Inside the exhibition we first visited the collection of Vader heads, and then watched a film behind the scenes of the new animated series, after that we walked around the exhibition hall admiring the skill taken to create all the cool costumes and all the miniatures (but they were a bit out of league for my purchasing habits). Also the lego collection present was very cool.

Click the AT-AT to see some more photos:

11. Sensible Support Costs
    PCPRO have made a valid point here; the support plans available for Macs is far less than a PC. However, Apple products have almost always placed in the top 5 for fewest product returns. Also, where they state that most computer shops only service PC’s- they are only counting the PC worlds anti-mac bias. It’s possible to find a shop to service your apple gear.
12. Microsoft’s on your team. No they’re not. With activation and Windows Genuine Are You A Thief? Microsoft are clearly not on your team.
13. Black’s still the new black
    In making this point, PCPRO are implying that Macs are quick to go out of fashion. Then how come older macs can still sell for very respectable prices (far more than equally old PCs).
14. The CD-ROM has an eject button.
    I suppose it does, but then again which is best is entirely a matter of preference. And it’s notable to say that most Macs nowadays use slot-loading drives, which are naturally more convenient to eject via software.
15. No Confusing Version Numbers.
    Apple only sell one version of OSX, and for PCPROs claim that updating it breaks that; well, that’s ridiculous. For those confused: here it is. 10.x.y x= the version of OSX, there’s a new version every 1-3 years. y= “service pack” there are 10 of these between two versions and usually bring new features to OSX.
16. What the hell was that?/The Apple start up tone irritates the PCPRO editor?
    Then hold mute as you boot. Apple have used sampled sounds since the Apple II- and the current start up sound is about 16 years old. Also, Windows has an equally jarring sound to a mac user.
17. Cheap OEM Versions
    This is covered in point 6. Because you cannot build a mac from scratch, then you do not qualify for OEM. The closest you’ll see to an OEM copy is pre-installed on every new macintosh. There’s no arbitrary be a geek and buy a mouse discount.
18. Far Better Media Capability
    Currently MCE is superior to Front Row at acting like a £1000 video recorder. For one, I’m happy that my dedicated DVR unit does this without making toast and catching virii. Also when you buy a Mac TV-Tuner it is likely to be from Elgato who offer very good software to do just that. (Apart from the virii.)
19. IT Support Expertise
    For a magazine which has always seemed to be for professionals in the IT industry, the idea of becoming the ‘gold dust’ of support professionals must be enthralling. Same goes for programmers, you also need less support on the mac.
20. Not So Insecure.
    PCPRO argues that a PC with latest service packs and antivirus is unlikely to get a virus. This may be true, but Windows insistence on patching is very annoying to a power user like myself. I want the only update traffic to be the update list and update files, not the entire UI. Also, the antivirus software is not infallible and requires constant updates to be this secure. Also, MAC OSX is more secure by design- not additional measures.

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This book has really emphasised the morality of choice to me although at times the use of ‘nadsat’ can make the book slightly confusing (although most of the time I did not need to consult the glossary for definitions).

The book discusses the theme on the wrongs of removing someones choice to be evil from them; it has an interesting undertone of a beggining of totalitarianism- with comments about political prisoners needing prison room.

The edition used here is the European one- and I feel this concludes the story in a better way than the American on (the one used in Kubricks movie adaptation).

2.23 Aiming to limit stand-by power consumption, which in 2004 used 8% of all residential electricity and is a rising trend, is also a priority for the Market Transformation Programme. We will continue to press at international level for full implementation of the International Energy Agency’s 1 Watt initiative to reduce stand-by power consumption.

But what does the International Energy Agency say:

What is the IEA’s 1-watt Plan? In 1999, the IEA1 proposed that all countries harmonise energy policies to reduce standby power use to no more than one watt per device. The proposal contained 3 elements: – Participating countries would seek to lower standby to below 1 watt in all products by 2010 – Each country would use measures and policies appropriate to its own circumstances – All countries would adopt the same definition and test procedure

To summarize: Standby is not being outlawed. (It would take longer than to the end of the year anyway.) ArsTechnica is very smart. Connect 24 is still (as far as I know) in the Wii. P.S. Tim tells me to remind people that they shouldn’t turn off Windows Update, disabling windows update based on mere speculation would be a plain silly thing to do.

Joystiq too?