Apple IT and Networking

I've been using the Mac since 1994. I'm such a fan, you could put me in the category of fanatics referenced in The Cult of Mac. The Mac is, of course, a graphic designer's tool of choice. As in any trade, a designer should know how to use and maintain their tools. An operating system has become one of today's modern tools. Keeping an OS sharp isn't always easy, but it's important when I'm expected to bill my design time in 5 minute increments! Down time is lost time.

When Apple first considered opening their own retail stores, I was working full time at my current job. While attending a weekend Macintosh Users Group (MUG) meeting, an Apple employee was asking probing questions of the attendees.

They asked, "Would you be interested in talking about Macs in a group environment?"

Absolutely! Talking about Macs on the weekends, and getting paid to do it sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

After several interviews, I was chosen for my ability to listen and provide clear descriptions of what Apple had to offer. Some three or four months later, I was working the showroom floor when the very first Apple Store opened its doors in Tysons Corner, Virginia. It was exciting to be a player in the start of something big.

A lot of the qualities Apple saw in me are skills that transcend the resume. Interpersonal skills, the ability to listen, and the ability to explain technology are valuable qualities to have in any industry.

Explaining the Mac to consumers requires an understanding of the competition. Better known as Windows XP. While I'm no expert with DLLs and RegEdit, I do know my way around Windows. I've been using Windows since 1998. I'm at that point where I'd really like to build my own PC, if I can come up with a good reason to do so.