I'm thinking of getting new computer. I'd prefer something other then Windows as I am getting tired of reprograming every 2 years on acount of viruses. To the Mac users: How much different is it then Windows? What are the control panel functions like? And most importantly how well do you like it?


To the Linux users: Same questions as above.

 

It is quite a bit different then Windows. It requires some retraining on lingo, concepts (Linux was designed for multiple users, windows is generally designed for one user). I reccommend trying one of the boot and run from cd distros if you have at least 256 memory. Or
Leave it a dual boot, and use Windows for the games. Use Linux for the normal pc stuff like word processing, internet searching, email etc.
Either of those will cut down on scripts, viruses, etc, that aren't brought locally (sneakernet).

 

Do you even use an anti-virus program? I don't know why you'd need to reformat your hard drive every two years. I've been runnin a free version of AVG on my parents computer for four years and havn't found more than three trojans.

 

I was told by the head PC dude at the campus computer store to expect to have to reformat my IBM laptop every year or so...

I vastly prefer Mac OS. It's not really all that different from Windows, especially for basic stuff. But, it has fewer things that drive me insane (short trip...), and I find it to be a lot more stable. I know a lot of people who are die-hard Windows lovers, and here's what I've noticed. Many of them like messing with the system, getting deep into files that if you do the wrong thing your computer won't work. It's harder to do that on a Mac, but then again you almost never have to, either. I hate that. I want to turn it on, use it, and turn it off. And that's what I do, for the most part. With the new Intel processor Macs, you can run Windows on an Apple computer. I don't have any idea of what that takes since I own a laptop of each flavor, both bought before that was an option.

I must say, though, that Apple hardware (which is still basically required to run Mac OS) is overpriced and less reliable that I would like. It's not awful, and I'm more than willing to pay for and put up with it for the ease of use of the operating system, but it's a factor. On the other hand, I've attempted to use the warranties on both of my laptops, and the IBM one was useless ("It's a Windows problem, we don't cover that."), and the Apple one was very helpful (they make, and cover, both the hardware AND the OS, so if the computer doesn't work, they help you fix it. It's that simple.)

 

I’d take Windows over Apple unless it was for art or music applications. I won’t even mention Linux because the few I know who use it spend more time trying to make it compatible with stuff than actually using it. I find Apple is way too expensive for what it is. However you need to do several things to a Windows machine to make it safe. First your bindings are a mess the way it comes. Then you need to run virus checkers and a firewall or two. I use Norton A/V, Ad-aware, Spybot and HijackThis. Run each on a regular basis and switch browsers from IE to Firefox. Get a hardware router/firewall, I like the Linksys befsr41, not a wifi type and use a software firewall like Zonealarm. Do this and you won't be reloading Windows to fix you problems. You will be relative safe. Not easy enough? That’s why people buy Apple. It’s simple for the non-computer type that wants a computer for their specific applications and doesn’t mind spending more money than time on it.
If you want to check how open your machine is to the net try this: http://www.grc.com/default.htm
Follow the Shieldsup! link in the middle of the page, then on the next screen hit ‘proceed’, then the button to check ‘all service ports’. You may be surprised how open you are. Many Apple machines will have ports closed but the ports are still visible. You want to be stealth on all ports. If the rats can’t see you, then they won’t be after your cheese. ò¿ö

 

It sounds like you're pretty convinced about ditching Windows but I would seriously look into why you're having issues with viruses.

Do you have ServicePack 2 (SP2) installed? Running some sort of quality, up-to-date anti-virus software? Firewall up and working? Any anti-spyware software? I think that if you get these safeguards in place you'd be surprised how virus and trouble free your experience will be.

Reformatting every two years isn't really that bad. Heck most people I know do it every few months. Mostly not due to viruses but just due to keeping things nice and clean.

 

I rn MCaffee Spybot SD and Ad Aware. No help. I like the windows layout but I don't know it sure ain't working for me.

 

MS reccomends a reformat every 6 months

 

I recommend a reformat at least once every two years. I do it just to clean up stuff i no longer use. You wont like linux if you have to use word processing stuff like word. Open office sucks. Macs....i wouldnt use one unless it was free. I prefer my windows, but i also know how to use it, inside and out. Its just personal preference.

 

Where does MS make this recommendation?

 

I tried Shield's Up, I don't exist ;-D

The main reason a Windows system becomes fragged is people do not make the swap file a finite #. I usually make the swap file exactly 1x or 2x the amount of system memory installed. No problems.

 

MS thinks their programs are gold ! It isnt MS telling you to reformat every so often, it is the TEchs the geeks and the Users who are telling you that. I being all three are also saying erase and reformat your hard drive at least once a year. i do it every four months becuase i am moving so much data from one pc to the next and downloading and programming that i like a fresh hard drive as much as i can. Windows throws stuff all over the place on your drive for easy access and faster bootups, and they never fully erase stuff, even when you delete it, it is still on your harddrive. They just copy over it again and again which after awhile your hard drive may seem like there is little on it but the traces of stuff is still there.That is why we back up stuff, that way when you do a reformat all you do is reinstall the soft5ware then put your back up disc in and everything is as it was before you reformatted. Now if you had a virus before you backed up and then backed up for a reformat, well you will still have that virus 9 times out of ten. That is why you back up at least once a month so you dont lose everything. As for apple based systems i dont think they have a virus problem as most virus are written for windows. I have had apple computers and there okay for day to day stuff and general use but i perfer windows for gaming .

 

Yes, but don't buy into the idea that they are invincible. The only reason (IMO) that viruses aren't a problem for Macs (yet...) is that they don't command a big enough market share for people to try. The system might be a little more secure, but it's not impenetrable...

 

That may have been true with Win98 and to a lesser extent 2000, but the only reason why I reloaded XP on my PC at home was because of a fairly significant hardware change. Before then, I had been running on the same install for about the past year and a half, when I installed a new hard drive in my machine. Prior to that, I had the same install since I first installed XP on the box. There are utilities out there that do a good job of cleaning out temp files and other junk that accumulates on your drive. Keeping things organized keeps your personal files from becoming a mess.

Macs are good machines, but they are still overpriced, IMHO. If you're the kind of person that can work on a computer yourself, I'd buy a G4 or 1st gen G5 used just to avoid having to pay Apple's markup. There are alot of Mac folks who lament the high prices of Mac hardware, so don't think someone is just bashing Macs by complaining about their prices. My only real gripe about the Mac OS is that file sharing is a little kludgy on the desktop flavor of the OS. For most folks that's not a problem, but it is a pain to have to move files into a "public" folder in order to share them with others. If I want to share a folder with someone, I should just be able to select the folder and enable sharing on it!! It may not be a big deal to most, but it can be an issue if you've got multiple computers in the same household running different operating systems.

 

I have a windows XP machine and it is fine, no problems with a good virus program. My wife has an AppleIBook and it is a great little computer. It does take a little relearning but works great none the less. She uses Openoffice for her mac and it saves stuff just like your windows machine would. Again she loves it. It has been years since I used Linux so I don't have anything realitive to add.