Go Go Gibbons!

Good Morning! Time to kick off the inaugural blog posting here. This column will be all about technology and gadgets and things digital. I’ve been a techno-geek since when I was a wee lad and fully intend to continue.

In fact, if I hadn’t gone into television and film producing (I’m Executive Producer of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, among many others), then I would have definitely gone into some kind of computer-related industry, doing… something!

A little about my technology background: I’ve had both PC and Apple computers through the years and have extensively used hundreds of programs along the way. I have had literally scores of computers over the last 25 years, starting with the original IBM XT and have had many in between. Right now I’m using a MacBook Pro 17″ to compose this and it’s been a dream computer. (I also have a Mac Pro, a Mac Mini, a Sony Vaio laptop and Sony Vaio desktop computer in the office, so I think I’m set on computers, for now — until the next coolest thing comes out, of course.)

I’ve built computers, replaced drives and boards and power supplies and memory and chips, hardware hacked a lot of things — you name it. I’ve hacked, modified and created programs of every type. And, while I’m loyal, to a point (to platforms, programs and companies), I tend to go where the smartest people (designers, programmers, engineers) are, without regard to staying with a product or company just out of blind loyalty. I was online when a fast modem was 300 bauds and was blown away when Hayes (remember them?) asked me to test their “blazing” new 1200 baud modem. Man, were we connecting fast! My first PC in 1982 had a 5MB hard drive and then I got a 10MB upgrade and couldn’t believe how much room there was on the drive! Since then, of course, things have changed a bit, but I’m still that kid that loves that new tech toy, that new gadget, that new program — Oh man! Check this out!!! — and still enthralled by all the great things that are coming down the road.

Currently, I can’t praise the new Apple product line enough — it’s simply the best computer and platform out there. A longtime Apple basher (for many reasons, which I will detail in another posting), I converted last year after their switch to Intel chips, and now praise Apple computers like crazy. It took a long time for me to fully switch over (although I still use Windows every day but it’s usually accessed through my Mac using VMWare’s Fusion), and I have to tell you, it’s been an amazing transition. Have I drunk the Apple Kool-Aid? Possibly, but I’ll go into that further in a series of postings about the lengthy thought, time and consideration that went into making the switch — perhaps it will help some of you to decide one way or the other about what to do.

This site will be about all things technical and technological — from a consumer’s point of view, and including a point-of-view of that of someone who work in “the business” in Hollywood. I have bought many, many products and, while I love much of what I’ve owned, like many of you, I have also been less-than-thrilled, disappointed or outright burned by some of the products offered for sale. But really, I’m an eternal optimist and I’m always looking down the road for the next really cool thing to come along.

As for reviews — I have no axe to grind, no hidden agenda to push, no innate sense of loyalty to any product (don’t worry, I have problems with Apple as well!) — and I intend to keep it that way. What I will do is review new products, sites and services and let you know what I honestly think about everything.

Why do this? Lots of people ask my opinion about things all the time — what kind of digital camera to buy, what program is best for doing such-and-such, what computer should I get, how do I tweak this program to do this, how can I adapt this… it goes on and on, and I like helping people out. Since I’m asked things all the time, why not just start posting these ideas and thoughts for others to see?

I’d love to hear from you, too, about your thoughts, questions and ideas about all things digital, so please comment or drop me an email. In the meantime, I’ve got a lot of stories to tell, both in television and online, so I’ll get going! Thanks for reading this.

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