Maria Langer Think Different

Maria Langer I'm a freelance writer, Mac consultant, and Internet content creator. I've written more than two dozen computer books since 1992, most of which are about the Mac, and currently write for Mac Today, Mac Addict, Net Professional, and FileMaker Pro Advisor.

	How did you personally get into using the Macintosh family of computers?	This is true the story of how the Macintosh changed my life. In 1989, I was a Financial Analyst with Automatic Data Processing (ADP). It was a 9 to 5 job and I was doing very well at it. But I didn't like it. I was a Lotus (remember that?) jockey. I decided to buy a Mac. I bought a Mac IIxc with 1MB RAM, a 40MB hard disk, a color monitor, and a LaserWriter IIsc (non-PostScript) laser printer. The system cost about $8,000. My significant other thought I was nuts. I told him (and to this day, I don't know why), "This computer is going to change my life." I taught myself everything I could. A year later, I was able to quit my full-time job to start freelancing as a consultant and Mac (and Lotus, of course) instructor. I started writing articles. Two years later, I co-authored my first book. I haven't looked back since. That first Mac did change my life -- for the better.
	Status:	Not quite a bigwig; perhaps a midwig?
	First Mac:	Mac IIcx.
	Current Mac:	Power Mac G3/300 (alas, not blue), Power Mac 8500/180, Power Mac 7100/66, Twentieth Anniversary Mac, PowerBook 3400/180c.
	When did you get your first modem?	1989.
	Who did you call first?	A local BBS.
	Present Occupation:	Author / Consultant / Internet Content Creator.
	Claim to Fame:	Dozens of computer books since 1992, including the bestselling Mac OS 8.5: Visual QuickStart Guide.
	Dream Job:	I think I've already got it, but doing helicopter tours on the side would be nice.

Not So Random Thoughts...
Was there ever a time in your life that you had to "Think Different?" What was the situation and what did you do?
I always thought differently. I never just followed like a bleating sheep. If a person can't think for themselves, what's the point of living?
How has using the Macintosh computer changed your life?
It enabled me to leave a boring corporate job and have a flexible lifestyle.
What is the weirdest thing in your office right now?
A helicopter made out of a spark plug.
My Passions are:
Helicopter flying, horseback riding, motorcyling, traveling, photography, eating.
If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive who would that person be and what would you ask them?
No answer.
Do you play a musical instrument and/or are you in a band?
Sadly, no. But I'm still young.
When I grow up I want to be:
No answer.
The question never asked:
No answer.

Just The Facts, Please...
Biographical Tidbits:	See above.	Education:	BBA with Highest Honors in Accounting, Hofstra University, 1980-something.
Location at Birth:	Englewood, NJ.	Current Location:	Wickenburg, AZ (70 mi NW of Phoenix).
Where you've been in between:	Long Island, NY; Queens, NY.	Astrological Sign:	Cancer.
Available?	Unmarried but with very significant other.	Chat Nick:	WordWizzrd, Spike.
Favorite Books:	Hard boiled, detective fiction by Raymond Chandler, Dashiel Hammett, etc.	Favorite Music or Band:	Pink Floyd, Steely Dan/Donald Fagan, Eric Clapton, Mozart.
Favorite Food:	Too many to list, but sushi is high on that list.	Cat or Dog Person:	Cat person with a dog and two horses.

	Maria's Personal Web Site
	Maria's Professional Web Site
Favorite Web Site:	None; sorry, I don't surf unless I need to.
Favorite Color imac:	Strawberry.
"Life's too short to be spending all of it in front of a computer screen. Get your stuff done, then go out and work on your real life, not your virtual life. Learn something new every day and you'll never die."

*Note: Status Categories are: Luminary, evangelist, user, bigwig, hacker, geek, dweeb, visionary, hopeless, hopeful, etc.)
Some Mac icons used came from the Icon Factory.

Created Saturday, March 27, 1999; Edited:

Page design and updates by Ilene Hoffman, MS.
You are the person to access this page.