Computer questions

[andrushok]

Hi guys.
I am more than 7 years in the US and I continue to be amazing sometimes, how some people are wasting money. It might be I am wrong. So, let me give you a small story.

A week ago my neighbood, an old lady met me and asked for some "computer" help. She could not install Norton Antivirus. I came to her computer and found that she is using some Dial-Up connection in Internet and it is not possible to download Norton Antivirus installer package (about 60MB). Ok, no big deal. I turned off her Dial-Up and install my old USB wireless network adapter on her computer. Hopefuly her house is a next if mine, the signal is "Good". I have DSL connection. Then, I downloaded this dumb installer and installed this dumb antivirus. She was very glad about such fast internet connection and offered here to share it. It was my mistake. The reason was evidence: all Internet providers not so stupid, her e-mail did not work after that. Her provider checks exact internet connection and restricts e-mail access if it is "foreign" connections. I returned everything back in her computer.

But:
She pay $20 for her Dail-Up
She paid $60 for new update of Norton Antivirus
Why? Answer is simple: she is an old lady and does not undrestand about computers at all.

Now, let me ask you a few questions. I am sorry, they might look as a "stupid" or "not polite" questions:

- How much do you pay for software in a year (instead of computer games)?
- Do you use other browsers instead of IE. In other words do you use or even did you hear about Mozzila, Firefox, Opera, Safary, Camino, Netscape?
- Do you use other OS instead of Windows (Linux, Mac, Sun Solaris, xBSD).

As to me I pay nothing for computer sofware. My opinion: you can find any soft as you wish for free in Internet. I do not mean that you can find cracked soft or trail soft. I mean you can find absolutely free soft for "home use". Why do you need to pay $60 Norton Antivirus, if you can install "avast!" for free? I use diffrent browsers in my computer, even Opera. Opera is not free, but sometimes Opera guys "throw" free license keys. You just need to subscribe on their site and you will have a chance to get Opera for free. I have 3 few laptops and 2 of them has Linux installation. They has absolutely free office software. Why do I need to pay to MiscroSoft for the MS Office, if I can get it for free?

So, it may be I do not undrestand something. Correct me if I am wrong.

[darkwolf29a]

Now, let me ask you a few questions. I am sorry, they might look as a "stupid" or "not polite" questions:

- How much do you pay for software in a year (instead of computer games)?
- Do you use other browsers instead of IE. In other words do you use or even did you hear about Mozzila, Firefox, Opera, Safary, Camino, Netscape?
- Do you use other OS instead of Windows (Linux, Mac, Sun Solaris, xBSD).

As to me I pay nothing for computer sofware. My opinion: you can find any soft as you wish for free in Internet. I do not mean that you can find cracked soft or trail soft. I mean you can find absolutely free soft for "home use". Why do you need to pay $60 Norton Antivirus, if you can install "avast!" for free? I use diffrent browsers in my computer, even Opera. Opera is not free, but sometimes Opera guys "throw" free license keys. You just need to subscribe on their site and you will have a chance to get Opera for free. I have 3 few laptops and 2 of them has Linux installation. They has absolutely free office software. Why do I need to pay to MiscroSoft for the MS Office, if I can get it for free?

So, it may be I do not undrestand something. Correct me if I am wrong.

First to answer your questions:

1) $100 - $200/ year. (If I had to add in the stuff for games, that number would be higher, I'm sure)

2) Yes, I do. My company allows the use of the internet to VPN into company systems. But, the software they use only supports I.E. 6, for now. As a result I use Opera, I.E. 6 and 7. But, I have tried out all of them, at different points during the past 6 months, to try and find a way around the stupid IE 6 thing.

3) I work in IT, as a Unix Technical Analyst. I use various flavors of Unix (HP-UX, RedHat Linux, SUSE Linux) and various versions of Windows (XP Home and Professional, and 2003 Professional). As well, in my career I have used a bunch of different OS'. Most Unix platforms are fairly much the same, of course there are differences in various commands, but you can figure them out, if you take the time to do it. My favorite OS are still the free ones. LOL Since, most of Linux is all, pretty much, the same.

I'll write more shortly...I'm working on an issue at work now.

[dbthump]

- How much do you pay for software in a year (instead of computer games)?
- Do you use other browsers instead of IE. In other words do you use or even did you hear about Mozzila, Firefox, Opera, Safary, Camino, Netscape?
- Do you use other OS instead of Windows (Linux, Mac, Sun Solaris, xBSD).

- besides games? $0.00

- IE 6. IE 7 sucked IMO, and I don't like the "restrictions" that Mozzila and Firefox have imbedded.

- XP SP2 FTW!

[SilverEagle]

Hi! Andrushok, I've lived in the US going on 9 years now. And I do not pay for most computer software I have on my personal computer. I still live of things I've collected through jobs I've had as an Computer Support person for almost 15 years. Two months ago, I spent the honest 1st purchase of the Antispyware suite from Webroot with antivirus. two years subscription for 39.95 and was well worth it.

As an IT Administrator I do enforce that business stay legit with their software licensing, just simply because they have so much more to lose in an audit for legality and liability issues.

I do use Win XP proferssional SP2, and I use Firefox 2.0 for a webbrowser, Outlook 2003 as my e-mail reader with one of the most effective spam filters in the industry. Linux still doesn't cover all the need for user install, ease and friendlyness like Microsoft products offer.

[darkwolf29a]

My only comment on the free software would be this.

Yes, I can get any software I want for free. I just have to look. And most all of the Linux Applications are free, if you know where to find them, and how to install them.

Hence, most people's issues.

I look at this way:

Yes, I can get Linux stuff for free, install them with no issues. But, not everyone, including your neighbor, has that ability. Also, keep in mind that not everyone wants to take that time. Personally, I have a great many other things that I would rather be doing, at home, than installing and configuring Linux to work completely, and without any issues at all.

I also play games, and when I want to play a game...that's what I want to do, not fool around trying to make it run on a Linux box.

I pay Microsoft, Symantec, Adobe, and every other manufacturer of software, for one simple fact. When I click on the install button, it installs. When I click on the icon to start it....it starts and does what it should, without any interaction from me to make it run. Yes, that costs money, but...I don't have to worry about it after the initial install problems.

Can your neighbor install Linux? Does she have the computer necessary, and the ability to get the information to install it correctly. I have seen IT professionals that don't know how to install Linux correctly on a server, much less a workstation.

I'll continue to spend my money getting the right software, and keep them updated, as long as I still use a PC.

Personally, I'm making the switch this year, over to Apple at home. Yes, I'll still have a couple of PCs around, so that I don't have to lose anything to do what I want, when I want. But, for my money...I'll take the time freed up to do the projects that I want to do, instead of sitting trying to make stuff work with Linux.

[dbthump]

Word!

push button; go far. MMM

[2WheelFun]

And don't forget...those Macs run straight out of the box. I saw it on a TV ad. LOL

[jukief]

I hardly ever buy software--just what I need for work, since I work at home. But for other types of software, I always look for freeware or shareware. Of course, almost all of the software I need came native on my iMac, so I really don't need much of anything else.

I use IE only on my other computer (a Dell laptop) and only for two work-related sites that require IE. I use Mozilla on my PC and Safari on my Mac.

I own both a PC running Windows XP and an iMac running Mac OS X, and I much, MUCH prefer the Mac OS. I hate Windows with a passion.

My mom is 75. She's owned three computers now. Her first was a Windows PC, but she's owned Macs now for the past six years. She loves them. She still forgets how to do things, but she can do quite a bit on her computer (she has a laptop now). And she has cable modem and wireless. Pretty cool for an old lady.

[SilverEagle]

And don't forget...those Macs run straight out of the box. I saw it on a TV ad. LOL

Me too, I cannot get used to only ONE mouse button on the MAC. And with Linux I did leave MS-DOS 6.22 in 1995....I'm just to old to learn command line stuff again...even though I do not think bad of Linux.......hey Darkwolf...maybe I can con you out of some expertise on this???

[ervins]

Now, let me ask you a few questions. I am sorry, they might look as a "stupid" or "not polite" questions:

- How much do you pay for software in a year (instead of computer games)? For software this past year I spent a litte under $500 dollars. For games...Well over $500. I went legit on software almost a year to this date after I could not get updates for certain games and because my hacked XP Pro could not get updates. For the 2 MACs in my house they have legit stuff. Though they are for my wife and daughter and have no desire for them to have anything bootleg.
- Do you use other browsers instead of IE. In other words do you use or even did you hear about Mozzila, Firefox, Opera, Safary, Camino, Netscape? I have used Firefox since beta...IE is a haven for insecurity.
- Do you use other OS instead of Windows (Linux, Mac, Sun Solaris, xBSD).
I have a PC that has a dual boot of SUSE Linux 8.0 and W2k.

There are some good free software out there but it depends on what you need. You are correct in the fact that this lady did not need any of that.

[jukief]

Me too, I cannot get used to only ONE mouse button on the MAC. And with Linux I did leave MS-DOS 6.22 in 1995....I'm just to old to learn command line stuff again...even though I do not think bad of Linux.......hey Darkwolf...maybe I can con you out of some expertise on this???

The new Macs have two buttons on the mouse. I don't really like the new mouse, though, so I'm using my old Logitech two-button mouse with a scroll wheel with my iMac.

[darkwolf29a]

Me too, I cannot get used to only ONE mouse button on the MAC. And with Linux I did leave MS-DOS 6.22 in 1995....I'm just to old to learn command line stuff again...even though I do not think bad of Linux.......hey Darkwolf...maybe I can con you out of some expertise on this???

Well, you can't con me out of anything. LOL But, I'm happy to share what knowledge I have. I refuse to call myself a guru of anything, though...be forewarned. I'm just a guy doing a job. LOL But, I am happy to help in any way I can.

[darkwolf29a]

The new Macs have two buttons on the mouse. I don't really like the new mouse, though, so I'm using my old Logitech two-button mouse with a scroll wheel with my iMac.

+1 to that. That's why I'm buying a Mac Mini. It uses any USB keyboard and mouse. I'm a trackball fan myself, for home use, and of course, my Wacom tablet. I spoke to my brother at Christmas, he works for Apple, and asked him about the whole keyboard/mouse thing.

He said that the mini will work with any keyboard/mouse combination. Which, ultimately, made my decision to change over.

[ervins]

+1 to that. That's why I'm buying a Mac Mini. It uses any USB keyboard and mouse. I'm a trackball fan myself, for home use, and of course, my Wacom tablet. I spoke to my brother at Christmas, he works for Apple, and asked him about the whole keyboard/mouse thing.

He said that the mini will work with any keyboard/mouse combination. Which, ultimately, made my decision to change over.

Or you can get a 10 Key mouse like my Logitech MX1000 that has 10 configurable buttons (It's all about the binds). I am sold on MACs...That is why we have 2 in my house...We also have 2 PCs. However, I am looking at one of the new laptops in the not to distant future. I grew with Apples and hated them for lack of games but for practicallity they were unrivaled.

[Tod]

I hardly ever pay for software as I get most stuff I need through vendor relations here at work, usually in exchange for evaluation feedback.

I have to say though that Freeware is great as long as you don't mind a little extra effort for configuration/bug-killing. You can find most anything you need for little to no cost out of pocket.

[jukief]

I grew with Apples and hated them for lack of games but for practicallity they were unrivaled.

My son has his iMac partitioned and is running Windows on the other partition--just to play games. He has all his PC games on it now.

[jukief]

+1 to that. That's why I'm buying a Mac Mini. It uses any USB keyboard and mouse. I'm a trackball fan myself, for home use, and of course, my Wacom tablet. I spoke to my brother at Christmas, he works for Apple, and asked him about the whole keyboard/mouse thing.

He said that the mini will work with any keyboard/mouse combination. Which, ultimately, made my decision to change over.

My son has a great wireless trackball on his iMac. He loves it.

[mrider]

I pay about $20 for the virus def. a yr. and $10 a month for the dial-up. Would like the dsl or cable speed but it about 5 miles out of my range. Good for you helping the ole lady out!

[Stradivarius]

Hey no matter what you spend on this stuff, if you use it for work for whatever reason, be sure to be taking a deduction on your tax return every year...

Same with cell phones (equipment and service), internet connections and anything else you may use for work. Heck, throw in your new laptop you got last year into your deductions because I'm sure you used it for work emails or to work on presentations for your job.

So much tax refunds go unclaimed each year because of simple deductions like these that people don't take advantage of.