My main new year resolution was to update this page every month without fail. Here, then, is my latest reflection on the largest Macintosh convention in the world, known appropriately as Macworld. The event took place in San Francisco during the first week of 1999.

This year's keynote address at Macworld, San Francisco, began with the familiar image of the Hal 9000 supercomputer. You remember Hal, the talking computer from Stanley Kubrick's brilliant sixties cinematic peek into the future of life at the turn of the century. You know, the one we're about to take in the next year or two depending on your perspective of when the twenty first century really begins, with the year 2k or 2001, which is the name of the aforementioned film based on the Arthur Clark novel.

Space Odyssey

So, anyway, here are several thousand Mac enthusiasts gathered in this most magical of cities to hear live the words of Steve Job's keynote,confronted with this cultural icon from forty years ago. Hal's voice, that cultured, tempered voice, tells Mr. Jobs , "Steve... We have a problem."

Seems that in the year 2,000 all computers ground to a standstill because the early programmers, to save a couple of keystrokes each time a date entry was made, settled for two digits to signify the year (56) , as opposed to the actual four (1956). It wasn't Hal's fault, the crowd was assured. The end civilization as we know it was about to happen. It was the Macintosh that saved the world. Seems that Apple programmers were prescient enough in the decades prior to the end of the century to use the four digits needed. Catastrophe was averted and the team from Cupertino saved the world.

Seems also that the new lineup of Apple computers are now smarter than the Hal 9000. In a fit of jealous rage Hal ended the presentation by trying to shut down the power.

If it felt as if this humorous buildup to the 1999 line of Macs was laced with irony, that was no mistake.

Newer Technology Announced

Newer, faster units were introduced, and in keeping with the success of the iMac, all had similar appearance to that machine. After discussing how Mac would now be supported by more and more game platforms, including a way to turn a regular Macintosh into a Sony Playstation using software, the final surprise was about to be unveiled. It was my hope and belief that this would be the introduction of the replacement of the eMate, the inexpensive Newton with a keyboard that was to have revolutionized the classroom. To my disappointment, it was that now the iMac would come in five new different colors. A nice touch, to be sure, but not one that will ultimately help schools and others so desperate to have an inexpensive durable alternative to the PowerBook line.

Prediction

I think I've figured out Apple's strategy for the release of the new device. They didn't want to blow the entire new line out at this particular Expo. Major new systems and software were indeed introduced here, make no mistake about it. After speaking to a group of Japanese journalists here to cover the event, I became convinced the announcement of the new portable will take place next month in Japan for the Tokyo edition of Macworld Expo. Why? The announcement must be made when the devices are ready to ship. It has to be available for education, a major market for such a tool, to plan for in the next school year. And, finally, the Japanese have been yearning for this type of computing power in a small portable unit for a long time.

SF is Mac Heaven

 If you had never attended a Macworld Expo, you would have been overwhelmed with the quantity and quality that surrounds the products and services on display here. Come to think of it, even if you were a jaded regular attendee, you would have felt the new vitality that has come with the victories over a shrinking marketshare and the negative predictions of the media.

Make no mistake about it, Apple's back and is here to stay. The almost religious zeal that happens wherever conventioneers meet in the city is akin to pilgrims in the promise land; the Global Village workers I met riding a cable car, the pharmacist and his wife from Philly buying chocolate in Ghirardelli Square, the French newspaper journalist I spoke with on a shuttle, to name but a few.

Party Mood

By luck and the kindness of an Apple fellow, I was able to procure an invitation to the exclusive party thrown at the Expo by Apple Co. The party was held at the Moscone Center, but in a totally different area. It was held literally over the Convention Center, in a space known as the Yerba Buena Gardens

I had a strong feeling that the party would be a little higher class than the conference get-togethers I've previously attended: smallish gatherings that included beer, wine and, if we were lucky, potato chips. Nothing could have prepared me for the opulence of this occasion.

Celebrating Different(ly)

The current slogan for Apple is "Think Different". Advertisements include black and white images of innovative personalities of the Twentieth Century with the slogan and the trademarked multicolored apple. The party for Apple started in a large room filled with tables of food and a huge image of Lucy and Ricky on a Think Different poster. Below the poster was a stage with a salsa band playing the type of music Ricky Ricardo's band might be playing today complete with a pair of instructors to assist partygoers in mastering the fluid moves that go with the music. I was standing in line for the free buffet, when a friendly staff member pointed out that there were other rooms with food and music.

At one end of the large hall was a sign pointing to the Gershwin room. True enough next door was a grand piano with a talented pianist playing George's tunes. Next to that was the John and Yoko room with a rock band playing golden oldies in a skating rink covered over with boards and carpet, also boasting a different buffet. All told there were five different rooms throughout the complex featuring the themed graphics over stages featuring top notch musicians with huge assortments of food and drink.

Along with the musical and culinary treats were museums with hands on puppets, art, computer labs and even a full merry-go-round for the edification of the guests. As I wandered over the vast area, I kept hearing that Steve Jobs himself was in attendance, but never crossed paths with him. I did speak to numerous people from all over the world with professions ranging from journalists to software designers and entrepreneurs.

The overall mood was one of optimism and excitement. It was like the dark days were gone and the golden future was ours for the taking. Although Apple has abandoned the Technicolor icon of the past, the party and the Expo proved to be an over-the-rainbow celebration that will continue to resonate throughout the new year until the faithful are once more beckoned to this city by the bay.

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