|
Mac Diaries
is a form for computer people to with nowhere else to go
Mac OS X Server, a Safe
and Intelligent Move?
Bill Gates has been preaching like a televangelist for a year now how
security is Microsoft's main concern, but his released security fixes
continue to fix nothing. Bill's wife isn't named Tammy Faye Gates,
is she?
by Erik Hansen
Mac Unloads Arsenal of New
Hot Apps and Hardware
 Just
when the novelty of the innovative products apple released wears off, they
drop another bomb on the computer world, raising the bar yet again for
hardware and software manufacturers.
By Erik Hansen
Why Hack A Mac?
 Are Macs the quintessential security juggernaut as they claim to be, or
are they not as enticing as their PC counterparts to hackers? Apple claims to
have a firm grip on computer security and promise safe computers to their end users, but the real truth is hackers can't be bothered with computers
that have no data of use to them.
by Erik Hansen
10
Things to do with a Mac in a Struggling Economy
by Erik Hansen
 |
1. A Paperweight
2. Aerodynamic Testing Module off a high-rise
3. Hate mail generator
4. DVD player
5. Porn site search engine
6. HEPA Air filter (add screen to fan)
7. Shelf-Art
8. Stereo
9. Door Jam
10. Stool
|
With layoffs and an overflow of Mac professionals looking for jobs, Mac's have
become $4,000 paperweights. Ad agencies have been closing, marketing
departments cut to bare bones, and internet design has just about come to a
screeching halt. I have considered using my Mac as an aerodynamic testing
unit off the top of my building.
Since the economy's struggles, the Mac faithful have been encountering many
tough hardships. The majority of Mac users are part of the design
community, which is mostly limited to advertising via print or web, and
video/3D. Unfortunately, the first thing cut from budgets in the corporate
world is the non-profit-earning marketing department. Layoffs and budget
cuts have left an influx of qualified design professionals chomping at the bit
for lousy under-paid positions previously deemed for entry-level workers.
What happened was, in the previously successful economy, budgets were high and
so were designers' salaries. Not to mention the art of computer graphics
was a new skill, with many schools not having the technical knowledge or capital
to buy computer labs full of expensive Mac's and software, leaving a high demand
and a small amount of qualified applicants. Salaries skyrocketed above what
was paid for a traditional marketing professional. Schools saw this demand
and jumped on the opportunity to offer courses in the new and exciting field of
graphics with "limitless possibilities!" I too was one of the
idiots who fell for this propaganda, when I should have gone into Information
Services.
Now we have thousands of schools pumping out design students by the barrelful
every semester, flooding the field even worse than it was before. I have
friends with graphic degrees working at bars, restaurants, and department
stores. I myself worked as a busboy for 4 months before being "lucky
enough" to land a job with a pre-press company. At least I got a job,
right! I say screw that, this blows! I worked for a year at the
pre-press company with no benefits, long hours, extreme pressured deadlines, and
way below average pay. Now what do I have? I have a semi-better
position, still no benefits, no paid holidays, no sick days, no vacation days
for a year, hourly pay, and a bureaucratic corporation telling me what to do.
So what do we do, I say LEARN A NEW SKILL! Obviously, this has extreme
limits and dwindling pay rates, get out while you still can. Just think,
do you want to be 40 years old, too old to start over again, earning $25,000 a
year and being laid off every time the economy hits a low point (about every 3
years)?
Letters
from the Edge, The Mac Diaries
by Erik Hansen
The last 7 years I have been trained to hate PC's and everyone using
them including their mothers and pets. However, as I have leapt into the
professional scene with my Mac skills in hand, I have realized a few things.
There aren't that many jobs out there for a Mac expert comparatively. Limiting
myself to 5% of the computer market just about brought some of my career
aspirations to a screeching halt.
Of course there is always advertising and web design, but I have found there is
a glass ceiling that limits your movement to the top. Top positions still
rely on business and managerial skills, not Mac training and understanding.
So how do we reach to the top with our Mac training? One of the few things
we have to do is be inventive with our skills. Starting your own business
with what you have learned is a possibility, but not servicing or maintaining
Macs, the 5% market share will still kill you. Believe it or not you can
use your Mac skills to obtain fortune, but I'm not telling, I don't want all of
you taking the few ideas left.
Yes Macs are "cooler," yes they are more stable, and yes they are
faster (by a hair but not for long), but Apple has in their infinite wisdom cut
themselves from the majority of the market by refusing clones with their OS
installed. Idiots! Now as they are getting a bit larger they are
cutting corners they were previously notorious of keeping in tact.
Shipping out computers with bad logic boards. Hard drives, and monitors have
pissed a lot of us off. What is this leading to? I say mediocrity.
For Apple to see their sales rising as they stoop lower in quality makes it more
advantageous to stoop lower.
So after years of being a strong Mac-backer, I have now become bitter. I
will keep using my Mac, but I have already started studying PC's. You may
now call me "The Bitter Mac Administrator".
You may contact Erik at, ErikHansen@thenetworkadministrator.com
Erik's
Bio
|
|
