Hi! My name is Steven Grady. I’m a new contributor here at PhoneMag.com and over at MyPre.com! I’m really excited to have this opportunity to write about new and upcoming technology. Actually, I’m just thankful that I’m able to write. I’m an English major at Arizona State University, and I’m graduating cum laude in May of 2009, and through all of my lit papers and short stories, I never imagined I would be able to write for a living, let alone write about my passion: technology (and music, but more on that later).  Anyway, I was offered this chance to show my stuff by the awesome guys at R3 Media (owners of this fine online publication) and needless to say, I took it. So here I am, writing about myself to you.

I got into technology because of my dad, who helped me build my first computer at age 10.  Since then, I’ve spent countless hours and paychecks on video cards, desktop components, cell phones, iPods, and eventually, Macs.  I spent so much on the latter, that I decided to just get a job at the local Apple retail store.  I became an Apple Specialist, then a Mentor (responsible for training new-hires) and then I was on track to become a Genius when I had to leave.  I will admit, I consumed large amounts of the Kool-Aid when I was employed by Apple, but I don’t show favorites when it comes to operating systems. I use all of the major flavors, OS X, Win 7, Win XP, and I’ve dabbled in Ubuntu a bit as well.  I believe in focusing my efforts on learning as much as I can about the technology I’m using, and teaching others all about it so that it becomes easy to use, because even the simplest cell phone can be a scary concept to the inexperienced user.  In the end, it’s about the user, and the best options for them, regardless of the logo on the case.

When I’m not reinstalling operating systems for fun, I serve in the Arizona Army National Guard with the 108th Army Band (yes, the Army has a band) and have been fortunate enough to have only served stateside.  Other than that, I lead a pretty normal student life.  I look forward to writing for the audience of this blog, and I hope you enjoy my contributions!