It does not happen every day that news related to computer technology - news we report on every day - makes its way to the headline news programs and newspapers here in my home country, The Netherlands. So when it does, I am usually on the edge of my seat, simply because it offers an interesting glimpse into how 'normal' people perceive our little world. The last few days, however, that casual interest has made way for something else - tooth gnashing irritation.
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Member since:2006-12-28
Don't get me wrong, I agree with everything you say about the Mac being a solid platform and a great choice for his profession.
It's just that he had recently bought a really good and well functioning system, which happened to contract one malware issue. The issue was quickly resolved and I'm sure if he actually updated his free antivirus software, which I was asked to installed for him, on a regular basis, he would not run into the same issues again.
Yet he chose to spend a small fortune on a new Mac Pro, with all the software price tags added, plus the cost of tuition fees to learn how to use the new system. Admitedly, I got the tuition contract and made a few bob out of it. But I still find the expenditure for the system if not wasteful, then at least untimely and definitely badly researched.
The point I'm trying to make is, he could have stuck to the system he already knew, started to update the antivirus software properly and worked with it until his system either became to slow for his comfort and ease of use, or had some form of major hardware failure. At that time I could understand either upgrading to a new system or making the switch to another platform.
By taking the advice of a clueless newbie, he not only cost himself a small fortune but also lost quite a bit of productivity, to begin with anyway. What a waste of time, energy and money.
Member since:2005-07-12
It's just that he had recently bought a really good and well functioning system
On who's advice? Yours?
The point I'm trying to make is, he could have stuck to the system he already knew, started to update the antivirus software properly and worked with it until his system either became to slow for his comfort and ease of use, or had some form of major hardware failure. At that time I could understand either upgrading to a new system or making the switch to another platform.
Some users want peace of mind. The don't want to wait until an uncomfortable situation gets unbearable.
There are other people too. I saw people sticking to Windows although they had nothing but problems.
They needed help every other day. None of their "expert" supporters tried to solve their problems as they should: switching them to a hassle free OS that was a better fit for their need..
Member since:2007-01-27
It's really not a waste of time,energy an money at all. Now he has peace of mind that he can do all he wants without worrying about malware or other issues. It might look expensive now in the short term but I suppose he is to keep his new system for at least five years so it is probably a good investment for him.
I'm not saying this couldn't have been solved in a cheaper way. You could do what I did with my music teacher's computer. I made it a dual-boot between Windows XP and OpenSUSE 10.2.
The Windows side doesn't have any access to the internet at all and only the minimum amount of applications installed to do his work composing and recording and the Linux side has all his normal day-to-day work stuff with a virtual Windows machine for those things that don't work on Linux.
Most of his problems were solved this way for the cost of a mere hard drive and some consultancy fees without going out and buying a new Mac.
Anti-virus is merely a band-aid and not a solution so it's redundant and useless to install it. You should ask Microsoft to fix their Windows operating system so normal users don't have to bother with all the kinds of malware that infest the platform anymore.
Member since:
2006-06-03
So this guy does creative design work, and has a problem with malware. He obviously wants a solid, wellmade system that will run smoothly for his 'production applications' so what is wrong with buying into Apple?
Adobe (and most designers/design firms/applications) has a strong background with Apple software, OSX is a rock-solid OS. There isn't a malware problem with OSX, and the UI is decent. Mac Pros are awesome machines (Yes, I have used one) and I would queue to get one if I could afford it. So what's the problem? the guy went for the best solution.