Blogging Shacked|All About Everything

Now that Apple has dropped prices on their older Macbook model, people have been giving Apple a little more credit on their more affordable pricing. But will the fact or fiction concept of “Mac Tax” ever go away? Some people have reported that Microsoft created this term in recent years in response to Apple’s growing success. Even an article at Technologizer.com reported, after comparing similar models to the 13″ macbook, that the ‘Mac Tax’ was a myth. However early Mac Tax was created, I’ve heard and used the term ‘Apple Tax’ for quite some time. The difference between what people accuse of being the ‘Windows Tax’ to the ‘Mac Tax’ is that while Microsoft offers their operating system to companies (and of course charges them for using it), Apple makes their own technology and limits their OS to it. So windows tax can only go so far - it is the manufacturers that decide in the end how much to price their units (Sony, Lenovo, Acer, etc), however Apple puts a price on their OS AND their systems. There were many criticisms for the comparison article since one can argue that the laptops compared were from other high end brands that had similar ‘taxes’, and that the 13″ notebook market is almost exclusive to Apple, so a more fair comparison should be in the 15″ range. Not only that, Apple has a way of releasing a product at a relatively competitive price when new, and as time goes on and all of its competitions drop their prices to reflect the market, Apple keeps their price and then becomes ‘overpriced’. That does not prevent people from buying it of course.

You’ve heard of American Idol, America’s Next Top Model, If you Think you can Dance, Project Runway, etc? With all of those high fashion, hip and mainstream areas, what about for those with other skills?

Well, there is a search for the next XML superstar on the way! The XML Challenge consists of five separate contest, ranging in difficulty and skill. Before signing up, they require you to take a quick quiz and questionnaire.
The contest includes a video contest where you will have to invent a creative use for XML, XQuery or DB2 and record yourself doing it, a gadget contest where you will have to develop a downloadable gadget or widget leveraging DB2, etc. Check out the site for more details for the remaining contests. A participation point is earned for each entry, and a special prize will be given to one that gains the most participation points and will be granted the title “XML Grand Master”. It’s a great chance for your moment of fame!

Google, Apple, Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many other celebrities have spoken out against Proposition 8. It was a big deal for big corporations like Google and Apple to do so, since they are a big commercial corporation who’s customers and staff come from a wide range of background. In these cases, they like to remain ‘neutral’ on most political and otherwise sensitive subjects, but perhaps this is a big step forward for the homosexual community. As ‘neutral’ they would like to stay, they will never support anything when involving human rights No doubt that all big corporations would in a flash oppose anything racist or sexist. Is homosexuality finally making it’s way to the acceptance and equality that they desire with their heterosexual counterparts? Perhaps there is hope for this world after all.

I’m always looking for a bargain; anyway to save a penny or to strike a deal.
Today I stumbled upon, for those interested, savings on some outdoor equipments, garments, and other high performance gears from Nikon. Nikon is offering Free ATB Pro Gear from NikonProGear.com of value up to $50 with a purchase of a Nikon ATB binocular.

With a purchase of the Monarch ATB binoculars, you will receive a free $50 gift card for NikonProGear.com. With a purchase of a Trailblazer ATB however, will get you a $25 gift card. The offer ends December 31st.

If hiking, hunting, and the outdoors is not your thing, the store also offers casual garments and accessories for just about anyone. If you know someone who might be interested in a nice pair of binoculars (useful for many things like hunting, animal watching, or other far-distance watching), then buy them a pair for the soon-to-come Christmas holiday and benefit with a gift card, perhaps offer it or another product as another gift. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Give a thanks to the 1,000+ Rogers volunteers for their efforts in keeping it safe on the streets yesterday night. The Rogers Cable company sent their employees, all of which have signed up voluntarily, to patrol the streets at night during the peak time of the customary Halloween trick-or-treating. They called themselves the Rogers Pumpkin Patrol, and will be driving around Toronto to keep an eye out, as well as giving out tips on safety, and safety tools such as reflector wear and glow sticks. The wonderful deed and the contribution to the friendly community atmosphere, one that is greatly needed in Toronto, was greatly appreciated.