I'm surprised that the EconoLodge at EWR didn't score higher. It was, at one time, an "overflow" crew hotel for Continental. I know crew members who chose a couch in the crew room instead of going there.
My worst has to be the Motel 6 at Coalinga, CA on I5. That was a real surprise since most Motel 6's are, at the very least, clean. We were told that new owners had just bought it but have not been back.
I've never stayed at the Jack London but have stayed at the nearby Best Western and it was fine.
Frank in sunny and cooler SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I stayed once at a mom and pop motel along the highway (and former C&O mainline) between Ashland, KY and South Portsmouth, OH. It was undergoing renovation with the rooms being enlarged by adding on behind the existing hotel.
I could elaborate on the 'plan' but suffice to say that my room was missing the back wall and opened into a unfinished space that smelled of freshly cut 2 x 4's. This future space was larger than the original room.
Aside from being 'dirt cheap', they knocked another $10.00 off the room because the telephone was not working.
I was young and single - the Cardinal still ran every day, and I was all about cheap.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I was planning on staying at the Plains Hotel when I go to Cheyenne, Mr Norman. It seemed convenient since I won't have a car. The tri adviser posts didn't seem too bad to me. Do tell all the bad things you found about it. Do you have a close-by alternative? Thanks!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, when I write reviews for a travel site, or for that matter when I write anything for any reason, I avoid the all too prevalent Yelp or Trip Advisor "this place is a dump" kind of rhetoric, as that serves no purpose whatever beyond establishing the reviewer's immaturity.
In the case of The Historic Plains Hotel, I'm hardly about to say "don't stay there' (I certainly would have to my "discerning' Father and his second wife - my Mother deceased during '78), as I believe your travel preferences differ from mine. For example, I believe you are prepared to 'chance some adventure' in exchange for saving a buck. I'm not; for me "the best surprise is no surprise' - and I'm willing to pay what I must to ensure such is the case.
Much of my apprehensions resulted from my auto being parked overnight on a city street, which had best be the first and last time that will happen in its life with me (can't speak for its after life when I trade it in come another year or two); this of course is of no concern to you.
As I noted in the report, at Cheyenne, all the major brands are clustered around the I-80/25 interchange; possibly there are independent "motels" (I think that is pretty much an "out-term" nowadays) either to the East or West of town on US30, but I think for smack Downtown, the Plains is "it".
Finally, allow me to return to the Boca Raton Holiday Inn property. I'll be staying there next month (Feb 21-24; three nites) so who knows. That is an older property, and it could have "changed hands' and gone to pot - and with new owners merely "talkin' the talk" with Holiday Inn's quality assurance people after a 'write up" or two. However, I do have one problem with Holiday Inn as a chain and that is their smoking policy - they still have both smoking and non-smoking rooms. I wish they would just go smoke-free like Marriott (Hilton, anyone know?), but then they are UK owned and I guess there remains more tolerance about smoking over there than here.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sojourner, I have to agree about the Plains hotel - that was on our radar screen for next western trip. It sounds interesting to me and great location. Many years ago my wife to be and I went to a couple Cheyenne Frontier Days and spent time downtown. No doubt you were in the west there - and where I got my first Stetson.
I think it's a good thing when you get widely differing views on Trip Advisor. Usually means you are in for a visit to a place where the main attraction for me is that it is not a cookie cutter hotel. Surprises can be a good thing (and of course you do risk the unpleasant ones).
In those days, the station was bustling with activity. On a winter day it was nice to see sleepers sitting there on standby steam that were connecting from one 'City' train to another. Lots of mail and express and of course the very long streamliners prowling through town.
But when you don't want to explore the town, rather just a quick overnight on the Interstate, then, no surprises needed as GBN prefers.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Thanks for all your help. Just one question to Mr Norman: Was the reason you did not want to park on a city street because you were worried about your car's safety? I ask because I was wondering if Cheyenne is a city where you think one needs to worry about such things. . . .
When I do go to Cheyenne, I thought I'd stay overnight to explore more than just the capitol. But I do have the option of going and coming in the same day and staying in Denver, I suppose. Hotels cost a lot more in Denver than the Plains charges though!
When I do go there, I plan to take the airport shuttle from Denver Airport. It's a costly way to go, so I've been putting it off. But I looked into Greyhound and the schedule was pretty bad. I believe the airport shuttle goes to one of the outskirts motels you mention, like the Best Western. So it could be just as convenient to stay there (and take a taxi downtown) . . . I have to consider that too.
Anyway, I will get to Cheyenne one of these days! Still not sure if I'll stay at the Plains or not!!!
Thanks again
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: Just one question to Mr Norman: Was the reason you did not want to park on a city street because you were worried about your car's safety?
I think that pretty well sums it up, Ms. Sojourner. Parking overnight on the street, and for that matter all that often during the day, is something 'I just don't do'. When staying at hotels that do not offer valet parking, you ought to see the lengths I go to find a 'defensive parking" space; but one thing I will never do is the "space and a half' drill.
Here is additional info regarding the KDEN-Cheyenne Shuttle service of interest; also of interest is that you are apparently now willing to fly for part of a "sojourn":
When I arrived in Cheyenne last April, and even though I turned off I-80 at that very exit, I didn't notice the property. But then, it was dusk and a case of eyes on the road and ears on "Lady Lex" (Sat-Nav voice) as she guided me into town and to The Plains' front door.
All told, I think there is reasonable chance that you could find The Plains to provide you with a satisfactory hotel stay. No question whatever, some Trip Advisor reviewers "loved it', my automobile issues are a "personal problem", and you have established here at the Forum to be a considerably more "adventuresome" traveler, and for that matter a diner, than am I.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I am not planning to fly anywhere, Mr N. When I go, I will take the train to Denver, then the bus or light rail or another shuttle to the airport, then the airport shuttle to Cheyenne. Most likely I'll get a flat rate from the same company for a shuttle from downtown Denver to the airport and the airport to Cheyenne.
There is also a Greyhound bus from Denver, but schedule is not too good, and I'd like to avoid Greyhound if I can!
But it's pretty pricey, so I've been putting it off. But one of these years, I'll do it.
I gather from your post that you worry about your car no matter what city. Or did you find downtown Cheyenne a particularly crime-ridden downtown? (that is what I wanted to know)
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Presently the Denver RTD offers regular (at least once per hour during the day) bus service from Downtown a downtown transit station. It's called something like the SkyBus or some such sort. Oneway fare is about $12.00 as opposed to $50 - $60 via taxi.
However, ground has been broken on a heavy commuter rail route (FasTrax) that will link the airport with downtown. Plans call for Union Station in Denver to be a transit hub serving Amtrak and FasTrax trains. There will be a new underground regional bus transfer station behind the existing Union Station, and then a new light rail station on the opposite end of the bus facility from Union Station.
It's these various projects which have Amtrak moving to a temporary Denver station next week.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, nothing came to my attention, one way or the other, regarding incidence of Cheyenne street crime. I was more concerned that someone with his Pickup, and with a little firewater in the belly, might be doing a little "park by ear".
Regarding the RTD Airport Bus noted by Mr. Presley, I used such during my 2008 "joyride". The route is reasonably direct and the coaches assigned have intercity bus seating.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I've spent some time looking over the individual reports on hotels on Tripadvisor, and have come to the conclusion that these reports are extremely subjective and personal. People do bring different demands and expectations to a hotel stay.
One traveler gave a hotel 1 out of 5 stars just because he found mouseturds next to the bathtub. Think about it. The place might have been lovely, and cleaned carefully, by a maid five minutes before an itinerant mouse passed through the room and hung up his hat for a couple of minutes.
(My aging eyes probably never would have spotted the calling cards.)
I've heard people run down hotels because the toilet seat wasn't wrapped and the toilet paper foldy-pointed, small touches that they were used to in the hostelries that they most often frequented.
Some people judge hotels and motels by the quality of their free breakfasts, never mind the other amenities.
Some people think a hotel without a swimming pool isn't worth a stay. Likewise a fitness center.
Probably the best way to approach Tripadvisor hotel reports is to compare each individual report about a hotel. If enough people complain about the same things, that probably gives an accurate picture of the state of a hotel. But if the reports are wildly different, then maybe they should be taken with a grain of salt.
Maybe each of us should think about our own needs and expectations and bring those to a reading of Tripadvisor reports.
My needs are simple: a clean room, a clean bed, a decent desk and chair, a reasonably healthy breakfast. Super 8 does me fine. But my wife demands higher standards when we are on vacation, so when we travel together I look for more upscale hostelries.
But if I have to pay for Internet access, I automatically knock one star off the hotel rating. Charging for the Internet is cheesy beyond belief and I cannot understand why so many five star hotels do that. One hotel charged me twice for Internet access, once for my laptop and once for my iPod Touch. I protested and only after a mindwrestling match with the day manager did the hotel yield one of its goddam 12 bucks-per-day charges.
If the upscale hostelry delivers only McPaper to the room in the morning, it loses a star. If it also delivers the New York Times or Wall Street Journal or Washington Post, it gains a star. (Of course some hotels will not be in the marketing areas of these newspapers.)
What are YOUR expectations and wishes of a hotel/motel?
(I am stealing this for my blog.)
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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I agree with the TripAdvisor comments by Henry. If there are too many bad reports on the same theme then there probably is something wrong with a hotel. One or two bad eggs in a largely positive sea of reports can probably be ignored.
In Mr Norman's case, the lack of quantity and the fact most of what there is is more than 2 years old suggests that, whilst those reports may have been accurate at the time, they may no longer reflect the current state of affairs. Therefore one has to consider the age of reports as well.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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In my case, I could care less about in-room internet access; I have neither a laptop nor smart-phone (can't read the screens especially on the latter so why have one for the 23 nites I travel per year). However, it does seem incongruous that the higher end places I have occasion to stay have "Business Centers" where it is "play to play"; lower end like Holiday Inn Express and Marriott Fairfield all seem to have a lobby computer, which is fine for me to do a quick e-mail check and a peek at this forum.
There is one higher-end at which I stay (Hyatt; Greenwich) that has a "pay to play' business center, but it presumes you have a lap top or smart phone that I guess can be hooked up to a printer and a large screen. Oh well, I can wait until I get over to my Sister's house to play (even if she has an Apple).
To have The Times at the room door, such as at the Greenwich Hyatt is a real plus; they also have comp Journals in the lobby. McPaper just get kicked out of the way. Negative is a full-service Marriott near the Pittsburgh Airport at which I have occasion to stay - no Times or Journal be it comp or for sale. But the best one I can recall was staying at a Courtyard in Nashville; only McPaper. This was a nice April morning so I asked at the desk about The Times. Since this hotel was on the edge of college town (Vanderbilt), the clerk said there were several coffee shops around that handled it. But the clerk also said if you want a walk, why not walk to our Renaissance (also Marriott, but you know; $250/ni country), tell them you are staying with us, and they'll fix you up. Well I got in a nice walk along Broadway (past the Union Station Hotel - that's a Wyndham) to Renaissance and walked out with BOTH a COMP Times and Journal - and I wasn't even staying there (the very nice desk clerk said; "you're at a Marriott and we're all family").
Got my papers and my two mile walk; read 'em out by the pool until Noon checkout, thence hit the road for Atlanta.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN: "Even if she has an Apple". Blasphemy! I would say that your sister is one smart cookie. I have been a hardcore Apple fan since my first desktop in 1985. Currently, I own 7 Apple devices (MacBook Pro, 27 inch iMac, AppleTV, iPhone, iPod 2nd gen, new iPod w/HD video, and iPod nano). I also subscribe to MobileMe for a flat fee of 99 bucks a year, which is an absolute perfect fit for my needs. Because I have so many devices, it doesn't matter what I am carrying with me at the time---they will all be current and updated with each other as far as email, bookmarks (in Safari), address book and contacts, and my calendar. Once I change something on one device, it beams up to a "cloud", and then beams back down to update all of my devices automatically. And if I ever lose my iPhone, the "me" webpage can find it, deactivate it, and wipe it clean so that nobody will learn my address or my contacts. Through MobileMe, I also have remote control of my iMac while I'm out of town by using my MacBook Pro. As long as I'm online, I can pull up my iMac just as if I'm sitting in front of it at home---from thousands of miles away. This comes in handy for controlling my 2 webcams to keep an eye on the petsitter and replay motion events, and it also allows me to input the day's purchases directly into Quicken so that when I come home from a trip, it's already done (I used to have a pile of receipts that I would have to bring home and input everything in from a trip). Anyway, that's my little Apple sales pitch. Why anyone sticks with a PC is beyond me. In the last 4 months, I've had 3 friends switch to a Mac for the first time in their lives. All 3 are saying the same thing to me: "I should have done this years ago!".
Regarding TripAdvisor, I have posted reviews there (and you're more than welcome to read my reviews if you'd like to...just search for "smitty195"). You can see what my travel tastes are, and the nits that I pick. I have found TripAdvisor to be very helpful in one specific area for me: Traveler's Photos. I make decisions on where to stay by looking at the pictures more than I do then reading about a hotel. To me, "a picture is worth a thousand words". The majority of my travels are to Las Vegas, so I don't need any information on Vegas hotels (I could write my own book on them). But when I venture outside of Vegas to a city that is not large enough to have a Hyatt Regency or Marriott, then I will look for a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. By looking at the pictures, I can tell which one is the better property, because aside from the condition of the room/bathroom, all of the amenities are the same no matter which hotel you choose in the USA (from those 2 brands). One of the best Holiday Inn Express' I've ever stayed at, strangely enough, is the HI Express in Tehachapi.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Ah, one more thing..the newspaper. Henry, you would really knock a star off of a hotel rating because they don't carry The New York Times? I'm curious why this is the case. There is the Times online, and the large newspapers all carry the same stories anyway. I'm just wondering why a hotel would lose a star if they delivered, say, a USA Today on your door handle instead of the Times? I'm not sure I understand that.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by smitty195: ....Currently, I own 7 Apple devices (MacBook Pro, 27 inch iMac, AppleTV, iPhone, iPod 2nd gen, new iPod w/HD video, and iPod nano). I also subscribe to MobileMe for a flat fee of 99 bucks a year, which is an absolute perfect fit for my needs. Because I have so many devices, it doesn't matter what I am carrying with me at the time---they will all be current and updated with each other as far as email, bookmarks (in Safari), address book and contacts, and my calendar. Once I change something on one device, it beams up to a "cloud", and then beams back down to update all of my devices automatically. And if I ever lose my iPhone, the "me" webpage can find it, deactivate it, and wipe it clean so that nobody will learn my address or my contacts. Through MobileMe, I also have remote control of my iMac while I'm out of town by using my MacBook Pro. As long as I'm online, I can pull up my iMac just as if I'm sitting in front of it at home---from thousands of miles away. This comes in handy for controlling my 2 webcams to keep an eye on the petsitter and replay motion events, and it also allows me to input the day's purchases directly into Quicken so that when I come home from a trip, it's already done (I used to have a pile of receipts that I would have to bring home and input everything in from a trip).....
Could someone please translate the above for me?
There are those us, mostly of Mr. Kisor's and of my age, who to read a newspaper is to sit down in an easy chair and feel the newsprint. It is the only way I know. I of course use on-line editions of both the Times and Journal (hey, I'm paying for 'em - and plenty at that!!!), but it is mainly used to either forward articles of interest to friends (that beats 'clipping" a paper and sending the article off to friend via US Mail) and to post links to duscussion forums such as here.
And finally, if there are people as wired in as Mr. Smith suggests he is here, no wonder it is so tantamount that Amtrak have at-seat power outlets and that wi-fi service be available.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Smitty: I am an Apple person myself, although not quite as intensely as you seem to be. All I have is a Macbook, a Mac Mini and an iPod Touch. That automatically makes me more civilized, does it not? (Nudge, nudge; thumbing nose at PC types.) But I do carry a Toshiba PC netbook on train trips. Need a real keyboard; otherwise I'd get me an iPad.
As for the papers, I do read many of them online, but like GBN I am of an age that prefers a broadsheet newspaper at breakfast while traveling. How we love the smell of newsprint in the morning . . .
I assure you that large newspapers do NOT all print the same stories. A few of the major breaking daily ones, yes. But that's all. USA Today is to the New York Times (or the Wall Street Journal) as a Chevy is to a Lexus. If McPaper is all a hotel delivers to the door, then it views its clientele as downmarket. A true four or five star hotel would provide more substantial reading for its discerning guests.
Of course, five star hotels in the hinterlands might not be able to get the Times or the Journal -- they might not be locally printed -- and one must give them some slack for that.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Okay---I get it now. My parents have said the same thing to me about wanting to sit down and read a paper.....a real paper that you hold in your hands. I'm just the opposite. I prefer having my news on a computer screen either on my lap, in my hand, or on the desk. The last newspaper I subscribed to (the San Jose Mercury News) was in 1998. Once everything starting popping up online, I found it more convenient than the paper version. Even my local Pleasanton newspaper (The Pleasanton Weekly)---I read that online because I enjoy reading the comments. That's something that you can't get in a print edition. Well, I suppose they could print a "letter to the editor" the next day, but for me, it's nothing like having real-time comments that you can refresh throughout the day to see how the town feels about a local topic.
As far as me being "plugged in", oh yes, that is me! I love my electronic toys and gizmos. Henry--the new iPod Touch is AMAZING. I was "this close" to buying an iPad, however, I really had to sit down and do a side-by-side comparison on Apple's website to figure out which one I would truly use. The iPad is fun----I got a kick out of playing around with it in The Apple Store. However, it just didn't meet my needs at all. It would not replace anything I'm using now, and it would not enhance anything I'm using now. Namely, the iPad does not have a built-in camera, and it also would not allow me to connect my camera or iPod to it while on vacation to sync my photos with it. (I could do it, I believe, with an optional item...but that would be more "stuff" to lug around and pack).
But with the new iPod Touch, it's so small and thin that it easily fits into my front pants pocket or any shirt or jacket pocket. The huge advantage (for my uses) is the HD video camera. Here is what I will now be able to do:
-keep the iPod in my pocket when I travel -take HD video with it -sync it to my iMac when I get home -edit it in iMovie to add graphics, music, or whatever
Once that HD movie is on my iMac, now I can do something really neat that I've never been able to do before----I can watch my own HD movies on my HD big screen TV. AppleTV wirelessly connects to my iMac, and allows me to play movies or show pictures. No wires to connect, no special setup, nothing confusing to figure out. This little AppleTV gizmo was only $99 and it fits in the palm of your hand. It has 2 plugs--one for power, and one HDMI (which carries HD video and surround-sound). Setup took less than 5 minutes. Once I am recovered from surgery and am able to get out of the house in maybe 4 to 6 weeks, I will go take some HD videos of trains, put it into iMovie, and then watch it on my 65 inch big screen. It is mind boggling to me that a device as small and inexpensive ($299) as the new iPod can take such incredible 720p HD video. The $299 price alone is worth the HD video! On top of that of course, it has WiFi as well as lots of apps that I've added to it, and Apple's new "Retina Display" (basically an HD display). An amazing invention, and perfect for traveling. And for those in this group who do travel frequently, just imagine being able to take HD videos or high quality still photographs with a little thing that's not even as large as 2 credit cards. Simple point and shoot, with outstanding results. I really wanted the iPad, but I just couldn't justify buying it because I couldn't think of a single thing I would do with it (that my current devices don't already do).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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GBN: The translation for my "stuff" is basically this.....I own several gizmos. One of the problems of owning several gizmos is that you have to "sync" them on a regular basis. In the past, this means that you normally have a "master" item (usually a desktop computer). That desktop computer has all of your important things on it, such as your calendar, your email, your address book, your internet page bookmarks, and so forth.
As an example, let me use the address book. Let's say I get an email from a friend who tells me that he/she changed their phone number. In the past, what I would do is go to the "master" computer (my desktop computer), and I would open up my address book program. I would find them in the address book, and then "edit" it so that I can remove their old phone number and put in their new phone number. Okay, so mission accomplished......but it's only mission accomplished on ONE computer. I still have other "gizmos" that I use which also need to be updated with the new phone number. In the past, the way this was accomplished was by taking each "gizmo" one at a time, and plugging it into a cable that is plugged into my "master" (desktop) computer. When my gizmo is plugged into the desktop computer with a cable, the gizmo and the computer then talk to each other. Specifically, they "sync" themselves with each other. My gizmo will "see" a new phone number on the master computer, and it will update itself so that my gizmo deletes my friend's old phone number, and insert their new phone number. Once that "sync" is complete (it takes about 5 minutes or less), then I unplug it and set it aside.
Next, I would go and grab my next gizmo, and go through the same routine (plug it into the desktop computer, and let the two things "talk" to each other so that the gizmo gets the updated phone number of my friend). The more gizmos I have, the longer it takes---because I have to take each gizmo, one at a time, and plug it into the master computer. That is called "syncing". If I did not "sync", then my desktop computer would have my friend's correct new phone number, but my gizmos would have the old, incorrect phone number. So that is why "syncing" is so necessary-----they all have to have the same information, otherwise it gets crazy and you don't know which device has the correct information on it.
Now......along comes a neat new service from Apple that they are calling, "MobileMe". It used to be called "Dot Mac", but that was a few years ago and it is now called MobileMe. When they changed the name, they also changed the features. And here is why MobileMe is so neat. There no longer is a "master" computer that I have to sync my gizmos with. Why??? Because----Apple uses a thing that they call a "Cloud". It's not really a cloud, obviously....they just call it that because it sort of explains what it does. No matter what gizmo I am using (ANY of my gizmos....desktop computer, cell phone, iPod, etc), whenever I make a change, it will "beam" up this new information to the "cloud" in the sky. This "cloud" contains all of my information that I used to do a "sync" with as described above using a cable. But now, there is no cable...and there is no syncing action that I have to do on my end. It is all fully automatic and invisible. It just "happens" as long as you pay the 99 bucks a year. So right now, all of the information in my address book, all of my email addresses that I have stored in my email program, all of my emails, all of my bookmarks for internet pages, and many other things----they are ALL sitting up there in the virtual "cloud". When I make a change on ANY gizmo, the "cloud" automatically grabs it without me doing anything. The information is beamed up to the cloud, and then the cloud turns around and beams back down the new information to all of my gizmos. I don't have to do anything---it does it by itself. So if I were to go over to my laptop computer right now and open up my address book, I could add "GBN" as a new entry and just make up a phone number and address to put in there (this is just to give an example of how it works). As soon as I finish entering your information into my laptop's address book, I walk away---I'm done. It probably took me, what, maybe 1 or 2 minutes to type in your name, address, and phone number? Now even though I ONLY entered your information into my address book on my laptop computer, as soon as I walked away, things began happening by themselves without me touching anything. The new information gets "beamed up" to the cloud, and then the cloud automatically beams it right back down to all of my gizmos. So even though I entered your information on my laptop computer, I can walk over to my cell phone and look in the address book, and voila---there you are. And it all happened without me telling it to do so.
Does that make sense? It's a clever invention, and very simple to use. The MobileMe service actually does much more than this, but that is just one small example. I'll mention one other neat thing that MobileMe has---something called an "iDisk". You know what a hard drive is, right? Okay, now imagine a hard drive sitting up there in the "cloud". You can't touch it or see it, but it's there. I have access to this hard drive in the cloud (the "iDisk") by logging onto a specific web page and entering my password. What this allows me to do is share a large file with someone. I'm with Comcast for my home internet, and their email system only allows me a maximum of 10MB to be attached to an email that I send. Anything greater than 10MB, and Comcast will reject it and not allow the email to be sent. Yesterday, I had a 44MB sound file that I had to send to a friend. Comcast would not allow it---it's WAY over their 10MB limit. So instead, I used the iDisk. I simply logged on to a specific web page, entered in my user name and password, and clicked a button that says "Upload". I then uploaded this large sound file to the virtual hard drive in the sky! Once the upload was complete and my sound file was up there in the "cloud", it then asked me if I would like to share this file with anyone. I said "Yes", and I just put in that person's email address and clicked "Send". The person that I sent it to got an email that said, "Andy would like to share a file with you. Click on the link below". (and there was a link that she could click on). So it's like having your own hard drive up in the sky that you can do with whatever you'd like to do. If you take a long video that goes over 10MB, but you still want people to see it, you upload it to the "iDisk" so that friends can access it and look at it. It's just like making a copy of a tape and mailing it to them in a big envelope, except you bypass the envelope---and go straight to the computer.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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When I travel (again; only 23 nites last year) and have to use Comcast's page for e-mail rather than Outlook Express, since my Address Book is stored on Outlook, I simply have a "pen and paper' listing of any e-mails I could have reason to contact while on the trip.
But I guess for one who is constantly away from home, I can see where this Cloud kind of stuff, as well as all the other playthings Smitty has enumerated could help out.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The only "gizmos" I have are this computer here and my office computer. I have no need for iPads, MobileMe, or any of the other gizmos you mention. I don't even use my electronic calendar at the office (Microsoft Outlook) -- I write down my app'ts on a desk calendar at my desk.
I had Apple computers long ago, and abandoned them for the PC since, for the types of software I use, there were never any Apple versions of anything available, and I ended up having to use that clumsy "Virtual PC" for my Apple for a few years, and even that wasn't compatible with several of the PC applications I use, and I couldn't open say a Microsoft Word document with MacWrite (which was all that was available for Macintosh back then). I don't know if that is still the case or not.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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RRRICH.....Oh wow, Apple stuff from the past that I had forgotten about! Yes, for a very long time period (unfortunately), the PC-Apple communication stuff did not go very well. I forgot about the 'Virtual PC" days. And MacWrite---wow---that's old stuff!
Most of those issues are history and are no longer around, as long as your have your Mac set up the correct way. To make sure that I am "compatible" with PC users, I purchased Microsoft Office for the Mac 2011 (and I've had all of the other versions before this one). It allows MS documents in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc, to be created on my Mac and then sent to a Windows user and it comes out perfect. Vice-versa is also true, so there are no "lost in translation" issues at all for MOST things out there today.
The one big area where Apple is lacking software is gaming. I am not into games, so I really don't care. I have yet to find a computer game that makes me want to play it---they all seem pretty boring to me. But I do understand that games are big to lots of people, and if someone is into games, then the Mac is the wrong computer to buy because the options are going to be very limited. Unfortunately, this also applies to "simulation" programs. I would love to use flight simulator software or train simulator software, but "the good stuff" is all written for a PC. However, if I wanted to spend the money, I could easily run Windows on my Mac. If you're interested, here's a short little blurb that explains it:
With "Boot Camp", I can buy Windows compatible software (including Windows itself), and run it directly from my Mac. But I have a fairly serious dislike for Microsoft products, so I have never gone to the trouble and expense to have this for my computers.
Apple products are also the computers that are used for almost all music professionals and recording studios, because their software is superior to anything else out there. The same applies to graphics and CGI in Hollywood movies---all of that stuff is done on a Mac. (I have a brother who is a graphic artist and he says in "the biz", Apple is the accepted standard for pretty much everything. I also have a brother in the music recording industry in Hollywood, and Apple computers and software are what the major sound studios use to create new albums. And of course, all of the CGI stuff done these days by Spielberg, Disney, and the other major motion picture companies all use Apple. Movies such as "Up", "Avatar", "Finding Nemo", etc....all made on a Mac).
But at least for the other things you mentioned, the compatibility issues have all been cleaned up and almost no problems exist any more. It used to be a royal pain in the you-know-what! I remember getting so frustrated with things back then. But it's a whole new world with Apple these days. In my opinion, Apple's hardware and software products are far superior than anyone else out there. I mean, Windows is a copy of Apple's original idea using a mouse, windows, clicking, dragging and dropping, etc...And it continues today. Apple invented the iPod, and created a HUGE mp3 business that has basically made CD's totally obsolete. Then the iPhone came along, and everyone else once again copied Apple and came out with phones where you can touch the screen, pinch, rotate to landscape mode, double-tap, etc....And now the iPad---everyone is copying Apple and coming out with their own version. Apple sets the standard, and then everyone else follows. I prefer the original myself. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty sounds like Steve Jobs' promotion vice-president, doesn't he? And for good reason.
One more thing: The Mac platform is also the standard in the newspaper, magazine, and book industries.
I just wish Apple had a netbook. The iPad's virtual keyboard doesn't do it for a writer. So I use a Toshiba PC netbook (weighs 2 pounds) for traveling by train or plane. For car travel and bookstore/library presentations, I take a two-year-old, 5-pound Macbook.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Honest, my first computer was an Apple IIe acquired during 1983 - paid over $3K for it.
It also was the only computer I've ever owned that I was able to resell during 1988 when I switched over to "PC".
While I shall not dispute the contentions of some personal users and hobbyists of a superior product and Mr. Kisor's point that Apple products (I guess are pretty much known today as Mac's and i-whatever) are the standard in the literary world, "PC" is indisputably such in the business world, and that of course was paramount to me.
During the '80's, the standard business spreadsheet program was Lotus 1-2-3, which superseded Visicalc as such. I became literate on both to the extent of "high-intermediate user'. Lotus was used by most of my clients and we would often exchange work on 3.25 floppy disks.
I was not "on-line" until 1999, which was prompted by having to replace a 1993 PC system with one that was Y2K ready. I used dial-up until 2007 when I (finally) upgraded to broadband. I never used on-line capabilities for any activity within my practice.
I am familiar with Microsoft spreadsheet functions to those available on Works - the free program that comes packaged on many a PC sold. That is of course a 'teaser' to entice you to "upgrade' to the already packaged (but not activated) Excel that can be all yours for a click and a credit card good for $600 or so (I understand there is a card swipe plaything for "heavy" on-line shoppers).
I use Lotus today on my existing Dell computer with XP that was bought during 2007 (Vista was available, but I was advised "don't touch it'), however, sooner or later this computer will need to be replaced, and all existing programs will also have to be replaced as Win7 will not support any software that can be supported by XP. To my knowledge, Lotus has not, and apparently will not, release a version for Win7. So as often the case in the cyberworld "if you can't lick 'em, join 'em" and this 70 year old will have to learn a whole new (Excel) spreadsheet program. A spreadsheet of course is my mainstay program.
But otherwise, my 'Safaris" will be limited to when visiting my Sister, as I doubt if Greenwich Hyatt is about to re-install a PC in their Business Center for what appears to be my sole benefit (I've seen those same kind of "boxless" stations they have at airports - noted such an area in the JetBlue KJFK terminal).
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN, if you're ever inclined to switch, Microsoft Office for Mac works just fine with same functionality as on a PC. Wouldn't leave home without it. Excel is put to much better use these days than when I worked - great to keep track of all my model railroad equipment, schedules etc. There is the Home and Student version you can get that costs $150 -it has everything I'd ever need.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: Smitty sounds like Steve Jobs' promotion vice-president, doesn't he? And for good reason.
Now THAT would be a fun job! And getting to work from my home in Pleasanton to Cupertino (where Apple is based) takes about 1 hour and 15 to 30 minutes during commute hours. However, Apple runs their own bus/shuttle system. For any "bus foamers" out there, they have a large fleet of MCI (Motor Coach Industries) buses, and I think the model they use is the J4500. The buses are completely unmarked, and are painted a glossy battleship grey. Inside, of course they have WiFi, HDTV's with "live" DirecTV (with the big round satellite dish on the roof), and in the rear is a restroom with a mini-kitchen located next to it. The mini-kitchen has a sink, countertop, and microwave oven. The Apple shuttles come through Pleasanton every morning and every evening, making the commute easy. One of these days when the Railforum gets the new software and posting a photo is easy, I'll post pictures of many of the things I talk about. But suffice it to say that Apple employees are very fortunate to be able to live way over here in what is called the Tri-Valley (Pleasanton, Livermore, and Dublin) and work way over in Cupertino. The Apple shuttle is a free service to employees.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Mr. Norman, I too will not give up my Lotus 123. If you purchase a PC with Windows 7 Professional (not HOME) installed, you can download a free Virtual PC with an XP emulator from Microsoft. My 1996 Lotus runs just swell on it. With the good old pre-mouse slash key, it runs circles around the latest Excel I use at work.
There are PC gurus who say early '90s Lotus is still the most efficient software ever designed, and declined when they made it compatible with Excel. And folks are still amazed when I pop up a beautiful color graph from a boring page of numbers in a few seconds.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Yikes, RR4me. I feel like taking a shower just reading the article! Poor old Jack London, to have his name so used in vain. . . .
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Mr. Twin Star, Lotus 123 has the command F4+End+(arrow) that will make a range from the cursor to the furthest filled cell in the direction commanded. I don't think Excel has a comparable command; I think you have to drag (left click) the mouse in order to establish your range.
I use that command all the time.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sojourner, I felt the same way reading the article. However, I worked in Oakland during the '80's, and my overall impression was that the whole city was a place best left off anyone's travel plans. It's kind of nice around the marina, but basically, to muck up Gertrude Stein's quote, "The trouble with Oakland is that when you get there, there isn't any there there" and what's there is dirty or boring or sleazy.
Posts: 406 | From: La Grange, CA | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: I just wish Apple had a netbook. The iPad's virtual keyboard doesn't do it for a writer. So I use a Toshiba PC netbook (weighs 2 pounds) for traveling by train or plane. For car travel and bookstore/library presentations, I take a two-year-old, 5-pound Macbook.
Henry--
Have you seen the external keyboards that are available for the iPad? I recently saw one that is a bluetooth keyboard that is part of a very nice looking case for the iPad.
I am seriously looking at the new MacBook Air to replace my current PowerBook G4. Light weight and a full feature computer.
Frank in cool and clear SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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The MacBook Air is a very cool computer. I helped my mom shop at the Apple Store because she needed to replace her old MacBook. She REALLY wanted the Air because she thought it was "cute". However, I had to point out to her that even though the Air is great, it is lacking a couple of key things. Namely, there is no Ethernet port. So I had to explain to her that when she travels with my dad (which is quite often), if they are at a location that does not have WiFi and only has Ethernet cables, then she's out of luck because the Air does not have that type of outlet. However, you can buy an optional item that I think plugs into the USB port, and then the other end of that adapter has an Ethernet port. Then you can plug into Ethernet. She did not like that because it was one more thing to drag along and pack, and one more "techy" thing for an 80 year old to remember (yup, she's 80 and is online every day! Sure surprised me.). There were a few other things, but I can't recall them right now. I just remember looking at the product at the Apple Store and seeing that there were limitations when compared to a regular Apple laptop.
But if the lack of an Ethernet port is not bothersome, then the Air is a great computer. I was very impressed with the display---very sharp, bright, and absolutely flawless. My next laptop is going to have to be another MacBook Pro, but the Air is very tempting. My current MacBook Pro is almost three years old, and AppleCare runs out on May 15th. A three year old computer is ancient in computer years, and I always like to have the newest gizmo, so pretty soon I'll be making another Apple purchase. I just wish the iPhone 5 was available on Verizon (I have the iPhone 3GS on AT&T). Switching to Verizon right now would be a very bad move (and I never thought I'd say that, because I dislike AT&T greatly). I don't think Verizon is going to see a huge rush of people switching like they are thinking will happen. If I (and other AT&T iPhone users) were to switch, we would instantly lose the ability to talk on the phone and use an app at the same time. I like to be able to be out walking with my ear buds in, talk on the phone, and then look something up in Safari as we're talking. AT&T's system allows that---Verizon's does not----YET! Also, switching to Verizon will not allow anyone to use the iPhone at 4G speeds. And that's a biggee! The best move for me (and I think for millions of others) is to just stay with AT&T and wait it out. There's no reason for us to switch to Verizon (which is what we have all been shouting for), only to find that we have lost what we once had. By the time the iPhone 5 comes out (I'm hearing it's July), then we should have a good idea as to who gives a better bang for the buck. I could talk about Apple stuff all day...(but I think you already knew that!).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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In doing further checking about what Frank mentioned (a keyboard for the iPad), I found this on Apple's website (for only $69 with free shipping):
What a neat idea! This would be great for taking on a train (or plane) trip, because you still have the small portability of the ipad (and the keyboard does not appear to be bulky at all). So Henry, you could bring along your iPad and type with a real keyboard! I had no idea that this product existed. I like it, I like it!!!
Thank you, Frank. Now you've got my wheels spinning.....
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, isn't another drawback for the Air that it does not have a disc drive - so no DVD's or CD's. I too thought it was a great (but expensive) alternative to a laptop, but an Ipad, especially with the available keyboard mostly does the same thing and is more portable. Then only drawback to the Ipad is that there is no USB port (yet) so requires another gizmo to download our many photos on a trip, nor does it have the ability to edit photos - which Air does using IPhoto. Decisions, decisions.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Yes, thank you! I knew there was something else but I couldn't remember what it was. When my mom was looking at the Air and really wanted to get it, I reminded her that the songs that she sings in her choir are handed out to everyone on a CD. So I checked with the salesman at the Apple Store, and the only way to play a CD with the Air (or iPad) is to separately purchase a CD player that plugs into the unit (I think via a USB cable).
Thanks for bringing that up--I knew there was something else but I couldn't think of it. I had to talk my mom out of it because there is no way that I could imagine her remembering to bring various peripheral devices on trips with her. With the the MacBook that she ended up purchasing, everything that she needs is self-contained in the unit and that made things simple for her.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I would say that your sister is one smart cookie. I have been a hardcore Apple fan since my first desktop in 1985. Currently, I own 7 Apple devices (MacBook Pro, 27 inch iMac, AppleTV, iPhone, iPod 2nd gen, new iPod w/HD video, and iPod nano). I also subscribe to MobileMe for a flat fee of 99 bucks a year, which is an absolute perfect fit for my needs. Because I have so many devices, it doesn't matter what I am carrying with me at the time---they will all be current and updated with each other as far as email, bookmarks (in Safari), address book and contacts, and my calendar. Once I change something on one device, it beams up to a "cloud", and then beams back down to update all of my devices automatically. And if I ever lose my iPhone, the "me" webpage can find it, deactivate it, and wipe it clean so that nobody will learn my address or my contacts. Through MobileMe, I also have remote control of my iMac while I'm out of town by using my MacBook Pro. As long as I'm online, I can pull up my iMac just as if I'm sitting in front of it at home---from thousands of miles away. This comes in handy for controlling my 2 webcams to keep an eye on the petsitter and replay motion events, and it also allows me to input the day's purchases directly into Quicken so that when I come home from a trip, it's already done (I used to have a pile of receipts that I would have to bring home and input everything in from a trip). Anyway, that's my little Apple sales pitch. Why anyone sticks with a PC is beyond me. In the last 4 months, I've had 3 friends switch to a Mac for the first time in their lives. All 3 are saying the same thing to me: "I should have done this years ago!". 
