OT: Mac or PC <g>

H
Posted By
Hecate
Jan 8, 2004
Views
630
Replies
32
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Closed
The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.

First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:

My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:

Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

So, we’re talking low end computers.

Now, bearing in mind that I’m not looking for a what runs software better, what runs Photoshop better debate, and that my parents will have to learn from scratch, to the extent that they will have to be shown how to turn the damned thing on and off…

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?

Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac. But most of my experience is with PCs and older Macs, so I’ll be less likely to be able to help them. And, finally, to throw this into the equation, due to my health, and the distance they live, I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person.

Given all that, I’d love to hear what people think. In the end, I’;m going to have to make the decision for them, so I’d like as many opinions as possible.

Thanks to everyone who replies (sensibly <g>).

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

How to Improve Photoshop Performance

Learn how to optimize Photoshop for maximum speed, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your projects organized so that you can work faster than ever before!

DH
David H
Jan 8, 2004
Hecate wrote:

The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.
First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:
My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:
Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

The answer is actually quite simple:

Which machine do you want to do over-the-phone tech support for?

I’m not kidding. Given what you said, that should be your primary criteria.

Hope that helps. Good luck,

-David

—————————–
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EG
Eric Gill
Jan 8, 2004
Hecate wrote in
news::

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?

Hecate, you know what hardware I use.

Get them a Mac.

This is why:

Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac.

In short, if you get them an XP-based machine, one day you will find yourself forced to make the trip to help their disabled machine, and you may spend as long as 36 hours(!) running scanners to clean them. I have.

In really long form:
Virii are only part of the problem these days. Adware/Spyware is becoming much worse, as there are so damned many and the virus scanners don’t seal the vulnerabilites they exploit.

To make it even worse, the ad/spyware assholes target the services non- computer geeks like to frequent, especially screen savers, chat clients and enhancers, anything that looks innocous and pretty. Soon enough the machine will be slow, cranky and the screen filled with popups, probably no small number porn, and Explorer will have all these "Enhancement Bars", some of which can be practically impossible to get rid of and do them the favor of downloading more spyware automatically.

If they get AOL – and older people seem to like it (shudder) – they will be slammed with spam.

If they don’t get AOL, they will probably be encouraged to use Outlook Express, and they will soon be slammed with spam, lots of it containing malware.

If they sign up for an elist of whatever appeals (travel, quilting, skateboarding, I dunno) sooner or later their email will wind up in some other novice’s Windows Address Book, and the malware on that machine will start spoofing with their email address on top of sending them spam and malware.

The neophyte Mac users I help still have trouble with their machines, but they at least are not under active attack. Save yourself some headache.

YMMV.
MC
MArtin Chiselwitt
Jan 8, 2004
Pro PC because:

pc is simply more economical.. i.e., upgradable, evolvable etc… far more software supported…
far cheaper than a mac in every way…

Pro Mac because:

They look lovely…

btw, i was a staunch advocate of Macs for many years..
I just set my folks up with a PC…. they have taken to it very quickly.. they have graphics, office stuff and are connected with minimal fuss. i don’t think the situation would have been the same if i had gotten them a Mac frankly

hth

mart
S
Stephan
Jan 8, 2004
"Hecate" wrote in message
The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.
First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:
My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:
Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

So, we’re talking low end computers.

Now, bearing in mind that I’m not looking for a what runs software better, what runs Photoshop better debate, and that my parents will have to learn from scratch, to the extent that they will have to be shown how to turn the damned thing on and off…

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?
Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac. But most of my experience is with PCs and older Macs, so I’ll be less likely to be able to help them. And, finally, to throw this into the equation, due to my health, and the distance they live, I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person.

Given all that, I’d love to hear what people think. In the end, I’;m going to have to make the decision for them, so I’d like as many opinions as possible.

Thanks to everyone who replies (sensibly <g>).

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉
You asking this?
What I am going to do with my parents when I go visit them in Europe this summer is what I recommend to you.
Wipe out the hard drive and install a fresh version of the OS (to get rid of the Dell or HP or whatever crap)
Install all the programs they need, all the drivers, install a firewall and use all the programs to make sure the firewall is configured properly. Oh, and yes AOL is just perfect for old people (and retarded teenagers) Then I ll make an bootable image of the C:drive on CD and on a second drive with Acronis True Image (you have to have this).
I’ll have the OS also on D:
If (when) things get too bad I can guide my mom over the phone to restore the image of C: when it was new and clean.
If things get worse I can make her boot from D: and go from there. I think Windows is a better bet because they’ll be more likely to find friends around them able to teach them and help them.
Mac users are just a tiny and shrinking percentage of the computing world, If disaster strikes I’ll be able to guide my mom over the phone

Stephan
F
Flycaster
Jan 8, 2004
"Stephan" wrote in message
"Hecate" wrote in message
The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.
First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:
My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:
Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

So, we’re talking low end computers.

Now, bearing in mind that I’m not looking for a what runs software better, what runs Photoshop better debate, and that my parents will have to learn from scratch, to the extent that they will have to be shown how to turn the damned thing on and off…

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?
Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac. But most of my experience is with PCs and older Macs, so I’ll be less likely to be able to help them. And, finally, to throw this into the equation, due to my health, and the distance they live, I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person.

Given all that, I’d love to hear what people think. In the end, I’;m going to have to make the decision for them, so I’d like as many opinions as possible.

Thanks to everyone who replies (sensibly <g>).

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉
You asking this?
What I am going to do with my parents when I go visit them in Europe this summer is what I recommend to you.
Wipe out the hard drive and install a fresh version of the OS (to get rid
of
the Dell or HP or whatever crap)
Install all the programs they need, all the drivers, install a firewall
and
use all the programs to make sure the firewall is configured properly. Oh, and yes AOL is just perfect for old people (and retarded teenagers) Then I ll make an bootable image of the C:drive on CD and on a second
drive
with Acronis True Image (you have to have this).
I’ll have the OS also on D:
If (when) things get too bad I can guide my mom over the phone to restore the image of C: when it was new and clean.
If things get worse I can make her boot from D: and go from there. I think Windows is a better bet because they’ll be more likely to find friends around them able to teach them and help them.
Mac users are just a tiny and shrinking percentage of the computing world, If disaster strikes I’ll be able to guide my mom over the phone

You certainly have all bases covered. 😉

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N
noreply
Jan 8, 2004
Hecate …
The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.
First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:
My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:
Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

So, we’re talking low end computers.

Now, bearing in mind that I’m not looking for a what runs software better, what runs Photoshop better debate, and that my parents will have to learn from scratch, to the extent that they will have to be shown how to turn the damned thing on and off…

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?
Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac. But most of my experience is with PCs and older Macs, so I’ll be less likely to be able to help them. And, finally, to throw this into the equation, due to my health, and the distance they live, I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person.

Given all that, I’d love to hear what people think. In the end, I’;m going to have to make the decision for them, so I’d like as many opinions as possible.

Thanks to everyone who replies (sensibly <g>).

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

Believe it or not but I am replying sensibly here.

Given their limited requirements and I take it no computer experience to date, would an Amstrad serve as an introduction for them so you can see if there are going to be insurmountable problems with something that is more involved. Less than £30 will introduce them to "computers" gently, it comes looking like a phone so a friendly start there. It might not do all you listed (not sure how much internet access it provides e.g. for shopping online). There’s also the Bush box or maybe Sky’s interactive whatever (know even less about them but might be worth a look).

Just some passing thoughts, partly because I was considering the Amstrad for my mother (83) but it’s a non starter … she aleady has a technology war going with the breadmaker we got her. (And we got the single button model)

Brian
(the other one)
N
noreply
Jan 8, 2004
"Flycaster" …
"Stephan" wrote in message
You asking this?
What I am going to do with my parents when I go visit them in Europe this summer is what I recommend to you.
Wipe out the hard drive and install a fresh version of the OS (to get rid
of
the Dell or HP or whatever crap)
Install all the programs they need, all the drivers, install a firewall
and
use all the programs to make sure the firewall is configured properly. Oh, and yes AOL is just perfect for old people (and retarded teenagers) Then I ll make an bootable image of the C:drive on CD and on a second
drive
with Acronis True Image (you have to have this).
I’ll have the OS also on D:
If (when) things get too bad I can guide my mom over the phone to restore the image of C: when it was new and clean.
If things get worse I can make her boot from D: and go from there. I think Windows is a better bet because they’ll be more likely to find friends around them able to teach them and help them.
Mac users are just a tiny and shrinking percentage of the computing world, If disaster strikes I’ll be able to guide my mom over the phone

You certainly have all bases covered. 😉

No, he forgot the UPS for when the winter snows bring the power lines down.
But you can forgive this of somebody who lives in Hawaii … not jealous, not at all 🙂

Brian
(the other one)
S
Stephan
Jan 8, 2004
"mono" wrote in message
"Flycaster" wrote in message
news:<3ffcf82c$>…
"Stephan" wrote in message
You asking this?
What I am going to do with my parents when I go visit them in Europe
this
summer is what I recommend to you.
Wipe out the hard drive and install a fresh version of the OS (to get
rid
of
the Dell or HP or whatever crap)
Install all the programs they need, all the drivers, install a
firewall
and
use all the programs to make sure the firewall is configured properly. Oh, and yes AOL is just perfect for old people (and retarded
teenagers)
Then I ll make an bootable image of the C:drive on CD and on a second
drive
with Acronis True Image (you have to have this).
I’ll have the OS also on D:
If (when) things get too bad I can guide my mom over the phone to
restore
the image of C: when it was new and clean.
If things get worse I can make her boot from D: and go from there. I think Windows is a better bet because they’ll be more likely to find friends around them able to teach them and help them.
Mac users are just a tiny and shrinking percentage of the computing
world,
If disaster strikes I’ll be able to guide my mom over the phone

You certainly have all bases covered. 😉

No, he forgot the UPS for when the winter snows bring the power lines down.
But you can forgive this of somebody who lives in Hawaii … not jealous, not at all 🙂
The power doesn’t go down here, it goes up!
Surge paradise!

Stephan
H
Hecate
Jan 9, 2004
On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 18:17:51 -0800, David H wrote:

And that’s basically all.

The answer is actually quite simple:

Which machine do you want to do over-the-phone tech support for?
I’m not kidding. Given what you said, that should be your primary criteria.

Hope that helps. Good luck,
Thanks, it does. It illuminates the problem I’m having. I agree with what you’ve said, but I also agree with what Eric says downthread. I’m expecting to have to do support down the phone – OTOH, I also realise they haven’t a clue when it comes to viruses/adware/spyware/trojans etc. And I’m having trouble deciding between easier to troubleshoot or more likely to get attacked 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 9, 2004
On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 02:48:56 +0000, MArtin Chiselwitt
wrote:

Pro PC because:

pc is simply more economical.. i.e., upgradable, evolvable etc… far more software supported…
far cheaper than a mac in every way…

Pro Mac because:

They look lovely…

btw, i was a staunch advocate of Macs for many years..
I just set my folks up with a PC…. they have taken to it very quickly.. they have graphics, office stuff and are connected with minimal fuss. i don’t think the situation would have been the same if i had gotten them a Mac frankly

hth

mart

Thanks. Again, that makes sense to me. What really stands out for me are two things – the ease with which I can support them at a distance – and the likelihood that two complete novices will have their computer infected almost as soon as they turn it on 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 9, 2004
On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 02:38:21 GMT, Eric Gill
wrote:

Hecate wrote in
news::

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?

Hecate, you know what hardware I use.

Get them a Mac.
<snip>

What you say makes a helluva lot of sense. My only worry is that I don’t know OSX at all and may have trouble supporting them (I suppose I could buy myself OSX for Dummies <g>).



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 9, 2004
On 8 Jan 2004 03:38:27 -0800, (mono) wrote:

Believe it or not but I am replying sensibly here.

Given their limited requirements and I take it no computer experience to date, would an Amstrad serve as an introduction for them so you can see if there are going to be insurmountable problems with something that is more involved. Less than £30 will introduce them to "computers" gently, it comes looking like a phone so a friendly start there. It might not do all you listed (not sure how much internet access it provides e.g. for shopping online). There’s also the Bush box or maybe Sky’s interactive whatever (know even less about them but might be worth a look).

Just some passing thoughts, partly because I was considering the Amstrad for my mother (83) but it’s a non starter … she aleady has a technology war going with the breadmaker we got her. (And we got the single button model)

Brian
(the other one)

Thanks Brain, and I had thought of that. The problem is, because of their mobility situation, they really need to be able to order from places like Tescos etc to do their shopping. Consequently the Amstrad is unlikely to meet their needs. Good idea though and one I would recommend if only email was needed. Thanks for your input. 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 9, 2004
On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 04:40:05 GMT, "Stephan"
wrote:

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉
You asking this?
What I am going to do with my parents when I go visit them in Europe this summer is what I recommend to you.
Wipe out the hard drive and install a fresh version of the OS (to get rid of the Dell or HP or whatever crap)
Install all the programs they need, all the drivers, install a firewall and use all the programs to make sure the firewall is configured properly. Oh, and yes AOL is just perfect for old people (and retarded teenagers) Then I ll make an bootable image of the C:drive on CD and on a second drive with Acronis True Image (you have to have this).
I’ll have the OS also on D:
If (when) things get too bad I can guide my mom over the phone to restore the image of C: when it was new and clean.
If things get worse I can make her boot from D: and go from there. I think Windows is a better bet because they’ll be more likely to find friends around them able to teach them and help them.
Mac users are just a tiny and shrinking percentage of the computing world, If disaster strikes I’ll be able to guide my mom over the phone
I would agree, if I was able to get to where they live to do all this, but I can’t. So it’s a case of having whatever they’re given and working with it. I can only work with them over the phone. So, while I think that you’re right, in this case it won’t work.

And yes, I think AOHell is perfect for them 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
EG
Eric Gill
Jan 9, 2004
Hecate wrote in
news::

On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 02:38:21 GMT, Eric Gill
wrote:

Hecate wrote in
news::

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?

Hecate, you know what hardware I use.

Get them a Mac.
<snip>

What you say makes a helluva lot of sense. My only worry is that I don’t know OSX at all and may have trouble supporting them (I suppose I could buy myself OSX for Dummies <g>).

Okay, I’m putting myself on the firing line for doing so, but here goes:

OSX reminds me of a hybrid of OS 9 and later model Windows (complete with two System folders), all tarted up with little bouncy icons. The concepts will be familiar though the options are scattered all over. You should do fine, really.

However, the book might be a good idea anyway. Best if you bought the machine, got a bit familiar with it setting it up for their use, then made the trip to drop it off and show them the basics.
S
Stephan
Jan 9, 2004
"Hecate" wrote in message

snip<
I would agree, if I was able to get to where they live to do all this, but I can’t.
snip<

You do have FEDEX on your lost island don’t you?
Put the machine together and FEDEX it to them
(or hire somebody and his mule, you have mules on your island don’t you?) 😉

Stephan
SM
Steve Moody
Jan 9, 2004
In article , Hecate
wrote:

What you say makes a helluva lot of sense. My only worry is that I don’t know OSX at all and may have trouble supporting them (I suppose I could buy myself OSX for Dummies <g>).

Seems your biggest worry here is getting them help when they have problems. Get them a Mac with the optional AppleCare for three years. Any problems they have, they call an 800 number and they talk them through it. Applecare is more than just a warrantee. It is also a help line when they need help with any of the software the system comes with.
N
noreply
Jan 9, 2004
Hecate …
The reason this is OT is that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Photoshop. However, I thought I’d get some opinions from the wealth of experienced people here. I hope you don’t mind.
First, and please read carefully, this is the situation:
My parents aged 83 and 76 have decided that they want a computer. Because of their age and health they now have a lot of difficulty getting out and about and want a computer to do the following:
Get online so they can shop, including doing their grocery shopping, etc.
Email – me mainly.
Write letters and print them.

And that’s basically all.

So, we’re talking low end computers.

Now, bearing in mind that I’m not looking for a what runs software better, what runs Photoshop better debate, and that my parents will have to learn from scratch, to the extent that they will have to be shown how to turn the damned thing on and off…

Which is easiest for someone with no knowledge whatsoever – Mac or PC?
Added to that, Macs aren’t targeted as much as PCs by virus writers etc and I’m leaning towards a Mac. But most of my experience is with PCs and older Macs, so I’ll be less likely to be able to help them. And, finally, to throw this into the equation, due to my health, and the distance they live, I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person.

Given all that, I’d love to hear what people think. In the end, I’;m going to have to make the decision for them, so I’d like as many opinions as possible.

Thanks to everyone who replies (sensibly <g>).

PS Hardline command line Linux users need not reply 😉



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

This is a reply to your response to my first reply. Sounds like the Marx Brothers doesn’t it. For some reason I can’t tag on to your message so apologies for this being out of order.
Still thinking laterally, I note your doubts about the Amstrad being suitable for Tesco shopping. This was another of the considerations when I was thinking of it for my mother. The way around that is that your parents could email you their shopping list which you then upload to Tesco and have it delivered to your parents address.
Sounds convoluted I know but given your concerns of trying to "fix" their computer at a distance it could still be the easier option, a lot less to go wrong for them (and you)
Hey you could always tell them the Amstrad cost a thousand quids and get that digital camera you wanted :-). (Just a wicked joke, I’m not serious. But then you’re not thin skinned so I probably don’t need to add the caveat)

Brian
(the other one)
MR
Mike Russell
Jan 9, 2004
My parents each have a computer, one windows, and the other a Mac running
9.x.

The biggest headache for the Mac is enclosures under AOL – most, if not all, of the email for the Mac originates from PC’s. Downloading and opening enclosures using AOL’s download manager is non-trivial – I often arrive there to find the same file downloaded several times, scattered all over the desktop and elsewhere, in the aftermath of trying to download and open a file. AOL updates its software for the Mac at a more leisurely pace – so all the cool commercials about improvements to AOL are generally out of synch with the Mac version.

Files received on the PC simply seem to open themselves without the necessity of learning concepts of what an enclosure is, file types, download manager, or file format conversion . This is not the fault of the Mac, but simply the fact that most emails originate on the PC.

Appleworks is an inadequate substitute for Office – many files open, sort of, but then options such as printing in landscape mode, changing font sizes, etc, are either broken, or implemented in such a different way that finding the feature is near impossible, even when I’m there to deal with it in person.

My wild guess is you’ll be sending them photographs – while this should not be much of a problem, you may find a learning speed bump with opening and printing images, and again using a system similar to yours may save a lot of trouble. Outlook Express, for example, will show a jpeg embedded at the end of the email, rather than as an enclosure that must be separately downloaded and opened with another app.

Miscellaneous: As far as virusses/viri go, install Norton and you can pretty much stop worrying on a PC. It does sound like PC anywhere, or Microsoft Messenger’s remote desktop capability would hit the spot. There is a similar utility for the Mac, but Messanger is free. Also, if the budget permists, do consider DSL and having the machine on all the time. That way their email will just pop up on the screen instead of them having to log on in a separate operation, they can google search trivially, and you can connect to them and help with system issues.

So, my take, as a Mac and Windows person, would be to go with a system as similar as the one you yourself use as possible. This would be, it sounds like, either a 9.x Macintosh or a Windows XP system, and of those two the XP system is probably the easiest to get in and use.


Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
www.geigy.2y.net
H
Hecate
Jan 10, 2004
On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:22:17 -0500, Steve Moody
wrote:

In article , Hecate
wrote:

What you say makes a helluva lot of sense. My only worry is that I don’t know OSX at all and may have trouble supporting them (I suppose I could buy myself OSX for Dummies <g>).

Seems your biggest worry here is getting them help when they have problems. Get them a Mac with the optional AppleCare for three years. Any problems they have, they call an 800 number and they talk them through it. Applecare is more than just a warrantee. It is also a help line when they need help with any of the software the system comes with.

Well I knew you’d turn up and support Macs 😉 Thanks, though. That’s something I hadn’t considered and makes a deal of difference. 🙂

I’ll check it out and see what it’s like in the UK.



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 10, 2004
On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 02:08:42 GMT, Eric Gill
wrote:

What you say makes a helluva lot of sense. My only worry is that I don’t know OSX at all and may have trouble supporting them (I suppose I could buy myself OSX for Dummies <g>).

Okay, I’m putting myself on the firing line for doing so, but here goes:
OSX reminds me of a hybrid of OS 9 and later model Windows (complete with two System folders), all tarted up with little bouncy icons. The concepts will be familiar though the options are scattered all over. You should do fine, really.

However, the book might be a good idea anyway. Best if you bought the machine, got a bit familiar with it setting it up for their use, then made the trip to drop it off and show them the basics.

That makes sense too, and with what Steve said about Applecare, I think I’m inclined to run with this idea. I have nothing against Macs other than that I don’t use them now, and only really supported earlier versions in the past. It seems to me that with the security issue, and then with the Applecare that Steve has mentioned, and with what you’;ve said here, that a Mac does seem the most sensible solution in this case.



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 10, 2004
On 9 Jan 2004 04:04:38 -0800, (mono) wrote:

This is a reply to your response to my first reply. Sounds like the Marx Brothers doesn’t it. For some reason I can’t tag on to your message so apologies for this being out of order.
Still thinking laterally, I note your doubts about the Amstrad being suitable for Tesco shopping. This was another of the considerations when I was thinking of it for my mother. The way around that is that your parents could email you their shopping list which you then upload to Tesco and have it delivered to your parents address.
Sounds convoluted I know but given your concerns of trying to "fix" their computer at a distance it could still be the easier option, a lot less to go wrong for them (and you)
Hey you could always tell them the Amstrad cost a thousand quids and get that digital camera you wanted :-). (Just a wicked joke, I’m not serious. But then you’re not thin skinned so I probably don’t need to add the caveat)

Brian
(the other one)

Hi Brian,

LOL! I *love* the last idea! Best laugh I’ve had this week (yes, I know, I live a sad life <g>).

What you said re the Amstrad is a novel piece of lateral thinking and I shall certainly consider it. At the moment, I;’m inclined towards a mac for the reasons I’ve given to Eric and Steve, but I’ll keep your idea under consideration when I’m talking to my parents and trying to make sense of this. 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 10, 2004
On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 03:31:06 GMT, "Stephan"
wrote:

"Hecate" wrote in message

snip<
I would agree, if I was able to get to where they live to do all this, but I can’t.
snip<

You do have FEDEX on your lost island don’t you?
Put the machine together and FEDEX it to them
(or hire somebody and his mule, you have mules on your island don’t you?) 😉
hahahaha! I hadn’t really considered that. I was looking for a computer company that would deliver and set it up for them because they won’t have a clue which wire goes where. <sigh>

I think I’m going to have to plan on seeing if I can make a two day trip to sort this out…



Hecate

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MR
Mike Russell
Jan 10, 2004
BTW – I did check at MacWorld, and the overwhelming response was to get them an iPod.


Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
www.geigy.2y.net
SM
Steve Moody
Jan 10, 2004
In article , Hecate
wrote:

Well I knew you’d turn up and support Macs 😉 Thanks, though. That’s something I hadn’t considered and makes a deal of difference. 🙂
I’ll check it out and see what it’s like in the UK.

Bottom-line iBook is £849 and comes with DVD-ROM/CD-RW. I’d double the memory if I was buying one, though.
SM
Steve Moody
Jan 10, 2004
In article <VkxLb.8920$>, Mike
Russell wrote:

Appleworks is an inadequate substitute for Office – many files open, sort of, but then options such as printing in landscape mode, changing font sizes, etc, are either broken, or implemented in such a different way that finding the feature is near impossible, even when I’m there to deal with it in person.

www.thinkfree.com will get a dandy program for $49 that will open and save Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files. Runs in Windows or Mac OS. Best bet, however, is to get Microsoft Office. Office is the second best application I use on my Macs – Photoshop being number one, of course!
H
Hecate
Jan 11, 2004
On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 16:18:28 -0500, Steve Moody
wrote:

In article , Hecate
wrote:

Well I knew you’d turn up and support Macs 😉 Thanks, though. That’s something I hadn’t considered and makes a deal of difference. 🙂
I’ll check it out and see what it’s like in the UK.

Bottom-line iBook is £849 and comes with DVD-ROM/CD-RW. I’d double the memory if I was buying one, though.

That sounds like an idea as well.They wouldn’t have to learn how to connect things up other than an printer then. My only worry is that the keyboard will be too small and the same with the screen as both have problems with mobility and sight (not really bad, but it is a consideration).



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
H
Hecate
Jan 11, 2004
On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 16:30:22 -0500, Steve Moody
wrote:

In article <VkxLb.8920$>, Mike
Russell wrote:

Appleworks is an inadequate substitute for Office – many files open, sort of, but then options such as printing in landscape mode, changing font sizes, etc, are either broken, or implemented in such a different way that finding the feature is near impossible, even when I’m there to deal with it in person.

www.thinkfree.com will get a dandy program for $49 that will open and save Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files. Runs in Windows or Mac OS. Best bet, however, is to get Microsoft Office. Office is the second best application I use on my Macs – Photoshop being number one, of course!

Actually, because they’ll want to print letters and not exchange documents other than as emails, Appleworks would probably do the job fine. I think Office is overkill for them, though if I was buying it for myself….

Thanks for your help Steve 🙂



Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui
SM
Steve Moody
Jan 12, 2004
In article , Hecate
wrote:

That sounds like an idea as well.They wouldn’t have to learn how to connect things up other than an printer then. My only worry is that the keyboard will be too small and the same with the screen as both have problems with mobility and sight (not really bad, but it is a consideration).

I see what you mean with the keyboard. I’m typing this on a Powerbook. Same size keyboard, I think – never bothered to compare them. Apple does a pretty good job of making the notebook keyboards a reasonably decent size, but it doesn’t compare to a full sized keyboard.

You can buy a USB keyboard to plug in, but USB keyboard are quite pricey. One advantage PC’s have of not giving up "legacy" hardware. Too bad no one makes a perfect computer. 🙂
SM
Steve Moody
Jan 12, 2004
In article , Hecate
wrote:

Actually, because they’ll want to print letters and not exchange documents other than as emails, Appleworks would probably do the job fine. I think Office is overkill for them, though if I was buying it for myself….

I’m not sure if any Macs come with Appleworks. Once upon a time. If they don’t Thinkfree is cheaper. I don’t know which one is easier to use. I have Appleworks, but i don’t use it unless someone sends me an Appleworks file – which I convert to Office. Office have better features, more power, and is much easier to use than Appleworks. I don’t know how Apple dropped the ball on that one!

Thanks for your help Steve 🙂

No problem.
H
Hecate
Jan 13, 2004
On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 17:28:47 -0500, Steve Moody
wrote:

In article , Hecate
wrote:

That sounds like an idea as well.They wouldn’t have to learn how to connect things up other than an printer then. My only worry is that the keyboard will be too small and the same with the screen as both have problems with mobility and sight (not really bad, but it is a consideration).

I see what you mean with the keyboard. I’m typing this on a Powerbook. Same size keyboard, I think – never bothered to compare them. Apple does a pretty good job of making the notebook keyboards a reasonably decent size, but it doesn’t compare to a full sized keyboard.

You can buy a USB keyboard to plug in, but USB keyboard are quite pricey. One advantage PC’s have of not giving up "legacy" hardware. Too bad no one makes a perfect computer. 🙂

Yeah, I know. Only thing is, everybody’s "perfect" computer would be different 🙂



Hecate

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MH
Matti Haveri
Jan 18, 2004
I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person

AppleCare is a good idea but you might also consider Timbuktu Pro Multiplatform.

With Timbuktu you can make a dial-direct modem connection (or a faster TCP/IP connection via the Internet if you can bypass the firewalls) and do your troubleshooting via screen-sharing.

< http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/multi/index.htm l>

Timbuktu works great on our Win & Mac mixed network. You can use it also for file exchange, chat and intercom.


Matti Haveri <mattiDOThaveriATsjokiDOTutaeiroskaaDOTfi> remove ei roskaa
H
Hecate
Jan 19, 2004
On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 14:24:57 +0200, Matti Haveri
wrote:

I’m unlikely to be able to go and help them in person

AppleCare is a good idea but you might also consider Timbuktu Pro Multiplatform.

With Timbuktu you can make a dial-direct modem connection (or a faster TCP/IP connection via the Internet if you can bypass the firewalls) and do your troubleshooting via screen-sharing.

< http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/multi/index.htm l>
Timbuktu works great on our Win & Mac mixed network. You can use it also for file exchange, chat and intercom.

Thanks for the info. However, that would mean I’d be online answering questions roughly about once every five minutes 😉 I think I’ll leave it to Applecare 🙂

But I’ve bookmarked that for future reference. 🙂



Hecate

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