Mini Apple Rant and aww bombs

When Apple (the computer/consumer gadget company) came out with the G5 computers a few years ago they switched from PCI expansion slots to PCI-X expansion slots. The PCI-X slot is slightly different from the regular PCI slot. Because of that change we couldn't put our $3,500 MPEG-2 encoder card into the then new and much faster computers. Most of the new PCI cards at the time did work in the new PCI-X slots. Still, it would've been nice to have at least one normal PCI slot for the new machines. We still have the encoder card on the old machine because we didn't want to pay to have it replaced.

Apple is at it again. This past Wednesday they announced the new G5 Power Mac computers. This time they dropped PCI-X and AGP and went with PCI Express. Again, it's a new and more advanced technology and again they haven't left any legacy technology. This time, however, none of the hardware cards you already own will plug into the new slots. They aren't compatible with PCI, PCI-X or your AGP graphics slot. One could argue that they're doing that to save money however, they're machines are generally more expensive than comparable competing systems. (Which, by the way, continue to support older standards while incorporating new tech).

So Apple is sending off another big "screw you!" to it's professional customers who've spent thousands of dollars on hardware and would like to upgrade to the fastest new machines.

Argh. I was thinking about switching at some point, but things like this make me glad I haven't.

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A memo/announcement on the website of where I work:

LUPD Bomb Recognition Training Oct. 24 & 25
LU Police Department

There will be a school for police officers about bomb recognition on October 24 and 25 held at the Liberty University Police Department.

On Monday late afternoon and Tuesday morning bomb demonstrations will be done.

Monday - vehicles will be used over at the old intramural fields south of the East Campus

Tuesday - one of the trailers at the OLD LUPD office area will be used for booby traps.

Please make sure you stay away from both areas.


Aww... that sounds pretty cool. I'd rather watch than stay away.