Archive
Look, Ma! Do-it-yourself MacBook Pro repair
About six months ago, I tripped on a running shoe and stepped on the case of my MacBook Pro, cracking the glass. The MacBook was less than a year old at the time, and a repair through Apple was going to cost me more than I wanted to spend.
I’m going to fix it myself!
Years ago, I was a systems analyst, which was a fancy name for a girl geek who did everything from software training to server upkeep. I also maintained more than 50 laptops for a national news organization, so I had seen my share of abused laptops; they usually weren’t mine, though. If I had cracked my display in 2003, I would have fixed it myself. So why not now?
I did some googling, found a place that sells MacBook glass, bought the panel, a tool kit and a special suction cup. Then I let all that shit sit in the Amazon boxes for three months — until the other day when I got up the nerve to do the repair.
I watched a couple of YouTube videos that explained the complications of replacing the displays on the Unibody models, and I finally settled on one by Small Dog Electronics, an Apple reseller and Mac repair shop in Waitsfield, Vt. The tech in the video was clear, concise and careful. She was precise in her message, explaining this was not a beginner’s repair and urging caution and patience. She was right; it was not. Although I succeeded in replacing my glass panel, I did not need to replace the LCD — and if I had, I’m not sure whether I would have attempted it. If you do, and if you’re thinking of replacing it yourself, heed the advice of Small Dog Electronics and consider having a pro do it. Watch the video, which has a second part, and see for yourself.
Nielsen: Top U.S. Web Brands in 2011
Nielsen reports that Google is still the top web brand in 2011, followed by Facebook, which is where Americans spend the most time online. According to Nielsen’s Q3 social media report, Facebook users spent 53.5 billion minutes on the site in May 2011. (I bet I work with some of those Facebook enthusiasts.) It is also the top social networking site through mobile devices: 46,500,000 unique audience members.
When trivial became good again: On iPods, 9/11, and Steve Jobs
In 2011, it’s hard sometimes to remember there was life before Facebook or iPhones. It’s hard to remember that one had to sit down at a computer and log into an email account rather than having the messages delivered to a smartphone in a pocket. It’s hard to remember the once-coveted music compact discs and their portable players, and it’s nearly impossible to remember music was once played by a moving stylus on a plastic disk with grooves. And although new names make headlines every day, a look at the past decade’s nearly frenzied embrace of technology shows the influence, the reach of Steve Jobs.
Although I had used Apples and Macs at school and work for years, Apple gave me my first real taste of truly personal tech in 2001. Shortly after 9/11, the news service where I worked received two supercool-looking gadgets from Apple they wanted us to test drive and write about. It was called an iPod, and its 5GB hard drive held “1,000 songs in your pocket.” (A 1,000 songs?!! Really?!!) I got to take one home and play with it — and I played with it for hours, which turned into days. After my test drive, I was able to pre-order one. I was one of the first people in America to own an iPod. It’s probably my greatest achievement.
Read more…
What are you toting? Tablets vs. e-Readers
The percentage of U.S. adults with e-readers doubled between November and May, from 6% to 12%, according to a new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Interestingly, tablet usage among adult users isn’t growing as fast.
Lady Gaga goes bald — She was born that way
Lady Gaga performs “Hair” on the Paul O’Grady Show. At the time of this writing, the video had 525,011 views, 4,411 likes, 757 dislikes.
Do you think she really shaved her head? Looks likes she’s sporting a skullcap to me.
UPDATE: From the same show, “Edge of Glory,” which I liked a lot more before I learned it’s probably about her dead grandpa. Smokin’ hot costume, though.
From ReachMail: 40 years of e-mail
ReachMail, a marketing email service, has produced a fabulous infographic that looks at the first 40 years of electronic mail — quite possibly the greatest invention ever.
Who can remember life before it?
IBM at 100: Latest short film on YouTube
My latest distraction from my studies: the short films on YouTube celebrating IBM’s centennial. This is the latest short released, “Wild Ducks: Celebrating 100 years of Visionary Clients.”
From the introduction:
Former IBM chairman Thomas Watson, Jr. knew how important it was to work with people who question the way things are and challenge the status quo. In fact, he even had a name for them. “Wild Ducks” is a film about four IBM clients whose questioning minds and unconventional ideas are transforming our world. See and hear their inspirational stories.
Twitter grows up — sort of
Pew Internet & American Life Project has released a great report that looks at Twitter’s expanding adult user base: 13% of adult Internet users are on Twitter! And they’re not just “younger adults.” Check out the jumps for these groups from November 2010 to May 2011.
Also of note: 95% of Twitter users polled own a mobile phone, and 54% of those users access Twitter on their personal device.
Extra! Extra! Business Insider has Windows 8 pics for tablets
Click the link.
Business Insider has pics of Windows 8 for tablets. Headline declares it "pretty cool." http://t.co/jmZMAqP (via @alleyinsider)—
Jacqui Barrineau (@JBnotes) June 02, 2011
Nielsen: Who’s taking what device to the bathroom
A Q1 survey by the Nielsen Company looks at where — and when — users are using their mobile devices. Of note: 25% of respondents said they take their tablets to the bathroom, while 28% of smartphone users do. Ereaders maintain a bit more dignity, with only 17% taking their device to the can.
Yay for mobility.
Who’s J?
I am Jane Q. Public: consumer and citizen. As I go, so goes the nation. Sometimes.
(But really, click the link.)
At work
At play
|
