So It Goes . . .

. . . The final disassembly of my trusty iBook of the last ~4.5 years. I'm typing now from a brand new "BlackBook" (black MacBook). As I've gotten it configured, it's started to feel a little more like "home," but won't be fully so till I can get the data off of my old computer. With a little elbow grease and a little case to run the hard drive from my iBook out of, making this computer "home" shouldn't be too hard, hopefully.

Once I can find my way to an open wireless network, I can get online from the brand new iPod Touch that came with!

Undead Frankenbook - Posting from the MSU Library

Alas, the solder job was my last stand. I can't keep fixing it like this. Not an hour after I posted last night, I had the Frankenbook running in my room, and I jogged it - nothing bad (normally), mind. It promptly went into "I'm gonna sleep because I think the lid's closed" mode again (and again, staying as such), and this is making me think there's another component near the lid catch that's broken, and a. I don't want to do any more surgeries; they are exhausting and interfere with energy levels I should be putting toward running, and b. I don't know if I can fix that part anyway.

So, in light of the "Nothing Else I Can Do" situation and the Frankenbook's undead state, I'm currently *under orders* to pick out a new computer. Now comes the other tough decision: do I buy a new computer this weekend, or wait till the end of September for the big product line upgrade? I've been looking at the features rumored to be appearing in as early as a month and a half (probably right after the back to school deal ends, which is September 15th).

The MacRumors blog has entries pointing to a major redesign of both the MacBook and the iPod Touches (options available to me RIGHT NOW with the student discount).

Rumors surrounding the MacBook upgrade include:

-Transition from plastic case to an aluminum case (not in favor; heat & impact protection issues. Metal will not protect the guts of the computer during a drop/fall as much as plastic. Given how this Frankenbook deal started, this is a concern of mine).

-Glass trackpad. I can only assume it would make the trackpad similar to that of the touchscreen on the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Personally, I'm VERY intrigued. No one knows what this will look like yet, what it will be able to do (multitouch is pretty much guaranteed, but will it navigate like the 'pods?)

-Structurally (aside from the metal casing), the new MacBook is rumored to have a more rounded shape, similar to that of the Air. Dunno how that affects the tensile strength/impact resistance of the metal case, which is something I'd like to discuss with an Apple tech as well.

-One of the BIG rumors is that this is going to be a transitional model to a "tablet"-style laptop, so there is potential (as always) of significant software/firmware bugs.

Currently, the iPod Touch features music/movie capability, full-screen touch, aluminum casing on the back side, WiFi connectivity, and the ability to surf Internet/e-mail. The back to school deal allows for the possibility of an 8GB model only. Small capacity.

Rumors for the iPod Touch include (and I'm only throwing this in as a residual interest related to the back to school deal. And I'm totally in love with these things):

-Possibility of the addition of GPS. Given the lukewarm response with regards to the GPS introduced in the 3G iPhone, I don't care about this so much. (It doesn't provide turn-by-turn nav ala Garmin because the antennae are too close together.)

-Capacity/price changes.

-First upgrade since Sept. 07 release.

No one appears to know much more than that regarding the iPod Touch. Hopes are for it to be rid of the aluminum backing and have 3G connectivity. Many seem to think it will start to emulate the features currently seen in the 3G iPhone without actually being a phone: camera, 3G, GPS, etc.

So this is what I'm mulling over today. If the Store were closer, I would not hesitate to go there TODAY (since I'm not at work -- power's out in the building I work in) and pulling some rapid-fire questions at the techs/reps. Looks like maybe Sunday morning, I'll zip down to Troy to ask about data backups and do some heavy questioning with a possible purchase, hopefully back to East Lansing in time to partake in some grueling-but-refreshing Series rehearsals in the afternoon.

Additionally, a few links for your amusement (still on the computer topic):
MacBook Touch? (LOVE comment #9)
Interpretations of the rumored glass trackpad for the new MacBook

As one of my good friends pointed out the other day, I've been posting more about the operational status of my computer (usually during a period when it's actually operating) than I actually do about rocks or field camp. The subjects have more or less become intertwined, though, so I consider the statement nullified. >: )

So, to continue with computer-related posts, the latest incarnation of quirky behavior from this machine I discovered today after work. Powered it up to make sure it would boot without going to sleep (check), tried unsuccessfully to connect to Arialzone (check), then closed the lid and went downstairs to make some (not so good) microwave dinner stuff. Get back upstairs with food in hand and check the computer, only to find it appears to be OFF.

WTF?

Open lid, hit power button --- and the display reactivates. It had just turned the display off (normal for my custom battery settings). No sleep. Must've fixed it too well. Also suggests that the previous malfunctions may have been the computer thinking the lid was closed because of some sort of disconnect between the offending part and the motherboard. It DOES sleep normally when I select the option from the menu.

All in all, I'm hoping it stays this way, because I will take the extra steps to sleep this thing over the alternative any day and everyday.

Anyway, I'm putting up a few more pictures from out West. I'm sitting in front of the (defunct) Burger Down just across the street from campus and am yanking MSU Wireless from Burkee Hall, because it's too nice to languish in my room.


This is the Grand Prismatic Pool in Yellowstone. It's not as spectacular from the ground as it is from the air, but it's still beautiful. I have some great panoramics of this. The color progression is unbelievable.






















Ol' Faithful. It was pretty cool. They have benches ringing most of the way around the geyser and we were there with approximately 500 other people when it erupted (sometime around 1:30 pm). There are several eateries, a visitor's center, and a HUGE gift/food/more food/indoor court thing nearby. Definitely one of the (if not THE) place people in Yellowstone appear to flock to.


























Back to the Tetons. I love this range. Apparently the French did, too (give you one guess what "Tetons" translates to). Took this right after sunset and a GREAT dinner.






















This is from one of the first sites we went to in Yellowstone. Can't remember the name, but I could point it out on a map for you. This was an area riddled with small hydrothermal pools. They drained off into the lake and deposited these spectacular iron oxides mixed with some other stuff -- maybe sulphur?


























Back to the Grand Prismatic Pool area (sorry for the random, I really don't like how Blogger handles images and I'm too lazy to fight with it)! This was in the mid-afternoon and one of the last sites we visited. We spent most of our time there alternatively steam-bathing (in slightly sulphurous steam), marveling at the hydrothermal pools, and watching this beauty of a high-base thunderstorm roll in. In the foreground is one of the smaller pools preceding the Grand Prismatic Pool. The color contrast between the mineral deposits on the ground and the storm above was pretty cool.

Frankenbook Part . . . whatever

Yes, I just resurrected the "Frankenbook" for the third time. Same part, this time with a little extra solder to *hopefully* fix the problem. At least until I can get this bugger BACKED UP!!! (My external hard drive is BURIED and I won't see it again till I can move.)

So right now I'm sitting right next to the Beaumont Tower and picking up wireless from the library. I'm hoping this lasts at LEAST the next two weeks.

Not Dead Yet . . .

Broke my computer. It still runs perfectly. My roommate distracted me with what was floating in the toilet earlier this afternoon when we returned from the field (it was grass), and I had my laptop perched on the window ledge, the only place I could get Internet access at the time.

I walk the 4 feet over to the toilet, where my roommate was standing, and we both jump at a *CRASH* from behind me. Laptop is on the floor with the monitor bent back a little too far. pick it up.

*flop*

Wow, I can see the monitor hookups. Check the hinges? Okay. One hinge is sheared. Plastic case is fine, and the computer is functioning perfectly (okay, as perfectly as a 4.5 year old computer that's on its 3rd hard drive, 2nd OS upgrade, and had a RAM installation will work, which is surprisingly good).

Okay. Turn computer off, try to realign aluminum hinge. No go. Probably bent, because it's trying really hard not to move. Okay, call Mom, have her zip some directions to the nearest Apple Store.

Turn computer back on, finish project with screen propped against the wall, print project and directions to downtown Salt Lake City, eat dinner, head out.

Get to the Apple Store, and there are no more open slots at the Genius Bar. Talk to the nearest rep I see -- consults a tech. Takes the computer back to the repair room, and I'm left to wander the floor for a while.

While the estimate's taking place, I fell in love with the iPod Touches. Will have to get one of those after my Gen 4 iPod kicks it.

Tech comes back out and she tells me that they have to send it out and they have to replace the entire lid section. $600. Totaled. %@&#!!!!!! However! There is another option. I can buy a whole new computer for just a couple of hundred more with my student discount.

Okay, call Mom and discuss. Need more details on computer replacement. Find tech, talk to tech. Turns out it's just "buy a new computer," which she recommends. No surprise, they are salesmen first and foremost. Call Mom again, decide to hang on for the rest of field camp and replace the computer when back in Michigan.

Roommate and I wander around downtown SLC for a couple of hours till most of the shops close. NICE PLACE. I was a little distracted and upset at having totaled my electronic companion of the last 4.5 years, so I couldn't enjoy it fully, but I was overall having a good time.

9 pm rolls around and we head back to Park City, and I boot up my rather flaccid computer to check mail and hunt for hinge parts. I had decided during the drive home that I couldn't justify replacing a computer that's functioning really well. After all, it's been in pieces before this. Multiple times.

Checked out teh Google and found some places where I could buy a 12 inch iBook hinge. $29, free shipping to the Chateau. Okay, pretentious Apple Store techs, take that! The new hinge ships tomorrow, and I've downloaded instructions from iFixit (thanks, GG!) already.

So no, I don't have to retire this computer yet. Maybe in a year. The techs were surprised that I'd already isolated the problem and tested for functionability before getting there. They must deal with some really incompetent people. The bit I don't get about this whole problem is that yeah, it's a PITA to replace components in iBooks, but they're techs. This is *not* an uncommon problem, as my quick searches have revealed. I didn't really even scratch the surface of the results I turned up, and I saw lots of posts detailing exactly my problem. Too bad they can't charge me $50 for labor and parts and just sauck it up and take the damn thing apart. You don't need to replace the ENTIRE lid section, because the monitor sure as hell ain't broken. And it sure ain't worth $600.

On that note, time to prop my trusty laptop against the wall for the night and head for bed. Hiking 2.5 miles tomorrow because the Forest Service won't open the road for the day tomorrow. Not sure why . . .

Pictures of the Tetons still to come. Pans are assembled, and they turned out REALLY well.