What’s on your mind?

[Clix Pix]

Kazmac, congratulations on the new iMac! . I agree that the 21.5" size is much more manageable in many ways -- for me, a woman alone, it certainly was! The 27" screen just seems too big to me visually overall (although great when editing images and pixel-picking but not so great when just reading text) and the whole iMac would be too darned heavy for me to physically wrestle out of the box and get up on to the computer workstation; dealing with having to take one to the Apple Genius Bar for something-or-other would just not be feasible. The 21.5" IS more manageable. Getting the 21.5" iMac with the custom configuration you want and need right from the get-go is a good solution to the issue of it not being so easy to replace or add RAM or a different drive later. Enjoy the new machine!

Yes, AppleCare/AppleCare Plus, whatever -- to me is pretty much imperative for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad) and for my Macs (even though my 15" MBP doesn't leave home very often). It's a good decision to go with this at the time of purchase, just figure it in as part of the overall cost and that's it. You're covered.....

 

[Gutwrench]

Another vote for Apple Care;; I always get it and have found that it gives you peace of mind for three years.

I wholeheartedly agree. I almost always buy it. A couple months after buying an iPad in 2018 it (freakishly) fell shattering the face. I was shocked to learn I hadn’t purchased AppleCare. What a disappointment.

 

[kazmac]

Kazmac, congratulations on the new iMac! . I agree that the 21.5" size is much more manageable in many ways -- for me, a woman alone, it certainly was! The 27" screen just seems too big to me visually overall (although great when editing images and pixel-picking but not so great when just reading text) and the whole iMac would be too darned heavy for me to physically wrestle out of the box and get up on to the computer workstation; dealing with having to take one to the Apple Genius Bar for something-or-other would just not be feasible. The 21.5" IS more manageable. Getting the 21.5" iMac with the custom configuration you want and need right from the get-go is a good solution to the issue of it not being so easy to replace or add RAM or a different drive later. Enjoy the new machine!

Yes, AppleCare/AppleCare Plus, whatever -- to me is pretty much imperative for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad) and for my Macs (even though my 15" MBP doesn't leave home very often). It's a good decision to go with this at the time of purchase, just figure it in as part of the overall cost and that's it. You're covered.....

While this 27" iMac was very helpful while I was actively at University, it always felt a smidgen too big for me. I owned 21.5" iMacs prior to this (and smaller screened models). Now that the 21.5" has 4k resolution and I am only taking a class for fun (not a degree), I do not need the extra screen real estate. Plus, as you say (and I remember) the 21.5" is not the monolithic weight and buik that I felt if I had to move the 27" around. That was not fun when I tried a fusion drive model a few months ago.

Yes, I sacrifice upgrading the RAM myself and a better GPU, but I do not need those things now. The 6 cores and Vega 20 should be more than plenty for me since I pursue my digital creativity as hobbies right now. If I was going to school for graphic design, film editing or serious art, of course I'd deal with a 27".

I learned a long time ago to get more RAM than I need, and now I know to get the top GPU and at least a 1TB of SSD storage with any Mac I buy.

This will be my 6th iMac and 7th Mac overall. It'll arrive the week after next.

I wholeheartedly agree. I almost always buy it. A couple months after buying an iPad in 2018 it (freakishly) fell shattering the face. I shocked to learn I hadn’t purchased AppleCare. What a disappointment.

I can relate to that. The one time I skipped AppleCare, the refurb iMac's HD drive failed outside of the return/90 day window.

 

[LizKat]

I can relate to that. The one time I skipped AppleCare, the refurb iMac's HD drive failed outside of the return/90 day window.

Yah on the few occasions i haven't picked up AppleCare(+) at the same time I purchase the gear, I keep an annoying reminder on my desktop that says UH.GOT.APPLECARE.YET? because I've had to make use of it a few times, once on a phone and once on a laptop. Those would have been prohibitive expenses otherwise. I think the peace of mind is worth it.

 

[The Clark]

I'd like to at some point hook up with a black girl

 

[LizKat]

^^ Hmm. I had sort of forgotten this is the "what's on your mind" thread in the process of just responding to a post about gear insurance at the then end of the thread...

... so thanks for reminding me... I think.

Good luck with your project.

 

[0388631]

AppleCare+ because you never know when things might pop out of order. And with the last 10 years, it happens more often than most would care to admit. I'm hoping quality will return to the Jobs era as Apple transitions into a services company and not necessarily focus on hardware. Sure, the iPhone 11 is cool and has some cool features, but not worth the cost.
[doublepost=1568429349][/doublepost]

^^ Hmm. I had sort of forgotten this is the "what's on your mind" thread in the process of just responding to a post about gear insurance at the then end of the thread...

Imagine my absolute surprise, no lie, when it wasn't one of two usernames I expected to have made such a casual post.

 

[kazmac]

Very true @Zenithal re: Apple.

Hmmm...was charged for those Beats Sky Blue studio headphones despite legit EDU cred. I'll ring Apple up tomorrow. Not happy about getting dinged for Beats (That sounds so wrong ).

Update: The $349.95 will come off my iMac order, which works for me. With the Edu this matches the price of the iMacs I paid from the late 90s to 2007. That is what I was hoping for.

 

[Apple fanboy]

AppleCare+ because you never know when things might pop out of order. And with the last 10 years, it happens more often than most would care to admit. I'm hoping quality will return to the Jobs era as Apple transitions into a services company and not necessarily focus on hardware. Sure, the iPhone 11 is cool and has some cool features, but not worth the cost.
[doublepost=1568429349][/doublepost]
Imagine my absolute surprise, no lie, when it wasn't one of two usernames I expected to have made such a casual post.

I also did a double check.

Waiting for a phone call from our estate agent to let us know our chain is complete.
Our new (hopefully), property is very much on my mind.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I wholeheartedly agree. I almost always buy it. A couple months after buying an iPad in 2018 it (freakishly) fell shattering the face. I was shocked to learn I hadn’t purchased AppleCare. What a disappointment.

I invariably purchase AppleCare, and my purchasing cycle is usually (but not always) predicated on this; in other words, I will usually upgrade every three years.

My first Apple computer was a 15" MBP that I bought in 2008, when I first switched to Apple.

I am what the marketing people describe as a "halo" customer; I arrived at Apple having been impressed with iPods (wonderful iPods of blessed memory) and Apple's customer care service, namely, the fact that the company had replaced two iPods that had inexplicably committed suicide while still under warranty, without any problems whatsoever, such as seeking refuge in contractural small print or obscure clauses.

Anyway, I purchased Applecare on my MPB, and - a few months before it expired, when the computer was nearly three years old, around 32 months or so, the HDD (these were the old HDD drives - the SSD drive of the MBA was an enormous improvement) failed completely and was replaced (without any problem) under AppleCare.

With one of my MBAs, the keyboard and MagSafe needed to be replaced, and, once again, AppleCare did the needful.

 

[Clix Pix]

I was a sort of "halo" customer, too -- the reverse of you, SS, in that first I bought the iMac and then once I discovered the potential of iTunes, went out and bought my first iPod!

Always have appreciated AppleCare, and never more than when at some point during the third year of ownership I had to take my 2006 (first-generation) Mac Pro in for a replacement of the logic board and some other bits. I was so thankful I didn't need to plunk out the costs of that repair!

 

[Apple fanboy]

I went iPod Nano
iPhone 4.
iPod touch
iPad
iMac
Mac mini.

There was a work MacBook Air in there somewhere and an Apple TV.

 

[Clix Pix]

I went from iMac G5 Rev B in 2005 to iPod 5G that same year, and then in early 2006 bought a Powerbook because I was now thoroughly hooked on Macs and wanted a laptop for travel....and so began a long love affair with Apple products! Was in line for the first iPhone and again in line for the first iPads too. Actually, in line twice for that -- I bought the first iPad which was launched without cellular data, realized almost immediately that I really wanted the cellular data since I intended to carry the iPad with me out-and-about, so when that version was launched a few weeks later I was back in line again....

I tried Apple TV but found that I really didn't use it all that much, since I rarely watch TV anyway! Finally gave it away.....

At various times I've had various Macs: iMac (2005 and again in 2012), Mac Pro (first generation and I eventually realized it was just too much for me -- overkill and also again difficult to manage physically between it and the 30" ACD. Several MacBook Pros through the years and also the first-generation MacBook Air. I was familiar with the white MacBooks, too, because a friend bought one and since she was a novice at computers in general and Macs altogether, I spent a lot of time with her and that machine. In 2009 I bought a Mac Mini and liked it very much, too, enjoying the flexibility of it and its small size while being able to use any size monitor I chose. Right the household is shared with a 15" 2015 MBP, a 2018 15" MBP and the fully maxed-out 2017 12" MacBook, plus a couple of iPads and iPhones.....

 

[Apple fanboy]

I went from iMac G5 Rev B in 2005 to iPod 5G that same year, and then in early 2006 bought a Powerbook because I was now thoroughly hooked on Macs and wanted a laptop for travel....and so began a long love affair with Apple products! Was in line for the first iPhone and again in line for the first iPads too. Actually, in line twice for that -- I bought the first iPad which was launched without cellular data, realized almost immediately that I really wanted the cellular data since I intended to carry the iPad with me out-and-about, so when that version was launched a few weeks later I was back in line again....

I tried Apple TV but found that I really didn't use it all that much, since I rarely watch TV anyway! Finally gave it away.....

At various times I've had various Macs: iMac (2005 and again in 2012), Mac Pro (first generation and I eventually realized it was just too much for me -- overkill and also again difficult to manage physically between it and the 30" ACD. Several MacBook Pros through the years and also the first-generation MacBook Air. I was familiar with the white MacBooks, too, because a friend bought one and since she was a novice at computers in general and Macs altogether, I spent a lot of time with her and that machine. In 2009 I bought a Mac Mini and liked it very much, too, enjoying the flexibility of it and its small size while being able to use any size monitor I chose. Right the household is shared with a 15" 2015 MBP, a 2018 15" MBP and the fully maxed-out 2017 12" MacBook, plus a couple of iPads and iPhones.....

Agree those Mac Pro’s are a beast to carry. We used to take 9 to a trade show. It’s also what dented my Golf the other week.
Sorted now though.

 

[Clix Pix]

Yes, a male friend of mine had to come over, wrestle the Mac Pro on to a dolly and wheel it out to his car, wrestle the thing into the car, and then go through all of that again at the store... When I got the call that the machine was ready for pickup I called him again and we went through the process in reverse. I think it was about a year later when I sold that machine because I realized it was just unrealistic for me. If I were a professional photographer with thousands of images to process for clients and all that, fine, a Mac Pro would be appropriate, but not for me, just an amateur, a hobbyist.... Now with my MBPs, portability is a huge factor in being able to simply tuck the thing into a sleeve or bag and take it over to the Apple store, as I had to do with the 2015 15" a couple of months ago.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

^^ Hmm. I had sort of forgotten this is the "what's on your mind" thread in the process of just responding to a post about gear insurance at the then end of the thread...

... so thanks for reminding me... I think.

Good luck with your project.

Indeed. I did blink when my eyes fell on the post in question.

Imagine my absolute surprise, no lie, when it wasn't one of two usernames I expected to have made such a casual post.

Yes, agreed.

And what an ugly verb, one, moreover, that should take an infinitive in the circumstances.

I also did a double check.

Waiting for a phone call from our estate agent to let us know our chain is complete.
Our new (hopefully), property is very much on my mind.

As did I.

Good luck with the phone call.

 

[0388631]

Just how delicious peanut butter and dulce de leche would taste like combined. Probably get out the pressure cooker next weekend and see for myself.
[doublepost=1568520418][/doublepost]

Sorted now though.

Where have you hid his body?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just how delicious peanut butter and dulce de leche would taste like combined. Probably get out the pressure cooker next weekend and see for myself.

Resembling a sort of creamy version of salted caramel?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just how delicious peanut butter and dulce de leche would taste like combined. Probably get out the pressure cooker next weekend and see for myself.
[doublepost=1568520418][/doublepost]
Where have you hid his body?

Ha. It’s all good. Work are picking up the tab.

And I get to remind the guy about it everyday! He’s a cyclist so already anticar.

 

[0388631]

Resembling a sort of creamy version of salted caramel?

Possibly. Peanut butter tends to seize when you add any type of sugar to it, including honey or fructose. I may have to grind my own with some added groundnut oil (peanut oil for anyone confused), to make up for how much it'll seize. The other option is a very runny natural organic peanut butter I'll buy often. I got the idea after watching some cake video on YouTube.

Not a single peanut butter tastes remotely similar to other brands, IMO. And I've never had homemade batches taste the same. The best peanuts are the ones with a higher fat content but also higher natural sugars. Though if you overwork them, the peanut butter won't have the silky feeling on the tongue. Glue like, yes. Too much heat during processing and the oil may begin to turn faster than it would otherwise. That you can stop by putting the jar into the refrigerator. Thereby preventing the emulsion from separating.

Dulce de leche is available in a can, but it's sweeter than what I'd like. I personally opt for cooking the sweet condensed milk for several hours until it's almost gelatinous inside. Break it up some and it'll last forever in the refrigerator. Has a nice balance between bitter and sweet. Also much easier to incorporate into pastry cream or whipped cream.

Ha. It’s all good. Work are picking up the tab.

And I get to remind the guy about it everyday! He’s a cyclist so already anticar.

Karma might get him. In the form of a lorry crushing his parked bike. One can dream. Alternatively, you could rent a small lorry.

 

[Expos of 1969]

The soon to start NHL season.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Possibly. Peanut butter tends to seize when you add any type of sugar to it, including honey or fructose. I may have to grind my own with some added groundnut oil (peanut oil for anyone confused), to make up for how much it'll seize. The other option is a very runny natural organic peanut butter I'll buy often. I got the idea after watching some cake video on YouTube.

Not a single peanut butter tastes remotely similar to other brands, IMO. And I've never had homemade batches taste the same. The best peanuts are the ones with a higher fat content but also higher natural sugars. Though if you overwork them, the peanut butter won't have the silky feeling on the tongue. Glue like, yes. Too much heat during processing and the oil may begin to turn faster than it would otherwise. That you can stop by putting the jar into the refrigerator. Thereby preventing the emulsion from separating.

Dulce de leche is available in a can, but it's sweeter than what I'd like. I personally opt for cooking the sweet condensed milk for several hours until it's almost gelatinous inside. Break it up some and it'll last forever in the refrigerator. Has a nice balance between bitter and sweet. Also much easier to incorporate into pastry cream or whipped cream.



Karma might get him. In the form of a lorry crushing his parked bike. One can dream. Alternatively, you could rent a small lorry.

I’ll just remove his seat and poor sand down the frame.

 

[Matz]

The sheer amount of work that it takes to simply maintain a house and a farm, including outbuildings and fences.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The sheer amount of work that it takes to simply maintain a house and a farm, including outbuildings and fences.

That, - the sheer amount of work, repetitive work, and sometimes back-breaking work - I suspect, is one of the main reasons why, historically, people (especially women) fled from the countryside to cities and other urban spaces in droves.

 

[Matz]

That, - the sheer amount of work, repetitive work, and sometimes back-breaking work - I suspect, is one of the main reasons why, historically, people (especially women) fled from the countryside to cities and other urban spaces in droves.

That, and economic and social opportunities that simply aren’t available in areas with low population density. As a rule, Rural internet access is barely functional. Going grocery shopping takes more planning, and time, due to the longer distances. And the food selection isn’t nearly as wide as you’ll find in the city. Police, fire, and medical services are slower to arrive when needed. Many of the children of farmers go to university, and comparatively few major in areas that would be useful in the rural areas. As a result, a majority move to urban and suburban areas.

This is in part due to a lack of good jobs, and in part due to the quality of the local workforce. “It’s hard to find good help” is especially true in this area, according to the merchants I’ve talked with.

Poverty in the rural south is generational and widespread. I don’t know the proportions, but From what I gather from folks working in local government, a significant portion of the local population receives some sort of government assistance.

But farmers are some of the hardest-working people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. They don’t get regular days off, and if weather or equipment issues intervene, they work even harder and longer. They by necessity are resourceful, and many have embraced new technologies applicable to remote sensing of crop yields, rainfall patterns, and calibrating the application of soil amendments and seeds based on soils tests.

Yet in this region of the country - the south- many family farms are within a generation of being lost.

On one hand, I find it truly odd that this is happening, in that every one of us relies on the food and other agricultural products that come from farms. And farmers by and large are up to the task of providing us with those things.

On the other hand, given market and political forces that affect farming - both directly and indirectly - it is understandable why this apparent decline is happening.

Most of the people I work with in my job are farmers, were once farmers, or come from farm families. I have been welcomed into the community, and honored to be so. Which it makes even more personally distressing to see the local and Regional trends in farming.

So this afternoon I think I’ll get on the tractor, hook it up to the Bush Hog, and go trim some of the overgrown areas on this farm that desperately need it. And that’s just maintenance. There are broken fence posts that need replaced or repair. And I just finished replacing a rotted bathroom floor in the house.

Come tomorrow morning, it’s back to my day job at the mining company. A large part of which involves maintaining landowner relations, and trying to keep them happy while helping the company do what it needs to do.
Guess I’ll get to some of those fenceposts during the evenings this week. Got to have good fences, as goat breeding season is mere weeks away.

It never ends.