Well, it's that time of year again. Macworld has rolled around and
people are flocking to New York City to take part in a Macintosh
extravaganza.
Sigh. Every year (twice a year, really) I look at all the fun to
be had and the action going down at the Expo and wish I could join
in. I always promise myself that I'll make plans for the next
pilgrimage, but, when it rolls around, I'm stuck reading updates on
the Web. Because I'm fairly involved in the Mac community, walking
around without even one Macworld under my belt seems a bit odd.
There's the cost factor, of course. For now, I'd rather budget
money to upgrading my Mac. I'm waiting for my a new accelerator card
right now. Trips to other locations also eat away at my savings.
Then, of course, my better half just doesn't get all the fuss over a
machine that she uses to write term papers, so getting her to come
along would not be a simple task. Going alone is a clear possibility
but hey, it's always more fun with a group, right?
Why go? I've been to trade shows before, and the day is usually,
at best, interesting. At worst, it's a waste of time. What would be
different about Macworld?
Well, the Mac is closer to my heart than most things. I love
working on and writing about Macs. I can really relate to the
products and people at the show. It's exciting for me to see where
the industry is going and learn about all the great things going on.
Seeing and goofing around with new products is way better than
reading about them on the Web.
Actually meeting some people I correspond with within the Mac
community would also be a huge bonus. I haven't met the publisher of
Low End Mac, and it would be fun to sit down and have a chat.
And then there's Steve. I have never experienced the Reality
Distortion Field, but it would great to get the chance. People tell
me he's quite a showman.
More than anything, however, I think I'd just like to feel the
energy that surrounds the platform. I get a taste of it through the
web sites I read and the personal correspondence I have with other
Mac lovers but I somehow think that being crammed into a building
with thousands of other Mac devotees would be an amazing experience.
I'd find it interesting to be able to turn to anyone around me and
mention how great the new MacSoft games are and get something more
than just blank stare.
So, to all the lucky dogs at Macworld, stop for a moment and think
of those less fortunate.
Anyone interested in splitting a hotel room with me at the New
York show next year?
Stephen Van
Esch is the founder and president of
the
E-learning Foundry, an online training
resource for Mac users. Steve loves the Mac and is doubly bilingual,
since he's also fluent in Windows and French.
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