Just so you know: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7079777.stm

Oh My God, where do I go now!!!!

I am in the middle of a disastrous meltdown of my PC O/S WindowsXP Home. I am stuck.

Earlier today, I decided it was time to either (a) Go to Mac or
(b) buy a Dell with Vista installed.

What do I do now?
Looks like Dell is the winner

Everybody agree?

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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Not being able to modify my previous mail, I have to do this.....
I forgot to add that I am mailing by using an old PC of mine which has Windows98SE.
This was a faithful old warhorse and I am seriosly considering installing it on my newest PC which has the XP problem.
Why not? It has served me well.



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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

It does not use any holes in the operating system, but tricks the user into believing that he/she needs that codec to view the video, enter administrator password and install it. I think that vulnerability will be there no matter what computer you buy. No door would save me from a burglar if I'm going to fall for his/her trick and open the door for him/her.

Shiral

Yep, that's it in a nutshell. This isn't a Trojan in the PC sense, because all you have to do on a PC is just click on a file... POOF! there goes your drive.

Anyone stupid enough to first, download a piece of software from an untrusted site (porn? trusted? give me a break!), then actually install that software manually (that's the difference between Mac and Windows - Windows never even asks you), and finally provide an admin password to an untested piece of software... They basically deserve anything they get.

That's not a Trojan Horse, that's the Trojans opening up the horse, looking inside, seeing the Greeks hiding in there, and then going 'Come on in, I'm sure you boys don't mean any harm!'

All the Antivirus products available for PCs would easily pick up a rouge codec and eliminate it. (MacAfee Site Advisor (As well as other security programs) would also tell you if the site was dodgy)
As far as I am aware, virtually all the media programs available for Windows, will ask if you wish to download the codec first. (Even QuickTime)

Bill

However, I've been on broadband for seven years or more, without ANY virus, spyware or Trojan detection software at all, and nothing but the software firewall in OSX.

ZERO problems...

What's that worth to you? A few hundred dollars more than a Dell? For those that don't WANT to learn to be a geek, just so's you can post here and do some music with your computer, the Mac is looking more and more attractive (and the sales numbers reflect this) every day.

I am a musician, NOT an IT guy. I want a computer that is good for music and general stuff, and doesn't need constant vigilance to prevent malware from ruining your day. For now, Mac's are that computer...

This is an opinion which I read many times.....but I would have to wait quite a while before being able to buy one......and I need a PC now!
cheers



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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

I would definitely go for the vista pc. I just upgraded and am very happy! The interface is cool, and I love the gadgets. You might want to go to the widescreen monitor that allows you to see the gadgets, and also see 2 pages side by side.

I invested in latest versions of my software apps to avoid compatibility issues, but do still have a problem with the printer driver for my 2 year old HP printer (!, they are working on it) and cannot use my Nikon film scanner (yet, they say they are working on it).

Graham

How much a year does all the virus protection software, spy-ware blockers, phishing and trojan protection cost you? Include the price of upgrades (that you HAVE to buy to be able to use revised virus definitions), etc..

Add three times THAT to the cost of your Vista PC (if you anticipate not buying another PC before three years use) and the TCO price of a Mac starts to plummet. Add in the price of a full features audio app like Garage Band 2 to it, and suddenly it looks even better. Add in all the other apps for video and photography that are full versions, not trial-ware (like you usually get on a cheap Dell), and all of a sudden, the Mac looks like a bargain.

Before you jump in with the cheapest PC you can get away with, don't forget what the software will add to your total, especially virus protection, that you have to pay for every year (or few months)...