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It's inevitable that technology progresses faster than IT's budget to keep up with it. But some people don't want to give up their tried-and-true methods. They'd rather stick with what they know than learn the new toy that's swayed everyone else with its bells-and-whistles.

When David Szetela delivered his keynote at KansasFest 2007, he revealed a fact that is little-known to all but diehard geeks (which was, of course, exactly who he was addressing). It connected two of my favorite things: the Apple II computer and the Terminator movie series.

You have to be hardcore to attend an Apple II expo 30 years after the machine's release -- but that doesn't mean you're dead. The Apple II was once cutting edge, and we fanatics still appreciate the latest toys.

Rob Walch, host of the Today in iPhone podcast, generously donated his time to attend KansasFest, the 19th annual Apple II convention being held this week in Kansas City, Missouri.

When Apple evangelists long ago proclaimed "Apple II Forever!", they probably expected "forever" to be less than 30 years.  Yet here we are partying like it's 1977 at KansasFest, the 19th annual Apple II expo.

The Apple II, the world's first personal computer, was officially discontinued in 1993.  Yet hardcore enthusiasts continue to find new ways to adapt old software and hardware to today's needs -- and in the rare instances that 'it can't be done', we devise new technology.  The Apple II attracts people of a certain mindset and spirit: a creativity, resilience, dedication, history and nonconformity that is often lacking among today's increasingly technocentric society.