I’m Gary Allen, and live in California where I monitor Apple Inc.’s retail store operations for my Web site, ifoAppleStore.com (the IFO stands for “in front of”). I also attend major store grand openings, including in many of the world’s biggest cities. My interest in technology and computers dates back to my original Apple ][+ and IBM-PC computers—1979 and 1981. I purchased my original Macintosh 128k with a half-off educational discount, and even then it was $1,500. I’ve had a succession of Apple products since then, now including an iPhone 3GS, iMac 24″, Macbook Pro 13″, Apple TV and Time Capsule. Along the way I’ve learned way more about technology than I ever expected. But then, technology also keeps life exciting!