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Old 04-01-2011, 10:00 PM #1
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Default My next computer will be a Mac

We are seriously thinking about our future purchase (whenever that will be). I just read that you can run windows operating system on a mac. I read lots of info. Didn't understand the virtualization exlanation but I catch on fast.

so here's my query.

I have heard that Mac's do not get NEARLY the amount of viruses that PC's get.

If this is true, and I get a mac and I want to run windows on the mac, does that prevent viruses?

Anyone own a mac, and do you go on the internet the same way?

Thanks much

Melody
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:23 AM #2
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Getting on the internet is pretty much the same.

Mac's have a browser called Safari , and there are others available to download too, even FF & Flock.

about running Windows on a MAC...
I think it would defeat the purpose of having a Mac, esp if it is to reduce viruses.

The difference as I understand it is how the OS is coded or written.
Microsoft's windows OS has more virus attacks due to the style of coding.
The overall percentage of MS windows computers in use also makes for an easier target by hackers and such.

You could just keep the same computer and switch it completely over to one of the user friendly Linux distro's.
And not have to pay $$$ for a Mac..

I would change over completely except for the Quicken program I use, but next time the upgrade comes along I'm not buying it.
I don't even use quicken much anymore since the bank website has gotten many more features on it.

But the various Linux distros even come with what they call a Live CD.
all you do is pop it in the cd drive and boot up = if your pc is set to check the cd drive 1st on start up before booting from the hard drive.

It will load right off the cd drive and you can test run it without having to install it at all, until you decide if you like it.


If you aren't tied to Windows specific extra software programs, Linux does have all & more of the equivalent programs built in.

and you can go thru the built in software to repositories where you can download many more tools, programs, games for free.

some of my Linux faves-
http://www.mepis.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/?page_id=2
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu

you can even request a free cd from ubuntu to try it

The others you can download a burn the ISO file to cd/dvd but has to be burned slowly for best results.


So anyway there are other options...
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Old 04-02-2011, 09:23 AM #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo*mar View Post
Getting on the internet is pretty much the same.

Mac's have a browser called Safari , and there are others available to download too, even FF & Flock.

about running Windows on a MAC...
I think it would defeat the purpose of having a Mac, esp if it is to reduce viruses.

The difference as I understand it is how the OS is coded or written.
Microsoft's windows OS has more virus attacks due to the style of coding.
The overall percentage of MS windows computers in use also makes for an easier target by hackers and such.

You could just keep the same computer and switch it completely over to one of the user friendly Linux distro's.
And not have to pay $$$ for a Mac..

I would change over completely except for the Quicken program I use, but next time the upgrade comes along I'm not buying it.
I don't even use quicken much anymore since the bank website has gotten many more features on it.

But the various Linux distros even come with what they call a Live CD.
all you do is pop it in the cd drive and boot up = if your pc is set to check the cd drive 1st on start up before booting from the hard drive.

It will load right off the cd drive and you can test run it without having to install it at all, until you decide if you like it.


If you aren't tied to Windows specific extra software programs, Linux does have all & more of the equivalent programs built in.

and you can go thru the built in software to repositories where you can download many more tools, programs, games for free.

some of my Linux faves-
http://www.mepis.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/?page_id=2
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu

you can even request a free cd from ubuntu to try it

The others you can download a burn the ISO file to cd/dvd but has to be burned slowly for best results.


So anyway there are other options...


ROFL.

you lost me LONG ago, but I'm catching up.

Let me see if I got this straight. I go to ubuntu to get a free CD from them. This cd has linux on it, right? I insert the CD and then what?

And what if I want to use THAT operating system and not windows anymore? What happens to XP? Do I supress that, is it still running in the background.

MORE MORE MORE INFO puleeeeeeze!! this is what I'm looking for.

A way for Alan to go on his sites and not worry about getting hijacked or viruses (since viruses are created for windows stuff, (did I get this part right?)

I will definitely click on the links you gave me.

But I no nothing about putting a different operating system on my computer.

As Frank Sinatra used to sing:

"If I could make it here, I'd make it anywhere!!!!! NEW YORK NEW YORK!!!!

I couldn't resist.

I can actually learn a new operating system??

How cool

Thanks MUCH.

Melody
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Old 04-02-2011, 09:26 AM #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo*mar View Post
Getting on the internet is pretty much the same.

Mac's have a browser called Safari , and there are others available to download too, even FF & Flock.

about running Windows on a MAC...
I think it would defeat the purpose of having a Mac, esp if it is to reduce viruses.

The difference as I understand it is how the OS is coded or written.
Microsoft's windows OS has more virus attacks due to the style of coding.
The overall percentage of MS windows computers in use also makes for an easier target by hackers and such.

You could just keep the same computer and switch it completely over to one of the user friendly Linux distro's.
And not have to pay $$$ for a Mac..

I would change over completely except for the Quicken program I use, but next time the upgrade comes along I'm not buying it.
I don't even use quicken much anymore since the bank website has gotten many more features on it.

But the various Linux distros even come with what they call a Live CD.
all you do is pop it in the cd drive and boot up = if your pc is set to check the cd drive 1st on start up before booting from the hard drive.

It will load right off the cd drive and you can test run it without having to install it at all, until you decide if you like it.


If you aren't tied to Windows specific extra software programs, Linux does have all & more of the equivalent programs built in.

and you can go thru the built in software to repositories where you can download many more tools, programs, games for free.

some of my Linux faves-
http://www.mepis.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/?page_id=2
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu

you can even request a free cd from ubuntu to try it

The others you can download a burn the ISO file to cd/dvd but has to be burned slowly for best results.


So anyway there are other options...

Jo. Went to ubuntu. Very very interesting. Is this linux or something else? And there is the option to download it in a desktop variety.

So I can dowload this? and not get a cd? They say it's a beta version.

So I download it and what happens. This ubuntu thing takes over my computer?

I am clueless, and I WILL GO THERE AND READ ALL THE INFO, but if you could gently explain what happens if I do this, and if it won't let viruses in, then that would be the best anniversary present (next month) that ANYONE can give us.

I mean, you guys know all about this stuff, and all I know is sprouting.

BUT IT KEEPS ME HEALTHY!!!

Jo. JUST WENT BACK TO THAT WEBSITE. You have to have a cd when you download ubuntu, or a usb stick.

Why is this necessary? and what does it do? See, once I learn this, I CAN DO IT.

I just have learn this first.

So I need a blank cd?? I have some but I don't know if they are compatible with this ubuntu thing. This must be easy for 20 year olds. They will mail it to me but it takes 10 weeks, so this is faster.

so if you could say " Melody, this is what you do with the cd, and you need this type of cd, and you download ubuntu and then you transfer it to the cd, and this is how you do that?" Then I might have a shot at this ubuntu thing.

thanks

Melody
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Old 04-02-2011, 09:39 AM #5
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Jo.

Went to ubuntu. Very very interesting. There is the option to download it in a desktop variety.

So I can dowload this? and not get a cd? They say it's a beta version.

So I download it and what happens. This ubuntu thing takes over my computer?

I am clueless, and I WILL GO THERE AND READ ALL THE INFO, but if you could gently explain what happens if I do this, and if it won't let viruses in, then that would be the best anniversary present (next month) that ANYONE can give us.

I mean, you guys know all about this stuff, and all I know is sprouting.

BUT IT KEEPS ME HEALTHY!!!

Jo. JUST WENT BACK TO THAT WEBSITE. You have to have a cd when you download ubuntu, or a usb stick.

Why is this necessary? and what does it do? See, once I learn this, I CAN DO IT.

I just have to learn this first.

So I need a blank cd?? I have some but I don't know if they are compatible with this ubuntu thing. This must be easy for 20 year olds. They will mail it to me but it takes 10 weeks, so this way is faster.

so if you could say " Melody, this is what you do with the cd, and you need this type of cd, and you download ubuntu and then you transfer it to the cd, and this is how you do that?" Then I might have a shot at this ubuntu thing.And what do they mean "a usb stick"?????

Oh, one very important thing. I have a dvd/lightscribe cd rom thing. I have two cd rom things. One says dvd, and the other is a cd rom drive. My dvd lightscribe thing is not working to play dvd's. I have downloaded codecs and all that but it really won't play dvd's that well. Is this drive what I use to burn stuff. I've burned cd's before (audio ones) and I did try and burn a dvd a long time ago, but who remembers.

I should still have the dvd/cd burning software still on my computer and that's what I would be using, but (and here's the GOOD question I need answered).

Since I have to download this ubuntu thing, and burn it to a cd, can I put the blank cd in the cd rom drive, or do I put it in the dvd/lightscribe drive and hope it works.

Never did this kind of thing before.

I don't know if the dvd/lightscribe is working to burn stuff. I'll test this out later by trying to burn something (don't know how to do this either but I'll try).

Right now I have to bring Alan back to the podiatrist so this afternoon will be spent at the doc's office.

But when I get home, I will put this man in front of the tv with a ice cream pop and say "leave me alone and let me learn". and I'll come back here and read whatever you have replied.

I just might be able to do this thing yet.

lol

Melody

P.S. And if I do this, I'll plant a tree of sprouts in your name.
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Old 04-02-2011, 02:52 PM #6
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The Beta version's 11.04?? ares usually still in a testing mode or not totally stable - so don't keep that one, if that is what you have dnloaded.

The 10.10 dnload link is below.

The cd they send might arrive faster than they estimate - it all depends on volunteers and such. and the mail.
I sent for one during the holidays and it only took 7 wks.
I would order one since it's free and just in case we can't get the self burned one to work for you.


here's the link to dnload 10.10 version -
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

On that same page lower down there are gray buttons that say show me how - they turn red when cursor goes near them.
click those for more info.

If your burner says - "burn as ISO " then that is what you would use to burn the Ubuntu downloaded .iso file with.
Use a slow burn speed for best results - if you can set it slower.

then to test it just place it in the cd or dvd drive and do a reboot.

Oh, do you know if your computer checks the dvd/cd drives before booting from the hard drive?
those ldvd/cd ights would blink on at start up first usually.
and then the hard drive light will go on and windows will boot then with the hard drive sounds.

Or you can just try the burned cd/dvd in both players to see if it loads or not, if not then we can look at your bios settings to see if those drives are first on the boot list or not.
It's good to have it set to do that first at boot in case of a HD or OS major malfunction, then if you have a repair or restore cd then you can boot and repair when you can't get to the OS to boot via the hard drive.

I tried the USB way and it didn't work for me

and I have burned a couple of the ISO cd/dvd at too high of speed and they won't load. so set yours at the slowest speed if you can.
If you need a burn program (free)I have the best luck with Ashampoo burning studio 6 - http://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pin/0...rning-Studio-6


ok what else,
If we get the burned one to load and open all you do is play around and check it out - right off the cd, no changes are made to your system at all.
It will be slower than if it is installed on the HD but just to get a feel for it it is a great way to go.
hopefully it will see all it needs to display and connect with out any input by you.
Ubuntu is pretty good about that - should work right from the get go.

The other distros I had to click a few things to get the first wireless connection made , but you are wired so should be just fine- and Ubuntu saw my wireless connection automatically.
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Old 04-03-2011, 12:37 AM #7
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I tried to request that they mail me the free cd but they want me to pay for shipping. Did you have to pay for shipping.

And IT'S BAAAAAACK. I'm going to tell you what happened on my original virus thread.

Melody
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Old 04-04-2011, 04:41 PM #8
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No, I didn't pay a thing...
could it have been an option if you wanted it to be shipped faster?
Or maybe they are getting too many requests and it is costing too much now.


Darn - I had hoped the treat fire would stop it.
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Old 04-04-2011, 05:17 PM #9
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Quote:
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No, I didn't pay a thing...
could it have been an option if you wanted it to be shipped faster?
Or maybe they are getting too many requests and it is costing too much now.


Darn - I had hoped the treat fire would stop it.
Threatfire tried to stop the Verizon lady from downloading some tools so she could fix my computer. I clicked on Allow and everything went smooth. Hey, at least Threatfire was on the job.!!!!

And while it's free, on the bottom of the screen they now have a "donate" option and you have to pay for shipping. They give you the option of selecting $10, $50 or OTHER.

They also say it's expensive to ship these things out for free.

Oh well.

I'm going through some stuff now so I don't have the time or temperment to try and do the download thing with linux. Maybe soon.

I first have to see if I know how to burn a cd on this computer of mine.

But I do thank you my dear for ALL your help.

Take care,

Melody
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Old 04-04-2011, 05:54 PM #10
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I hope the troubles get resolved soon for you.
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