A Sad story and a question

[hsmamato2]

Well, My computer caught a virus the other day...sniffle, and died. went from 60 gb to 1 mb in like 30 seconds. Oh well, boohoo. That's my sad story of the day. But my question is, how many people out there are using macs b/c of the virus problem? I'm considering going with a mac , b/c this was hard to deal with, and I'd heard they're good that way...thanks for any advice!

 

[jekjones1558]

Count me as one who bought a mac to avoid viruses and would never go back to the pc world. As a bonus I found it so user-friendly that I am now waiting for the new G5 Powerbooks to come out so I can get a laptop too. I love the easy-to-use applications for photos and dvd editing. I am not a big gamer, but a downside is that there are fewer games available.

 

[bdcp]

We have never "caught" a virus because we use anti virus software and update it regularly. We also never open anything from someone we do not know. We scan at least once a week for viruses and adware. It's pretty simple to keep your machine virus free. We used to use Mac but converted about 5 years ago and use PC's at home and at work. Mac will eventually have the same issues as PC's. As more people use them, they'll become a popular target.

 

[disneysteve]

We use Macs because they are just better overall. The virus issue is just a bonus.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Well, My computer caught a virus the other day...sniffle, and died. went from 60 gb to 1 mb in like 30 seconds. Oh well, boohoo. That's my sad story of the day. But my question is, how many people out there are using macs b/c of the virus problem? I'm considering going with a mac , b/c this was hard to deal with, and I'd heard they're good that way...thanks for any advice!

Were you using anti-virus software?

 

[safetymom]

I uses several programs to stop spyware and viruses. I use a PC and don't have any problems.

Seems sort of drastic to learn a whole new operating system because of a virus.

 

[BonnieA]

We use Macs because they are just better overall. The virus issue is just a bonus.

What he said.

 

[ziggystardust]

I've always used macs. I used to work for apple too, selling people macs. They are by far the best computers around and couldn't imagine EVER buying a PC.

Though macs are becoming more and more popular, we are still a very small percentage of the population. The people that make the virus' would be stupid to make them for macs b/c they wouldn't impact nearly as many people.

If you have any specifc questions, feel free to ask.

 

[nelle]

I have a question for you mac users. On some of my kids games it says that they are mac but when I go to install them they say I need a classic cd or something like that? Where do I get the classic cd or what ever it is to run their games?
Thanks,

 

[travelbug]

We use Macs because they are just better overall. The virus issue is just a bonus.

Same here. Love my new Mac Mini!

 

[mitchwebb]

We all have macs in our household and the girls love them because it is also what they have in their classrooms and computer labs. Of course DH is a IT Manager for a graphics company so there is no choice for us.

 

[disneysteve]

I have a question for you mac users. On some of my kids games it says that they are mac but when I go to install them they say I need a classic cd or something like that? Where do I get the classic cd or what ever it is to run their games?
Thanks,

Check the system requirements. Does it say the games are OS X compatible? Or are they OS 9 (or earlier) compatible? If they are not OS X, then they aren't compatible with the current operating system. You would need to install OS 9 and run in that mode to use those games. I'm guessing these are older games as anything that came out in the past 2-3 years would be OS X.

 

[paladin]

My husband runs both OS X and OS 9 as some of his games require the earlier system, plus we have an old version of MS Office that runs on 9. He loves the Mac, but he does wish they made more games for it.

 

[arminnie]

Just be aware that some things just aren't supported on Macs - like the DING service from Southwest Airlines.

I do machine embroidery and the digitizing and design software is not supported on the Mac. I've run into some other special function stuff that is not Mac compatible.

None of this may matter to you at all, but just be sure to do your research. Don't assume that everything that can be run on a PC can run on a Mac.

Besides the viruses (boon for Mac users) there are other applications (usually specialized) that won't run on Macs.

You are also going to pay more for a Mac. We have both at home. I usually buy PC because of the cost but also because I have applications that I need that won't run on a Mac.

I can use either a Mac or a PC. They are different and each takes a little getting used to, but I honestly can't say that one is "better" than the other. The Mac was light years ahead of PCs a decade ago, but I don't see that much difference in ease of use anymore.

 

[SueM in MN]

We use macs at home because we like them.
We use PCs at work because we have to. I'm really glad to have IT people to take care of the PCs at work. We have one PC at home because DD's communication computer is a PC. We've had to re-install the software on it several times (or I should say, I've had to pay someone to re-install the software on it). That computer never goes onto the internet, I don't load any programs on it, but it gets screwed up anyway. I'm exploring options for DD to switch to a mac somehow for her communication device.

You can get emulation software that lets you use Windows programs on a mac. Here's a
link to the apple "switch" page.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow- thanks for all the replies! I'm using a borrowed mac right now, to get a feel for them... and I'm back online! anyway- to aswer some questions, was running norton antivirus, not once in 3 years has it ever come up "positive " as finding a virus... running antispyware every other day- w/ high speed, it got spyjunk in it at the rate of 20 -30 hits every time... with a deep system check every 2 days- also had the yahoo spyware on- also the stuff that's supposed to check incoming mail- didn't open forwards I didn't know, etc- I wasn't online when it died even. and till the other day, I thought I was afe by doing these things. But I wasn't and 2 friends have had this happen to them this year, and they had the same protection in place.
I'm trying to get this borrowed mac going strong, and I keep getting a message that it's running on explorer, but would be optimized w/safari or firefox, yet I can't seem to get the link to download these- just goes to the info pages, but won't get me a link to do it- it's an osx imac- can't figure it out, yet-
I appreciate all the feedback from you guys!

 

[jekjones1558]

Here's a Mozilla Firefox link:
Firefox

 

[HaleyB]

We have never "caught" a virus because we use anti virus software and update it regularly. We also never open anything from someone we do not know. We scan at least once a week for viruses and adware. It's pretty simple to keep your machine virus free. We used to use Mac but converted about 5 years ago and use PC's at home and at work. Mac will eventually have the same issues as PC's. As more people use them, they'll become a popular target.

First of all, I never have to do anything to prevent a virus on a Mac. I didn't even know what they were for the longest time.
Second, your assumption is wrong. Even if Mac had a 50% market share there would be far fewer viruses because the OS is so much tighter. The problem is not your PC, it is your OS.

 

[HaleyB]

I uses several programs to stop spyware and viruses. I use a PC and don't have any problems.

Seems sort of drastic to learn a whole new operating system because of a virus.

Learn? It isn't really hard to learn how to drag and drop... there is not much to learn. People like Mac's because they are so easy.

 

[HaleyB]

I have a question for you mac users. On some of my kids games it says that they are mac but when I go to install them they say I need a classic cd or something like that? Where do I get the classic cd or what ever it is to run their games?
Thanks,

It wants you to install Classic support, which was with the software that came with you computer. If you don't have your original software/start up dvd's see if you can borrow some from someone you know.