Do You Want a Full PC or a Toy?►Meet Microsoft Surface™

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Comment by THiNKTaNK on June 22, 2012 at 12:18pm

Haha ;-)

TR:DR

Too romantic. Didn't read;-) Just kidding. I read...And a very good day to you too.

Take it light.

Comment by David - 戴維在中國 on June 22, 2012 at 11:50am

Sometimes the sound of silence is the most soothing sound there is. I guess it depends on how you feel at the time. Music is my therapy (another favourite while travelling) But today the sound I have all morning is the sound of the rain outside (raining heavy here) this is also very nice to hear with the low hum of the traffic in the distance, it's not bad at all.

A shame I have to spoil it and venture out soon. Have to get my increasingly greying hair cut, and the walk in the rain will clear my headache I hope also. So I will bid you a good morning, and wish you a good day until we talk next my brother.

Comment by THiNKTaNK on June 22, 2012 at 11:33am

Haha, you got it pal.

And I do some of the same productivity stuff you cited while in transit plus walking around mostly with headphones I described in this blog.

But then, there's the value of silence...(even while in  transit). Not feeling you have to do anything. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb correctly points out: "You will be civilized on the day you can spend a long period doing nothing, learning nothing, and improving nothing, without feeling the slightest amount of guilt." You know...

Comment by David - 戴維在中國 on June 22, 2012 at 11:18am

Damn...You people are rich:!

He is, I am just aspiring ; )

I understand clearly but as a novice (lets go back to listening to the likes of your truly more often) it is not always easy to be so specific. I had a rough idea and think on the whole, in my limited capacity I made out OK. Like I always say about myself - must try harder ; )

So, I'd rather wait 2yrs for a device

In most cases I have the same philosophy, waiting is better than making a poor choice. (although I do tend to get the cheap shirts from Walmart for which I take constant stick) I did need something quickly, and given the choices I got the TAB. I rarely go for the 'cheap' option with important things - TV, Computers, comfortable shoes, Girlfriends... I like to buy something that is of a higher price and good quality that LASTS! 

Boys and their toys? I know, the social order and structure these days is becoming ever more 'cyber' Let me be Frank (you can be Burt or Ernie ) I do the Zhaoqing to Foshan run weekly now, amongst others Zhuhai - SZ - HK (so much so I have rented a unit in Foshan) and when not in the car I am on the train (never the coach or 'bus' as they call it here) So it wiles away the journey times and I can get some things done, in the absence of any company. I do not have they type of phone so many do now that has all the 'bells and whistles' (English colloquialism) and while on any social outing with others I still prefer the 'human' touch. I am a great believer in paying attention, eye contact, and real interactions with humans so this way is never appealing for me. But as you say, it is common place. Sitting in 'starbucks' staring at a laptop all day is a mystery to me as is burying yourself in so called 'smart' phones. Maybe I am just old fashioned.

If one is waiting for the implementation of real learning, understanding, non-bias, tolerance and separation of reality from cyber space (the list goes on) that will be a long wait indeed my friend. ; )

Comment by THiNKTaNK on June 22, 2012 at 10:55am

My Australian friend got one and promptly left it in a taxi, went back to HK and got another.

Damn...You people are rich:!:

Then of course after I bought it (not a bad price I paid 3088 HKD my mate paid 3800) I heard about the new TOSH and now you, you... do this to me. Bah ; )

No. Not a bad price at all. But the thing is you're all over the place with brands and such complicating it for yourself, my brother. I think the best way to buy these things is to decide based on either purchasing power or value on the one hand. Or, be very very specific (requires good foresight...no need to be super tech savvy or anything) about what you'd like the device to do for you.

The latter is how I go about it. As a (practical) technologist I'm constantly pushing both hardware and software to do even what the makers originally intended. So, I'd rather wait 2yrs for a device that's more conducive to that philosophy (whether based on research concerning new technology under the hood of the device or simply because I need to save up to buy something expensive but worthwhile) than just get anything out there because it appears cheap. You know what I mean?   ;-)

Don't get mad at me but I gotta say, a lot of these things are really toys...And they aren't making people socially smarter. I mean, how many people do you meet these days who are more comfortable staring at you and listening intently than at a screen. One after another, I keep seeing expats who sometimes even see before I spot them. And yet the moment I look in their direction, they're looking away. You never even get a chance to say Hi to 'em...But 5mins later, they be trollin' online. And will avoid every invitation to call. This is really how I see it.

Technology as a tool? Check.

Technology as something that locks our gaze on screens or makes us feel we're getting something useful done when we're not...meh. And mind you, the mindset needn't mean some is "taking life too seriously" cuz we know how to have fun...if only those who're too ignorant to disabuse themselves of wishful thinking to the contrary could be properly educated:-)

Comment by David - 戴維在中國 on June 22, 2012 at 9:55am

make sure I'm with you when you go shopping;-) or at least get my opinion.

Always! You know me, not so tech minded but always try to learn from those who are.

sometimes, you have no choice but to get what's available because you really need something. Was that the case with your Galaxy? I'm curious.

Partly true, yes. I was in the market for a portable device but not being so 'up' on these things I was thinking maybe a 14 inch laptop or similar (must fit into my travel bag) as I am here, there, and everywhere more and more I needed something portable. My Australian friend got one and promptly left it in a taxi, went back to HK and got another. I had a play around with it (while all the Chinese were telling me buy ipad buy ipad hee hee *shakes in in disagreement and dismay* and apart from the limited memory 16 gig it seemed to be OK for most of the stuff I needed: file transfer, entertainment, mobile wifi, E-book (which is actually on of my favourite features) and Polaris office which can pretty much cope with any file format. I also liked the GPRS is it? Or GPS? Satellite tracking thingy (gosh, I know my onions ; )) which you download and can follow it if lost or stolen.

Then of course after I bought it (not a bad price I paid 3088 HKD my mate paid 3800) I heard about the new TOSH and now you, you... do this to me. Bah ; )

At 10.1 inch it is a great size too so all things considered while I would liked to have had more it serves the purpose I required it for pretty good. I have heard a few things about upgrading it (or something) and will keep an eye out for the techn blogs you have lined up, please go easy on me with the jargon you know I am still running on...

; ))

 

Comment by THiNKTaNK on June 22, 2012 at 9:29am

I feel your frustration bruh. But you know, in my family and my close friends know this line also: If you're serious about getting a great computer or device, make sure I'm with you when you go shopping;-) or at least get my opinion.

They know that but often get excited and get something that later proves a waste of money. Still, sometimes, you have no choice but to get what's available because you really need something. Was that the case with your Galaxy? I'm curious.

I got mine at a time when my iPod Touch had been stolen by a Chinese I once called a friend (told story in the Forums) and I needed a good replacement so the logical step was to get the first iPad. In this case, if you're patient, you'll be in a better position if you waited and got a 2nd generation Surface. Think about it;-)

And don't fret. You can make the Galaxy work for you (only to an extent) but I happen to have at least two blogs in the pipeline (whenever I can find the inspiration) that directly address why I think Surface (if delivered as promised) will be a game-changer and better than the iPad (which I own). Stay tuned!

Comment by David - 戴維在中國 on June 22, 2012 at 7:09am

Bugger... See this is what really pisses me off about technology. I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab I recently bought which is good for the things I need to do but... then I heard Toshiba (my favourite laptop brand) are bringing out a cool one soon and now... you do this to me?! Damn bruh, so cruel. ; )