Trent over at The Simple Dollar got me thinking: who, exactly, reads Newton Poetry on a regular or semi-regular basis?
Since I switched away from WordPress.com and onto my own server, I have access to accurate numbers regarding visitors and page views. Even subtracting “robot” views from search engines, I learned that Newton Poetry has many more readers than I assumed. Many of you read via RSS feeds in Google Reader or some other subscription-based app.
Over time, I’ve heard from many readers on a regular basis. Quite a few of you are regular commentors, but that means even more of you are content to sit back and consume content. Which is cool.
But here’s your chance to be known. Use today’s post as a way to introduce yourself. Don’t feel obligated – I’d just like to know a bit more about Newton Poetry readers.
In the comments section, let me know:
- Which MessagePad or Newton-based PDA you use regularly
- Why you’re a regular reader
- What Mac or PC you use as your main machine
- What was the first Newton Poetry post you read
- Location, age, career – any trivia-type stuff you’d like to share
- Any ideas you have for future posts
Feel free to do all, some, or none of those, but at least think about it. If you don’t feel comfortable using the comments forum, drop me an e-mail at newtonpoetry at gmail dot com. I love hearing from readers.
Thanks, everyone, for visiting. This thing started as a joke of sorts, running random poems through my MessagePad 110 and posting the “Newton Poetry” that came out the other end. Eventually, it grew into a how-to guide, a Newton news outlet, and a look inside the quirky community that surrounds the Newton platform.
But I couldn’t do it without you.
I guess I can go first. My name is Steven, I am currently going to college in Chicago, and I collect all things Apple. My main Newton is a 2100, though since I got an iPhone it is mainly just used for taking notes in classes from time to time, and I also have a MessagePad 120 with the charger station and a couple rechargeable batteries.
My main computer is a white 2.16ghz dual core Intel iMac, though I also have a (recently broken) iBook G4, PowerBook 3400c, 1400cs, 5300ce, 5300cs, 145B and a Duo 230, a Performa 630CD, a QuickTake 150, an ImageWriter II, and various old software, such as OS 9 and AppleWorks 5, both in the box with everything, and 800k floppy copies of MacPaint and MacDraw II. Oh, and while that may seem somewhat normal for some people, I got my first Mac (the iBook) in 2004 and started collecting old Macs in 2005, so I may have a problem…
I subscribe to this site via RSS because it is a site that is mainly about Newtons…
The first post I read was probably “11 Ways Newton is STILL better than iPhone” and I think that may have been because followed a link from another site. I’m not a blogger, so I can’t really think of any ideas for future posts.
I think that is everything…
Posted by obi1kenobi1 on March 10th, 2009.
I use a MP120 w/ OS 1.3 (proud OS 1.x user – 1.x doesn’t seem to have any 2010 problems). I also have an eMate which I use rarely, but when I do, I use it heavily.
I read this weblog frequently because I’m interested in Macs and Newtons a lot. I subscribe via RSS with Opera so I don’t miss any new posts.
I’m a Windows user, but I also have a Mac Plus and a Mac IIx.
I don’t remember my first NP post.
I’m 13, and I live in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Oh, I have a QuickTake 200 :)
Posted by Matej Horvat on March 10th, 2009.
Thanks guys. You are both regular commentors, and I appreciate it. Maybe I should follow up with a “all about me” post.
And that “11 ways” post drew quite the discussion, if I remember correctly. How fun.
Posted by davelawrence8 on March 10th, 2009.
I’m Boleslaw Dartagnan Tokugawa, but most people call me Dart or some variation thereof, and I live in Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.
I picked up a Newton because I thought it would be an interesting piece of history to have – that, and it still has some use in this modern world. My main, and only Newton thus far, is a MP2000, which I managed to pick up on eBay a while ago for a decent price. I use it mainly for note taking and word processing, as well as a way to access the internet whilst on vacation.
I use a 2.33GHz white Core 2 Duo iMac as my main, although I have a 700mhz G3 iMac.
I honestly don’t remember the first Newton Poetry post I read; I tend not to remember things like that. I keep reading because this site is a good source for Newton info, as well as other general Mac stuff. As for future posts, I have no good ideas, sorry!
Posted by Trondheim on March 11th, 2009.
* Which MessagePad or Newton-based PDA you use regularly:
I currently don’t have a newton but I just find them fascinating.
* Why you’re a regular reader:
I never know what type of cool things I may read whether it is Newton or Mac related
* What Mac or PC you use as your main machine:
My main machine is a 2ghz Intel core duo Mini. It is assisted by my 500mhz G3 iMac (indigo) and a 366mhz iBook of similar color.
* What was the first Newton Poetry post you read:
Gosh, I don’t remember, I do know I discovered you through the RetroMacCast.
* Location, age, career – any trivia-type stuff you’d like to share:
Philadelphia area in Pennsylvania, 28, Copy Center manager for a small local printing company, Huge Mac geek and love to use my retro machines as much as possible.
* Any ideas you have for future posts:
just keep writing about the stuff you write about and I will keep reading.
—Vinnie
Posted by Vince LoGreco on March 11th, 2009.
Thanks, Vinnie. You forgot to mention “famous comic artist.”
Posted by davelawrence8 on March 11th, 2009.
Hi, my name it Tony Morrow. I’ve owned a Newton 2100 (upgraded 2000) for about 4 years now. For the most part it my Newton is relegated to being a fun novelty that I always carry around. Its fun to pull out and people ask what it is. My reply is always “The oldest PDA you will ever see.” I’m currently trying to find a way to integrate the Newton into daily life
I wouldn’t say I’m a regular reader, but for the last 6 months or so I’ve been stopping by to see what’s going on. Roughly a page worth of posts are accumulated that I can read through.
My main computer is my 12″ PowerBook. I bought the system for college in 2004 and its been my companion ever since. After two hard drives, and a dent in the corner my PowerBook still gets 99% of my computing use. I’ve kept my Newton connected to it using a combination of OS 9/X software, Keyspan adapter, and WaveLan card.
I can’t remember the first post on your site I read, or even how I found it. There may had been something posted on the NewtonTalk mailing list. Regardless, Newton Poetry is a simple url to remember and the information posted is fun to read.
Random stuff: currently live in Kentucky, trying to find a permanent career in IT; not old enough to remember the significance of the Newton while it was in production, and didn’t even know it existed until 2004.
Posted by Gizmo on March 12th, 2009.
Thanks, Gizmo, for stopping by. I love that you’ve kept your 12″ PowerBook all this time as your main Mac. I hear so many great things about those notebooks. Yours still holding up well? What 10.x are you running on it?
Posted by davelawrence8 on March 12th, 2009.
For 5 years of use (maybe abuse) its doing great. Running 10.4.11 (modified with UNO, ClearDock, and iStats Menus), 1.33 GHz G4, 1.25GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. The battery holds 75% of its original charge so I can get 2.5-3 hours of use from it. While I love the form factor of my PowerBook, there are two downsides. 1: As websites add more dynamic content and flash it gets harder for the system to keep up. Safari 4 helps a little, but its just one of those things that are inevitable. 2: The Screen. 1024×768 is a little limiting when doing multiple things at once. Thankfully there is Cmd+Tab, Cmd+`, and Expose. And while the screen looks good, you quickly realize how dim it is when sat beside another display. Still a great system that won’t be replaced for at least another year or two.
Posted by Gizmo on March 12th, 2009.
Famous? Your too kind!
Posted by Vince LoGreco on March 13th, 2009.
I served in Congress for 20 years and was Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999 when I retired.
I have a “ton” of “Newt” products available: http://shop.newt.org
As far as poetry goes, contrary to the the title of your blog, I have *not* authored a ton.
Posted by Newt Gingrich on March 13th, 2009.
Thanks for stopping by, Mr. Speaker.
Posted by davelawrence8 on March 13th, 2009.
I bought my messagepad 120 new back around 1997 and carried it around with me for quite a while until, when the 120 was in my backpack, a heavy book also in the backpack cracked the screen. I had it repaired, but since then it’s been my alarm clock using Adam Tow’s Alarm clock application. Two months ago I was given a MP2100, and since I’ll be taking a cross-country bicycle trip, I’ve been turning the 2100 into my exclusive email device, getting about 11 days per battery pack I rebuilt.
I read Newton Poetry to see what’s going on in the Newton world, along with the Newtontalk mail list. The first one I read was about two months ago, while I was looking to see what hardware/software is still out there for a 2100. (I’ve since bought a wireless card and am using the driver put out by Hiroshi Noguchi, which has just started to display a countdown when the card is inserted. Anyone out there know if it’s still possible to register the software? The author’s website says that the registration has closed)
At work I have a dual-core intel PowerMac and Macbook pro, at home I’m on a Powerbook G4, but my wife and kids have various models ranging from an orange iBook (because he likes how it looks) to the new aluminum iBook.
I’m in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, maybe 50 miles outside Sacramento, CA, a bicycle/bus commuter which makes the 2100 really nice, as I download my mail before I leave for work, carry it on the bicycle 8 miles to the bus stop, then read and reply to email while I’m stuck on the bus. Writing really big helps counteract the wobbles you get while writing on a moving bus, and the MP has a really high success rate in reading the shaky writing.
Posted by Robert on March 14th, 2009.
That’s great, Robert – a Newton being used in day-to-day, on-the-job tasks. Thanks for being a reader!
Posted by davelawrence8 on March 15th, 2009.
[…] you all were nice enough to share a little bit about yourselves last week, it’s my […]
Posted by Newton Poetry — About me on March 16th, 2009.