Macpack

Brought to you by the nice people at Apple Computers.

My love affair with iRonny, my new iBook G4, and his family continues to grow. Yesterday when I had a problem with my wireless network, a live Apple help technician solved it for me, and cheerfully. That sort of thing — the efficiently helpful sort of thing — just never happened with my old system.

Today I needed to buy some new software, so I hit the Apple store next door at the Darth Mall. I walked in, grabbed a box containing Microsoft Word, and approached the cash register. The cashier, an aging hipster named Kevin, asked me if this would be for home use. When I said yes, he led me to a different display.

“Look,” he said, “you can get the entire Office suite, including Word and several other applications, if you buy the business/teacher version — and you’ll save $80. It’s what I use at home, and it works just fine. Plus you could load it onto two more computers if you want, because you’re paying for a license for three uses. Do you want this?”

Uh, YEAH!

So that’s what I got. Finding a parking place took longer than completing the transaction. Again, friendly, helpful service that led to noteworthy customer satisfaction. Installing the software was a breeze, and I listened to music on iTunes while doing it. I am now not just a Mac convert, but a huge one. Thanks, Kevin.

The Apple marketing folks are no dummies, either, and I’m not just talking about how dang cool the new iPods look. When you buy something at an Apple store, you carry it out in a bag that has two sets of strings like the shoulder straps on a backpack. You could literally wear your purchase. Talk about accessorizing! I think the Mac bag is the new Swatch.

All right, gotta go. Gotta set the preferences in my new copy of Word. Word up, yo.

Today around the world: October 19 is Samora Machel Day in Mozambique.