Reporter’s Notebook: Mac loving teachers, noodles, ribs

I’ve been pleasantly surprised as the abundance of iMacs at this week’s National Education Computing Conference (NECC) in Chicago. And the number of “Mac OS” signs (denoting Mac versions) on vendor booths has also been very encouraging.

Even more encouraging are the talks with many educators who still love the Mac. Some are seeing it thrive in their districts. Others are fighting to keep the Wintel juggernaut from displacing the Mac platform. Here’s hoping that Apple’s renewed focus on education will give Mac-loving educators the resources and ammunition they need to keep our favorite computing platform alive and well in schools and universities across the world.

As the educational conference winds down, MacCentral readers are sending in suggestions for great restaurants — here are a few I hope to check out before I leave:

The Big Bowl, home of “fabulous” Shanghai noodles, according to Bernie Dodge.

Garrett’s popcorn shop on Michigan Avenue. “They make the best caramel corn and cheese corn in the world,” Chris Zygmont tells me. “To really live Chicago, you have to buy them both, mixed in the bag.” (He must be right as there’s always a line hanging out the door.)

Lem’s Ribs, home of “real ribs.”

“They are only available as carryout, but nothing beats sitting at the Buckingham fountain with the fabulous Chicago skyline at your back, beautiful lines of sailing boat masts in front of you, the rushing sound of the fountain, the commotion and life of the fountain crowd, and a plate of Lem’s ribs,” Kent Orr said.

Hmmm. I’m hungry already. Gotta go.