Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Pentiums, Palms, and Pianos

Although I like to consider myself a technology buff, many of you know that I tend to lag behind the cutting edge. Here is an example:

My desktop computer is a 450 MHz Pentium III with a whopping 10 GB of hard drive space and runs Windows 98SE. It is paired with a 17 inch CRT whose screen sometimes flickers purple until I hit it just right.

So while I usually stick with my aging electronics as long as possible, I recently was forced to upgrade a few items. Here's a list of new acquisitions:

  • PDA - Previously owned a Palm m105 (five years ago). My sister inherited the m105 when my medical school recently purchased new Palm TX's for all the third year students! I'm really appreciating the hi-res color screen, wireless connectivity, bluetooth, and so on. I immediately put Bible software on it and all the Ellen White books I could find. Oh yeah, I'll need to use it for work too.
  • Camera - Previously owned a Minolta Dimage Xt which was ultraportable but only 3.2 MP. Now my sister uses the Minolta (still a decent camera) because I bought a Canon SD700 IS. The new camera has image stabilization, ISO up to 1600, 4X zoom and 6 MP. I'll be using all 6 megapixels to take prodigious amounts of breath-takingly beautiful photos for the Advent HOPE annual slideshow. (Yay, more pictures for the website!!)
  • Pager - All third year medical school students have to get them, but my program upgraded all of us to 2-way pagers (and paid for them). So now I can save on cell phone minutes when I'm paged/on-call because I can just send text messages to the nurse/intern. Better yet, I can text Norman the Neurology Resident for answers when I'm getting pimped by the attending physicians.
  • Piano - Always wanted to have a piano but never had a house to put it in. Since that just changed recently, I bought a digital piano. And not just any digital piano, this is a professional Yamaha stage piano (Yamaha P-250). It has the best touch I've ever felt on a keyboard as well as incredible sound. But most importantly, it is portable so we are using it for all our ministry events including Day of Prayer and Fasting and Southwest Youth Conference.

Ultimately, everything I own and/or buy is the Lord's and is for His glory, whether directly or indirectly. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away getting things just for the sake of emulating the world or fulfilling our own desires. However, my prayer is that each of us will look at technology as an opportunity to benefit the kingdom of God and then, purchase accordingly.

By the way, anybody want to buy a used Pentium III computer? I'll throw in a monitor for free...

10 Comments:

Anonymous Michelle said...

Wow...=)
Spiffy new items indeed. I especially like the Canon because surprise, surprise, I am a shutterbug...I love pictures. ^.^ Absolutely love them. I hope you post some. The piano looks very nice...did I know you played piano? Ah...forgive me if I did. >.<
Thanks for your comment on my xanga. =) I do stand mildly rebuked at my non-updating when I commented on you and the length of time between your updates. @.@ I shall endeavor to try to do some updating before too too long.

Thursday, August 17, 2006 6:07:00 PM  
Blogger Arden said...

All of those toys for Tim... nice. But I think I have you beat on the aging computer thing Tim. Try this (my family's computer)... Intel Celeron 400MHz with 64 mb of ram with an 8GB HD, rinning Windows 98SE!

While we are at SWYC, I hope to see you with that new camera of yours taking lots of photos... Can I be in one?? That way I can honestly say that I helped you use your new "toy".

I may be able to use that 'old' PIII... Not sure about the monitor though, but will give it some thought.

By the way, you should talk to Curtis about Advent HOPE's new toy, if you have not already.

Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Alistair said...

You forgot to mention your blazing fast, rice-rocket of a 1990 Honda Civic. The car with a phenomenal heating system (especially during the peak of summer in Southern California). :-)

Friday, August 18, 2006 9:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Deb said...

Just want to make a public statement saying "Thank You, Bro" for all the hand-me-downs. I'll pass on the computer (and definitely the monitor), however. But, uh....when are you going to upgrade your piano? :)

Thursday, August 24, 2006 9:58:00 AM  
Blogger Tim said...

Michelle, still waiting for a xanga update ... =)

Arden, your family has a slight edge in the race for computing obsolescence. My condolences...

Al, the rice-rocket you mention is the oft-coveted 1992 model. And the AC has been fixed.

Deborah, you're welcome. And the piano is available for you to drop by and practice at any time.

Monday, August 28, 2006 7:24:00 PM  
Blogger Debbie Khumara said...

Such a nice brother, Tim!
Boy with new toys, hey??
Are you enjoying living in a house now?

Saturday, September 02, 2006 7:57:00 AM  
Blogger limkenfl said...

Wow!
kpl

Saturday, September 02, 2006 9:20:00 PM  
Blogger Eagle said...

So glad you took piano lessons. Do I get to keep your new camera?

Monday, September 04, 2006 8:17:00 AM  
Blogger Norman McNulty said...

when are you going to give us some updates???

Tuesday, October 03, 2006 7:28:00 PM  
Blogger Arden said...

Tim,

Now I am not a doctor, nor even a med student, but I think you have relapsed the "Tim-not-posting-a-blog-update-in-a-long-time" syndrome....

Wednesday, October 04, 2006 4:49:00 PM  

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