fredart : blogbits

I’ve actually cooled off about this over the past few days and have a much more level headed attitude towards it, but i still think the problem that Apple has dumped in my lap is not a fair one. I know darn well that in the end apple treats the guy who bought a Ipod Shuffle exactly the same as someone like me who has a big tower and two mac laptops — that’s good, i never expect special treatment. Because of this, i’m not really mad at the Apple Store itself or the very nice and very helpful people who work there. They’ve been very helpful and supportive about the problems i’ve had with my laptops over the past year. The problem i am having really brings up a serious issue about who actually owns the computer and the parts that you have paid quite a bit of money for - ownership that seems to become an issue if you ever need something repaired.

About two weeks ago, Seraphim’s laptop simply died. It is a 15″ powerbook, one of the early ones that had the white screen problem, a problem that we got fixed about a year and a half ago. If you recall, not 4 or 5 months ago MY powerbook had the logic board go, so i wasn’t too amused at the prospect of us being down a laptop *again*. What was worrisome about this death was that the hard drive was making the infamous “click of death” - a very bad sign, because there were many things on that hard drive that i had not backed up for sarah over the years, and we were not happy about the possibility of losing all of that data.

I brought the laptop to the apple store to have it looked at, and they tried a variety of things to get to the hard drive, none of which worked. In fact, it was looking like there was some sort of problem with the logic board, because if it was simply a hard drive failure, it would say so. Definitely something not right, and it needed to go in for repair. Apple has a flat fee they charge for those without Applecare (it’s cheaper just to pay the flat fee to get things repaired when they break than to waste money on Applecare, IMHO) and they also have a service where they can, at the store, pull the hard drive out and try to back up the data on it before sending it in. If you do not want to loose the data on your hard drives, you really have to do this, because apple has a policy where they have the right to wipe or replace the drive when you send it in for service - basically, if you send it in for service, be prepared to loose all the data on your drives. So, as usual, i opted for this because there was a lot of data on there that we really didn’t want to lose. In fact, we wanted to look at some options for drive recovery.

This is where the trouble starts. After a few days i got a call from them telling me that they were not successful in getting at the data on the hard drive, that there was indeed a problem with that drive. Since i wanted to try to recover the data, they gave me the contact info for Drive Savers and indicated that i would have to come back, get the computer, send it to them, let them recover the data, bring it back to them and only THEN would they send it on to get repaired.

Thats fine and well if you have 3 or 4 weeks to be without your laptop, and also i wasn’t sure it was really worth doing data recovery (its $1000- $2300 to get it done if they have to pull the thing apart and physically recover the data off the drive surfaces - not something you just do without thinking about). Since it sounded like the drive was shot, i asked them if they could just pull that drive, replace it with a new one, then send it in for further repairs if it still is not functioning. At first it sounded like they would do that - but when i called back, they refused, saying that the only way they could send it in for repair was with the original hard drive.

It’s so fucking stupid. Basically, they are saying that i cannot send in my computer for repair unless it has this hard drive in it. They wont do an ‘upgrade’ and simply replace the hard drive (i was willing to pay for the repair and upgrade). Even though the drive would come back in PEICES from Drive Savers (they have to destroy the drive to get the data) and the thing will NOT be usable, apple INSISTS that they get the parts. It’s ‘policy’.

So, its like this. They are basically telling me that i have to either send the computer in to Drive Savers, spend almost 2k to do so, and deak with the time it will take to get the data recovery done, then bring it to them with what’s left of the hard drive - or i just have to kiss the data goodbye, send it in, and get the computer repaired - a process that will without question involve a NEW hard drive. No, i can’t have the old hard drive, they keep that. No exceptions.

What fucking bullshit. It’s my laptop, isn’t it? All i want them to do is replace the drive with a new one, and i’m more than willing to pay for it - we KNOW the drive is shot, and they will have to do it ANYWAY - thus giving me the ability to have this damaged drive so that i can choose whether or not to recover the data on it INDEPENDENTLY of getting the rest of the laptop repaired. Doesn’t it matter that i need the computer done as soon as possible? Don’t i have a right to have the option to save my own data? Isn’t it my hard drive in the first place?

Thankfully, i have some friends (nods towards the Applegeeks crew) who can open the thing up and pop in a new drive and see if this is the only thing wrong. If it is, that’s the best scenario. Sure, i still have to decide what to do about the data recovery, but i can decide that on my own time, and not hold up Sarah’s laptop in the process. If there IS something wrong with the laptop, i’ll bring it back and let them send it in with the new hard drive in it. Let them tell me they refuse to fix it — i wouldn’t be surprised if they cross check serial numbers at the repair center. I’ll cross that bridge if i ever come to it.

Part of the problem for me is that the apple store is in Novi, an hour drive from here. I have to go back up and get it — its been sitting there since Saturday of last week, and we are no closer to having sarah’s laptop back. Till then, i’ve given her mine to use.

Thanks, Apple. Your ‘policies’ here really make me wanna stay a loyal Apple fan. I’m not even going to go into my now dead ipod (i refuse to even try to get that repaired) We all know Ipods are a disposable commodity. Is that where we are going with Laptops too? With our data?

I like apple’s stuff, but i just can’t help but be bothered by this real big brother-ish undercurrent to the whole Apple ‘thing’. I’m seriously thinking of just going over and getting sarah a new Sony VAIO. Sure, Sony will never repair the thing, but i go in with the foreknowledge that with a PC environment i’m on my own, and i don’t have to worry about things like ‘policies’.

I’m sure i can manage to get up to Novi in the next week or two, i can just toss the old 15″ powerbook in the closet, and if we ever need whats on it, we’ll send it into Drive Savers then, in my own time.

Stupid, really. Sarah’s powerbook is not in such bad shape that it can’t be repaired. I’m more than willing to spend the money to repair it. I just find it bullshit that there is no willingness to do repair it in ways that work for me. I’m just the customer, after all.

I paid $99 for a Apple Pro-care card, and I’m ready to cut the thing up. I have no idea what it’s good for, now that i think about it.

now to segue into something more pleasant.

Watched the last episode of Rozen Maiden Traumend this morning… what a great series, and a decent ending — a little different than i expected. [minor spoiler, stop reading here if you haven't seen it yet] Suigintou’s part was much better than what i was hoping for (if you recall my comments in my last blog entry), touching almost - and the best part of the whole ep was where Rozen is adjusting Suiginou’s dress… that whole little scene was so touching… Another blogger pointed out that this ending really does lead to the possibility of a third season - lets hope

- pirotunes: Mitsumune Shinkichi - Bara Otome from “Rozen Maiden Traumend Original Sound Track” -

I kinda dreaded watching episode 11 of Rozen Maiden Traumend, and ya, i came away from it feeling rather blue. Of course, it could be because there is only one episode left (or is it two? might be two, not sure) When first introduced to Suiseiseki i was inclined to not really like her, but sheesh if she isn’t the character that really gets the most development in this series (i detect a little favoritism towards her by the creators, i do). Characters with dual colored eyes are a meme in anime that’s kinda like hair antennae… i swear, you could probably write doctoral thesis’s about this stuff. Anyways, Susei has grown on me. I’m a little irritated that they set up all this potential for Suigintou to have some subtlety to her - its like, you know its there but they have decided not to show any of it to us. Grrr. Anyways, not happy fun stuff as we near the end of the show, but i can always hope.

Nah, it’s Peach Pit. Not a chance.

Fate Stay Night is, of course, the big show most everyone is keen for right now, and well… yeah, i’m liking it myself so far. Hell, the protagonist actually has some personality to him! (coughunliketsukuihimecough) I’m actually not fully familiar with the Fate Stay Night story line, so i’m getting it fairly fresh with the series. I’ve enjoyed the first three eps quite a bit, in particular the latest one, not sure why… I just hope it doesn’t degenerate into 30 minutes of fighting as it gets towards the end. I hate it when anime does that.

Still liking Magikano quite a bit. What a stupid show, my Anime Conscience keeps boxing my ears and telling me i should hate it, but i can’t help myself ^^;;; I honestly think its mainly because i’ve been avoiding shows like this like the plague for the past few years, and as such i’m not completely overexposed to the genre.

Glad to have Boo finally up and online and ready to send to those in desperate need of at least a temp conscience who squeaks when you squeeze his belly. That and i have got to do something about that horrible banner i made for the MT site this morning. Ugh.

btw, blog好き for t3h win Much liking the powerup from ABT :).

- pirotunes: Various Artists - Wolf 75 - Smooth to 57 Flow -

his is really just one of those experimental sketches that came together one night while sitting in front of the tv randomly sketching. As a whole it’s not the best drawing ive ever done, but it is an exersize in that random sketchyness i tend to use to add density to a drawing and its background. What’s this from? It’s a story idea i had some time back that there’s no real point in explaining unless i ever do it someday You can chalk it down to just random fred strangeness.

click here to view the sketch.

Well, that was painful. I just put in my order for Adobe Creative Suite 2 premium (upgrade from Photoshop for Mac) Ouch. Still, i think it’ll be worth the upgrade. I have been using Photoshop 7 and Illustrator 10 for almost 2 years now, i skipped on upgrading to CS the first time around (especially in light of some of the performance problems associated with the first versions of CS) but i’ve finally had it with Illustrator crashing on me with the regularity it does (for some reason, it has always been somewhat unstable when you start working with text. not really sure why). I can’t count how many times i’ve almost had the comic done, finally tweaked some bit of text just the right way and boom - it crashes. Sure, lots of saves mean i just lost 15 min of work but sometimes in that 15 min you managed to turn some bit of dialogue around just right… and after re-loading you just can’t get it back to that point. >_<

Anyways, it is expensive, but i use this software to make my living, so it’s worth the investment. Its kinda weird, but this mac i bought well over 2 (3?) years ago is still going strong. Sure, i’d love to get a brand new Quad 2.5 Ghz G5 with a 30″ Apple Cinema Display with all the trimmings, but honestly, my Dual 1.25 ghz G4 and 23″ Apple Cinema Display are holding up quite well.

Been feeling really bleah lately… not sick, just bleah. So much for my ‘blog every day’ goal… it’s not dead yet, and i need to shake myself out and get cracking on some things. Little project i was working on over the weekend is going well, but i gotta finish it >_< Always too much to do, always too much to do…

- pirotunes: Ali Project - Asura Hime from “Asura Hime” -

Well, well, looks like Anime U is subbing Kamikano. yay Now if only Rozen Maiden Traumend would air again - i think i know how people feel when i take that week break in the story line >_<

I got my first order from BK1 yesterday. BK1 is an online bookstore in japan, much like Amazon, and where most of my friends order their manga from these days since their prices are really good, the service is good, and they ship to the US They do NOT have any ordering information in english, but there are several good ‘how to’ guides out there that can walk you through the process (including this one, which i used… uhm, yeah. It was a little disturbing to know what most people who use this infolink are interested in buying, but i guess Yaoi fans need their fix too :P) Up to now i just stole Dom’s manga or bugged friends to pick up stuff for me. Now i can buy my own, though i don’t plan to stop stealing dom’s manga.

Finally, i was positively tickled to hear that MAGI got married… to none other than Ran Ayanaga, the mangaka behind R.O.D. (who had also worked with Akamatsu Ken in the production of Itsudatte my Santa). Congrats to the happy couple (As you may recall, i often joke about someday finding my own personal MAGI - an assistant who can draw my style better than i can :P) Thanks to Manga Jouhou for the news and links, and Cortana for some other clarifying info

Oh… i just noticed the title of Ayanaga-san’s website… oh dear. That’s… very interesting. Given that she penned Seraphim’s favorite manga about kick ass librarian-types, and then this. Interesting.

(munches on some tim hortons dougnuts…)

- pirotunes: cut.rate.box - ego -

I took a little break and watched the first episode of Magikano. I actually like this silly show. Any show that involves Magical Girls Gone Wild and Extensive Damage to the Protagonist is usually a decent watch in my book. It’s really weird, because Ayumi reminds me of Saori from Battle Skipper (and any association with Battle Skipper should make anyone avoid said series like the plague Once i got past that association, i found i liked it quite a bit. Random Friend #2 reminds me of a pudgy little piro with a camera. The character designs are kinda soft and even a little puni, which is not seen often these days where the only puni you ever see is excessively moe (if that made any sense to you, seek medical help immediately :P)

Lots of screenshots and stuff to look at here. Yes, Lolitron scares and disturbs me greatly, but you cant help but admire his tenacity with screenshots and taste in anime

Yesterday afternoon i was still feeling very much under the weather. Whatever kinda bug it was, it wasn’t the kind that made me really miserable, just… lethargic as hell. I really felt like i was moving in this bizarre kinda slow motion. The nice thing is i’m feeling a lot better this morning. Script is all set, just need to sit and start drawing, which i’ll do now.

- pirotunes: Infinite Scale - Plrkel -

Well, i was bad yesterday. I hate to admit it. I was doing so well too, keeping busy and making really good progress on my goals and to do lists of 2006. Granted, it’s a lot like trying to empty the ocean with a bucket, but i’ve been getting really wet lately and it’s been fairly gratifying.

Yesterday Seraphim and I went shopping, and it was actually a nice, non-work related day. Nothing wrong with that, but after making dinner rather than getting my butt upstairs to get to work on the comic, i sat in my chair and read manga for the remainder of the evening. >_< I had a backlog of things i wanted to read, and i had picked up a few books, one of which i have been looking forward to reading, the others i just read because.

I don’t know why i pick up Ultra Maniac anymore, the story is just so poorly told compared to the skill with which Yoshitsumi-sensei delivered the Marmalade Boy story… i guess its a kind of loyalty, and a visual liking of the manga. It’s ok, even if it makes my teeth ache sometimes. Still hoping it gets better

The real suprise of the past year for me was discovering Chikyu Misaki by Iwahara Yuji. I love this little manga for some reason. It’s cute, its different, there’s a lot of character in the characters, and… i dunno, i just really like it. With so much chaff to sort through on the manga shelves these days, if you are looking for something different that doesn’t stand out, try it. I’m also going to look into tracking down some of his more current books, mainly Ibara no O (which for some reason seems to be available from TokyoPop Germany, but not here >_<)

Ugh. Need to get to work on my own comic here, so i’ll do that. It’s amazing how just getting one day sorta off can throw things right back into ‘agh, i’m so behind’ mode. Maybe the idea of being ahead was just a fantasy anyways ^^;;

hey, everyone needs a little fantasy, right?

- pirotunes: RESOUND WAV. - カントリートレイン from “The sound story of impression II CLANNAD” -

God i hate accounting. I’m so glad Seraphim is the one who has to do it (She won’t let me touch anything important anymore because of my tendency towards VooDoo Acounting methods) Even so, i do my best to help. Funny how just about every error ends up being result of something i did wrong. ^^;; Without Seraphim, the IRS would have ‘rendered’ me to a black site for people with really bad accounting habits long ago.

Speaking of headaches, i am getting some complaints about recent comics where more casual readers are kinda lost as to what is going on because they are dealing with some characters that don’t show up a lot — Yuuki’s dad Masamichi, mention of her mom Meimi and her brother Yuuji, her ex-fiance Masamichi… yeah, i can see how that might be confusing if you haven’t been paying a lot of attention. I think i need to do a quick mention of these folks in a rant and accept the fact that i really need to pull together a character guide. Even i need to keep character and episode guides to keep things straight sometimes. ^^;;

- pirotunes: Hikari no Rasenritsu from Rozen Maiden Traumend ED S…” -

I read with interest today over on ICv2 (a kind of industry news site that covers the graphic novel anime, manga and comics industry) the 2005 Manga Awards. It’s not really any kind of big deal where they give out cars or little statues or anything, but it’s kind of a end of year wrap up about what they see as the most successful trends of 2005, or the ones with the most potential.

The #1 Manga Phenomenon of the year was Original English Language manga. They mention just how much steam the movement of non Japanese creators to create manga-inspired works has been, and i think that they are quite correct in giving the ‘movement’ some credit for getting some inertia behind it. It had a pretty good assessment of the status of things, and i feel honored by the fact that they mention that they refer to Megatokyo as “the long time champion in the OEL category” (I think the Warcraft manga ended up edging me out in 2005, not really sure). The line in this article that i am going to take most to heart this year and look back to for some inspiration is:

“Will other OEL series be able to match the success of Warcraft and Megatokyo? The answer may be clear by this time next year.”

I take that as a challenge I’m not a particularly competitive person, but personally i think i can do a lot better than i’ve been doing as it is, so topping myself is not a unrealistic goal. As for everyone else in the OEL category - nothing makes me happier than to see it started to get populated with some darn nice looking work (I have the little TokyoPop 06/07 Manga Calendar on my desk, and it’s contents are ALL OEL works! Nice calendar, too)

Good to have lots of competition, and i’ve said many times in the past that over the next few years there will be people who will come along and blow my doors off… but i’m not ready to lie down and let that happen yet — I intend to make whoever comes along and tops Megatokyo earn it

In the end, it’s the readers who win Look for some interesting stuff to surface from me in 2006. It should be a very interesting year

- pirotunes: Orb - A Huge Evergrowing Pulsating Brain That Rules From The Centre O -