posted on September 13, 2010 05:09:48 PM new
I just got a call from a fellow I could hardly understand, suggesting that, if I'm having problems with Windows, I should follow his phone instructions. I could NOT understand him and asked him to get someone else to call me. A nice woman called--accent, but not as bad--and I told her to call me back in 20 minutes since I am in the middle of something I don't want to stop.
Anyone else getting such a call? You know how timid we all are about scams. . . .
posted on September 13, 2010 11:09:22 PM new
Thanks VERY much! It certainly is a scam, and they almost got me, because my computer has been freezing lately and acting strange. When I mentioned that to the first guy who called me, I'm sure they felt here is a hot one.
This was scary, and I can't help thinking there are many who will fall for the scam.
posted on September 14, 2010 06:37:02 AM new
There are also other scams and they dont have an accent!
Someone will call and say they work for such such credit card issuer and ask if you make this charge and you said no.
Then they ask for verification,like the expiration date,address and that 3 digit codes and your SS number.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on September 17, 2010 08:17:47 AM new
I remember my challenge in switching to a Mac. For years I couldn't justify the cost difference. Then I started doing the math with what I pay for. Just comparing the prices between GarageSale vs. Vendio made the difference for me.
Vendio used to cost me $40-75 a month for all of my accounts. That was a minimum of $480 a year. GarageSale costs me $35 one time fee. Saving me at least $445. Quickbooks + Payroll service cost me $150+$25 a month or $450 a year. Instead I use Checkbook Pro $20 flat fee + Paycheck Manager $30 a year.
Those two things alone paid for my Mac.
After finding a way to justify the price difference between a PC and Mac, I dove in and bought a 13" Mac Book Pro. It was the best move I made. Within a month I bought a 21" iMac. I have never had two computers, but I have to say that I love my Mac. I plan to get a Mac Mini for my television in our bedroom. The newest model has HDMI output. It will give us a computer in the bedroom, and video streaming for Netflix and other things which may end up axing our Comcast bill too.
After Windows Vista I said I would NEVER NEVER buy another PC. Yes, I know Windows 7 is supposed to be much better... but why do PC owners have to pay and put up with such crappy operating systems from Microsoft. It seems like every other OS that MS puts out is garbage and yet consumers buy it.
So far I have had nothing but great experiences with my Mac and the only regret I have is not making the change sooner.
posted on September 17, 2010 07:57:02 PM new
Being a software vendor / developer which computer to choose is a rather challenging item to consider.
Windows 7 is easily as good now as Mac OS. Windows has a ton more software available and Win 7 is backward compatible to Vista and even Windows XP SP2 and SP3. Via Microsofts Virtual Machine (free download) one can even run Windows 2000, 98, 95 even DOS just like any other Windows program.
Mac OS is nice however there are some misnomers. Under the hood of Mac OS/X lay FreeBSD Unix. While things dont tend go "real wrong" on Mac's when they do your now forced into the normal Unix utilities, shells etc. Thats horrible. Anyone whos used Unix at a command line level knows from what I speak.
The mac has lots of software, not near as much as the PC and when considering a Mac due to Unix under the hood one can just as easily consider Ubuntu (or other) Linux flavors which can use X Windows, a variety of interfaces, costs nothing and again has more software than the Mac and 95% of that software is free.
Lastly there is the hardware end of things. Its no secret that Mac hardware costs considerably more than the exact same hardware that is say a Win PC. For example, I have a "Hackintosh". Rather than spending $1800 on the machine I spent $450 for the hardware and found a copy of OS/X at a local thrift store for $10. Thats where I had issue with Apple, charging upwards of 300% for the exact same hardware as a $450 computer is simply taking advantage of consumers sorta. The reason they do it is because OS/X is based on FreeBSD Unix, unlike Windows which is built by Microsoft.
Anyways... Its a ying and a yang type deal. I preferred the Mac until Windows 7 came along. Windows 7 is the best OS Microsoft has ever created and its just as good and in many respects better than OS/X. The bottom line for me however is also that Windows has oodles and oodles of software available, software that uses my quad core CPU for example... There are less than a handful of Mac programs that even use the two cores in a dual core CPU. So while people are "woo'd" into say a quad core machine from Apple there is literally 2 or 3 applications available that will even use those additional cores.
In respect to saving a few bucks here a year and a few bucks there a year for vertical market software (that manages say eBay) thats not a very good argument when one considers that one is limiting themselves in the rest of the software world.
If I am going to pay $1800 for a computer that computer is only as good as the software I can obtain to use on it.
While I am a developer for example Apples development environment compared with Microsofts Visual Studio is simply night and day. Microsofts development environment is so far ahead of Apple's its ridiculous to even try and make comparisons.
Lastly... the hardware again... For the PC I can go out and buy any number of additional hardware items, latest greatest video technology, editing software... latest greatest sound technology etc. This is not possible on the Mac as Apple likes to be proprietary... They are proprietary about the iPhone as well which is why industry analysts state that in time Apple will loose market share to Android. Apples current advantage has been to release mobile technology faster than HTC/Android. This however to will change, The HTC/Android has oodles of developers working on the core code and they do so freely in comparison to Apple's releases done by their development group. Its only a matter of when not if that Android surpasses the OS/X mobile platform. Apple is one of those companies that makes brilliant user friendly technology and then shoots itself in the foot by being so over protective and proprietary that they leave the door open for others to steal marketshare.
posted on September 17, 2010 09:46:51 PM new
you just can't win over a PC or mac fanboy/fangirl no matter what you say - that said, mwakefield just laid out the most coherent non-biased sounding argument ive yet to hear comparing the two side by side.
posted on September 18, 2010 05:44:46 AM new
I don't know anything about computers except from a user standpoint, but I have to say that Windows 7 is WONDERFUL! I contemplated buying a Dell when I had to replace my desktop so I could still get XP, but Windows 7 is so much better than XP I am glad I didn't.
As an android user I have to admit I would rather have an iphone but I will not use ATT again. Ever.
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posted on September 18, 2010 06:56:12 AM new
My wife has a Win7 laptop. 7 is pretty impressive, but I've found in general it still takes 3 clicks in Windows to do what can be done with a single step on any of my Macs. I haven't heard the old "there's more software for windows" canard in a long time. For the vast majority of users, that's irrelevant. Sure, there may be 16 varieties of some obscure app for windows that nobody uses, that's why they're free. Virtually every free Linux app can be ported to Mac OS X, and it's pretty easy.
Trouble shooting Macs is a cinch. I virtually never use the command line interface unless I'm just fooling around. The average Mac user will never fire up their console or even know it exists. There is NO need to know Unix commands.
Then there's the virus issue...or non-issue if you have a Mac.
Online 24/7 since 1991 and I've never had to "update" my virus protection, because I don't use any. The panic stricken virus warnings we see posted here periodically are amusing to Mac users. Windows naysayers always say "oh, just you wait, there'll be lots of nasties created for Mac OS, it's only a matter of time". Well, I'm still waiting.
With Win7, M$ is finally starting to approach the ease of use and stability of Mac OS, but they still ain't there by a long shot in my opinion.
posted on September 18, 2010 10:34:13 AM new
I'm not a Microsoft or apple fan per se. I try stay unbiased since I am a developer on both the apple and MS platforms.
Apple slapped a user interface over FreeBSD (a free operating system) and a UI over many unix utilities, they want sell that for $400+.
To say OS/X is not virus susceptible is just silly, the iPhone for example runs OS/X and it is the most insecure mobile device on the market today which is why news media has said "be careful". I own an iPhone BTW and also am an iPhone developer.
Security wise again, seek the details. Windows is targeted for malware more so than OS/X because for every one Macintosh in use (or sold) there are literally thousands if not tens of thousands of Windows PC's in service (or sold) globally. Folks who write malware target the widest demographic. For example, with web servers they attempt target linux based applications far more so than say Microsofts Internet Information Server (IIs) / ASP.NET applications. If Apple computers outpaced Windows PC's 100 to 1 or 1000 to 1 in usage/sales it would be the target for malware.
To say the use of legacy software is unimportant when people buy a new computer is also incorrect. Most folks have a bigger investment in their software and data than in the computer. For example, I run OS/X Tiger on my "Hackintosh" as I have the Adobe Master Suite which I paid several thousands of dollars for... It wont run on Snow Leopard for example. I also have Illustrator and Photoshop / Flash / Dreamweaver CS 3 on my PC... It runs happily under Win XP, Vista, Windows 7 w/o issue. Again, several thousands of dollars of software.
Our business also does sales, so... I am all too aware of how important people consider their software... Hardware comes and goes, people upgrade, Computers fail in time... Whats important to users is the software investment and their data.
I love my Hackintosh and my Windows PC but I dont view any of the technology through "I am a fan" glasses as its just silly to do so. I've been a developer since I was 18, I am now 48. I developed software on CPM/80, Atari, Apple, TRS-80, Commodore and yes, DOS/Windows PC's.
Microsoft's goals are very long term, Apples are todays market. Thats a big difference in its own right.
Huh?
OS/X is faster than Windows (even Win 7) but there is a reason for that. Microsoft's Windows environment is much more (much much more) than just the operating system per se. Microsoft has and continues to gear Windows towards a highly distributed environment.
Essentially Microsoft is betting that online/server technology (hardware) will "Come to them". Speed of servers, connectivity etc. coming "to them". Its no secret that Internet Information Server and ASP.NET is far more robust than say linux web servers or java based (tomcat) server software. Its pretty much enterprise ready "out of the box" so to speak.
As server performance and connectivity speeds continue to increase and costs of it continue to decrease the "platform" favors Microsoft or Rich Client/Server Internet/Intranet technologies.
Windows (and IIs) are slower than competitors not because of just BLOAT of code etc. But, because of the amounts of services available in the operating environment and the ability of that environment to scale, to work uniformally and much much more.
Essentially Microsoft is working towards a seamless integration of online/intranet/home and considerably more services under one uniform platform. No other entities are doing this. Apple could not afford to even try to do this. Microsoft started in this investment well over 15 years ago. Its in fact WHY many Windows users got all bent out of shape with Microsoft but those users never understood why (or cared). With the beginnings back in Windows ME/2000 in fact.
Vista was/is considered one of Microsofts worst operating systems but most users dont understand WHY or WHAT Vista is/was really about.
Its all about being able to bring state of the art everything to your home/business via ONE platform and Microsofts sunk hundreds of billions of dollars into it. You'll find with the next two versions of Windows (and the associated web technologies) Microsoft will begin leaving others in the dust as again, they are thinking ahead of the curve... Not a "Whats possible today" but a "Where will things be in 10 years".
With that alot of good and bad will come.
Good will be fascinating things you can do that are just not possible now.
Bad will be nations ability to start regulating the internet and more.
You'll find nearly all software will be free per se... That is to say, revenue models are going to change that favors some and not others.
Adobe is one company trying to fight this tooth and nail for example. Oracle is another, they bought mySQL for a reason and that reason is not to eventually sell mySQL or license it. Its to "contain it". That is to say make sure that mySQL's advancement does not impact Oracle. Hence, Oracle limits one of the few web softwares that could potentially impact Oracle's (and in doing so also Microsofts) dominance in Enterprise Data capabilities.
Right now its an interesting time that most folks dont read or care about in technology. Just as the "Boom" of Microcomputers and GUI's are "history"... aka Apple .vs. Microsoft and the riches that were created are now history (literally). We are now in a time where 25 years from now (if the world makes it that far) we are again living in a historical time technology wise. The next leaps and subsequent shakeouts that happen are going to be as dramatic as the GUI was.
posted on September 18, 2010 01:11:48 PM new
mwakefield,
Your responce was excellent. The references to different programs etc was out of my league, will do some research to hopefully keep up. the how and why things happen most enlighting. Somedays I wish I had kept my old Commadore!
posted on September 19, 2010 06:54:03 AM new
Your perspective as a developer is interesting. The iPhone argument is specious however. A phone and a computer, while similar, aren't the same. While there are huge differences of opinion on whether OS X is inherently more secure than Windows, and the "Macs don't have viruses because nobody bothers to write them" probably has some validity, for the average user the fact to date remains: Macintosh computers, for all intents and purposes, do not suffer from malware and do not need protection from it.
posted on September 19, 2010 10:23:00 AM new
Yep, I hear it all the time... "Windows 7 is great". Wait until Windows 8 or 9 when they screw up again. Windows 95... good, Windows 98... crap, Windows XP good, Windows Vista... crap, Windows 7... good. See the trend.
As for the software... I have found better software for my applications, for a fraction of the cost than what Windows offered. Just because it isn't made by Intuit or some giant software company doesn't mean it doesn't function for the end-user. I bought Quickbooks for Mac ($150)... and returned it to Intuit. It was horrible. I bought another small accounting software ($30) and it works flawlessly. So that argument is biased.
The irony in mwakefield's assessment is willing to break Apple's copyright laws to use a Hack A Mac. Hmmm...
As for proprietary concerns... here is something to consider. Yes, it is true Apple has proprietary rights on their products... but when there is a problem with an Apple you don't go blame the manufacturer of the Hard Drive, or the Processor, or the speaker system. You go to Apple. Everything works together. I generally don't have to worry about incompatibility. I am not a tech, I am a consumer.
For me it is like going to my Volvo mechanic. He specializes in Volvos and knows them inside and out. He is cheaper than the mechanic down the street b/c he stocks only Volvo parts and can repair a problem in half the time it would take the mechanic down the street to perform the same job. There is consistency.
With a PC, many manufacturers cram a bunch of mismatched off brand hardware on top of an Intel or AMD processor and hope it works. Depending on the manufacturer and suppliers you may get a few good pieces.
Besides... Mac is much cooler than PC. You've seen the commercials. LOL.
posted on September 19, 2010 10:25:31 AM new
Oh, and finally... I note that there is no mention of the virus scares that happen every month or so with PCs. Windows has been the target for years and years and years. Are there Mac viruses? Yes, but not like there are Windows viruses.
posted on September 21, 2010 08:22:30 PM new
Hmmm....
Again, from a user point of view things may appear to be a screw up. Aka: Windows Vista was not favorably viewed by consumers over Windows XP, however, the average consumer has no idea what Vista was really about.
Its simple in concept ok?
Microsoft's operating system wishes to bring you the "all in one". That is to say, Computer, TV, Phone, Games, Video Phone and much much more all in one uniform environment. Software, media, data etc. will all be "piped in" and "piped out" making for all new revenue models. This is where the technology has been heading for some years now, the "Home Information / Entertainment Center" where a user does not need to know a damned thing essentially. There's been work done on the average person being able to write their own software to suit custom needs without needing to know a single thing about software engineering. Its drag, drop, associate and set conditions.
Atop all of this comes a larger need for regulatory measure which again, Microsoft is the leader in this working with governments all over the world.
Its not a matter of whats "better" its a matter of "this is reality".
In regards to the iPhone... It is a computer. It has two very distinct sections from and electrical engineer point of view. There is the "phone" (which btw is not a very good phone even when compared with those 4 & 5 years aged) and then there is the "computer section" which runs a scaled version of OS/X. They are distinct separate entities.
I love my iPhone, I dont like entities that make things so proprietary it feels like they want own me for owning their merchandise. For example, iphone... Take say tethering. The ability to take an iPhone and use it as a mobile modem attached to a laptop lets say. Apple removed the tether application from the iPhone store. Now you can only get it if your phone is "jail broken". On Android you can use the phone not only as a tether but actually as a mobile hot-spot connecting you and your two friends to the Internet all at once, all through the phone.
There is a major difference in "control issues" between Apple and other entities in the same genre's of business. It in fact almost killed the Macintosh lineup. Its in fact why Apple went with a new operating system, a operating system built atop FreeBSD Unix, note the word "FREE". FreeBSD is free under a public license.
Granted, Apple did alot of work to set a graphical user interface over it that looks and feels alot like the old Mac Operating System. Apple now uses hardware that is no different than that of Windows PC's. No difference at all, literally.
The difference is Apple does not support in their operating system a mechanism by which hardware manufacturer's can offer upgrade options. So if I want to use ATI's latest video card I cant as Apple provides no programming interface by which ATI can write drivers and an installation process for end consumers.
They price the computers much higher. For $500 you can buy the exact same hardware they want charge you $1800 for. Atop that, they dont even allow me if I do spend that much more a path by which I can upgrade it. That's not "consumers pal". In reality what it is forces the consumer into Apples upgrade path, so, 5 years from now perhaps it costs you another $1800 to stay current .vs. spending another $300 to bring the older PC up to remaining nice and usable albeit not the latest greatest.
Dont get me wrong, again, I am not biased. I love my Apple and I love my PC's but I dont see anything through rose colored glasses.
The direction Microsoft and the technology as a whole is heading to me is wrong. Yes, there will be many new and wonderful things. It will also be the most monitored and controlled human communications mechanism mankind has ever known.
The direction Apple is taking is putting out an appearance of "trendy" and the "upscale" crowd, charging a fortune for it, built atop others work (aka not apples) and making believe that its the best thing since "sliced apples".
Really the most "sane" folks in the entire scope are the linux people. It outperforms both OS/X and Windows, 95% of all the software is free and more solid than that in Windows or the Mac and really has alot of innovation far beyond both the others, but, its vertical market.
Webservers tend to run either Linux or Microsoft Internet Information Server. Some places are far more specific such as eBay, Amazon etc. Custom solutions built atop Free operating systems. But, dont see a Mac server platform for the Internet at any web hosts.
See... Apple is smart. They realize its not about "trendy". Thats a facade that convinces people to buy. Apples about money just like any other corporation. They could care less if you or I have opinions, its money.
However, in trying to constantly lock things down they always and I do mean always end up shooting themselves in the foot allowing others to take market share. Android has not been out for anywhere near the time iPhone's have and already have put a sizeable dent in Apples marketshare for example.
