Computer Options: Opinions needed
- August 10th, 2008 10:20 pm
Since the untimely demise of my laptop, I’ve been drooling over computers online from my old craggy emachine. That’s right, laugh it up, an emachine. Some of my favorites from browsing so far are:
Photo Source: HP
The HP Pavilion tx2500z . It has touch screen technology, an adjustable screen, and fingerprint technology. Up to 250 GB hard drive and lots of other fancy stuff. But touchscreen? And the adjustable screen? I love it.
On to other loves,
Photo Source: Sony
The Sony VAIO CR Notebook series PC in cosmopolitan pink. It has a bazillion fabulous features. PLUS, it comes in pink. I’m sometimes a bit of a twit about things coming in pink.
Photo Source: Apple
Last, but not least is the Apple’s Macbook Air. Seriously, how cute is this thing. The answer is too cute. The only downside is that I’ve always dealt with PCs. In fact, I’ve never even used a Mac, let alone purchased one. Please tell me why they are or are not better than PCs.
Since it is obvious that my taste in computers is shallow and deals mostly with their appearance and functionality, I need some opinions. What sort of computer do you use? Love it? Hate it? suggestions? I promise that tomorrow I will be finished asking for advice.
August 10th, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
My next laptop will be a MacBook. I WANT a Mac so badly. So much better photo editing.
I love my Dell, but want the Air.
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August 10th, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
I work on a desk top most of the time. BUT I have an HP XPS laptop with a huge screen (like 20″)…and I ADORE this computer. It has all the bells and whistles…plus a huge screen. You never feel compromised working on it…..but um, it is heavy. I do travel with it…but not for the weak shouldered!!!!
Hey- have a glamorous day!
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August 10th, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Go Mac Book Pro…I made the switch from my Dell. LOVE IT! No problems switching to MAC…never going back:)
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August 10th, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
I am a bit “challenged” in the computer knowledge area. I have what I have and I learned how to use it. I would have no idea what to even look at if ours were to break down (please, please, please do NOT break down). So I would go for the pink. Pink is cute and girly.
Jodis last blog post..No, No, NO! This is NOT happening!
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August 10th, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
First of all, don’t get an adjustable screen. You won’t use it and it’s easier to break. Secondly, if you aren’t used to Apple products then don’t get one.
But, mostly, get something close to what you are using now with just more memory and power. We all enjoy what we know…
Mr. Noodle
Mr. Noodles last blog post..That’s what it’s all about…
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August 10th, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
I know nothing, now adays. Bit, having a best friend who after learning to teach Macs quit teaching to become a Mac Expert AND hearing the phrase “once you go Mac, you never go back” too many times… I think the foot has spoken. Mac it is.
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August 10th, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
I would love to be a faithful, helpful reader, but as Internet savvy as I am, I know almost nothing about the mechanical side of comptuers. When I was trying to buy a new one last year, I literally had to have people explain GB and MBs and on and on for me so I could understand what to look for.
Good luck! New computers are so much fun!
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August 10th, 2008 @ 11:53 pm
I have a crappy desktop that I keep for wireless purposes and emergencies and so my kid can go on Noggin! I have a Toshiba laptop that I like but it’s kinda slow and the storage is not so great. Then I get a MAC for work and it is my savior! It has been away from me all summer, getting cleaned and re tooled and I am SO EXCITED to get it back in the next day or so. I can’t recommend a Mac more, seriously! LOVE IT!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 12:12 am
It depends on what you want to use it for. I am in the tech field and most of the hardcore PC guys would tell you that mac has advantages that PC’s don’t and vice versa.
As I understand it (I owned an APPLE II in the 80’s, but nothing since then), Mac’s are far superior when it comes to multimedia, but PC’s are better for a lot of day to day things.
A lot of animation studios use Macs, and business minded companies typically use PC’s. What do you want to use it for?
You are going to get hardcore fans on either side, so be wary. *Most* people are happy with either.
(I won’t use anything but a PC, simply because I can get into the guts of it and fix things – does not apply to laptops, obviously. So my opinion here means very little.)
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August 11th, 2008 @ 12:21 am
i have always had a dell and have used many others but still to this day will only buy a dell. i’m using my new inspiron 1525 because it’s best for what i need to do
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August 11th, 2008 @ 12:34 am
For my laptop I have a MacBook Pro and I LOVE it. Macs are so awesome and so easy. We had been faithful PC users until we got a new computer last year. We went all Mac and I have never been happier. Plus you can always put a cute pink skin on your mac!
Heather~Domestic Extraordinaires last blog post..We paid a bit more than a tuppance for this
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August 11th, 2008 @ 12:41 am
I have sort of crossed over to the dark side that is Macs, but I love mine, if not only for the mind-blowing clarity of color/graphics. It is rather simple to use but I do miss the comfort of a PC… I didn’t feel bad kicking it around a bit…
http://www.teresawu.wordpress.com
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August 11th, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Get a Mac. The Air is adorable, but you could get a Macbook (more powerful, slightly larger) for several hundred dollars less. You will adore using a Mac, I promise. I’ve swayed many people to the Mac side, and everyone of them has loved me more for it. There is no reason not to. They can do everything a PC can (they run windows side by side with OS X) and so much more. The only downside is that you will not want to work on a PC after you start, and since that’s like 95% of the world, it will happen. Anyway, feel free to email me if you have any questions. I’ve only had my Macbook for a couple of years, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 1:15 am
Mac Book Pro (not the air) ABSOLUTELY rocks!
Air would be fun and cute to have as a second laptop when I’m out on business calls but for all of my work it isn’t powerful enough.
I’ve owned three computers so far: Imac, Ibook laptop and the one I use now my Macbook Pro.
Macs are so easy to use. Simple set up, simple updates, very intuitive. No viruses… What’s not to love? They do cost more but honestly I really think they are a good value, not just expensive. The cost is justified by all of the positives mentioned above. I run parallels on mine so I can run windows and IE when I want to test web design stuff in both Mac and PC browsers.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 1:18 am
I have a Dell desktop that has now been downgraded strictly to kid usage. I’ve kinda taken over my hubby’s Dell laptop and I’ve been happy with it.
I’ve heard a ton of good things about Mac…I would consider buying one when we’re ready to replace/upgrade again.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 4:14 am
I have a MacBook. I love her. I would marry her if I could. Mac are teh awesome and VERY VERY easy to use.
Do it babe, you won’t regret it!
Kelleys last blog post..if money was no object
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August 11th, 2008 @ 4:32 am
I switched to mac just before Christmas and I love love love it! I had a dell before and it was good but I adore my mac so much more- it is light and easy to use- cute and compact is what I wanted and that is what I got!
I just carry it around with me with wireless internet going and use it for everything!!! I am not really computer savvy or anything but it was easy for me to make the switch!
Best of luck with the hunt!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 5:27 am
I don’t know much about computer brands, but here’s where I stand on them:
Dell: I love Dell. Their customer support is awesome. If you buy a Dell, I also strongly advise getting the warranty plan as well, which is amazing- it covers everything. So if you’re careless like I am and mess up the keyboard (twice), or break the CD tray, Dell will just send you a new piece that you can install yourself, or they’ll send a free technician, too.
HP: I hate hate hate hate HP, and have sworn to NEVER buy their products again. Their customer service sucks, and you can’t use phone customer service after you’ve had their product for a year (you have to use their online support which, I can imagine, sucks when your computer breaks and you can’t get online). I had an HP printer that refused to print random (important) documents once, and it took hours on the online chat with the HP guys, in which they provided no help whatsoever. I finally figured out how to fix it myself.
My boyfriend had an HP laptop, which suddenly stopped working at only a few months old. Luckily, it was still under warranty and he sent it back in to be fixed. When he got it back, it broke AGAIN. He finally gave up and bought a lap top.
I know some people swear by HP, and I’m sure they’ve gotten great products from them, but I refuse risk it and buy any of their products ever again.
Mac: I hear great things about Macs, but I don’t know that much about them. I’m considering getting one for my next computer- not because I don’t want another Dell, but because I don’t think I want to deal with the new Window’s operating system, Vista.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 6:07 am
I am a big Mac fan. My hubby tried to convert me for years before we finally took the plunge. I knew he’d have no problems. Technology is his great love in life as well as his career. But I was concerned about the learning curve for me. I’m here to tell you that it was pretty darn simple to learn to use a Mac. Other than a few straightforward differences (close windows in the top left corner instead of right, use the apple key instead of the control key for short cut commands) there was very little to figure out. Macs are designed in such a way as to be very intuitive to the user. Even ones as computer-dumb as me! I have not regretted our switch even once (we’ve been Mac only for years now) and we NEVER have to restart the damn computer after it crashes. Those problems are just a thing of the past and THAT is worth it!
The Mac also comes with some great programs like iPhoto for editing and storing pictures, iWeb for designing web pages, and Photo Booth for taking goofy pictures of yourself! There are probably a tonne of more important things than these, but, as I said, I’m not as much of a geek as I would like to be.
Anyway, TOTALLY A BELIEVE/MAC WHORE around here. They are worth every penny. And the switch wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be. Only, I’m not sure how much memory the Macbook Air has? Doesn’t it have significantly less than a Macbook Pro? I guess you’d have to decide that. But my recommendation is GO FOR IT.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 6:36 am
Get a macbook, maybe not an air. Look at all the things that are not in the Air, and see if paying more just for size is worthwhile for you.
I’ve been supporting macs (and pcs, when I have to) in higher ed for 20 years. I won’t buy anything else for myself.
Disclaimer: Husband works for Apple, but for less than 3 years. I was a huge fan long before I even met him.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:02 am
Choices, choices – so many choices!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:15 am
I have an HP laptop (not the fancy flip-screen one you posted though) and I’ve been really happy with it! I got it last summer. We also have a 7 year old HP desktop that’s still kicking, and I think that’s a testament to HP if you ask me!
Just don’t don’t don’t go for a Dell. We had a horrible experience with both their machines AND their crappy, crappy customer service.
Good luck in your search
I’m such a geek, so I think computer shopping is fun!!!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:23 am
The proper tool for the job. Always. Look at what you do with your computer. Some things are better done by a Mac. Graphics and page layout, and photo editing are easy on the Mac – many say easier than the PC. I like the notion of the Mac because of their new operating system. It is much faster and more stable that it has ever been, and much better than Windows in that regard.
Some specialized software will only work in Windows. If you run that kind of stuff, you may be trapped.
If it was me, and all I did was Browsing, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database and Photoediting, I’d run a Linux (Ubuntu) system. Dell sells Linux laptops and they are available from other sources, as well. They’re just a bit harder to find. If you need help, let me know. email me at my gmail.com account – it’s lou.lohman .
lceels last blog post..Snuck up on me
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:39 am
I’ve *so* procrastinated buying a laptop for home. I, too, have a craggy old Dell desktop I use for, well, photo organization and that’s about it. I have a great IBM ThinkPad issued by work that I use for personal stuff, too, but I need to get my own machine so that I can fully install all the crap — er — stuff I want on the local hard drive. I think I’d go for the pink one, too. :O)
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:44 am
My daughter bought herself a mac book with an advance on her allowance until she’s 18 (it was my ex’s idea to give her over $1000 dollars) but it was an incredibly good choice for her for a laptop.
I love her Mac too and I would definitely get one if I had the cash. And sometimes she even lets me borrow hers!
Kels last blog post..Get in line
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August 11th, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I’ve heard a lot of people having problems with the hinges of the laptops with swivel screens. I’m not a fan of Apple as a company… and I have too many free programs for PC to lose them all if I went over to Mac.
Be careful with the Air also… it has no USB ports and I heard lacks a lot of other things and is pretty much only good for people that have to have a laptop on them at all times.
I love Sony and Toshiba!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 8:51 am
I’m technically challenged BIG TIME but have used the first one for work. It’s pretty cool. I think the skinny Apple would get lost in my paperwork, it’s so small.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I’ll give you one really good reason to get a mac. The last time that there was a virus for a mac was 1972. It’s been over 30 years. No anti-virus software needed. Which means you don’t have to pay for Norton, etc.
Macs are MUCH easier to work with than a PC. Just click and drag.
We have 5 here at the house. The kids all get one when they start high school. I was scared to switch from my old Gateway 2000 too but now that I did I’ll never bother with another PC. These are just too easy to use.
Amys last blog post..how I learned
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August 11th, 2008 @ 9:51 am
any of the above would be great for me, as I don’t have even an old one at home…
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August 11th, 2008 @ 10:57 am
The Mac would be my dream. Until that day comes I’m satisfied with my Dell Inspiron–practicality personified!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 10:58 am
From what I’ve heard from friends and doing lots of reading, you can’t go wrong with a Mac. Since I can’t afford one, I must say the two Sony Vaio’s I’ve owned are probably the next best thing. The first one lasted 6 years, which I think after 5, it automatically becomes an antique. I just got the second Vaio a few months ago. I did need to add more RAM, but it runs beautifully.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:26 am
I wouldn’t go with the Sony. We bought a VIAO 3 years ago and it sucked from the beginning. I have an HP desktop and LOVE IT.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:28 am
I started out on Macs and couldn’t imagine using anything else…but they were kind of going out for a while and I gave in and got a PC. LOVe it, but might go back to Mac if I get a laptop on down the line…
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:36 am
I have to say I love my HP (and their customer service is awesome) If I’d seen the little pink number when I was buying though…. yeah, that would have been a hard choice!!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:49 am
I know nothing. Other than pink is pretty. And that’s what dumb ole me would base my purchase on.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
I too am dreaming of the day I can get a MacBook. Meanwhile we have our almost 5 year old DELL (a.k.a. the dellasaur!)
Truthfully, right now I am content because we have one of those ergonomically correct keyboards. I love it!!
Sometimes I am very easy to please…but only sometimes!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
i have something that was on sale at best buy after christmas. and i works just fine…but i still like to drool over the macbooks
alis last blog post..a story of my first time. and my last time.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
I would say macbookpro but it’s not on the list. And I’ll just be super jealous of you if you get one. While I’m still lusting.
I have a new Dell Inspiron 1525. It’s in the blossom pattern, purple with flowers. Works beautifully, not heavy, haven’t had any issues. Highly recommended.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Macmacmacmacmacmacmacmac
*GASP*
Macmacmacmacmacmacmacmacmacmac.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
I have a Mac- and have for over 7 years. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE Mac’s. They DO NOT get any viruses, and every program is SUPER easy. I have only known people to switch from a PC to a Mac- never the other way around!!!
I hope you get a MAC. You’ll LOVE it
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
why even put up anything else besides a Mac? Seriously. Its very clear that you have yet to deal with the easiest computer on the planet. You poor poor thing. Although I wouldn’t go with an Air. Just saying.
(and it does suck that you can’t get a Mac with colors… that bums me out)
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
I will never, ever be allowed to own a Mac. My geek husband forbids it.
“But! But! They are so….PRETTY!!!!!”
Is my only real argument because dude…I have to be able to have him fix it.
Sigh.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
MAC all the way. Very good machine, doesn’t cause issues.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
You must get a mac!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
My use is work related (unless I’m at home… then again most of the time I’m at home as well). So, I have no choice but use what they provide (HP laptop this time). Since I have to use a PC so often I wouldn’t switch to MAC (the brain transition would be tough going back & forth).
That being said, if I had a choice and $ I would go for the MAC. The interface is cleaner, the support is good, the application integration is tighter.
I only $0.5 – you owe me $0.3
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August 11th, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
I have a Dell, but lust for a MacBook…
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August 11th, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever buy a HP. After my new laptop failed after 4 months, it took them over 7 months to send me a replacement and that was only after I contacted the BBB. Their customer service is terrible!
Buy the Mac. I wish I had.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Dude, I have a MacBook and a MacBook Pro, and after getting an electronics degree I thought I would be tied to a PC forever.
Not so.
All I have to say is in my basement is a 6 year old Mac G4 tower with a flatscreen monitor that has never needed an upgrade or repair and still serves as a smoking fast enough internet computer. I also barely ever restarted it – when something crashes it just crashes the program and not the whole system.
It has been 6 years since I have seen a Blue Screen of Death on a PC. I don’t miss it and the switch was super easy to make.
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
Oh My, go with a Mac. I switched a couple years ago… it took a week, two tops to get the hang of it… I will NEVER GO BACK. Seriously.
I love the Air, but unless you are hauling it around all the time, the regular MacBook will probably work just as well (it actually can be faster and is cheaper). Also, if you have programs you MUST run on a Windows OS, get the MacBook (not the Air, because it will be too slow for this) and sub-divide your hard-drive to run both the Mac OS and Windows OS. Then you get both in the prettiest package EVER.
Good Luck!
Jamie
Oh… stop over and enter to win an AWESOME handbag!
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August 11th, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Mac all the way. I’ve grown up using Macs and there’s nothing better. I hear they’re tricky to get used to at first, but they’re awesome, so if you do get one, hang in there. You WILL love it!
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August 12th, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Three words.
MAC. BOOK. DAMMIT.
maggie, dammits last blog post..the winds of change
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August 12th, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
Mac, hands down. I too, will never go back to PCs.
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August 12th, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
I have the sony Vaio and i love it! other than the fact that it has a built in camera, which doesn’t play nice with my digital camera, so i had to buy a card reader to transfer pictures from my camera to my computer. grrrr. other than that, i adore it!
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August 13th, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
I’ve always owned Macs, which I prefer hands down to PC’s. Mainly I lean more towards art/photography and Macs just naturally lend themselves to those areas. They are beyond super easy to pick up when you just begin.
If you live close to an Apple Store, they actually have a program where you can go in for an hour of “lessons” weekly for one flat fee! It’s fab, I highly recommend it.
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August 24th, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Great information! Thanks for writing this. It is an honor to participate in the discussion.
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August 27th, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
I am with you on having things that come in pink. In fact my laptop is a pink Sony Vaio and I LOVES it!! Whenever anyone asks me how I like it my response is always, “it’s pink!!”
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September 7th, 2008 @ 2:12 am
I agree with your post. Which is not something I will usually do!
I enjoy reading a post that will make one think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
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