Yesterday, Dow fell 1.41% yesterday, NASDAQ dropped 1.46% and the S&P 500 dropped by 1.17%.
Not a pretty picture. But nothing new. Markets are skittish. They react to fantasies: We’re going to war with Russia over Ukraine.
For a prettier (more relevant) picture:j Jobless claims this morning fell to a new three-month low, suggesting a strengthening labor market.
It’s time to look at buying some cheaper stocks — i.e. BA, COST, HD, NLY, AAPL, STWD, MU, DTV, HON, ORCL and even BRKB.
I don’t like the cloud, in general or Apple’s iCloud in particular. Something bad inevitably happens. Apple told us to back up Susan’s old, broken iPhone to iCloud. We did. When we tried to recreate her new one from the backup in iCloud, it told us the original backup was “incomplete.” It had not told me this when I did the original backup.
I like to see what I see. I back up my own iPhone to iTunes running on my PC. I can see. I can touch. Works like a charm. I can’t see the cloud. I can see my personal machine sitting on my desk. Thousands of readers, I’m sure, will disagree with me. Maybe there’s a special key to iCloud I don’t know.
While we were at the Apple store, I checked out Apple’s new stuff, especially its laptops, which work so much faster and better than my Lenovo ThinkPad, which (ironically) uses the same Intel microprocessor. Reason: Apple’s operating system is a ton faster and better than Microsoft Windows. What’s funny is that even Microsoft Office works better on the Apple than it does on Windows on the PC.
I won’t switch for now. The learning curve is steep. I don’t have the time. And I don’t like Apple’s chintzy chiclet keyboards. Hard for me to type fast on. Also, I need to muddle along on Windows with several tasks — like getting out the next edition of my dictionary.
But, if I were starting out, there’s no question: I’d go Apple.
CHECK. CHECK. CHECK. Check the wiring instructions. Check the shipping instructions. Check your backups. (Do them at least twice.) Check that the email on your website is working. Check. Check. Check. Best motto I ever invented.
You are your own worst enemy. We want to rent again for March next year. Despite several emails, our leasing agent out here hasn’t emailed or called. Heck, he could even take a real cash deposit from us — now. A year in advance.
Don’t email. Better call. Maybe can sell them something larger?
Best baby toy ever. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes.
Hit the button, device plays seven classical melodies. Give one to all your friends with new babies. Don’t send one for my Eleanor. She has one. And she (and I) love it. Keeps me amused for hours. Only $8.99. Click here.
I’ll post more this afternoon. It’s early out here. The brain is foggy. But the weather remains glorious. Good idea: go away for March. I’m ruing the heating bills when I get back.
Harry Newton.
Switched to a MacBook Air from a ThinkPad – after years of being a dedicated ThinkPad user – about two years ago. I’ve never looked back.
Had the advantage of using Macs back in the day, for design work. So perhaps I had a leg up on how Macs think.
Contrary to what has been posted here – in Harry’s column and by Barry – I was IMMEDIATELY more productive on the Mac platform than I was on the Windows platform. I spend only a fraction of the time “fussing” with technology; things just work. Yes, the Mac requires a change in your way of thinking, and there are many things that fall into the category of “assumptive intuition” in the OS, where Apple assumes the next step is more obvious than it is. But there is no question I am more productive with the Mac, and I even quickly adjusted to the keyboard (I thought I would really miss the ThinkPad pointing stick; I have not).
In spite of my nerdiness, can spend literally hours at a stretch trying to fix a problem with a Windows machine (my husband is still holding on to an old ThinkPad due to some specialized software). Every problem I’ve ever had with a Mac gets solved in minutes.
I would never, ever go back to using Windows machines. Hubby is even almost completely off the ThinkPad, and I am looking forward to the day when I can take it outside, and throw it over the railing of our 2nd-story deck to our concrete patio below. i’ve wasted too many hours on that piece of . . . equipment.
Barry, I’m a little surprised about what you say about a new folder while in Word. I’m assuming you want to create the new folder when you’re saving a doc? If so, if you use “save as,” there is a “new folder” button in the lower left corner of the dialog box. No need to go out to Finder.
I bought an iMac a few months ago and spent a week and a half on the phone with Apple while they told me ad nauseum “You can’t do that on a Mac.” Java scripts don’t run, period. Office for Mac is NOT like the Windows version. Just as an example, in order to create a new folder in Word for Mac, you have to leave that program, go to “Finders,” create the folder there and then go back into Word. That is just insane!
To their credit, Apple was nice enough to let me return the iMac for a full refund. I just bought a Lenovo All-In-One running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit with a 256 GB SSD. I’ll get it next week. I’m really glad I tried the iMac. Now I know I’m not missing anything. And while Win 8 is u-g-l-y, the Mac OS looks and operates like it was designed for or by Mickey Mouse. How can anybody do any serious work on something that looks like that?
And by the way, if specious do-gooders Bill and Melinda Gates really want to do something nice for humanity……they should start here at home by refunding the money of everyone who bought Windows 8, Vista and Win ME.
Harry,
I’ve been out of the market since 2009. Took a huge hit. Now, I’m slowly coming around. Based partly on reading your column, I’m prepared to jump back into the market. But not yet. I want to see another 10-15% increase in the Dow in 2014. If I get that, I’ll plow back in in early ’15. May the force be with us investors!
Harry…you really should move out West and “visit” NYC, instead of the other way around.