And I was still under the impression that FaceBook etc were a younger generational thing. This article shows just how much social media is influencing baby boomers.

For example;

That must include both beloved old friends who will remind you who you are, especially as you start forgetting, and new, younger friends who will keep you active and engaged. As a bonus, they’ll likely be around long after your older friends are gone.

“We’re moving into a period of interdependency. It’s very much a two-way street. We’re going to need friends, but they’re going to need us,” says Green, 61. “As we age we’re going to have to abandon the pride that has been part of baby boomers’ strength — our determination to handle things ourselves, to be in charge and not rely on anyone else.”

For the whole article click here.

I just saw these new MacBook Air this morning and if the reaction at the Apple shop was anything to go by then this new piece of kit is also a winner. Apple…… What a cash machine! I am surprised it has taken this long for this merge to happen though.

The following from BBC news……

The MacBook Air is 0.11 inches thick at its thinnest point
Apple is cashing in on the popularity of its iPhone and iPad to boost demand for its oldest product, the Macintosh.

The company announced that its popular app store for the iPhone and the iPad would soon be coming to its laptops.

It also launched a revamped MacBook Air at an event at its headquarters.

The computer is seen as a marriage of what Apple has learned from desktop computing and mobile devices. Like the iPad, the Air will have no hard drive and rely on flash memory.

“It’s like nothing we’ve ever created before,” said Apple boss Steve Jobs.

“We see these as the next generation of MacBooks. We think all notebooks are going to be like this one day. We’ve been inspired by some of the work we have done on iOS and want to bring them back to the Mac,” said Mr Jobs.

Analysts said the laptop sends out a clear signal to the industry.

“This is a strong reminder to everyone out there that Apple is still in the PC business,” said Michael Gartenberg, research director with Gartner.

“They are still making a lot of money in the PC business and if anyone thinks they are getting out of that business given the money they are making they are very mistaken.”

On sale

The new MacBook Air is 0.11 inches thick at its thinnest point. Apple said the computer’s battery life lets users surf the web for seven hours. In standby mode, the battery can last 30 days.

The first Macintosh made its debut on 24 January 1984
In an overview, Apple said the Macintosh accounted for a third of the company’s revenue or $22bn in the fiscal year that has just ended.

They sold 13.7 million Macs last year, which is three times the sales they had in 2005. The firm also cited research figures that showed Apple now controls 20.7% of the US consumer market and accounts for one in every five computers sold.

“The Mac company, if it were a standalone company, and we have no plans to do that, would be 110 on the Fortune 500 list,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief technology officer.

Other features

Apple also unveiled a new version of the Macintosh operating system, called Lion, to be released next summer.

The new OS builds on some of the features used in the firm’s iOS, which is currently used to power iPhones and iPads.

“Lion brings many of the best ideas from the iPad back to the Mac, plus some fresh new ones,” said Mr Jobs.

The company revealed that Macs will soon have an application store, mirroring the one that exists for its mobile devices.

A feature called launchpad will make it easy to organise and launch apps in the new version of the operating system. The App Store will be added to Macs, as a download, within 90 days.

FaceTime, which debuted on the iPhone 4 this summer, will also bring video-chatting to Macs.

Apple also updated its flagship software suite iLife. The new edition includes updates to iPhotos, iMovie, GarageBand, iDVD and iWeb.

The new iPhoto integrates more deeply with social networks, such as Facebook, allowing people to upload pictures directly from the software, as well as see comments that people have made on their photos.

It’s probably happened to everyone. The computer loaded up with a bunch of pages open including a couplpe of Youtube How To videos. More problematic as it turned out was the fact I was in the middle of a couple of financial transaction payments. I had only left it to prepare dinner and intended to get right back into it!

Then the kids come in to go onto some social media site with their friends. Can I use the computer, can I, can I, can I. …….. And you relent just to get some piece and quiet. Big mistake.

Off you go to do whatever you had been in the middle of before the … ‘can I’s, only to hear moments later,

….. The computer isn’t working! What’s wrong with the computer! The computers crashed, but it wasn’t me!’.

Panic! My work, those bills - but, but …… They have lost the lot!!!!!

I love technology when it works but at times like this %^*+ the whole concept.

My fault as I didn’t back up, but nevertheless hours of work just wiped out.

Not Happy Jan.

I have had to move to a new hosting plan as my previous hosting site was sooo difficult to get around.
And after a lot of reading of reviews etc I have decided that, especially having a WP blog to go with HostGator.

They have 3 easy to understand plans and have been fantastic on their chat service. So anyone looking to have a hosting account check out HostGator.

I also buy my Domain Names here at GoDaddy.com

They are probably the most recognised name in this very competitive business.

In an attempt to increase rankings I have been looking at a few blog directories. I have been surprised at how many have the pay only option with a relative few allowing a free listing option.

I have just tried bloggapedia with the free listing option so am keen to see how it may help rankings.
So if you want a free listing head over to….

As I list with more I will post here.