Friday, April 3, 2009

Technology, Family and our Apples

Tonight we had an experience that 10 years ago would have been close to impossible, we connected via iChat using video and voice. My two daughters, one in middle Tennessee, the other in Texas, and we talked for hours over the Internet. Though the video was large there was only a very slight lag, nothing distracting.

The night started when Debi was trying to help my oldest daughter with her taxes. I recommended she connect to her via iChat and share screens - so she could direct my daughter with no, or very little, confusion (it is the IRS). That ended up being a great success and my wife loved the experience.

Soon after Debi called my middle TN daughter and walked her through connecting via iChat. Soon we were all singing and dancing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - seeing each other while doing it. We laughed and laughed.

We might have been able to do this with PCs...but Apple's iChat put all the video in one window and was extremely easy to setup and use. We love our Macs - love the fact that it's easy to use, to enjoy each others company. The good of technology without the hassles and frustration I've experienced over the years with Windows.

Microsoft is, in their current campaign, making a point about the cost of buying an Apple vs a PC - They may have a point, though I'd have to argue with the details on most occasions. The biggest benefit to me for the Apple is that I now have time to enjoy my family instead of troubleshooting and tweaking a PC. The Macs in the house work - yes, they just work. So save your money - I'll take my time so I can enjoy my family.

Thank you, Apple.