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whyrichard said:
Hello mac nuts.

I am a fellow mac nut, been with the fam since appleIIc... but i've got to make a switch. the wrong one! architecture and 3d modeling kinda requires the purchase of a desktop pc...

but i'm asking this question primarily for my girlfriend... for my pc has not yet arrived.

her dell laptop has become increasily sluggish. i've seen many pc's bite the dust in this way in the past year due, it seems, to spyware, adware, and the like.

how should she proceed to recover her computer? and how should i avoid the same fate in my pc when it arrives? (short of not hooking it up to the internet)


thanks,


r.


I fear the only truly sucessful way is a complete reformat of your hard drive and reinstillation of windows every 3-6 months so get an external HD and back everything you do up... its fun reformating its like geting an new computer every six :D
 
AP_piano295 said:
I fear the only truly sucessful way is a complete reformat of your hard drive and reinstillation of windows every 3-6 months
This just isn't true.

If you can't maintain the system, sure. But if you've got half a wit about you and can keep the thing clean to begin with, reformatting shouldn't even be an annual event.
 
I just read a good review for Spy Doctor 3.2 in PC Magazine
They also recommended getting Microsoft's Antispyware beta
while it's free.
Both block spyware before it gets installed and Spy doctor was the only one that seemed to find everything.

http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,4829,00.asp

The worst problem with Windows is that you can barely even connect to the Windows update servers without getting some freekin bug.

If you really must "work" with a P/C, I think the best approach is to run
your P/C and your primary applications OFFLINE and then use a mini or one of your existing Macs for all internet connections.

That way the P/C stays clean.

If you need to transfer project files to another location, then use only a secure server connection.

As soon as I can afford to, I'm getting my kids a mini, then wiping their HD
with a fresh install and upping the RAM to 512
Then they can use the mini for the internet and retire
the P/C to dedicated Windows only projects and games. Completely off line.

BTW have you tried VectorWorks 11 for Mac OSX?
http://www.nemetschek.net/vectorworks/
http://www.macworld.com/2004/09/reviews/vectorworks11/index.php
 
NtotheIzoo said:
this is a great start...i've been working with PC's for around 10-15 years and working on PC's for around 8. I havent switched to Mac yet, but I plan on buying a powerbook 4 law school this fall..

I don't want to highjack the thread, so I'll say this and refer you to other threads easily found on this topic. If you are purchasing a powerbook for law school, check with the school's requirements first. I recently finished law school and attempted to use an iBook. Big Mistake! It was not compatible with the ExamSoft software that is commonly used to take exams. I'm in Virginia so I would also mention that many states, if they haven't already, are migrating toward Bar exams on laptops. If you are considering this option, it is best to stay current with what the requirements are for the bar as well. There is not emulator that will work so you are just pretty much left with pen and paper. That's just how it is. I had to switch back while I was in law school because it became too burdensome to use the Mac for anything other than notetaking. Good luck with your studies in the future but do yourself a favor and look into to this with your school before you drop a large chunk of money on a machine that can't get the job done.
 
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