What operating system do you use?

[DaveKCMO]

triggered by toss' conversion to mac.

[KC0KEK]

Any other Windows Mobile users on this board besides me?

[Roanoker]

I wondered on another thread how many Mac users were on board. I'll have to keep checking the results of this poll. Now, it's 5 out of 9. I can't believe Macs will "win out" here. (I use one.)

[KC0KEK]

Speaking of OSs, I'd like some advice about re-installing XP. I always oversize my PCs so they'll have enough memory and processing power to keep up for at least four years. But Windows always is the weak link, getting slower and slower as the years go by and things such as the registry get gummed up.

I know that before re-installing, I need to back up my files. But does re-installation wipe out the entire hard drive, like reformatting does? Or do all the other apps remain? For example, after I re-install XP, do I have to re-install Norton Internet Security?

[Tosspot]

I have two windows xp machines, one desktop one laptop, and also a mac now.

[bahua]

Speaking of OSs, I'd like some advice about re-installing XP. I always oversize my PCs so they'll have enough memory and processing power to keep up for at least four years. But Windows always is the weak link, getting slower and slower as the years go by and things such as the registry get gummed up.

I know that before re-installing, I need to back up my files. But does re-installation wipe out the entire hard drive, like reformatting does? Or do all the other apps remain? For example, after I re-install XP, do I have to re-install Norton Internet Security?

The best kind of a reinstall you can do, to ensure performance and stability, is to reformat(wipe) the drive, and install on that. But in any case, reinstalling windows will remove what is already there, and if you choose an option that doesn't wipe things clean, there's little point in reinstalling.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to get a second(very big) hard drive, and keep all your stuff on that. I'm talking about music, movies, documents, passwords, saved games, pictures, CD images, and the like. I'm not talking about programs, games, or your operating system. That way, when you reinstall(wipe your system drive), you won't have lost anything except the programs you'd installed.

Another tip: Don't ever use Norton ever again. Or McAffee. Or ZoneAlarm. They are big, heavy applications that take over your computer. If you need an antivirus solution, I highly *highly* recommend AVG Free. It's simply the best antivirus I've ever used. The upgrade to the commercial edition($70) is also highly recommended.

[bahua]

Of course I use Windows. Just about everyone that works in an office does. So I don't think that counts. I am a linux evangelist. I love linux, and it loves me.

[Tosspot]

My dell desktop machine occasionally gets buggered up with various forms of spyware, and the Norton doesn't seem to detect most of it. I downloaded and purchased a product called Aluria Security Center, which seems much more thorough at getting rid of the undesirables.

I have a question, does my MacBook come with a firewall? I can't find anything about it.

[warwickland]

the roastarie, but right now im out of reach of its market and im operating on foldgers. 

[warwickland]

oh, usually windows 98. 

[bahua]

My dell desktop machine occasionally gets buggered up with various forms of spyware, and the Norton doesn't seem to detect most of it. I downloaded and purchased a product called Aluria Security Center, which seems much more thorough at getting rid of the undesirables.

I have a question, does my MacBook come with a firewall? I can't find anything about it.

Most non-windows operating systems have all the ports closed or in stealth mode by default, except for the ones you explicitly want open. You don't need a software firewall.

[KC0KEK]

The best kind of a reinstall you can do, to ensure performance and stability, is to reformat(wipe) the drive, and install on that. But in any case, reinstalling windows will remove what is already there, and if you choose an option that doesn't wipe things clean, there's little point in reinstalling.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to get a second(very big) hard drive, and keep all your stuff on that. I'm talking about music, movies, documents, passwords, saved games, pictures, CD images, and the like. I'm not talking about programs, games, or your operating system. That way, when you reinstall(wipe your system drive), you won't have lost anything except the programs you'd installed.

Another tip: Don't ever use Norton ever again. Or McAffee. Or ZoneAlarm. They are big, heavy applications that take over your computer. If you need an antivirus solution, I highly *highly* recommend AVG Free. It's simply the best antivirus I've ever used. The upgrade to the commercial edition($70) is also highly recommended.

Thanks for the tips. So for my next computer, should I have the second HD installed inside the box? Or outboard? I assume that outboard would be slower because USB is slower than the internal interconnects, right?

[bahua]

Thanks for the tips. So for my next computer, should I have the second HD installed inside the box? Or outboard? I assume that outboard would be slower because USB is slower than the internal interconnects, right?

Yeah. An internal drive would probably be best.

[anniewarbucks]

Its windows 2000 professional on every machine I own. Toss try Addaware to cut down on the spyware.

[Tosspot]

Toss try Addaware to cut down on the spyware.

I have that too, but it's still not as thorough as Aluria. Last year I had a keylogger lodged in my Dell desktop and nothing even detected it or get rid of it except for the Aluria scanner.

[anniewarbucks]

What is alirias website? I might try it to see how it works.

[bahua]

Toss, how do you get spyware? Do you use IE or Outlook? I never get any spyware/adware/malware.

[bahua]

What is alirias website? I might try it to see how it works.

google: aluria

[Tosspot]

Toss, how do you get spyware? Do you use IE or Outlook? I never get any spyware/adware/malware.

I use the firefox browser, and mozilla thunderbird as the email client. I don't get spyware all that often, but when I do I think it comes from opening suspicious emails in Thunderbird.

[Gladstoner]

Flattery, with a bit of bribery when necessary.