MacBook Update(s)

This morning I went and bought a replacement Power Supply Unit (Actually MagSafe Power Adapter) and so was able to power up the new MacBook.

First thing it did was predictable. It wanted me to sign up with all kinds of details in relation to the warranty, Apple's marketing needs and anything else that suits them. Like many people I rarely read the full End User Licence Agreement (EULA). Who does (apart from maybe Lawrence Lessig and the EFF)?

It then surprised me a little by downloading lots of crucial-looking updates(I'm used to this from Microsoft) and wanting to re-start.

There was then a moment of confusion (on my part) before I realised it also wanted to perform a firmware download and re-start. Now maybe this is a rarity in the world of Apple and my machine was going online for the first time since it left the factory and was in dire need of the goodies.

It will be interesting to see if this keeps happening or if things quieten down.

Wireless Penetration

Some time ago I mentioned some research that suggested that wireless access increased Internet penetration. Since I've lost the wireless capabilities on my aging laptop I've definitely found it more difficult to keep up blog postings.

I either have to break away from something at work or have to use a particlar computer in a specifc room in my house. When the laptop was fully functional it was much easier to break away from activities for a few moments anywhere in the house (or even garden) and make a quick posting. Must get the wireless sorted!

High Tech Hiatus

There's been a break in posting partly because I'm simply knackered at the moment and have dropped a gear for the so called Easter break and my laptop still has no wireless card at the moment. Think I mentioned that the old one broke recently so I bought a new one last week from Tesco in Barrow in Furness (while visiting relatives) but that worked in Barrow but not since I've got back here.

Wireless Connectivity and Internet Use

Some new research suggests a strong link between the use of wireless networking and patterns of internet usage. If you have wireless you use the web a lot more.

The fact that the wireless card on my laptop got broken a few days ago, and the lack of blog postings since then, may offer further proof to this idea.

I'm currently typing this entry in the dark, in a cold conservatory, on my desktop machine. Whereas I might normally have done it on the laptop from anywhere in the house. Probably a nice warm room with a TV in it. So there may well be something in this new report...