Category Archives: gadgets

backing up

05 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in computers, gadgets

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How often do you back up your computer files? I’ve been doing  back-ups on this cute little external HD quite regularly, about once a month. Is that enough? And do you then erase what you’ve backed-up to HD in order to make more space on your computer? I’ve always been a bit nervous about doing that – just in case! – until now. Mostly because I’m really running out of space on the laptop.

Hmmm… maybe it’s time to buy a new laptop? People keep telling me I should get a Mac Pro but I’ve never had a Mac before. Would rather have another sexy Toshiba.

my loaner ipad

19 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in gadgets, geekiness, internet, ipad, social media, work

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A week or so ago I was telling my friend Juan (who owns the Vineria San Telmo, one of my top-five fave tapas bars in Sevilla) that I was seriously considering getting an iPad. He’s had one for a couple of years and, in his opinion, thought I’d do better getting a small MacBook Air. And well, I could see his point because an iPad is kind of just a big iPhone, except you can’t make phone calls on it.

BUT… it really would be useful for when I want to visit clients and show them my social media presentations, or their page on my Sevilla Tapas blog. It would easily fit into my handbag and doesn’t weigh much, so I could pretty much always have it with me. I wouldn’t always carry around a small computer, no matter how lightweight. And besides, the MacBook Air costs twice as much as an iPad. But Juan insisted that it was worth it because it was actually a computer, whereas the iPad is, well, just a big iPhone.

BUT… I already have two laptops. And if I have to upgrade at some point, which may actually happen soonish, I’d want a proper laptop with a decent sized screen, not a mini-sized MacBook.

And so I was telling all this to Juan and he suggested that I borrow his iPad for a few days to see if it was actually suited to my needs. What a generous offer! So I picked it up on Saturday (photo was taken outside Juan’s restaurant) and within five minutes I was hooked. I LOVE it. But now that this decision has been made I am suddenly faced with another dilemma, because apparently the iPad3 is coming out in March. So do I wait until March to put myself into debt 600€ or do it now? Will the iPad3 be that much better that it’ll be worth the wait? What if it’s even more expensive? Or maybe I should wait until March and pick up an iPad2 for a song (if possible)?

What should I do? What would you do?

más música!

16 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in christmas, gadgets, music, video

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It all started when I bought a bit of Christmas music on iTunes…

I was going to order a couple of Christmas CDs from Amazon but then remembered that my CD player was on the fritz. And then I remembered that I could just download stuff and put it on my iPod! Well, isn’t that just too easy. Like today, when I felt like something other than Christmas music but still wanted something joyous. Like Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations that I still have somewhere on a cassette (remember those?). So I found it on iTunes (the 1955 version, the video shows a later version) and was listening to it within a few minutes. And so then I bought some Keith Jarrett. And a couple of singles by Aretha Franklin and Journey. And then I went… OMG GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Dangerous stuff. But as I no longer buy a book a week maybe it’s time to start plumping up my music collection.

in sync

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in fitness, gadgets, gym, health & happiness

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Ever since I got my *ahem* iPod Nero it’s been a great alternative to using my mini stereo, which is just as well as it seems it was damaged during the move and the CD thingy no longer recognises when it has a CD in it. But the thing about my iPod is that it’s packed full of music, a lot of which was given to me and isn’t stuff I necessarily what I want to listen to every day, and so – almost four years later! – I got around to syncing it yesterday and creating a couple of playlists. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to do this.

I also finally recharged my little clip-on Shuffle (which has been sitting on my desk here since the move) and wore it to the gym. Which was really the reason I bought it in the first place and – oh man! – what bliss not to have to listen to the gawd-awful crap they have blasting there. Not only that, but the music of my choice actually inspired my workout and I didn’t feel like cutting it short just to get away from the throbbing electro beat bullshit that more often than not leaves me feeling stressed out and annoyed. Another positive step.

Now I’m quite looking forward to making a few more playlists and getting better use out of my iPod. Better late than never.