I got my iMac back yesterday and all is well. When I receive excellent service, I feel that I should share it, so without droning on for paragraphs about the specifics, here’s the story: They replaced my hard drive without ever calling me to tell me what was wrong or get my approval for the repair. I was a bit miffed about this, especially since it involved my hard drive and the data therein. I politely expressed my concern to the Genius Bar guy when I went to pick up the computer. I was about to pay for the repair and be on my way when a manager came out, apologized for not keeping me informed or getting approval for the repair, and offered me a SIGNIFICANT discount on the bill. I had never asked to speak to a manager, and never asked for a discount, so I felt this was really going above and beyond what I expected. Apple Store at Baybrook Mall? They are great.
I should also add that Time Machine (the backup software that comes on every Mac as part of the operating system) is AMAZING. I had never had to use it before, so I didn’t recognize its full power. I knew it backed up all of my files, but what I didn’t realize is that it also backs up literally everything else…like all my applications! The transfer to the new hard drive took a few hours, but when it was complete, my computer was instantly back to the configuration it had on Saturday morning. I didn’t have to reinstall a single program. Not even the Adobe design suite (which I was very worried about since I have misplaced the original discs). This boggles my mind. I’m sure backup software for Windows with that kind of capability exists — something that is so complete you don’t even have to reinstall your programs — but I sure don’t know what it is.
I have some serious frustration going on at work today. Sometimes work is just like that. It is probably most prudent to let this issue drop, and so I will.
Yesterday was the final day to register for spring classes at UHCL and after a last-minute race to get approval to have the specific “Master’s project” course added to my schedule, I officially registered. AND PAID. This is the first time in my many attempts to get started on this project that I have successfully gotten registered and paid, and the fact that I have big money on the line should ensure that I stick with it. It would be embarrassing, not to mention just plain stupid, to not get on with it now! My first big 2011 resolution is on track! I will probably report periodically on how it’s going, and you all have permission to comment if I haven’t said anything about my project in a while to hold me accountable.