Episode #142
My wife has finally agreed that we need a new computer at home to replace the aging dinosaur that we currently have built back in 2000. I have been looking at replacing it with a notebook computer, more specifically the MacBook Pro. One of the concerns that I have about purchasing a MacBook Pro, aside from having to learn a whole new OS is support with various Microsoft extensions and limitations on the internet. In my surfing experience I have seen numerous web sites that only support Internet Explorer. My concern is that if I go with a MacBook Pro I will not be able to visit certain sites, open files intended for Windows PC’s without using Boot Camp to run Windows. When browsing the internet on Windows I could easily fall back on Internet explorer if Firefox was rejected. Leo, I know you are a big supporter of Apple computers, can you please tell me that my worries are unfounded?
Peter, Ottawa, ON
Most web sites now work fine with Macintosh, partly because Internet Explorer is losing market share to the cross platform Firefox and a web site would be crazy these days to require Internet Explorer.
However, there are some sites that just don’t work on Macintosh. Some video oriented sites won’t playback on Mac (although free programs like Flip4Mac and DiVX have reduced the number of sites like that considerably.) Sites that require ActiveX controls don’t work with Mac either, although, again, you see fewer and fewer of these sites because ActiveX poses such a security risk.
I use both Windows and Mac machines, but very rarely do I have to switch to Windows to use a site, unless it’s a Windows specific site like Microsoft Windows Update.
Macintosh is a very sensible alternative for home users. Unless you specifically need Windows only software I wouldn’t hesitate in making the switch.
-
Air Date: February 1, 2008
TranscriptCaller Questions
- Ian, Lithgow, ACT
- Shawn, Toronto, ON
- Peter, Ottawa, ON
Yewell's Jewels
- Drempels Screensaverwindows
Drempels makes colorful, swirling, hallucinogenic patterns that resemble a hurricane or tornado. It normally runs in your Windows background or desktop, replacing your old still-image wallpaper with beautiful animated visuals. Meanwhile, you can use your computer just like you normally would. It uses very little CPU overhead—so little that it even runs smoothly on a 233MHz system. Drempels can also be used as a screensaver; in this mode, it goes full-screen (like a normal screensaver) instead of rendering to the desktop/background.
(Thanks Robin Leslie!)
Sean's Shinies
- Nikon CoolPix S51c
$349
Adding WiFi to a digital camera isn’t anything new—professionals have had WiFi attachments for pro SLR cameras for a while, and there have even been a few consumer point-and-shoot models with built-in wireless. Nikon has definitely gone down this road before, and the CoolPix S51c takes a more stripped-down approach to the problem…the main purpose of wireless on this camera is to upload your image to a Nikon server, and send an email to your recipient. You can configure all of this on the back of the camera using the jog wheel, though it should be noted that the menu system can be frustrating to configure —press the wrong button during the process and you’ll lose part of your data. The good news is that the camera understands both WEP and WPA encryption, so you don’t have to compromise the security of your network in order to use the camera on it. Unfortunately, upload of photos sometimes fails, which can be extremely frustrating, and of course, the WiFi networking WILL eat up your battery power. If you’re an enthusiast, this does have a fairly good wow factor, but it’s probably still not for the average user.
Shiny
- email photos right from camera
- understands WEP/WPA encryption
- picture quality
Dull
- configuration can be a pain
- uploads sometimes fail
- WiFi eats up your batteryCoolPix S51c
Nikon
Kate’s Tips
- Oh, don’t forget
The site, Ohdontforget, will send a text/SMS message to a cell phone at the time and date you specify. If you set the send time to “now,” you can use it to send regular SMS messages, as well. The service is missing important features - there is no Outlook sync, no log of messages sent, no address book, and if you’re sending an SMS to your child, for example, he/she can’t see who sent it (the return address is ohdontforget). But, it is simple to use and is a great reminder for your own to-do list.