This should be illegal

[The Vector Doctor]

Somehow I got the feeling it could turn into a mac vs. pc thread. I am a Mac person but I don't push it onto my relatives. One of my in laws switched to a Mac after coming to me and asking for advice due to their frustration. They were easily duped into letting viruses get onto their machine... accidentally allowing attachments to install. I think once they got a pif attachment and thought it said pdf which resulted in problems.

They bought an imac a few years ago and have not had any problems and have not changed their habits in any way. They even double clicked on an exe file in an email and asked why they got errors.

True, many of the internals are the same... hard drives, memory, video cards. Though if you look at the internals of a Macpro, it looks nothing like a typical store bought PC. Only a few of the niche PC's have this build quality and attention to detail. I think the software side of the Mac is what makes the biggest difference. It's the small details in the software and hardware of the Mac that is often hard to explain.

The argument about tweaking the machine is not one that concerns me. I can replace and add hard drives, replace a video card, add any brand of memory. I cannot think of anything else that I would want to change. I think very few PC users change anything other than what i just mentioned. Only those that want to build their own from scratch

It was 5 years ago we started hearing about how Mac users should start worrying about how viruses would start to appear as market share increased. I don't feel any less safe now. Market share has creeped up. I'm sure Mr Jobs wants to have even more of the share, but I am perfectly happy being in the minority. It is sad how a typical PC user has to worry about so much (fill in the blank)Ware

I am curious since I don't use a PC, are all of these processes running in the background at all times using system resources? I recall hearing stories about Norton software making your machine run slower

 

[SignBurst PCs]

I just build my 7 year old daughter a Linux Ubuntu system. Don't get me wrong, I am a "PC LOVER". I live, eat, and breath Windows, but for her needs, Linux made a lot of sense.

First, it is cheap (free download).

Second, I can use older hardware without worrying about being slow (4 year old laptop). There isn't all that much to the system, so it runs pretty quick.

Third, no real malware concerns.

She basically surfs the web, sends emails, and plays online (flash) games. It is perfect for that. It was a very simple install and took no time at all to get her up and running.

It is by no means a solution for all in every situation, but it is an alternative for those with minimal computer needs.

 

[CES020]

Also. a PC in 99% of most cases will never get a bad virus unless the user is perusing the underworld.

Couldn't disagree more with you on that one. In fact, that's the myth that many "Mac people are stupid" people use.

How'd my father get that page shown? He was looking for a material supplier in GOOGLE. He entered what he was looking for, all the searches came up, one sounded like it might have the material we were trying to source, and instead, it was that page. So no "underworld" activity at all. Just a simple search.

If you're convinced 99% of virus' come from people looking at porn, then go into google and enter "free virus scanner" and start clicking on the links it brings up. A large number of the top of the list and first few pages are nothing but virus' or links to sites that are very bad for you.

I think there's a world of difference in looking at porn and looking for a free virus scanner. There is no way for the non-geek to know that the one that says "Free top rated virus scanner" is really a virus itself.

 

[gabagoo]

bump

 

[SignManiac]

I could care less if I were to use a mac or a pc. I'm stuck with a pc for one reason only, software. I'm not sure if a mac will run every piece of software that I have on my machines. CNC software, Printers, QB, Coreldraw, Bryce3D, Dreamweaver, etc. etc.

I would hate to have to learn anymore applications that are Mac specific and reconfigure my entire shop and all the other PC's we have running all this crap.

 

[The Vector Doctor]

Couldn't disagree more with you on that one. In fact, that's the myth that many "Mac people are stupid" people use.

How'd my father get that page shown? He was looking for a material supplier in GOOGLE. He entered what he was looking for, all the searches came up, one sounded like it might have the material we were trying to source, and instead, it was that page. So no "underworld" activity at all. Just a simple search.

If you're convinced 99% of virus' come from people looking at porn, then go into google and enter "free virus scanner" and start clicking on the links it brings up. A large number of the top of the list and first few pages are nothing but virus' or links to sites that are very bad for you.

I think there's a world of difference in looking at porn and looking for a free virus scanner. There is no way for the non-geek to know that the one that says "Free top rated virus scanner" is really a virus itself.

I agree. Emails are making many go to sites that they did non intend to. Emails with titles such as "you have an e-card waiting for you" or "Is this your photo?" or "watch this funny video". They have links which take you to those sites. Some are naive or curious. The ecard gets alot of people. Or what about the emails that they've cleverly crafted to look like it came from facebook, paypal, a financial institution, etc.

Keep in mind a huge portion of the population are not as smart as the users here on this forum and are easily tricked

 

[acothran]

Somehow I got the feeling it could turn into a mac vs. pc thread.

Eric, it wasn't my intent to create the old Mac vs. PC argument, I was just stating that I was glad I don't have to mess with scans and safemode anymore, while enjoying a computer that runs very well after three years of use. I just don't understand why some PC users must stereotype Mac users and make generalized claims, especially on a Sign forum where many here are graphic people that use Mac.

Allen

 

[The Vector Doctor]

I could care less if I were to use a mac or a pc. I'm stuck with a pc for one reason only, software. I'm not sure if a mac will run every piece of software that I have on my machines. CNC software, Printers, QB, Coreldraw, Bryce3D, Dreamweaver, etc. etc.

I would hate to have to learn anymore applications that are Mac specific and reconfigure my entire shop and all the other PC's we have running all this crap.

Definitely an issue. Once you have a huge investment in software, it is very difficult to go to a Mac or vice versa. Parallels and VMWare are possibilities but I imagine that there could be issues since it is still an emulation

Switching is alot easier for a casual user or those willing to buy new software.

 

[SignBurst PCs]

True, many of the internals are the same... hard drives, memory, video cards. Though if you look at the internals of a Macpro, it looks nothing like a typical store bought PC. Only a few of the niche PC's have this build quality and attention to detail. I think the software side of the Mac is what makes the biggest difference. It's the small details in the software and hardware of the Mac that is often hard to explain.

I am curious since I don't use a PC, are all of these processes running in the background at all times using system resources? I recall hearing stories about Norton software making your machine run slower

We happen to be one of the niche PC makers who uses high-quality components and attention to detail. I would put our computers up against any Mac Pro out there without a second thought.

As far as security software. Yes, it is necessary in todays world on a PC. That being said, with a decent PC and some common sense, you can minimize the risk of infection and keep your performance up. I, personally, haven't had an infection in 8+ years. I don't have to run some crazy resource hog security software to feel safe and it doesn't have much to do with my tech savy. I use the built in Windows firewall (FREE), Microsoft or AVG antivirus (FREE), a simple wireless router, don't open attachments that I wasn't expecting, I browse the Internet in a reasonable manner using Chrome, and I keep my computer updated (automatic). If and when I see these "warnings", I end them in Task Manager and go on with my surfing.

I don't have any real complaints about a Mac at all. It serves a purpose, just as higher-priced cars do. There is no crime in that. It is just a different flavor of ice-cream that's all.

But if I got a flat tire in my $30,000 Toyota FJ Cruiser and a guy driving an $100,000+ Mercedes SUV pulled up to me and told me that I should see the light and get a Mercedes, he would be an ass, plain and simple. Mind you, the Mercedes is a nice SUV and does everything that it should and not all drivers of Mercedes SUVs would be asses. I happen to love my FJ and wouldn't trade it for a Mercedes, but I also know that neither one is the "right" vehicle for everyone.