Apple have just released BootCamp Beta, which lets the Intel MacMini/iMac/MacBook Pro run Windows XP2 natively in a dual booting config, with drivers for video and all.
So, OS X for internet stuffs without viruses, and Windows XP for games (though, the Mini has the crappy video).
So I gather - but how much maintenance does it take to keep a WinXP box that way?
You have to run some sort of anti-virus protection, spyware protection and also ensure you have AdAware and Spybot to hand to deal with stuff as it comes along.
Even on XP boxes that don't display any signs of viral activity, you'd be amazed at how much AdAware and SpyBot find when you run them.
Contrast this to the Mac experience - I've not had a single incident of viral infection or spyware in the 8 years I've been on MacOS - even though I have one machine open to the world as a web and FTP server.
Whereas, with OSX you just install the OS and don't worry about such stuff.
Well, I didn't do any of the steps you listed above, and I have a system that now really needs a full re-install and re-patching.
The point being, why should you have to do this? - a decent OS wouldn't require the end user to have to do all this stuff in order to remain virus free.
Well my XP box seems fine. Running SP2, which has enough built-in security features for my liking, though it does run noticeably slower than SP1. Does the job though. And apart from the built-in security features, I haven't got any anti-virus software of any kind running. Can't be arsed with it. In all the years I've been using PCs, I've avoided virii just by using common sense - not opening attachments from messages from snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com and such like.
Speak for yourself; I can't run Shake under Windows ;)
(I prefer Mac OS. That's about it, really - Windows worked fine for me but I did get viruses on 2K, despite firewalls and the like. It really is primarily about preference. In the old days, it was about capability and suitability for the task, but without getting into esoterica (such as Windows continuing lack of decent Colour Management), many of the drawbacks of Windows have been eliminated).
Please tell me why OSX is on version 10.4.6? Tell me why you think it is secure when it uses GPL stuff that has known security vulnerabilities?
So you claim MAC OSX is a decent OS because it requires non of the above?
Ooh, what is this from the Apple Download page?
Security Update 2006-002 v1.1 Mac OS X 10.4.5
About this update
Security Update 2006-002 is recommended for all users and improves the reliability and security of the following components: apache_mod_php CoreTypes LaunchServices Mail rsync Safari
Additionally, this update incorporates Security Update 2006-001, which improves the security of the following components:
Well, the .4 bit is a major update - .4 signifies Tiger, which is effectively a new OS release.
.6 is an update - some of it has been to support later versions of the hardware, especially the Intel chips, some of the updates have been driver updates to improve support for 3rd party add-ons, and, yes, there have been some security updates in there, too.
But they're few and far between when compared to the almost daily patches released for Windows.
You're showing your ignorance now, Conor.
All of the above are to deal with theoretical threats to the system, if you didn't install them you wouldn't suddenly have a system open to attack. They're just because there might be, possibly, for a very small number of users, a minute risk that security could be compromised. They aren't critical updates. Besides that, MacOS updates are so seemless I hadn't even noticed we'd had that many updates. With my XP box, there's always a button asking me to install the latest updates, then I have to go through all the authentication procedures etc. It's a painful process, to such an extent that I rarely bother updating until I know I
*have* to do it.
My wife wouldn't have the first clue as to how to update Windows, however, with OSX, I can't remember the last time I had to offer her any kind of tech. support.
Bizarre. Mine occasionally says 'there's new stuff - do you want to install it'. I say yes, it does. The end. Happens about once a month. I could make it easier by making it do it all automatically if I wanted.
Oh dear. Someone who stupidly thinks his OS is completely secure:
formatting link
" Apple released a security update on Wednesday that fixes multiple vulnerabilities, including a critical flaw in its Safari web browser that created a means for hackers to attack vulnerable systems.
The security bug meant malicious hackers could rename "safe file" extensions stored in ZIP archives, creating a way to trick users into executing malicious shell scripts. The flaw meant malicious applications could appear as a safe file type. If Mac users had left the "Open safe files after downloading" option enabled in Safari then malware would automatically be executed as soon as a user was tricked into visiting a malicious-constructed website."
If it's so insecure, why hasn't it been exploited, then?
I give up.
It's absolutely astounding that so many people will blindly go on using Windows when it's obviously a heap of steaming s**te.
Probably the same reason people keep buying Fords / Vauxhalls etc - it's all they know and are blind to the alternatives on offer, because they're 'foreign' or something.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.