Capt. Mondo's World o' Mondo-ness

Trying to Buy a Notebook
Josef wanted to buy a new notebook computer, as his back home is getting a little bit long in the tooth, and unable to do all the things he wants to do with it. So he enlisted my services to try to track something better down for him. So in between doing work at home yesterday, I checked Web sites for a decent notebook. And I was working to a deadline, as Josef flies out on Tuesday to Chicago, and then back home.

I had asked everyone at work as to what they’d recommend for a durable, fast notebook with a decent-sized hard drive. Everybody – except Vito – recommended IBM ThinkPad notebooks, preferably an “A” or “T” (“T” for “titanium” – hard to get more durable than that). Vito recommended a decent Dell notebook. So, this is what I started out with in terms of things to research.

So I dutifully printed out all of the specs for the T series machines. But these are rather pricey, so I started doing some digging on other machines, especially the A series ThinkPads. Then Josef wondered whether or not he could get the same machines back home. So I checked the French IBM site, and looked at what they had there. It was then that Josef realized how depressed the Canuck dollar is these days, and also finding that French-made machines were that much pricier than their local counterparts. So then we settled upon a good model, and I checked to see just how available “in stock” items on the IBM site actually are.

So I used the “Call Me” mechanism on the IBM site. I found out that the model we wanted – and the models “up” and “down” from that – weren’t actually in stock, despite what the Web site said (apparently the site is updated every 7 hours). The rep I talked to suggested I call an IBM shop to see if they were in stock instead. No such luck there either – though I was told that they were a week away from getting in some new models for the Xmas season that would give more bang for the buck. I also called Dell about a competitive Ispiron model, but it turns out it takes 10 days to get it – several days too long for our purposes. In the end I did find a Montreal-based vendor which did happen to have the IBM machines Josef liked in stock, but timing was tight in terms of ordering it.

So over lunch I told Josef all about this, and I think he’s decided to hold off for the moment. That may change come Monday when he and Erika plan on doing some shopping, and he may instead order something that I can configure and take with me. We’ll just have to wait and see.

It was fun hunting for a good notebook though. ;-)

Watched Gormenghast
I spent last night watching the Gormenghast DVD. Loved the series, and it was great watching it again. Many years ago I had started to read (but didn’t finish) Titus Groan, but I remember the byzantine environment (and the similar prose).

Watching the series again, and especially the “Making Of” documentary, I realized just how much the stories are an allegory of the events of the mid-20th century (ditto The Lord of the Rings for that matter, which was written slightly earlier, in the 30s and early 40s). I find that the role of Steerpike is problematic though – he’s clearly an antihero, but it’s hard not to root for this kitchen-boy who rises through the ranks, defying class barriers and in the end almost succeeding in destroying the Groan family and through them the institutions that created him. Still haven’t figured that out – think I’ll have to go back to the original books for an answer.

I am also puzzled by the emphasis in the series on the professors and the Prunesqualor soiree, since it doesn’t seem to advance any of the main plot elements in the series. Perhaps it is just a diversion into the odd world of Gormenghast, and again, I’ll have to go back to the books to better understand why.

Still, it’s a fun romp, and a fantasy series that has more depth than initially appears on the surface.