OT - computer speed

I'm using a Mac Newsreader now but it doesn't offer wuite what I need. However my MacBook is Intel powered and so can dual boot into WinXP if I need to. However I haven't needed to! I can get most of the apps I need in Mac flavours, its rock solid, and a dream to use in comparison with PC's. I agree there is more software availale but how many of us need much else apart from an office suite, web browser, image editor, ftp etc?

True but then Linux does all that easily and all installs from one cd.

It's when you do have specific likes and needs in software that the problem arises. I am accustomed to reading and posting with Agent, in comparison this thunderbird stinks, it forces manual snipping or quotes the whole message for instance.

Also products like google earth seem to have taken a while to port.

That's why I've followed Ian Rawlings' suggestion and hope to continue running a windows legacy os and its associated programs as a virtual machine.

AJH

I think that's an extreme view, but you're right about the basic weakness. Much depends on the design of the Operating System: Windows has some fundamental design features in older versions which really don't help.

Countering that, hardware firewalling on a router doesn't always have the ease of configuration that the resources of your computer can provide. Layering that hardware firewall with a software firewall on your PC gives the bad guys two distinct problems to deal with.

I use ZoneAlarm, which also gives me a chance to detect new or changed software on my system. This may be more useful than its firewall ability.

As for anti-virus, I try not to do stupid things. But, without some scanning tool, you would pretty well have to put an axe through your internet connection. That's the only way to be sure.

Of course, if you are using some other Operating System, and Mac OS/X has an excellent reputation, you maybe don't need the same protection.

On or around Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:04:54 +0100 (BST), snipped-for-privacy@zhochaka.org.uk ("David G. Bell") enlightened us thusly:

there are mac viruses now as well...

On or around Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:10:22 +0100, Darren Griffin - PocketGPSWorld.Com enlightened us thusly:

Railroad Tycoon, X2, X3, Age of Empires, Cossacks...

I dunno how many if any are available for Mac OSX

plus pagemaker (which might or might not be).

actually, that's my list of "why I don't run linux" and it may not all apply to the Mac.

| On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:34:22 +0100, Richard Brookman | wrote: | || ... || my work PC and my || home laptop get used by just the one person - me. The only || difference (as || far as I know, which ain't much) is that the work PC runs off the || central server, so all the AV software, firewall etc are remote from || my desktop. (Thinks - might have answered own question, turn off the || AV as an experiment.) | | AV == Anti Virus? never use it, on any platform.

I've had problems with Norton on other machines, but this came with it installed and I have been pleased with it - it has stopped a couple of nasty things in their tracks and seems to keep things sweet. I can accept certain limitations (scanning Excel files every time they open is a bit annoying). But Norton has always been there, and 6 months ago the machine was as quick as could be. If my AV software is to blame, it can only be caused by the months of updates. The symptoms are of a severe lack of RAM (like the old memory "leakage" of Win98) that a reboot won't cure.

I think I'm going to try disabling the AV and seeing how it goes. After that, it's a total re-install on my spare HD. I know that would cure the problem, but it wouldn't explain why.

Coming late to this thread, but how about power save settings? Our PC at home (running Suse 10.1 Linux) defaults to a power save setting called "powersave" (!) that causes it to run like a dog. Change it to "performance" and it's like sh** off a shovel.

Lizzy

|| Richard Brookman wrote: ||| The symptoms are of a severe lack of RAM (like the old ||| memory "leakage" of Win98) that a reboot won't cure. || || Coming late to this thread, but how about power save settings? Our || PC at home (running Suse 10.1 Linux) defaults to a power save setting || called "powersave" (!) that causes it to run like a dog. Change it || to "performance" and it's like sh** off a shovel. || || Lizzy

I am using the Windoze Home/Office Desk setting which never switches off the monitor, drives etc, never stands by and never hibernates. It seems the most appropriate for the use I make of it, which is 99% of the time on a desk connected to the mains.

Lucky - as in, I remember the very first virus infecting a PC I owned. = =

Researched, worked out the what & how of it all and built my strategy =

around that knowledge.

No open ports except those I specify. OE - text only and no inline extras IE - no script at all - except for a few hand-picked sites

I use OE for pop3 and Thunderbird for imap. Tried to use M2 for both - = =

gave it several months but it just ain't there yet.

not if the virus that gets you is able to disable/modify your installati= on.

Yes - that is a useful feature but as above, becomes void if your virus = =

can alter the parameters.

That's where a local mail server comes in handy - once you have that in = =

place your (separate) firewall can be configured to only allow outgoing = =

SMTP from that mail server. Helps make one a good neighbour :)

and extra layers to manage/verify - still, if it works for you I can't =

fault it.

This is a splendid feature, but it can be compromised just the same.

bah - it is simply a matter of never running/installing (or allowing sam= e) =

anything unless you are sure of its provenance. Now, I know some folk a= re =

forced to accept file formats which are inherently prone to abuse and in= =

that case I can see a strong argument for file scanning - but only if th= e =

AV files are up to date.

Personally, I am entirely o/s agnostic. Of course, I have opinions abou= t =

which is best for any particular task, but I suspect voicing them would = be =

venturing into troll territory - and we have enough of those already :)

On or around Thu, 24 Aug 2006 23:37:04 +0100, "William Tasso" enlightened us thusly:

I'm pretty sure that Outpost monitors itself for changes as well, and locks everything up if things get altered. I do know that any change to any software means that software can't get out without permission.

lets face it, the firewall is an obvious attack point, so the first thing it has to do is monitor itself.

The router has a basic firewall in it as well, I believe.

It's not exactly difficult to grab an old PC, slap an extra NIC in it and run something like IPCop on it. Add in a few of the extensions like Cop+ and you have a moderately good standalone firewall for virtually no cost.