Category Archives: technology

Indigo MacBook Neo

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“If computers were cars
the Apple would be a Lexus
for its reliability and elegance
The PC? An AMC Gremlin.”
John Frances Dodge

My MacBook Pro is getting up in age and the charging cable was looking like it might be headed south. Its magnetic connection was not seeding tightly. So, to be on the safe side, I attempted to order a replacement charging cable. I spent several days searching online on my unsuccessful quest. Being the tenacious woman I am, I ended up visiting my local Apple Store.

The young man at the Genius Bar was younger than my laptop but very knowledgeable. I explained to him my years of owning different Apple products especially their computers starting with the 1983 Apple Lisa. Through the decades, I always found Apple computers workhorses, but their cables never lasted more than a few years. The young Genius was very sympathetic and attempted to find a replacement for my cable but told me Apple no longer makes that particular cable. I was not happy but not surprised to hear this news. He was very helpful and took the time to go online and found that Best Buys sells my particular charging cable.

While I was talking with this young man, we talked about the Neo. He showed me all the features and he was shocked when I told him I wanted the Indigo Neo. I was surprised myself to walk out of the Apple Store with another Apple product.

I first heard about the Neo from my friend the rocket scientist and computer genius. Yes, he is really a rocket scientist. I researched about this new product last year and had wanted to test drive it, but I never thought I would actually buy one.

This sleek little piece of hardware is extrordinary. The first thing I noticed is how weightless, smooth, fast and cool it runs. You read that correctly, it runs cool as in the temperature is cool. My old laptop always runs hot, but this little laptop is always cool to the touch. Which might explain why it collects less dust and dirt than my MacBook. This might sound weird to some, but maybe that’s why the Neo battery stays charged three times longer than my old laptop.

To be on the safe side, I did end up ordering a new magnetic charging cable from Best Buys. The new cable works great and seems to charge faster than the original cable, so that was a plus.

The real plus was buying my new little laptop. It’s compact, weighs no more than my Apple iPad, has tons of storage, boots up quick and is my new muscle for my hustle to write and create content using my Indigo MacBook Neo.

Shine One

Father of the Cell Phone

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“An inventor is one who can see the applicability
of means to supply demand five years before it is
obvious to those skilled in the art.”
Reginald Fessenden

Our cell phones have the capability of a supercomputer. They can perform as a cell phone and instantly they are a computer, television, music playing device, camera, video camera, library, GPS, and a gaming system.

What I find interesting is that I use it less and less as a phone. My monthly cell phone bill shows zero actual phone minutes used and thousands of kilobytes used for data.

For example, at the DMV the other day, the line was hours long. So I pulled out my cell phone, and began reading a book from my OverDrive account.

When I looked around the long line of people, I noticed they too were engaged in cell phone activity. I began to wonder, how did cell phones first get started? So, I pulled up Google on my trusted cell phone.

The cell phone dates back to its early inception of the shore-to-ship radio telephony during the Second World War. The inventor, Reginald Fessenden probably never anticipated the huge impact he would have on society. An inveterate tinkerer, Fessenden eventually became the holder of more than 500 patents. His rendition of ‘O Holy Night‘ from a 1906 broadcast was the first coherent audio transmission to be received.

The telephony developed into mobile phones that were first used for automobiles in the 1940’s. The early mobile phones of the 1970’s to the 1990’s were bulky, consumed high power and the telephone network supported only a few simultaneous conversations. The first cell phone I used in 1993 could only be used in the car and was the size of a man’s size 12 shoe.

I wonder how Reginald Fessenden would react to the huge success of his invention? No doubt he would be proud. But, I bet he would of had no idea how far his inventions would take us and that he would become the father of the cell phone.

Shine On

Persistent Illusion

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“People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction
between past, present and future is only
a stubbornly persistent illusion.”
Albert Einstein

Shine On

The Art of Selfies

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“In 2021 pet vanity is the latest trend.”
JR

A selfie is one way to show off your impeccable fashion, as well as proof that you did something or met someone cool. It’s even turned a few lucky, ordinary people with no special talent, into having a profitable career.

Selfies have been around for more than thirty years. It became popular after Paris Hilton and Britney Spears posed for a selfie.

I was surprised to learn, the first selfie was taken in 1839 on a daguerreotype camera by Robert Cornelius in Philadelphia. Cornelius was an amateur chemist and photography enthusiast. He took the image by removing the lens cap and then running into frame where he sat for a minute before covering up the lens again.

As if there isn’t enough selfie competition, lately the animal kingdom has gotten into the game. Animal selfies are not only amusing, but they might even make you a bit jealous. Some of them are indubitably photogenic.

From wild animals to domesticated pets, these creatures have perfected the art of selfies. 

Shine On

Good Writings to Read

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“I find television very educating.
Every time somebody turns on the set,
I go into the other room and read a book.”
 Groucho Marx


This year I decided that I spend too much time in front of the television, so I finally cut the cord. Not that I don’t enjoy watching all my favorite shows, but most of these shows I can watch on other noncable outlets. For example, my library has watching apps such as Hoopla, Kanopy and Pluto TV, all free if you have a library card.

Last year I promised myself that I would read a book a week. I came very close to that goal and missed it by only three books. Actually, I would have exceeded my goal if I had not watched so much television.

Most of the books I read last year were from my public library. This library is a beautiful old Spanish style building from the 1920s, situated on exquisite grounds with peacocks wandering throughout the property. I love visiting this library because of its picturesque setting and because it is rarely busy. I’m always able to get whatever books I want to read without having to wait weeks or days, even during a pandemic.

My favorite way to read is using my iPad for its ease of reading. If I want to read a magazine, my library has them for free using the app, Flipster. However, most of the books I read are downloaded to my iPad from the library using the app, OverDrive.

Whichever means of reading magazines and books I choose this coming year, I will have my plate full of good writings to read.

Shine On