Windows

No I'm not going to talk about those glass objects you look out of, rather the operating system created by Microsoft. If you haven't heard, Microsoft is releasing a new operating system called Windows Vista. Though originally slated for release at the end of this year, the system will not reach the consumer until early 2007. Windows has not released a new operating system since 2001, when they released the critically acclaimed Microsoft XP. Mind you, this system came quick on the heels of the horrible, quickly forgotten, crash happy, Windows 2000. The user friendly XP, in the opinion of many a direct copy of the Mac OS X operating system, received rave reviews and has been the staple in many homes and offices since its release.

Mac OS X (10.0) code named "Cheetah", was released in March of 2001, and since this time Apple has released 4 major upgrades to OS X ("Puma", "Jaguar", "Panther", and "Tiger") with version 10.5 (code named "Leopard") slated for release in the Spring of 2007. During this time, Apple has rapidly increased their market share due to the huge success of their user-friendly, attractive, and stylish lines of desktops and laptops, including the iMac and iBook, not to mention iPod, their best-selling line of mp3 players or iTunes, the most popular on-line source for digital music. Macs are frequently used in publishing and music fields. Next time you're at a concert look on stage and you will most likely see a bright Apple logo staring at you from the back of an Apple laptop.

With iLife, Apple's software line for home use (standard on all Macs), including such applications as iPhoto, iWeb, iMovie, and GarageBand and with iWork (trial versions included with every new Mac) containing Pages and Keynote, Apple has cut into Microsoft's market share and has seen record quarterly profits. Fueling this growth was the announcement of the transition from the PowerPC processor to the Intel chip in June of 2005. The first Macs with an Intel processor were released in January 2006 with complete integration (including new product lines) in August 2006. With the introduction of Boot Camp in April 2006 Mac users are now able to run Windows XP on their Mac and in many cases faster than on a Microsoft based machine.

Now more than ever, there is no reason not to make the switch to an Apple and Microsoft is shaking in their boots. This leads us back to Vista. As mentioned above, Apple has released 4 major upgrades in their Mac OS X line with a fifth arriving shortly in the time it has taken Microsoft to release one (Vista); and coincidently enough, Microsoft has once again based their new operating system off of Mac OS X. I don't want to influence your views so take a look at the video link below and you decide.

For the New York Times, David Pogue reviews Windows Vista, trying to prove in his video that “Microsoft did not steal ideas from Mac OS X.”


This article contains information found on Wikipedia.

Home

Whew! What a whirlwind month. The reason you haven't heard much from me for the last month is due to the fact that no one has heard or seen much of me in the last month. If this is any evidence of my business, this week is my first full week of work in 4 weeks!

Here's the rundown:
Week 1: Allen and Alaina's wedding in New Orleans -> I had a great time in the crazy, always exciting, Big Easy
Week 2: Thanksgiving
Week 3: National Youth Workers Convention in Charlotte -> What an amazing conference! I ran into several of my friends, met many new friends, including my roommate whom I found on the forums, and Bri from Group, learned A LOT from some amazing speakers and youth ministry gurus, experienced awe inspiring worship, and got lots of free stuff!
Week 4: Continuation of that mentioned above.

Well it's good to be back home in Lexington in the town I love, with the people I love, and at the church I love! Speaking of home and church, I included an article I wrote that will run in this week's Pilgrim's Progress. I know, I know, my last entry close to a month ago wasn't an original "Look at the Source" offering as well, but I wanted to post something, and I thought you might enjoy this....plus, I talk about Christmas, which I know is on everyone's mind right now.

Home

As Christmas approaches, many turn there thoughts to home. Home can mean different things to different people. Many return home for Christmas, while others look forward to spending some quality time in their own home with their children. For me, this is the first time in 3 years where I will be leaving home and returning to my old stomping grounds of Pittsburgh (home of the World Champion Steelers). That's right, I said leaving home, not returning home. Though I spent the majority of my life in Pittsburgh, including those pivotal college years, since the summer of 2003 Lexington has always felt like home. While I was in college, I couldn't wait for finals to be over so I could return to Lexington and spend time with the family and friends I loved and missed so much. Even last year, though I only lived 2 hours away in Greenville, I left the upstate and returned to 29072 to spend a week in the area I love.

As I reflect upon the many ups and downs of this year, my mind is flooded with the many joys, smiles, friendships, and blessings Pilgrim has brought to my life. I see the smiling faces of the youth as we worshipped together in the Alamodome, I hear the laughter of several Middle Schoolers while playing a round of miniature golf, and I think about the friendships I have formed with those of you reading this article right now. I'm excited about the direction of this church and especially the youth ministry. I've witnessed growth in the students' walks with Christ and in their relationships with one another. I can not wait to see and experience what will happen next as we continue to grow into a faithful community of youth being equipped to praise God, serve others, and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

Lexington is HOME. Pilgrim is HOME! I can not think of any other place I would want to live, worship, and serve the risen Christ. I thank-you once again for the opportunity to serve Pilgrim as your Director of Youth Ministries. My end of the year introspection has definitely helped to make this Christmas season a joyous one, because I can not help but reflect on the blessing it has been to serve here. Praise God for bringing me HOME!

As an extra bonus, here are some pictures from my recent travels for your enjoyment, or for those that are really nebby (for those not from the 'burgh, translation=nosy), so you can stalk me even easier.

Take a look at this fully functional cigarette machine I found in New Orleans. Notice the "We Card" date hasn't been changed in 9 years. Makes me wonder if they really card.

Allen and Alaina's wedding was high class, and I just don't say that cause it was in New Orleans or I was there dressed in some stunning attire, but take a look at Alaina's wedding whip!

And if the Rolls Royce wasn't enough check out the wedding party's wheels!

The Doubletree on Canal St. was my place of residence for 3 nights while in New Orleans. All we had to do to find the place was follow the big purple Harrah's Globe which you could see for blocks away. At night it reminded me of the beacon of light cast forth from a lighthouse!

As I mentioned above, NYWC was amazing! I learned so much, got to relax, and got to spend some quality time with other youth pastors just like me. However, I never thought in my wildest dreams that Lex Luger would be giving me a headlock!