According to the survey, Macs were cheaper to troubleshoot and required fewer help desk calls; system configuration, user training, and servers/networks/printing were all cheaper for a Mac environment than a PC environment. Software licensing fees turned out to be nearly identical for both platforms.

The survey doesn’t factor in the costs of the Macs themselves; Macs do present a large up-front investment, especially compared to the budget-priced Dells you usually see populating most office cubicles. However, half of the survey respondents noted they switched to a Mac platform because of a lower total cost of ownership.

Although a Mac may be a costly initial purchase. In the long-run, they will save you a great deal of time, money and headaches. I switched from PC to Mac after almost 15 years of being in a PC environment. During that time I can attribute a whopping 30% of all time spent on PC’s to troubleshooting or some kind of down-time due to driver issues, viruses, incompatibilities, etc. In the 3 years I’ve been using a Mac, I have spent a total of 4 hours or less troubleshooting an issue or dealing with down-time due to some driver or virus related issue.

I’m not saying that Macs don’t have their share of issues. However, the time involved to troubleshoot and resolve those issues can usually be done in less than 30 minutes. No more drivers, viruses, blue-screens, registry edits or lengthy installs. I heart Mac.

This great foundation has been offering summer scholarships and research grants to the best and brightest students since 1991 sponsoring a wide range of clinical studies in cataract surgery and corneal transplantation.

The misconception that size matters…

Many people presume that the “size” of the project should reflect the amount it is worth. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. No matter the size of the company or project, a seasoned designer treats all projects equally.

Consider the case in point of “General Services Administration” who spent $18 million to redesign their Recovery.gov Web site. While some of us would consider the amount on this project to be absurd, it just goes to show that graphic designers’ work should never be held in low esteem. [graphicdesignblog]

The complexity behind simplicity…

Certain individuals are under the impression that if a design looks simple, it must have been easy and therefore should cost less. This presumption is absolutely ludicrous and could not be farther from the truth.

What makes a logo appealing? Shapes, colours, placement… The brainstorming, research and ingenuity that go into making a logo “really work” are, in my opinion, invaluable. When we consider logos behind some of the largest, most recognized companies in the world such as Nike, FedEx, Adidas and McDonalds – to name a few – most people will see how “simple” the design behind these brands is. But is it? The short answer is no.

How much would you pay to have a brand easily recognized by 75% of the world?

A great design can take a great amount of time. The process involved in creating something great is one that commands undivided attention and focus. In short… Be weary when haggling the person or team that may help you turn a $100 idea into a billion dollar design.

The image behind your brand/product may be the catalyst that propels you from Bob’s Coffee House to Starbuck’s.

Since 2001 The Caravan of Hope, in partnership with San Lorenzo volunteers, has provided El Salvador with 11 containers of emergency supplies, 31 decommissioned school buses and as of 2008 has pledged to deliver ambulances Soyapango, 4 of which have already made their way. Help the cause by visiting their website and offering your support!