So, I haven’t blogged in a while because of computer issues. A virus that encrypted my hard drive, invaded. I then received a Word Pad note stating that I could received the key to decrypt my hard drive, if I deposited 500 Euros into the linked bank provided.

I was devastated! All my photos, work documents and spreadsheets, crochet patterns (many of which were paid) were gone! My husband and children (and Sandy, too) were all Mac fans. I, however, was comfortable with a PC. After being told that this virus probably wouldn’t have had effect on a Mac, I conceded.

One of my son’s childhood friends said that an update from Apple was to be announced the following day at 1:00 pm. He has been hoping to upgrade his Mac Book Pro for a while. If the announcement was hardware-based, he would sell his Mac for $400. I could live with that…the alternative was purchasing a rebuilt Mac for $750…not bad considering the cost of a new Mac.

Well, the announcement wasn’t hardware-based. And so, the hubby and I went shopping. I will tell you that there are few (if any) design differences between the Macs. PC’s are manufactured by many manufactures, so there’s a need to shop and compare. Also, the difference in price was very unsettling, but I was assured you cannot compare a PC with a Mac. So we left the store with no decision made. While I was at work, the husband and two sons decided on a brand new laptop. So, we went from $450 to $1006!

That wasn’t the end of my frustration. Although Sandy assured me that I would “catch on” to the Mac, everything was all so different.

I had to Google often (like right now…how to insert a bullet)

• How do I make a subdirectory in my folder?
• Why is the control key not working?
• How do I scan?
• How do I print in Black & White?
• What’s a Command Key?
• Where is the Backspace Key?
• My Windows 2-button mouse is backward when scrolling

Old habits are hard to break. I look at the bottom of the screen, when I should look at the top;; What’s a Command Key? My Windows 2-button, mouse is backwards when scrolling and a right-click on your mouse doesn’t do the same thing on a Mac.

On the positive side:

• It now only takes twice as long to do my church newsletter rather than five times as long on my first try.
• It’s very light and compact (but I’m squinting at my 13” Mac screen while missing my 15” pc screen).
• I am assured that I am now hip and cool because I have a Mac (oh, brother!)
• I couldn’t afford any of the accessories because of the price, so I was able to use up some of my yarn stash and crocheted a cover to (somewhat) protect my new (expensive) Mac. You can purchase the Laptop Sleeve Crochet Pattern on Etsy.