Computer help

[Hodge]

I have to agree with BM here. My PC was in its prime 4 years ago, and it still doesn't drag in any of these editing apps. Sure, encoding a (non-copyright protected ) video to DVD takes awhile, but that comes with the 4 year old processor. I would definitely take the argument that I can get the same hardware as a Mac for hundreds less in a PC.

With my Macbook it has been a breeze. Between Traktor for DJ'ing, Reason and Logic for production, ReCycle for sampling, and Audacity for recording/editing, I haven't had any problems. Best of all, I can run all of that shit at the same time and my little ol' Macbook doesn't even wince. MIDI keyboards and DJ controllers just plug into the USB ports without any drivers or control programs.

I'd just like to point out that all of the above programs (with the exception of Apple's Logic) run in Windows. I'm not saying that Windows is the way to go (I hate micro$oft), I'm just pointing out a fact. You said that "software available for Windows was absolute crap." Well, how is that same software different for Mac? Also, I wouldn't be so quick with the "I hate loading special drivers" bandwagon. For example, any graphics card will run on the default drivers and look good enough, but wouldn't you rather load the manufacturer drivers for the best performance? It's the same with any piece of hardware you attach.

I can understand the need/desire for Macs in the creative departments, that's fine. I just can't stand the people who buy Mac's just because of the name. I will give Apple credit for marketing like this, it's impressive. But it's also sad. I see people in class all the time with Mac laptops, and the majority of them have no clue how to use them (yes, they'll admit as much). They spend $800+ more than they need to, and have no clue how to use the thing. It's unbelievable.

 

[jwinslow]

I dont know what you guys are doin wrong, but I use flash, dreamweaver, photoshop and such on not only my desktop, but my laptop with vista. I have no problems on either. Neither of them drag.

What do you edit in Photoshop? There's a big difference between casual use for photos or simple files and 50-100 layer documents.

I'd just like to point out that all of the above programs (with the exception of Apple's Logic) run in Windows. I'm not saying that Windows is the way to go (I hate micro$oft), I'm just pointing out a fact.

So do you have experience running these programs on Windows? Or are you simply pointing out that it "runs" (at unknown efficiency)?

I see people in class all the time with Mac laptops, and the majority of them have no clue how to use them (yes, they'll admit as much).

Remind me how that's different than the average PC user in college. A computer major living in a dorm witnesses this massive collection of ineptitude firsthand with endless requests for their help.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

What do you edit in Photoshop? There's a big difference between casual use for photos or simple files and 50-100 layer documents.

No, lots and lots of web.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Well, not to be a total douchebag here, but I have actually used both, and pretty extensively, for photo editing.

Prior to my life as a Network admin, I used PS, Illustrator, and Pagemaker for graphic design purposes. I was heavy into the marketing department, I did all of our ads, box covers and our flyers for comdex and what-not.

Now that being said, Photoshop isn't so much about the processor power, you can accomplish the same as you would with a mac as long as you have a secondary drive, scsi is prefered due to the multiple heads, and not really notice a difference. When Macs ran Risc based processors and primarily scsi based drives, they were optimal for PS use for the reason that the processor was multi-threaded and the discs didn't use any of your processor because the drive was controlled by the controller card.

However, those days have changed. Now, PS uses a swap disc to control it's activity, every layer it basically saves a copy of that image to the swap file and that file grows. So, if you have a scsi controller and a couple drives you will get the same performance as you would with a mac.

This isn't said to discount Macintosh systems, I actually don't mind them, they are stable, they are cute, but the reality is that there's more options with a PC. Hell, if you want to get real, Linux is a great, stable, and cheap operating system, but it doesn't have a lot of options, thats where macs are, and unless businesses somehow move to the Mac platform, that's how it will be.

 

[Hodge]

So do you have experience running these programs on Windows? Or are you simply pointing out that it "runs" (at unknown efficiency)?

I do have experience with Audacity in Windows. I've not had any giant projects in it, but it runs well. I looked up the others just to check. It's a serious question though, I'm curious about how Mac runs them better. Also, I think it would only be fair to compare with similar hardware. It's not fair comparing a brand new MacBook with a 4 year old PC. I'd be up for testing it if I had the hardware available.

Remind me how that's different than the average PC user in college. A computer major living in a dorm witnesses this massive collection of ineptitude firsthand with endless requests for their help.

Alas, it is sad but true. I was using that more as an example to show Apple's marketing skills (and the people that buy them because they are "cool"). But yes, overall there aren't many people who are proficient with their computer.

 

[matz2]

Anyone have any problems with the recent Visa updates? I cannot get my mouse to work when rebooting. I cannot do anything, but restart my pc. I FUCKING HATE VISTA!!!! Biggest mistake I ever made was upgrading to this piece of shit software!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hatepc::hatepc::hatepc:

 

[Oh8ch]

I FUCKING HATE VISTA!!!! Biggest mistake I ever made was upgrading to this piece of shit software!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My only experience with VISTA was helping a friend install some software they were having problems with. VISTA said it was not computable. Being fairly knowledgeable on computers in general I figured I could make it work and ignored the message and installed.

It made IE inoperable. Seriously. The Internet Explorer browser no longer worked - even if I rebooted. In all the things I have ever done with a computer I have never been able to make browser software completely inoperable. I did it with VISTA on my first try. I had to go back to a previous restore point. Who designs SW that lets you do that? All I had to do was tell VISTA to ignore one message.

Go back to XP.

 

[BuckNutty]

Anyone have any problems with the recent Visa updates? I cannot get my mouse to work when rebooting. I cannot do anything, but restart my pc. I FUCKING HATE VISTA!!!! Biggest mistake I ever made was upgrading to this piece of shit software!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hatepc::hatepc::hatepc:

I completely agree. My father just had to have Vista and that thing is a piece of shit.

 

[iambrutus]

did you do an upgrade to vista or fresh install?

i've been running a fresh install for a while now and it runs great. you NEVER upgrade windows OS - never works well.

 

[matz2]

did you do an upgrade to vista or fresh install?

i've been running a fresh install for a while now and it runs great. you NEVER upgrade windows OS - never works well.

Upgrade. Never again. I am on my work pc right now since I can't even navigate on my home PC.

How difficult is it to de-install? Will I lose all my shit? I don't believe I have the original XP disc...am I screwed?

 

[iambrutus]

Upgrade. Never again. I am on my work pc right now since I can't even navigate on my home PC.

How difficult is it to de-install? Will I lose all my shit? I don't believe I have the original XP disc...am I screwed?

you can format pretty easily. if you have a "brand PC" (dell, compaq, sony, ect) you can usually get some recovery CD's from them to reinstall winders xp - do you have a full version of vista or upgrade only?

 

[matz2]

you can format pretty easily. if you have a "brand PC" (dell, compaq, sony, ect) you can usually get some recovery CD's from them to reinstall winders xp - do you have a full version of vista or upgrade only?

I am using the Home Premium (32 bit) upgrade.

 

[BuckNutty]

Hello, you either have Java Script turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.

I get this message on YouTube quite a bit. Java Script is not turned off. I click the link to get the latest player, the little flash video comes on and it says installation of the new Flash player is complete, yet I continue to get the error message I don't have the right Flash player. Anyone know what the problem is?

 

[Mac]

Okay I have a problem with my Office 2007 updates. For some reason they it says they are downloaded (and I think I did download them) but whenever I try to install them, it fails. Then the yellow ! shows up a few hours later trying to install those updates again.

Is there a way I can re download those updates or what should I do?

 

[Buckeneye]

How exactly are you downloading them? Through office or through an external mirror?