Technology, Computers and Smartphones

[nadia]

I only do general web-browsing (mostly message boards), email, and some downloading. Nothing special.

I was browsing Apple's site before you added that link and found the MiniMac, or MacMini, and was interested. It said most monitors and keyboards are compatible for Macs but I don't know what kind mine is. The monitor is the connection with the long plug with metal prongs and the screws on each side to tighten. The keyboard is round with the metal prongs inside.

Also, is it possible to wipe my computer clean, getting rid of all the Windows stuff, and putting MAC on it? It's a few years old, though, so it may be a better idea to just get a new one altogether.

ETA: My monitor plug looks like this and my keyboard plug like this

[niddlemiddle]

nadia said:

I only do general web-browsing (mostly message boards), email, and some downloading. Nothing special.

Then if you really want to make the switch, then a Mac would be great for you.

I was browsing Apple's site before you added that link and found the MiniMac, or MacMini, and was interested. It said most monitors and keyboards are compatible for Macs but I don't know what kind mine is. The monitor is the connection with the long plug with metal prongs and the screws on each side to tighten. The keyboard is round with the metal prongs inside.

If it isn't compatible, them I'm sure there is some sort of adapter. However, I would ask someone at a mac store (if there's one near you) or see if there is something online before you commit to the switch.

Also, is it possible to wipe my computer clean, getting rid of all the Windows stuff, and putting MAC on it? It's a few years old, though, so it may be a better idea to just get a new one altogether.

No, that won't work. A Mac is a Mac, and a Pc is a Pc.
You'll really need to buy a new computer.
However, macs have an application that lets you run windows on it (for the record, I've never done this). I know many that have and they seem to like it. You can also run UNIX on the mac as well (I have used this a bit and it's fine).

ETA: My monitor plug looks like this and my keyboard plug like this

I'm not sure on the monitor cable but the printer will work just fine.

[nadia]

Yeah, I have heard of somehow running both operating systems, that's why I wondered if I could switch on the same computer. Thank you.

Since I know IE needs to stay, what about AOL? Any reason that should stay? I've tried uninstalling it a thousand times, from my add/remove programs, but everytime I go back it's still there. When I try to uninstall it, it just goes to a blue screen saying "uninstall, blah blah blah" but never does anything. I've waited for an hour before, but nothing. Does it really take that long to uninstall or is something else up?

I have NEVER used AOL on any computer I've owned so it's just a waste of space.

[Peggy Lane]

I made the switch about a year and a half ago, and I've never been happier. I use my computer basically for web browsing, Word/Office applications, bill paying, et cetera. I did use it to do maintance on a web site for students, but I don't play games or anything, so I can't speak to that experience. In that year and a half, my computer has never crashed, been invaded with spyware, infested with pop ups, or the nineteen thousand other things that drove me CRAZY about my last few PCs. However, I did buy VirtualPC for a couple of work related reasons, and have found it works well enough for my needs, but if it wasn't for the work thing I would never need it. I've also never had a computer that was easier to hook to the internet, which was particularly nice at work last year when every different part of the campus was hooking up to the internet in different ways.

The one problem I had with it was an internal tech problem after I'd had it about a year. I called AppleCare, spoke to a great guy who helped me troubleshoot and then made me an appointment at an Apple store I pass on my way to work. They took me in right at my appointment time, quickly diagnosed the problem and told me that my computer had to be shipped to a repair center and gave me a tracking number so I could keep track. They said it might be up to a week, but it was back in 36 hours.

I don't want to sound like Apple's biggest cheerleader, but I had such bad experiences with my last few PCs (Toshiba, Dell, and HP). All of them crashed, got infected with various problems, and the tech support on all three was laughable. However, I've really enjoyed my iBook.

[Deleted]

You simply cannot remove IE!

Nor should you, if you want maximum compatability. As ludicrous as it sounds, some development houses do market studies on their potential customers to determine how best to focus limited budgets for maximum impact. The truth is, the vast majority of consumers have Windows-based PCs, whhich means that they also have native IE. By limiting development to the IE platform, developers know they'll be hitting the greatest potential marketplace.

This ignores the fact that if you develop for standards and force the browser makers to produce standards-compliant products, everybody wins. Eventually, development houses will realize this, but not until the coelocanths who head up those departments see the light. In the meantime, developing for IE is the lazy-but-profitable route, so that's where you'll see the most compatability.

[Deleted]

I am an Apple Computer whore. I adore my iBook. I had a Dell laptop that constantly crashed and since I am not very smart about fixing computers I always had to call their help line, which was not very helpful. Since I'm a student I could get a discounted Apple computer at my college computer store (great way to get one if you are a student, there are generally good sales) and I decided to switch to Apple because they were selling the iBook G4's for $800. I have never had a problem and its been about 6 months. Not one crash, virus, pop-up, or problem. It was super easy to set up too. I just cannot gush enough about my Mac. Now, if you are a gamer like my brother than Macs probably aren't for you, I'll concede that PCs are better for gaming. I think PCs are for people who are very computer savvy and who can program and do all sorts of things like that. Macs are much more user friendly in my opinion.

[Deleted]

Nadia:
Your keyboard will not work on a Mac. All Macs have USB connectors for input devices such as keyboards or peripherals such as printers.
Actually, with today's Mac being also Intel-based (i.e. same architecture as PCs), it is possible to run Mac OS X on many PCs. It is a bit of a hassle to do it, but here is the how-to. Of course, if you have any problems with this setup you are on your own.

As far as IE is concerned, the big problem is because it is such an integral part of Windows. Because of this, and the fact that Microsoft has never really been concerned about security, hackers and other unpleasant persons can gain access to your computer by just going through your bowser (e.g. ActiveX). So, as other have already posted, you should not remove IE unless you want a whole host of other problems. Just define any other browser (Firefox, Opera, Mozilla) as your standard browser, remove IE from you desktop, your shortcuts and your start menu and try to forget about it.

[laconicchick]

Is there some sort of problem with the Internet? Because all of a sudden nothing is loading for me except this site and a select few others. My university mail, Yahoo mail, Kingdom of Loathing, CBC, Globe and Mail, Google -- nothing. But this site works fine (and on pages I never visit and so wouldn't have cached). Huh? Is it my computer or has the Internet gone crazy?

ETA: Okay, that fixed itself (predictably). So now I will just say I hate when I leave a browser with tabs open overnight and my computer decides to automatically update and restart itself. Grr. Thanks computer, as I no longer remember what those tabs were!

[Deleted]

Does anyone have any tips on how I can stream MP3 files? I have a hosting site for the MP3 files, and I have the files in mp3 format, but I want to add them to a website, so I guess I'm looking for a free converter.

[Deleted]

laconicchick, if you're using FireFox, there's an add-on that remembers your tabs in case an unexpected shutdown occurs, such as you've described.

SessionSaver, for example...