PC or MAC ?

[Byron In Exile]

I recently got a new notebook computer, (MAC) and it got me to wondering how many of us are PC and how many are MAC? Do writers prefer one type of word processing software more than another? Personally I like the fact that Apple computers and the associated software are proprietary. So which are you, and why.

You shouldn't like the fact that Apple computers and software are proprietary. What that means is: you get only what they give you. No other hardware manufacturer or software developer has access to that platform. That's why PC's have a much broader selection of hardware and software to choose from.

I build all my computers, from choosing the motherboard, ram, drives, everything. Including OS: XP, Win2k, FreeBSD... and all the software available for all those systems. I couldn't do that with a Mac. I would just have to buy the box, and not mess with it, only using the software that that one company offers.

But, that said, if it does what you want, and you don't care about the inflated price, and if you don't know a ram card from a PCI card, go for the Mac.

They were once isolated universes, but there's a lot more crossover now than there used to be. PCs and Macs can each read each other's file formats.

There's no question that Windows sucks, and that the Unix-based Mac OS is more reliable and more secure.

I think PCs still dominate in word-processing and in music production.

For video editing, however, Mac rules.

 

[Leto Degeneres]

Sorry, all of that MS Live family sort of blends together in my head.

The official name is Office Live Workspace.

...and here's the FAQ:
http://workspace.officelive.com/FAQ/

and the home page for signing up:
http://workspace.officelive.com/

I used my current Windows Live user name and p/w and the sign-up which I indicated I had done previously was seemless and easy, and free - for now.

After looking around more carefully on my own Live Workspace I found where I could select "New". This gives me a drop down for creating a new Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document. Since I have those applications installed, it seems that my own installed applications load and run. If I didn't have them, I'm thinking I would get a slim web version of those applications. The FAQ seems to say that in any event.

 

[rgraham666]

Virtualization: Speaking of playing with Microsoft, virtualization is an increasingly exciting area. Here's something to think about. Today, corporations are setting up farms of servers that allow their users to dial in from anywhere and access a virtual machine that is run on the server hardware. Translated, a user can access a fully functional, high-powered Microsoft Windows machine from a $200 dumb-device, or from pretty much any browser.

So, in other words, our computers will be reduced to terminals not too different from those I started computing on thirty five years ago.

 

[NoJo]

So, in other words, our computers will be reduced to terminals not too different from those I started computing on thirty five years ago.

Yes, only we won't be listening to all that Neil Young and T Rex

 

[longlastingwm]

So, in other words, our computers will be reduced to terminals not too different from those I started computing on thirty five years ago.

I know. It's funny isn't it. You know that IBM is just sitting back grinning as they still churn out mainframes with such stunning power.

The answer about virtualization is really 'yes' and 'no'. A thin client terminal will become more and more prevalent, but the gaping whole in the paradigm is still the disconnected state. What do you do if you're not online? What we'll likely see in the coming years is stateful RAM system that allows you to stream your Virtual system down to the thin client for disconnected use in a limited way, then reconnect and sync back up with the box in the sky.

 

[Liar]

Office Live. If all you really need is to create or open a Microsoft Word or Excel document every once in a while, take a look at Microsoft Live. It is still free and will probably be nominally priced once it really does go live. It allows you to create and edit docs online. If you HAVE to play with Microsoft, this might be the way to go for a lot of folks.

This is part of another Big Thing going on right now, sometimes called Virtual Deployment. Fully functional apps that you don't install on your computer, but run from far away.

Here's another one. Aviary, a fully functional online replacement for Photoshop and Illustrator, plus other tools that are helpful for web design et al. The image computing is done on the server and streamed to your screen. But to you, it looks like you have a powerful app right in your browser. When all you have is a slick Flash interface.

There are even methods being tested now for selling video games as a service this way. All you have is a High Def TV and a controller hooked up to the Internet. You subscribe to your favourite games, and the heavy graphics and content is computed on a server and the result is broadcasted to you via a dedcated Video On Demand channel. They can apparently deliver Xbox 360 quality content without much latency at all.

I predict this will be the de facto method for selling computer applications in a few years. Because it solves the issue of software piracy beautifully. How do you illegally copy a server based service?

 

[Austin8]

You shouldn't like the fact that Apple computers and software are proprietary. What that means is: you get only what they give you. No other hardware manufacturer or software developer has access to that platform. That's why PC's have a much broader selection of hardware and software to choose from.[Quote from previous post:]

I do like the the fact that Mac is proprietary, everything works! No more unable to recognize hardware, no more installing software...20 times before it loads! I like what they give me, a well engineered product that works, and is user friendly, hmmm... imagine that.

...No other hardware manufacturer has access to the platform? and thats a bad thing?

 

[Handley_Page]

"Virtualisation" ?
No thanks. If I wanted my prose or spreadsheets turned loose for some rotter to examine, you think I'd need a nice PC ? I might just have well stuck to my old dumb terminal (suitably upgraded) and a dedicated phone line !

 

[Liar]

"Virtualisation" ?
No thanks. If I wanted my prose or spreadsheets turned loose for some rotter to examine, you think I'd need a nice PC ? I might just have well stuck to my old dumb terminal (suitably upgraded) and a dedicated phone line !

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

 

[Leeboytoy]

PC all the way

 

[Austin8]

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

...GF assimilated me last night me last night...

No I didn't resist...

 

[Austin8]

It's in the mail baby, now how bout some nekked pics!

Has it arrived yet?

 

[Handley_Page]

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

Not while I've a hole in my bum.

/Command:
SLEEP
/end command

 

[Austin8]

Not while I've a hole in my bum.

/Command:
SLEEP
/end command

hole in your bum? Is that PC speak?

 

[Austin8]

LoL .... sweet ... anxiously standing by my mailbox (nekkid)

anything yet kelly?

 

[mythtrav16]

Pc!

PC. Why?

1. More software.
2. More customizable.
(nb. the above two do, admittedly, leave you open for more chance of conflicts)
3. Stupid Sentimentality. I grew up using a PC and my loyalties have never shifted.
4. That mean, crabby old teacher who taught us to use Macs in highschool. The PC teacher was loads more fun.
5. I have 3 mouse buttons and I use them all constantly. Not willing to sacrifice any, thank you.
6. I have an iPod and it's only since I bought it that I realize how much Apple monopolizes the control of their own market. If I wanted a second USB cable for my old Creative ZEN, it would just be $5 at any computer/electronics store because it was generic. A new cable for my iPod? Can't be bought seperately! Cheapest way to get one is to buy a $40 wall adapter, because only Apple can make those specialized cables.

Sorry, but I don't like that kind of business practice. A product needs to be open to competition in order to be fair. And yes, I know that Microsoft is far from scrupulous, but there are many alternatives to Microsoft.

 

[Byron In Exile]

PC. Why?

1. More software.
2. More customizable.
(nb. the above two do, admittedly, leave you open for more chance of conflicts)
3. Stupid Sentimentality. I grew up using a PC and my loyalties have never shifted.
4. That mean, crabby old teacher who taught us to use Macs in highschool. The PC teacher was loads more fun.
5. I have 3 mouse buttons and I use them all constantly. Not willing to sacrifice any, thank you.
6. I have an iPod and it's only since I bought it that I realize how much Apple monopolizes the control of their own market. If I wanted a second USB cable for my old Creative ZEN, it would just be $5 at any computer/electronics store because it was generic. A new cable for my iPod? Can't be bought seperately! Cheapest way to get one is to buy a $40 wall adapter, because only Apple can make those specialized cables.

Sorry, but I don't like that kind of business practice. A product needs to be open to competition in order to be fair. And yes, I know that Microsoft is far from scrupulous, but there are many alternatives to Microsoft.

Good 18th post.

You should really try to come up with a better name, though.

Yours is like "Farvergarbles" -- unpronouncable.

Plus, the numbers.

 

[mythtrav16]

Good 18th post.

You should really try to come up with a better name, though.

Yours is like "Farvergarbles" -- unpronouncable.

Plus, the numbers.

I already did... sort of. My real pen name is Mythical Traveller. When I first signed up for a literotica account, I assumed you would get a username, just for logging in with, and a seperate pen name, that would get slapped on the stories. Unfortunately, the two turned out to be one and the same. At the time I just wanted something punchy I could log in with so I could submit stories. Didn't really considder an identity for the forums.

Besides, I didn't know if the server would accept a u/n with spaces or caps. Obviously "Byron In Exile" proves that it does. When I applied for my first ever email account, my computer geek friend warned me that my address had to be free of capitals and spaces, because computers wouldn't accept usernames with those things. How times have changed!


Anyway, feel free to just pronounce me as "Myth Trav" - just ignore the 16, or don't.

 

[Austin8]

I already did... sort of. My real pen name is Mythical Traveller. When I first signed up for a literotica account, I assumed you would get a username, just for logging in with, and a seperate pen name, that would get slapped on the stories. Unfortunately, the two turned out to be one and the same. At the time I just wanted something punchy I could log in with so I could submit stories. Didn't really considder an identity for the forums.

Besides, I didn't know if the server would accept a u/n with spaces or caps. Obviously "Byron In Exile" proves that it does. When I applied for my first ever email account, my computer geek friend warned me that my address had to be free of capitals and spaces, because computers wouldn't accept usernames with those things. How times have changed!


Anyway, feel free to just pronounce me as "Myth Trav" - just ignore the 16, or don't.

Hey myth you're not the only one it's happened to... welcome to the AH... thanks for the post.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

PC. Why?

1. More software.
2. More customizable.
(nb. the above two do, admittedly, leave you open for more chance of conflicts)
3. Stupid Sentimentality. I grew up using a PC and my loyalties have never shifted.
4. That mean, crabby old teacher who taught us to use Macs in highschool. The PC teacher was loads more fun.
5. I have 3 mouse buttons and I use them all constantly. Not willing to sacrifice any, thank you.
6. I have an iPod and it's only since I bought it that I realize how much Apple monopolizes the control of their own market. If I wanted a second USB cable for my old Creative ZEN, it would just be $5 at any computer/electronics store because it was generic. A new cable for my iPod? Can't be bought seperately! Cheapest way to get one is to buy a $40 wall adapter, because only Apple can make those specialized cables.

Sorry, but I don't like that kind of business practice. A product needs to be open to competition in order to be fair. And yes, I know that Microsoft is far from scrupulous, but there are many alternatives to Microsoft.

What do you do for a living, that makes a PC better for your biz, Myth? Or is it more of a personal choice of computer system for your general use?

 

[Austin8]

good to see you back on the thread Irez... your posts are very informative... be cool

 

[mythtrav16]

What do you do for a living, that makes a PC better for your biz, Myth? Or is it more of a personal choice of computer system for your general use?

I currently work in a small design company, but my preferance for PCs is mainly a personal choice. Between writing, surfing and the odd game, I probably use the computer just as much personally as I do for work.

 

[Byron In Exile]

I already did... sort of. My real pen name is Mythical Traveller. When I first signed up for a literotica account, I assumed you would get a username, just for logging in with, and a seperate pen name, that would get slapped on the stories. Unfortunately, the two turned out to be one and the same. At the time I just wanted something punchy I could log in with so I could submit stories. Didn't really considder an identity for the forums.

Besides, I didn't know if the server would accept a u/n with spaces or caps. Obviously "Byron In Exile" proves that it does. When I applied for my first ever email account, my computer geek friend warned me that my address had to be free of capitals and spaces, because computers wouldn't accept usernames with those things. How times have changed!

Anyway, feel free to just pronounce me as "Myth Trav" - just ignore the 16, or don't.

Okay. "Myth Trav" works.

I don't know what Farvergarble was thinking. Maybe he just hit the keyboard with his fist.

As for spaces, they used to allow them in names here, but I don't think you can sign up with spaces in a name anymore.

For email, your friend is right, there's no way.

Anyway, welcome to Lit!

 

[Austin8]

I too wondered about spaces in the names at Lit.

Thanks for that Byron...

 

[Byron In Exile]

I too wondered about spaces in the names at Lit.

Thanks for that Byron...

No worries.

Nice to meet you.

I promise to ignore your digit.