document.write('<ol class="tumblr_posts">\x0a    \x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_text_post">\x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_title">The iPad is a disturbance in the Apple Store</div>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                <div class="tumblr_body">\x0a                    <p>Most geeks I know have a ritual I call the &#8220;fake shopping cart&#8221; or FSC. This is basically the online version of window shopping.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>The principles are similar, go to your website(s) of preference, and try multiple configurations until you build a dreamy new setup. Just the like intricate and confusing world of female fitting rooms, FSC is not only about one item, it&#8217;s about choosing the <em>best</em> combination of products.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>Obviously - <em>best</em> - is relative. Although some geeks practice no-limits FSC, the real fun only happens when a certain spending restriction is established. The restriction itself doesn&#8217;t have to be realistic at all - you could try to build the best setup for $15.000, a budget that a new imaginary sports team owner like you deserves. In any case, some sort of limit is considered good practice.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>Ever since Apple switched to Intel, my FSC has focused around notebooks. While I loved my iBook G3 and G4 machines, they felt underpowered. The jump in performance of the MacBooks made my dream of an affordable notebook with enough power to substitute a desktop real. Of course, there was still room for lots of debate, MacBook vs. MacBook Pro, screen size, RAM, hard-drive capacity and the obligatory external monitor brand question<sup id="fnref:mac"><a href="#fn:mac" rel="footnote">1</a></sup>.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>Recently though, Apple has shaken my FSC beliefs with the introduction of the latests iMac&#8217;s and the announcement of the iPad.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>On my last winter holiday I went to Venezuela and the US. For the first time since I&#8217;ve owned a laptop, I left the MacBook behind and only took the iPhone. I was surprised how little I missed it.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>When Steve Jobs introduced the iPad, he said that Apple saw a space between the iPhone and the MacBook. However, if you played FSC with a realistic budget recently, you may have found yourself in this situation: more often than not, you choose an iMac over a MacBook.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>During <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/macworld#p/u/8/YbrfsXYoyCI">his talk at</a> this year&#8217;s MacWorld, <a href="http://daringfireball.net/">John Gruber</a> mentioned that next year, he would have to pick between two Apple platforms when choosing where to create, and deliver, his presentation. If the answer to this and other mobile tasks starts to be the iPad, then the functionality give the price of the mobile iMac (the MacBook), becomes questionable.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>As soon as I add the iPad to my equation, the MacBook vs. iMac debate shifts from <em>one-size-fits-all</em> to <em>best tool for each job</em>.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>The arrival of the iPad at Apple Stores next month is going to mark the beginning of a deadly fight. Not with Google or Microsoft, but within Apple product lines. This is not a problem for Apple, since Jobs probably believes that if anyone is going to cannibalize Mac sales, it better be Apple itself.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>However, for Mac fans, it&#8217;s judgement time. It&#8217;s now time to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II_series">pay for sins</a> against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II_series">Apple II</a>.</p>\x0a\x0a<div class="footnotes">\x0a<hr>\x0a<ol>\x0a<li id="fn:mac">\x0a<p>It must be said that Mac users usually have less of a hard time with the facts, since Apple is very good at differentiating their product lines. On the other hand, the self-analysis of what you <em>actually need</em>, can be maddening and humbling. <a href="#fnref:mac" rev="footnote">↩</a></p>\x0a</li>\x0a\x0a</ol>\x0a</div>\x0a                </div>\x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://37signals.com/rework/" class="tumblr_link" >Rework from 37signals is out</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kz1f7a5b6q1qz507xo1_500.jpg" alt="Rework cover and back"/></p>\x0a\x0a<p>I think <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jason-Fried/dp/0307463745">this book</a> is going to be <a href="http://37signals.com/svn/posts/2187-podcast-episode-9-all-about-rework">important</a>. Planning on reading it <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2997895?shelf=to-read">soon</a>.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://jonathanischwartz.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/good-artists-copy-great-artists-steal/" class="tumblr_link" >Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Jonathan Schwartz, on the <a href="http://jonathanischwartz.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/good-artists-copy-great-artists-steal/">value of patents</a>:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>In 2003, after I unveiled a prototype Linux desktop called Project Looking Glass*, Steve called my office to let me know the graphical effects were “stepping all over Apple’s IP.” (IP = Intellectual Property = patents, trademarks and copyrights.) If we moved forward to commercialize it, “I’ll just sue you.”</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>Funny, I always thought that <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/">Leopard&#8217;s</a> dock looked exactly like the one in <a href="http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/">Project Looking Glass</a>.</p>\x0a\x0a<p><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kz1eroJ0Gb1qz507xo1_500.jpg" alt="Docks"/></p>\x0a\x0a<p>/via <a href="http://daringfireball.net/">Daring Fireball</a></p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_quote_post">\x0a                <div class="tumblr_quote">\x0a                    <span class="tumblr_open_quote">&#147;</span>Get the easy stuff right<span class="tumblr_close_quote">&#148;</span>\x0a                </div>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_source">\x0a                        <a href="http://gildedlimits.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/nyu-professor-scott-galloway-ouch/">Scott Galloway</a>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/03/steam-mac/" class="tumblr_link" >Steam coming to Mac</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Wired&#8217;s Chris Kohler, <a href="http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/03/steam-mac/">Valve Brings Hit Games, Steam Service to Mac</a>:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>“Checking in code produces a PC build and Mac build at the same time, automatically, so the two platforms are perfectly in lock-step,” said Josh Weier, said Portal 2 project lead in the press release. “We’re always playing a native version on the Mac right alongside the PC. This makes it very easy for us and for anyone using Source to do game development for the Mac.”</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>I don&#8217;t know if it was adulthood or switching to a Mac, but with both I stopped playing computer games. After this, I won&#8217;t have the Mac excuse anymore.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_video_post">\x0a                <div class="tumblr_video">\x0a                    <object width="400" height="336"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GNng6eFWnIQ&amp;rel=0&amp;egm=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GNng6eFWnIQ&amp;rel=0&amp;egm=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="336" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent"></embed></object>\x0a                </div>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_caption">\x0a                        <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNng6eFWnIQ&amp;feature=related">Apple iPad Ad - TV Spot</a>.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>iWant.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0003e0&amp;topic_id=1" class="tumblr_link" >Edward Tufte Presidential Appointment</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Edward Tufte, on being <a href="http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0003e0&amp;topic_id=1">appointed</a> to the panel that tracks and explains $787 billion in recovery stimulus funds:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>I&#8217;m doing this because I like accountability and transparency, and I believe in public service. And it is the complete opposite of everything else I do. Maybe I&#8217;ll learn something.</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>I attended an E.T. seminar a two years ago. I&#8217;m very sure everyone else is going to learn a lot more.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>/via <a href="http://waxy.org/links/">Waxy.org</a></p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://blog.macmillanspeaks.com/macmillan-ceo-john-sargent-on-the-agency-model-availability-and-price/" class="tumblr_link" >Macmillan Publishers CEO talks eBooks</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Macmillan CEO, John Sargent, <a href="http://blog.macmillanspeaks.com/macmillan-ceo-john-sargent-on-the-agency-model-availability-and-price/">addresses the changes</a> on their eBooks business model.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>On the agency model:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>Starting at the end of March, we will move from the “retail model” of selling e-books (publishers sell to retailers, who then sell to readers at a price that the retailer determines) to the “agency model” (publishers set the price, and retailers take a commission on the sale to readers).</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>On availability:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>We will no longer delay the publication of e-books (read: no windowing).</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>On price:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>For physical books, the majority of new release hardcovers are published in cheaper paperback versions over time. We will mirror this price reduction in the digital world.</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>The price range mentioned is exactly the same as the ones announced for <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/">iPad&#8217;s iBookstore</a>.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>I don&#8217;t feel as strongly about eBook&#8217;s $9.99 price point as I did for iTunes 99¢ song price. I still refuse to buy songs that go over that limit, but I do see myself buying a new NYTimes bestseller for $12.99. On the other hand, $14.99 will probably make me wait a bit.</p>\x0a\x0a<p>All in all, Macmillan&#8217;s plan sounds much more reasonable than what the <a href="http://5typos.net/post/279182039">other bozos</a> talked about in December. As long as they provide the same availability as pBooks - at reasonable prices, I&#8217;m in.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01ebooks.html?ref=technology" class="tumblr_link" >Making the Case for iPad E-Book Prices</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Motoko Rich, also in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01ebooks.html?ref=technology">NYTimes.com</a>:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>At a glance, it appears the e-book is more profitable. But publishers point out that e-books still represent a small sliver of total sales,   from 3 to 5 percent. If e-book sales start to replace some hardcover sales, the publishers say, they will still have many of the fixed costs associated with print editions, like warehouse space, but they will be spread among fewer print copies.</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p>Nobody said innovation is fair - it&#8217;s efficient.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            <li class="tumblr_post tumblr_link_post">\x0a                <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01conde.html" class="tumblr_link" >Cond&eacute; Nast Preparing iPad Versions of Top Magazines</a>\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    <div class="tumblr_description">\x0a                        <p>Stephanie Clifford, from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01conde.html">NYTimes.com</a>:</p>\x0a\x0a<blockquote>\x0a  <p>The first magazines for which it will create iPad versions  are Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker and Glamour, the company plans to announce in an internal memorandum on Monday.</p>\x0a</blockquote>\x0a\x0a<p><a href="http://5typos.net/post/249069466">Finally</a>.</p>\x0a                    </div>\x0a                \x0a            </li>\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a</ol>');