that it put a human face on the statistics and perhaps even reveals some aspects of the reality of the working poor of which us rich folk aren't aware. I know that I will definitely be tipping better in the days to come and hopefully will be reminded to show more respect to those who serve me in the stores and restaurants I frequent. Anyway, I advise you all to check it out.
LibraryThing link
Labels: BarbaraEhrenreich, CheckItOut
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