new virus/addware for the new year

[Dimka]

I don't know a single guy going from Mac to PC, but know hordes of people going from PC to Mac. Visit any Apple Store, what do you see? it is PACKED from dawn to dusk, and there are constantly at least 30 PC users asking assistance at switching at a time. And from the moment it is open there is already a mile long line to pay for the goodies that are being bought. What do you see in PC stores? 3-5 half dead people walking around, and not buying anything. Only reason for PC being more popular is because they are about 10 times cheaper. Its like rather than curing the tooth thats aching, you'd rather drink a whole box of pills... why? they are cheaper of course. but it'll still hurt after a short time

Btw, the more serious businesses use Macs, hell even Microsoft uses Macs in a few departments... I wonder why?

 

[Est]

lol Joe, it's a bit late right now, so I'll finish reading your post later, but I think I got about the jist of it: the real problem is the propaganda.

Microsoft is evil, Macs can't do anything and are unstable, and Linux is impossible to use for anyone less than a Borg.

Let's face it, none of 'em are perfect. You pick your chose for what you need. In Dimka's case, it's restoring old photos so a Mac serves. In someone else's case it may be that they just want to browse the internet, they don't want no guff, don't want to waste their time with extra features, and want to use what they know, so they use windows. Another person yet may find themselves interested by the open source movement, wanting to program, or check out what type of "free" this free is.

They've all got their ups and downs. But most of the propaganda and generalizations are based on information YEARS old. Things are changing, they always have and always will. So instead of trying to get other people to go with your rythm, find what's good for your needs, and from there be SUPPORTIVE instead of just flaming everything else. If it's a war, let the companies fight it; your mission is to find and use what best suits your needs and wants.

With that said, windows sucks.

(that's my way of saying: "yeah, wouldn't it be nice if people would do it?")

 

[Alvin Meister]

I'd like to think I've got a bit of knowledge about this subject since I use a Mac 9-5 and a PC the rest of the time.

Mac OS X is much nicer to use than XP, which looks like it was designed for children. OS X is like Lego - XP is like Duplo

Don't think Macs are rock solid stable though - they crash just as much as PCs.

I use my PC for games, which is what they excel at now. Macs don't do games, PCs don't do graphics.

 

[shokuchuu]

Quote[/b] ]I don't know a single guy going from Mac to PC

Well, here's one. I can't stand using Macs after my father kept buying them (iMac was the worst thing that could've ever happened to my family), and currently I'm using XP - 90% for games though anyway.

 

[adnedarn]

Allllright. Now that we've covered all that (?) Can we get back to the topic? lol I really don't think this conversation is helping anyone. Too many people feel too strongly about the subject (as you can tell with those really long replys!) So, lets say if you have anything to help the topic starter, go ahead and reply. Otherwise. Lets not

Happy New Year!!!
Andrew

 

[Est]

Ty, Andrew. Back on topic: It may have slipped by before because it was at the tail end of my post, but schloaty, if you need any help or you want someone to look through your hijack this log file, then feel free to PM me or you can post the logfile here. Good luck! I hate it when there's something that just doesn't let itself be removed.

 

[jimscott]

So... David (not from Brooklyn anymore)... how's the computer doing?

 

[schloaty]

Well, the Smitrem thing didn't fully remove the program, but at least that stupid ballon isn't popping up from my window's bar. That's a plus, I guess...But it's still here. Also, I couldn't get to the kilbox webpage - might be down or something. I'll try again later.

 

[Est]

Well, what problems still remain?

 

[schloaty]

Hey EST, I still have the shortcut icon on my desktop - it just doesn't seem to do anything on its own. I haven't openned it, though, for fear of re-activating the program. I deleted the shortcut just now....nothing happenned....I will keep my eyes peeled.

 

[endparenthesis]

What software companies have forgotten is that the job of the OS is to GET OUT OF THE WAY. It's your content that matters... and the OS is there to help you access and manipulate that content as naturally as possible. That's it. The desktop is an outdated idea, and there's been progress to move beyond it in various places like MIT, but nothing has really caught on (and Microsoft's business tactics are probably partly responsible there).

Anyone see Minority Report? They consulted people who develop this kind of thing when they made the movie. Remember the computer interface? The OS was invisible... you had only your content and a way to utilize it. I don't know how viable the gloves were as an input device (kinda like learning sign language to use your computer)... but that was a pretty good example of where we could be going if we'd stop thinking in icons (abstractions). As we gain more and more processing power, we require less and less abstraction to "compress" the way our content is represented.

I agree that Apple puts faaar more study into usability than Microsoft (in fact there's a very short list of things Microsoft has actually developed rather than bought or hijacked)... but they all need to be reminded that they belong behind the scenes, in my opinion. It seems like the Unix/Linux world is ahead as far as that's concerned, but I haven't used them enough to know, really.

EDIT: Err, sorry, I guess I've just contributed to the hijacking...

 

[Outsiders71]

It all depends on what you are trying to do. Obviously MAC is good for video/animation, but it sucks when it comes to games. Until games exclusively use opengl (which I hope they don't because hackers love to abuse opengl), until DirectX is gone, PC reigns king for playing games.

Owning a mac for porn? Well first off it isn't the OS that determines the quality of a video, it is how that video was compressed. Plus spending $3,000+ on a machine for lust is a waste, find your match out there and get married!

MACS are like cars. You drive it/use it until it goes to the graveyard and buy a new one. I like to be able to build my own machine and upgrade/repair my own machine without having to drop it off at an Apple store. No thanks!

 

[Est]

Quote[/b] ]Plus spending $3,000+ on a machine for lust is a waste, find your match out there and get married!

Or for that rate, order one from overseas!

 

[seedjar]

Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Jan. 04 2006,4:22)]It all depends on what you are trying to do.  Obviously MAC is good for video/animation, but it sucks when it comes to games.  Until games exclusively use opengl (which I hope they don't because hackers love to abuse opengl), until DirectX is gone, PC reigns king for playing games.

How is OpenGL a security risk? I can't imagine how OpenGL could be instrumental in any sort of hack... it doesn't use any privledged operations.
Also, why are Macs (notice, not an acronym) bad for games? I've yet to see a single game that has both Windows and Mac native versions that look or play different, besides for some poorly done ports from Windows to Mac that come out buggy. There are fewer big-label games out for the Mac, so I suppose in that sense it 'sucks,' but there are even less for the other operating systems. So far as graphics and gameplay go, there's no consistent difference. As for servicing them, there's really no need to take your Mac to an Apple technician for upgrades and maintenance; I do all my own service, and most of the third-party parts in my computers I got from dealers that sell exclusively Windows accessories. At the hardware level, a Mac does the same thing as a Windows machine, and runs on the same parts. I buy the same RAM as any Windows user; my G5 uses DDR 400 PC3200 chips, and my G4 uses PC133 SODIMMs. My G4 has a PCI SCSI controller in it made by IBM. Dell and Gateway want you to take their systems in to licensed techs for service too; it doesn't mean you have to.
I'm sorry for my earlier rant, but being that computing is both my career and hobby, I reserve the right to go on one tirade. There's a lot of misinformation about Apple and the Macintosh that is purpetrated by the Windows community, by people who know jack squat about what their computer really does and only make subjective judgements from a consumer perspective. It just rubs me the wrong way. The bottom line is that, Mac or Windows, it's a computer, a Turing machine, meaning that anything one can do, the other can too. There's nothing fundamentally different between them; it's all in the whizbangs. So I think arguing better vs. worse is pretty infantile, because the fact of the matter is that they just look different. To me, it's like arguing over the color of a car.
~Joe

PS - David, I hope your computer gets better! I wish I could help, but I can only fix Windows machines if I'm looking at them - I'm no good at telling people what to do with them.

 

[Dimka]

Actually... even though there ARE more games for PC than Mac, there are also some very nice games that are Mac-only, and PC users drool over them.
Also, the games that are both Mac and PC... did you notice that Mac versions are way more stable and need like 10 times less updates? I have, with every single double platform game...
But anyway, who cares... not even me. I dont play all tha much

 

[adnedarn]

We're starting this again?? Come on people.

 

[Outsiders71]

Quote[/b] (seedjar @ Jan. 04 2006,9:55)]

Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Jan. 04 2006,4:22)]It all depends on what you are trying to do. Obviously MAC is good for video/animation, but it sucks when it comes to games. Until games exclusively use opengl (which I hope they don't because hackers love to abuse opengl), until DirectX is gone, PC reigns king for playing games.

How is OpenGL a security risk? I can't imagine how OpenGL could be instrumental in any sort of hack... it doesn't use any privledged operations.
Also, why are Macs (notice, not an acronym) bad for games? I've yet to see a single game that has both Windows and Mac native versions that look or play different, besides for some poorly done ports from Windows to Mac that come out buggy. There are fewer big-label games out for the Mac, so I suppose in that sense it 'sucks,' but there are even less for the other operating systems. So far as graphics and gameplay go, there's no consistent difference. As for servicing them, there's really no need to take your Mac to an Apple technician for upgrades and maintenance; I do all my own service, and most of the third-party parts in my computers I got from dealers that sell exclusively Windows accessories. At the hardware level, a Mac does the same thing as a Windows machine, and runs on the same parts. I buy the same RAM as any Windows user; my G5 uses DDR 400 PC3200 chips, and my G4 uses PC133 SODIMMs. My G4 has a PCI SCSI controller in it made by IBM. Dell and Gateway want you to take their systems in to licensed techs for service too; it doesn't mean you have to.
I'm sorry for my earlier rant, but being that computing is both my career and hobby, I reserve the right to go on one tirade. There's a lot of misinformation about Apple and the Macintosh that is purpetrated by the Windows community, by people who know jack squat about what their computer really does and only make subjective judgements from a consumer perspective. It just rubs me the wrong way. The bottom line is that, Mac or Windows, it's a computer, a Turing machine, meaning that anything one can do, the other can too. There's nothing fundamentally different between them; it's all in the whizbangs. So I think arguing better vs. worse is pretty infantile, because the fact of the matter is that they just look different. To me, it's like arguing over the color of a car.
~Joe

PS - David, I hope your computer gets better! I wish I could help, but I can only fix Windows machines if I'm looking at them - I'm no good at telling people what to do with them.

Sorry if what I said was confusing. I didn't mean opengl rendered games are security issues for the OS. What I meant was hackers have a tendency to use the OpenGL render to make OpenGL hooks, and hacks for the GAME. Some examples are aimbots and wallhacks.

Also MAC is the least supported OS when it comes to games. Sure there have been ports of some games, but ALL games come to PC, not too many come to MAC. You never see MAC as the OS for game servers either, LINUX is the dedicated server OS by choice. The MAC gamers that I have seen in the past had issues with the same game I was playing on the PC, especially when updates came out, or new versions of anti-cheat.

MAC gaming mice? None that I know of! Last but not least DirectX on a MAC? Not possible, and Direct3D is the most used video render.

I'm sorry if you feel I'm spewing lies about MAC, I personally have nothing against MAC besides the fact it does not suit my needs. You cannot argue that MACS > PC when it comes to gaming because it is not true. Ever see a MAC at a LAN? Ever see MACS at the CPL? No. I don't mean to rant either, but I know a lot about gaming, I've been doing it for the last 9 years competitively and no competitive player would use a Macintosh to compete.

 

[seedjar]

Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Jan. 05 2006,3:13)]Also MAC is the least supported OS when it comes to games.  Sure there have been ports of some games, but ALL games come to PC, not too many come to MAC.  You never see MAC as the OS for game servers either, LINUX is the dedicated server OS by choice.  The MAC gamers that I have seen in the past had issues with the same game I was playing on the PC, especially when updates came out, or new versions of anti-cheat.

MAC gaming mice?  None that I know of!  Last but not least DirectX on a MAC?  Not possible, and Direct3D is the most used video render.

I'm sorry if you feel I'm spewing lies about MAC, I personally have nothing against MAC besides the fact it does not suit my needs.  You cannot argue that MACS > PC when it comes to gaming because it is not true.  Ever see a MAC at a LAN?  Ever see MACS at the CPL?  No.  I don't mean to rant either, but I know a lot about gaming, I've been doing it for the last 9 years competitively and no competitive player would use a Macintosh to compete.

I think least supported is a little too strong... how many commercially published games do you see on Linux? Things might've changed since I was running Linux, but to my knowledge, there are pretty much none, because Linux developers manage to clone games or hack together their own ports before the publishers can port them.
As for serving, back when I lived in the dorms, everybody wanted me to serve our Unreal and Counterstrike games because, for whatever reason, my clunky, out-of-date G4 could host and play at the same time much better than everyone else's machines. A few people asked me things like, "Can a Mac even serve for Windows machines?" but after a week or two of trying everyone's machines, I became the unofficial host of everything on my floor. People would come and ask me to host games I wasn't even invited to play.
Big surprise DirectX isn't on the Mac; it's proprietary Microsoft technology that is almost as privledged as Windows itself. It requires specific hardware support, as well as a lot of backdoors and exceptions in the operating system. DirectX doesn't run on anything but Windows. I think it's kind of odd that you would take exception to people cheating in games by manipulating OpenGL, yet support a technology which poses real security risks to your system, such as unchecked buffer overflows.
As for gaming accessories, anything USB will work with a Mac. Apple's out-of-the-box USB support can recognize most controllers, and if they don't, there's a number of great USB utilities that allow you to map all the controls of the device to mouse and keyboard signals. My roommate has actually given me two joysticks and a faux-PS2 USB controller because they don't work properly with Unreal and Doom on his Windows box. They work just fine for me, and I didn't even install drivers.
I don't think you're 'spewing lies,' but you do seem severly misinformed. Don't blame yourself; it's a Windows-centric world and most people who talk about why Macs are so awful haven't even used them. The general opinion of the Macintosh today is the result of over a decade of intentional smearing and misinformation on the part of Microsoft and the hardware companies they pay off. (And it didn't help that Apple was totally lame when Gil Amelio was running the show back in the mid-90s.) Honestly, I'm shocked when I come across people who do have unbiased information.
~Joe

 

[Outsiders71]

Feel free to educate me Seedjar (seriously).

Say I wanted to build myself my own custom Powermac G5. Where does one go to see benchmarks and tests on mac hardware? For instance on PC we have tomshardware.com and anandtech.com that benchmark new motherboards, cpus, etc. Where does one go to buy mac parts? Is there a pricewatch.com of the mac world?

 

[*Barracuda_45*]

Quote[/b] (Est @ Jan. 04 2006,9:21)]

Quote[/b] ]Plus spending $3,000+ on a machine for lust is a waste, find your match out there and get married!

Or for that rate, order one from overseas!

LOL!! Hey i spent over $3,000 for lust,, lust for my big screen TV and another $4,000 on my stereo system, now thats lust.. LOL!!!