Going into MacWorld NYC as such an incredible Macintosh novice is like …uh…well…nothing I’ve done before. I’m still trying to understand WHY MAC OS-X does what it does, and why it thinks the way it thinks. To me, it’s still speaking in tongues.
The show was interestiing. Many software providers. The gaming people were rushing right in ( I was there before the doors opened, so to speak ), jumping in on the newest versions, fastest machines and sexiest LCD monitors.
It is soothing to see that the balance between Form and Content is still tipped over way towards Content. There were so many providers there who were shilling their latest devices, tools and softwares- all so that the Form can be altered or made easier to work with.
The Internet Cafe there was an eye-opener. Lots of small tables, maximum of 4 laptops per table…and nobody interfacing at all. No conversations, nobody sharing web sites or images. Just a lot of people, absorbed into their own laptops. It was depressing. Why GO to a show, if you are going to stand near other people, and not have any interaction?
In all of the pleasant, helpful, geeky as all get-out conversations I had, the only one that has moved me in any fundamental way was one with a gentleman who was there to provide Network Support near the Internet Cafe area. I asked him how to turn on my Airport, and we got into this wonderful talk about editing. He was an editor for 20 years, Emmy winner, etc. He reminded me that it’s about heart, not hardware. He reminded me that it’s only always about Content, not form.
It has to come from within. All of the neat music writing software, the graphics stuff, the photo manipulation stuff, the storage devices, the whole schmeg…doesn’t matter unless there is Content there for one to sit before, and create with.
Aside from doing the household checkbook and banking on a Mac, it seems to me that every other application ( just about ) involves bringing to it good Content. I’m parched for some. As much as I thought I was going to become an Editor, it seems I’m still in charge of bringing good Content to the machine, so I can edit it into something of value.
Cables, interfaces, external hard drives, FireWires, small videotapes and the lot, it still comes down to expressing one’s self with the palette provided.
Makes an artist’s heart warm. Anyone else go yet? Thoughts?
Cartooniverse
