Jackie Schmidt?

As to platform (Mac, Windows) -- no computer operating system is worth much without software. Since 95% of the world uses Windows, guess which one most software is written for. A lot of Mac software is *adapted* from the PC version the software engineer first wrote.

Having said that, if all the software you want is available for a particular operating system, overall availability doesn't matter.

For what it's worth, the most bullet-proof operating system I ever used was Windows NT. But of course that's out of date. What we do at home is to have two computers. One is hooked up to the internet. It has no other function, except to also serve as a monitor for the TV in the kitchen. It is not networked to the other computer, and the other computer is NOT hooked up to the web. If we want to hook it to the web, we use do so through a modem, a router, a firewall, and virus-checking program.

As for tips on keeping yourself spam-free, virus-free, etc. Steve Shelp probably knows more than most of us. But if your kids are just going to go anywhere & download everything without proper caution, nothing will work.

FWIW
 
Computers; Beware, here lies madness!

Jackie, whatever computer system you decide to use here are a few helpful hints to maximize your "computer experience":
1 Buy an old CPU and monitor. It doesn't have to work. Don't spend over $25.00. When you have the uncontrollable urge to kick, plummet with an aluminum base ball bat or shoot your computer with a large caliber handgun do so but vent your spleen on the junk computer. Heck, live a little. Do all three.
2 Learn to do something cool with your computer like having it make a farting noise when it boots up.
3 Keep a pencil and paper next to the computer and periodically wave it in front of the CPU in a threating manner while yelling " you can be replaced!". Computers only understand threats and this is useful in keeping them submissive.
4 Finally, have a safety valve. When things don't go well with your software, step back and take a break. Keep a handy little reward for yourself to assist you in getting over yet another computer obstacle. You could try herbal tea or meditation. A brisk walk might work. I suggest IV heroin. It always helps. Tim
 
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Jackie,
My boss just ordered a laptop from the business side of Dell that will be coming with XP. I did some shopping for him and found a deal of their web site for $300 off. We got it for a just over $600 including Calif. sales tax and delivery. This was with MS Works. It will be a personal computer for his family, pprimarily used for the internet.
Boyd
 
yes-

Jackie, if you get another PC stay with Windows XP Pro. Vista is still not ready for prime time.

I've set up 3 Vistas for friends and they are not nearly as good as XP Pro. For example if you have email on the server like MSN, Microsoft Live Mail, Hotmail, etc. Vista can't get to it....and those are Microsoft ISP services.

Besides even with 2Gb memory in Vista it still is not as fast as XP with 1Gb.

Yesterday,installed Vista I use Outlook for email
I like it a lot,I had XP Pro,I'm not sorry at all.:)
I do have a high power machine.
 
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