Category Archives: History

History at all levels, not just not my past or nostalgic musings.

Antikythera Mechanism made of Legos

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Steve

Two thousand years before Wayne Babbage’s difference engine, the Greeks built a mechanical computer to predict eclipses. Through the X-rays and other observations, a Lego replica was made to demonstrate. I wonder if there is some variation in its accuracy … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Astronomy, History, Science & Technology | Leave a comment

Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Steve

How fitting that the BBC sought out Terry Jones to host and co-write this eight-part series dispelling the commonly held myths about the Middle Ages. Everybody knows he directed, co-wrote and co-starred in the Pythons’ first movie parodying King Arthur. … Continue reading →

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1995: Austin, my first non-bittersweet Thanksgiving here

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Steve

I primarily blame the events surrounding Thanksgiving 1987 for my disdain of this holiday. Getting a long weekend still rocks but spending it with (either) family is equivalent to being a WWII POW for me; as a Nibblonian once said, … Continue reading →

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2000: Thanksgiving in Phoenix

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Steve

This was the last Thanksgiving week we ever left Austin to celebrate with friends or family. I don’t know about Somara but I’ve never found a compelling reason to travel during the worst and busiest week in America despite how … Continue reading →

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History repeating?

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Steve

The results of last night weren’t too surprising. I’ve seen this country in foul moods before and watch it give in to knee-jerk, stupid moves (electing a B-movie actor being one); I recall the stories my grandparents told about the … Continue reading →

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Halloween 1995

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Steve

This was the last costume I’ve ever worn for Halloween and it was my favorite. How I wish digital cameras were more readily available because this is the only photo I have of me as Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous. … Continue reading →

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2000: Dot Com Meltdown

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Steve

Today, Apple’s stock is worth $287.37 a share and the company is now the second largest in the world, based upon some measurement probably covering assets, stock value, etc. A pretty amazing recovery because 10 years ago, the whole stupid … Continue reading →

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1985 – Summer Part IV: Banishment to North Dakota

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Steve

My apologies if the last installment was rushed. I didn’t have enough written in advance and housesitting took up more free time than I expected. The silver lining was it forced me to break up the third section into two … Continue reading →

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Only seven near misses?

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Steve

When Jobs announced all the new iTunes and iPods, I took a gamble on looking over the employee discount page to see if the new hardware was ready to go. Instead I saw that the iPad was no longer grayed … Continue reading →

Posted in Factoids, History | 2 Comments

2000: Servers & Apps

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Steve

After supporting desktops and portables at Apple/PowerComputing for a few years, I decided to make the leap to the group which handles more of the software aspect. Nowadays we’re known as Enterprise Servers but back then some duties didn’t include … Continue reading →

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1985 – Summer Part III: Grandma Maggi’s funeral and Split Enz

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Steve

I’ll recap again, late May and June was spent in Illinois. Grandma Maggi was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I became better friends with my cousin Leesa. July was the tense, bellicose month in Florida despite visiting Disney World, EPCOT and … Continue reading →

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1995: Greatest Birthday since 1989

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Steve

This story is still considered on time through the fast, loose and spurious logic of Astrology! No, I don’t buy into it but being human, I’m applying it just to make a rationalization for finally posting this well after my … Continue reading →

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1995: My first day with AppleCare

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Steve

AppleCare is the official name for Apple’s technical support and on this day, I reported to training to get started as a PowerBook agent. Why PowerBook? I chalk it up to good luck but I think owning a PowerBook 140 … Continue reading →

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2000: Macworld NYC trip

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Steve

When I didn’t get the permanent spot as a team manager, I accepted the position of coach which always felt like the bronze medal. One concession I did receive was the opportunity to attend Macworld in NYC as a representative … Continue reading →

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1985 – Summer Part II: Florida, fighting and failure

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Steve

To recap, at the end of May we moved in with Grandma Maier and during the month of June we got re-acquainted with various members of the Maggi clan due to Grandma Maggi’s terminal illness. The only good development from … Continue reading →

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