O Wise Blir-man!

[shovelbum]

Well, Blir, you probably remember we had a conversation a few months ago about Mac.

I am here to say that you were right right right! I realize now that you were only trying to gently show me the path of enlightenment, but I was too stubborn to go down that path (plus I'd just spent alot of money on a new microsoft PC and had no money left!).

At any rate, I just got a new Mac laptop last week and it has been NIRVANA!!! How can the Neanderthals keep banging their heads against their caves with their windows programs when they can be using one of these sweet little slices of technological ambrosia?

I shall never doubt you again, O Wise Blir-Person, where computer technologies are involved.

PS How is the new BlirPod?

"I'm subversive as hell!" ~Theodor Geisel

[eight6]

[quote]Originally posted by shovelbum
[br]Well, Blir, you probably remember we had a conversation a few months ago about Mac.

I am here to say that you were right right right! I realize now that you were only trying to gently show me the path of enlightenment, but I was too stubborn to go down that path (plus I'd just spent alot of money on a new microsoft PC and had no money left!).

At any rate, I just got a new Mac laptop last week and it has been NIRVANA!!! How can the Neanderthals keep banging their heads against their caves with their windows programs when they can be using one of these sweet little slices of technological ambrosia?

I shall never doubt you again, O Wise Blir-Person, where computer technologies are involved.

PS How is the new BlirPod?

"I'm subversive as hell!" ~Theodor Geisel
[/quote]

Fascinating. I've always found Blir lacking in the ability to convey the obvious to others. Could you give us more detail about what exactly was said to convince you to purchase a Mac? I'd be ever so interested in what persuasive argument he put forth.

[shovelbum]

Funny you never noticed the obvious in such statements as "YOU FAT STUPID FUCK!!!" Or something of that gist!

"I'm subversive as hell!" ~Theodor Geisel

[djcraig]

Welcome to the Mac Club, Shovelbum.

No longer will you have to deal with undecipherable error messages, viruses and trying to think like a programmer to figure out how to get something to work.

Since it's too big to use as a door stop, I have my old pc on a shelf alongside an old 8 track tape deck, a dusty pager and a dot matrix printer.

Bill Gates is the Devil and deserves to reside in Hell forever for all the frustration he's put humanity through.


<a href="http://www.djcraig.net/los_angeles_dj">DJ Craig</a>

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by shovelbum[/i]
<br>Funny you never noticed the obvious in such statements as "YOU FAT STUPID FUCK!!!" Or something of that gist!

"I'm subversive as hell!" ~Theodor Geisel
[/quote]

A rare example of Blir getting it right...which BTW I noted quite clearly in the thread by adding "Best post ever". It must have escaped you because it was prior to you being freed from your neanderthalian shackles.

So what was it he was trying to tell you that went over your head?

[KYYX4ever]

I'm fairly neutral on the PCs vs. macs divide, as I'm not so computer-oriented to really be invested in choosing a side.

But boy oh boy ! Our school's computers have been hit HARD by some vicious viruses of late, viruses that have affected the whole school district actually, and the tech people are pulling out their hair trying to get the bottom of it. Awful invectives have been hurled against PCs. Those of us who have Macs in our rooms have escaped this plague, thus far. It's been crazy.

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>I'm fairly neutral on the PCs vs. macs divide, as I'm not so computer-oriented to really be invested in choosing a side.

But boy oh boy ! Our school's computers have been hit HARD by some vicious viruses of late, viruses that have affected the whole school district actually, and the tech people are pulling out their hair trying to get the bottom of it. Awful invectives have been hurled against PCs. Those of us who have Macs in our rooms have escaped this plague, thus far. It's been crazy.
[/quote]


While viruses are annoying and sometimes costly, if a PC is adequately protected with a quality anti-virus, it really shouldn't pose a problem. Also, a bit of self discipline is necessary to avoid opening suspect e-mails.

I've used Macs sparingly, and I'll admit to playing with them at stores, but other than the curiosity aspect, I'm not really drawn to them. I guess I'm just a knuckle draggin' Neanderthal.

[coop41]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>

. I guess I'm just a knuckle draggin' Neanderthal.
[/quote]

Join the rest of the gajillions that have chosen PC's over Mac... and see ya at Wal Mart!

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by coop41[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>

. I guess I'm just a knuckle draggin' Neanderthal.
[/quote]

Join the rest of the gajillions that have chosen PC's over Mac... and see ya at Wal Mart!
[/quote]


I'll be the guy insisting that the greeter check the contents of my Wal-mart bag.

[KYYX4ever]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>I'm fairly neutral on the PCs vs. macs divide, as I'm not so computer-oriented to really be invested in choosing a side.

But boy oh boy ! Our school's computers have been hit HARD by some vicious viruses of late, viruses that have affected the whole school district actually, and the tech people are pulling out their hair trying to get the bottom of it. Awful invectives have been hurled against PCs. Those of us who have Macs in our rooms have escaped this plague, thus far. It's been crazy.
[/quote]

While viruses are annoying and sometimes costly, if a PC is adequately protected with a quality anti-virus, it really shouldn't pose a problem. Also, a bit of self discipline is necessary to avoid opening suspect e-mails.
[/quote]
yes, that is correct. But so far, the tech guys think it is kids who try to Instant Message or check their own emails on school computers. Teachers try to monitor as much as they can, but you know teenagers...sneaky little buggers who secretly hide it. If there are 35 kids in a class, it's hard to look over every one of their shoulders if the teacher is actually walking around and helps kids individually.
Also likely is that the school district [i]doesn't[/i] have the highest quality virus protection. No Child Left a Dime doesn't allocate much money for any of that. The $$ are being allocated to teaching kids how to bubble in tests. But I digress.

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>I'm fairly neutral on the PCs vs. macs divide, as I'm not so computer-oriented to really be invested in choosing a side.

But boy oh boy ! Our school's computers have been hit HARD by some vicious viruses of late, viruses that have affected the whole school district actually, and the tech people are pulling out their hair trying to get the bottom of it. Awful invectives have been hurled against PCs. Those of us who have Macs in our rooms have escaped this plague, thus far. It's been crazy.
[/quote]

While viruses are annoying and sometimes costly, if a PC is adequately protected with a quality anti-virus, it really shouldn't pose a problem. Also, a bit of self discipline is necessary to avoid opening suspect e-mails.
[/quote]
yes, that is correct. But so far, the tech guys think it is kids who try to Instant Message or check their own emails on school computers. Teachers try to monitor as much as they can, but you know teenagers...sneaky little buggers who secretly hide it. If there are 35 kids in a class, it's hard to look over every one of their shoulders if the teacher is actually walking around and helps kids individually.
Also likely is that the school district [i]doesn't[/i] have the highest quality virus protection. No Child Left a Dime doesn't allocate much money for any of that. The $$ are being allocated to teaching kids how to bubble in tests. But I digress.

[/quote]

By bubble in tests, do you mean artificially overachieve?

If so, our kids both did something called EQAO testing last year. Nearest I can figure is that they use these tests to rate the competency of the teachers/schools. They spent 2 weeks studying specifically what was on these tests. How can that be an accurate indicator of the quality of teaching going on at the school?

[My Aural Stimulator]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>I'm fairly neutral on the PCs vs. macs divide, as I'm not so computer-oriented to really be invested in choosing a side.

But boy oh boy ! Our school's computers have been hit HARD by some vicious viruses of late, viruses that have affected the whole school district actually, and the tech people are pulling out their hair trying to get the bottom of it. Awful invectives have been hurled against PCs. Those of us who have Macs in our rooms have escaped this plague, thus far. It's been crazy.
[/quote]

While viruses are annoying and sometimes costly, if a PC is adequately protected with a quality anti-virus, it really shouldn't pose a problem. Also, a bit of self discipline is necessary to avoid opening suspect e-mails.
[/quote]
yes, that is correct. But so far, the tech guys think it is kids who try to Instant Message or check their own emails on school computers. Teachers try to monitor as much as they can, but you know teenagers...sneaky little buggers who secretly hide it. If there are 35 kids in a class, it's hard to look over every one of their shoulders if the teacher is actually walking around and helps kids individually.
Also likely is that the school district [i]doesn't[/i] have the highest quality virus protection. No Child Left a Dime doesn't allocate much money for any of that. The $$ are being allocated to teaching kids how to bubble in tests. But I digress.

[/quote]

By bubble in tests, do you mean artificially overachieve?

If so, our kids both did something called EQAO testing last year. Nearest I can figure is that they use these tests to rate the competency of the teachers/schools. They spent 2 weeks studying specifically what was on these tests. How can that be an accurate indicator of the quality of teaching going on at the school?
[/quote]

It can't. That's been a bone of contention with me for as long as I've been teaching. Public school education has become increasingly corporate-minded in terms of student performance on tests proportional to how much money the district/school receives. How revenue and education ever became bed buddies is beyond me.

But this is a topic for another thread. I believe we're all supposed to bask in the glow of the all-knowing Blir, here.

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by My Aural Stimulator[/i]

It can't. That's been a bone of contention with me for as long as I've been teaching. Public school education has become increasingly corporate-minded in terms of student performance on tests proportional to how much money the district/school receives. How revenue and education ever became bed buddies is beyond me.

But this is a topic for another thread. I believe we're all supposed to bask in the glow of the all-knowing Blir, here.
[/quote]

I figured as much about these tests. When I asked if there was a tie in with funding or some similar incentive for the school board I was told no, it was simply a way to gauge where the students were.

But your right...let's bask in the glow of the all knowing, all seeing Blir. Ahhh...

[KYYX4ever]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>
By bubble in tests, do you mean artificially overachieve?
[/quote]

heh heh[:D],
why yes, as a matter of fact, and right there you have pinned the tail on the American Educational Donkey....er, I mean, got straight to the flaw of these "tests". But I digress.