PC vs Mac

[You Need a Thneed]

At work, we are getting so frustrated with our windows machines, we have pondered whether switching to Macs might ease our pain. We used to have Macs back in the day (around system 7 or 8 I think) so we are somewhat familiar with them - We even used to have an ORIGINAL Mac - the very first one. We switched to windows due to software requirements, but those software requirements are probobly gone now.

Does anyone have experience with adding Macs to Windows networks, specifically with Windows Server 2003, and to a domain?

Also, how well does running the windows programs side by side work? I know there is boot camp, but we were reading something else on the Mac site about running windows programs side by side with the Mac programs. Does that work well?

Anything else that might be an issue?

[SebC]

Awesome thread to bump.

One of my friends was telling me that Windows uses two acceleration points for mouse movement, whereas the Mac only uses one. So it's not just the hardware that makes the Windows mice seem better, but the OS as well.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

At work, we are getting so frustrated with our windows machines, we have pondered whether switching to Macs might ease our pain. We used to have Macs back in the day (around system 7 or 8 I think) so we are somewhat familiar with them - We even used to have an ORIGINAL Mac - the very first one. We switched to windows due to software requirements, but those software requirements are probobly gone now.

Does anyone have experience with adding Macs to Windows networks, specifically with Windows Server 2003, and to a domain?

Also, how well does running the windows programs side by side work? I know there is boot camp, but we were reading something else on the Mac site about running windows programs side by side with the Mac programs. Does that work well?

Anything else that might be an issue?

We use parallels to run Windows while we're running mac. Its ok. Parallels uses up copious amounts of memory though. It isn't as noticable on a mac when you're on your last legs of memory, not like when you're on a PC.

I find some problems accessing our file server, a Windows 2003 box, from the iMac. I have to reboot quite often because I'll lose connection to the server (usually when I leave my computer overnight). We use Entourage to connect to our exchange server. It sucks, but that doesn't seem to matter, my complaints fall on deaf ears.

[MelBridgeman]

i like them both, have both, cant live without both
end thread

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Buff

I find some problems accessing our file server, a Windows 2003 box, from the iMac. I have to reboot quite often because I'll lose connection to the server (usually when I leave my computer overnight).

Exactly the problem we have with our windows machines. (well, part of the problem anyway). Every morning we have to reboot to access anything on the network. I also just leave my windows task manager open, just so I can kill processes that are hung up ( I have to kill processes 10-15 times a day).

Could it be a problem with Windows Server 2003?

[llama64]

Originally Posted by SebC

Awesome thread to bump.

One of my friends was telling me that Windows uses two acceleration points for mouse movement, whereas the Mac only uses one. So it's not just the hardware that makes the Windows mice seem better, but the OS as well.

Not sure about the acceleration points part, but I do know the acceleration curve algorithm on the Mac is so unnatural it isn't funny. Without some 3rd party tools, I end up with carpal tunnel syndrome (I wasn't able to adapt since I flip between both environments).

The funny part is that back in System 7-8 days, Apple created the perfect mouse acceleration curve, which Microsoft copied for the Windows system. Then when Steve "The Ego" Jobs took over and OS X was released, the curve was switched for no apparent reason.

To fix this, I use a utility called USB Overdrive. I also use a Microsoft mouse. It's so odd... for all the work that Apple put into designing a mousing heavy interface, they really pooped the bed when it comes to making a good mouse.

[Buff]

One of my beefs is the keyboard shortcuts on a mac. They seem so freakin' long. To do a screen capture in windows you either hit "Print Screen" or alt + "Print Screen". In mac you have to have all ten fingers, plus your nose and tongue, to each hit a button! Sheesh!

[Flame On]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

At work, we are getting so frustrated with our windows machines, we have pondered whether switching to Macs might ease our pain. We used to have Macs back in the day (around system 7 or 8 I think) so we are somewhat familiar with them - We even used to have an ORIGINAL Mac - the very first one. We switched to windows due to software requirements, but those software requirements are probobly gone now.

Does anyone have experience with adding Macs to Windows networks, specifically with Windows Server 2003, and to a domain?

Also, how well does running the windows programs side by side work? I know there is boot camp, but we were reading something else on the Mac site about running windows programs side by side with the Mac programs. Does that work well?

Anything else that might be an issue?

Ours was quite problematic to get setup on the domain but think it is now. We also use parallels for a few programs. We have a Collections management app that won't run off Mac, payroll timesheets are done using a web based app that won't work on anything but IE and Entourage we've given up on and use Outlook within the parrallel too.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Exactly the problem we have with our windows machines. (well, part of the problem anyway). Every morning we have to reboot to access anything on the network. I also just leave my windows task manager open, just so I can kill processes that are hung up ( I have to kill processes 10-15 times a day).

Could it be a problem with Windows Server 2003?

That isnt normal, are you on SP3? I only ask because on a properly run Server2003/XP envirnonment there should be no problems accessing a file server, even if your computer goes into sleep mode.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Buff

One of my beefs is the keyboard shortcuts on a mac. They seem so freakin' long. To do a screen capture in windows you either hit "Print Screen" or alt + "Print Screen". In mac you have to have all ten fingers, plus your nose and tongue, to each hit a button! Sheesh!

I hear ya. The keyboard shortcuts are something I really haven't fully utilized because I find them overly complicated at times. One thing that helped me immensely was an application called Quicksilver. It does several cool things, one of which being creating little actions and mapping them to whatever you'd like (keys or mouse gestures). It's a huge time saver but takes a while to figure out.

The mouse movement is definitely a source of annoyance for me. I'm a big photoshop user so while the move to mac hasn't been devastating I do notice differences. For the most part I've gotten pretty used to it, but it's something that still irks me.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That isnt normal, are you on SP3? I only ask because on a properly run Server2003/XP envirnonment there should be no problems accessing a file server, even if your computer goes into sleep mode.

Yup, I'm on XP Pro SP3. My dad has the a similar problem on his machine, and he runs vista most of the time.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Yup, I'm on XP Pro SP3. My dad has the a similar problem on his machine, and he runs vista most of the time.

I would check to make sure it isnt going into hibernation mode - is possible that its closing the network connections which is why you are losing connection to the shares.

For the processes I would go START > RUN > MSCONFIG hit enter.

The SERVICES and STARTUP tab are the only ones to really tinker with.

Basically hide the M$ services and then anything that you recognize that doesnt need to start on bootup uncheck them.

For me the top couple apps that I always uncheck are: Adobe, and iTunes - why WTF do those programs need to start everytime a computer starts.

With your parents machine its likely he is running an obtrusive virus protection or spyware. Do the following if their nagging becomes too much for you to handle...

Download the following on to a USB key: AdAware, Windows Defender, Avira antivirus, and Free AVG.

Unplug your parents comptuer network cable, uninstall any spyware/virus protection/limewire/party poker/freebee games they have installed.

Create and admin account that only you know the password of and remove your parents account from the administrator group.

Reboot

Login as the new admin account and Plug in the USB key and install all the software on it. Have all the software run full system scans and remove anything they find. Turn on windows firewall. Plug the network cable back in. Update all the prev installed software.

Sit back while they use their PC in peace and quit nagging the living frack out of you. If they b!tch about not having Limewire or Partypoker installed, ignore them - future inheritance is not worth the hassle IMO.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

For me the top couple apps that I always un-check are: Adobe, and iTunes - why WTF do those programs need to start every time a computer starts.

You probably asked as a rhetorical question, but I know the answer

Adobe wants to load it's awful software faster and thinks it's ok to put the bulk of the loading time into the start-up time of windows (probably to hide the blame). Screw disabling this, just get rid of Adobe Reader completely. (Note: this goes for OS X as well).

The Apple stuff comes in two main flavors. One is the iPod service which facilitates communication with an iPod. If you don't have one of those devices, disable it. If you have one, set it to manual. iTunes will start the service as needed.
The second is the Bonjour service. This service enables your Windows machine to talk "Apple" and see things like Apple shared resources, iTunes playlists, media libraries and other such goodies. Again, if you don't have a need for this, disable it.

The other Apple service that gets started is the Quicktime loader. It's completly unneccesary and can be disabled from the Preferences in Quicktime itself ("Load Quicktime at startup").

[bigtmac19]

While this thread is current again, does anyone know how to get Wi-Fi for the Wii to work on a Mac?
I'm hoping there must be some fix for this.
Also does anyone know if XBox Live will work on a Mac?

[mykalberta]

Sorry, I know why they load but why they think they need to load everytime the computer starts just shows the complete arrogance of both companies to think that everyone who has ever installed both programs are always going to use Adobe or iTunes everytime their computer starts and system resources is complete and utter BS IMO.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I would check to make sure it isnt going into hibernation mode - is possible that its closing the network connections which is why you are losing connection to the shares.

That might be it, I'll try it.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

For the processes I would go START > RUN > MSCONFIG hit enter.

The SERVICES and STARTUP tab are the only ones to really tinker with.

Basically hide the M$ services and then anything that you recognize that doesnt need to start on bootup uncheck them.

For me the top couple apps that I always uncheck are: Adobe, and iTunes - why WTF do those programs need to start everytime a computer starts.

I'm not too worried about too many background processes taking up resources, I clean instaleld everything a few months ago, and haven't installed too much since, mostly just what I need to work.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

With your parents machine its likely he is running an obtrusive virus protection or spyware. Do the following if their nagging becomes too much for you to handle...

Download the following on to a USB key: AdAware, Windows Defender, Avira antivirus, and Free AVG.

Unplug your parents comptuer network cable, uninstall any spyware/virus protection/limewire/party poker/freebee games they have installed.

Create and admin account that only you know the password of and remove your parents account from the administrator group.

Reboot

Login as the new admin account and Plug in the USB key and install all the software on it. Have all the software run full system scans and remove anything they find. Turn on windows firewall. Plug the network cable back in. Update all the prev installed software.

Sit back while they use their PC in peace and quit nagging the living frack out of you. If they b!tch about not having Limewire or Partypoker installed, ignore them - future inheritance is not worth the hassle IMO.

Ha, no, my dad isn't a typical (nearly) 60 year old who has no clue about computers. Part of his frustration is paying money to microsoft for "tech support" and he basically knows more about how the computers work then the tech guys.

The computer is a work computer (I work with my dad, so these two computers I'm talking about are on the same network). We've been fiddling with the Panda Security settings trying to figure out whether something in there is causing the slowdowns. There shouldn't be any spyware or adware on the comp, panda would have caught them, plus, the computer doesn't really get used to surf places that have those kinds of annoyances. It's also had everything clean installed within the last few months.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Sorry, I know why they load but why they think they need to load everytime the computer starts just shows the complete arrogance of both companies to think that everyone who has ever installed both programs are always going to use Adobe or iTunes everytime their computer starts and system resources is complete and utter BS IMO.

While I agree with you, other than slowing boot times it won't really affect much since, if you don't actually use them, they will be paged off to the cache anyways.

Although in general I do agree with your hate for programs that make these assumptions - iTunes/Real Player/Chrome/QuickTime are all common offenders. And worst of all, even if I do remove the start key from the registry, every time I use the program it puts the key back! If I know how to remove your autostart key, stop "helping" me by putting it back.

I would rather wait the extra 2 seconds for these apps when I want to use them than every time I boot up.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by bigtmac19

While this thread is current again, does anyone know how to get Wi-Fi for the Wii to work on a Mac?
I'm hoping there must be some fix for this.
Also does anyone know if XBox Live will work on a Mac?

It shouldn't matter as the wifi service connecting to your wii or xbox will be relying on your wireless router, the computer involved should have little effect. If you are using Apple's Airport Extremet as a router, I haven't heard any problems with it regarding games.

If you're having trouble with your wii conecting to a wifi signal chances are quite strong that the issue is with the wii. It took me a long time to figure that one out. I had to open some bloody port for it to work properly.

Side note if you're trying to hook up a 360 to a wireless network, you'll need to buy the wireless adaptor for it:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...21&catid=26889

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Russic

It shouldn't matter as the wifi service connecting to your wii or xbox will be relying on your wireless router, the computer involved should have little effect. If you are using Apple's Airport Extremet as a router, I haven't heard any problems with it regarding games.

If you're having trouble with your wii conecting to a wifi signal chances are quite strong that the issue is with the wii. It took me a long time to figure that one out. I had to open some bloody port for it to work properly.

Side note if you're trying to hook up a 360 to a wireless network, you'll need to buy the wireless adaptor for it:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...21&catid=26889

Before we had the Wi-Fi cord plugged into the USB on our PC. When we plug it into a USB on the Mac, nothing happens, then someone told me that the WiFi only works on Windows XP, so I was just assuming that it was because of the Mac.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

That might be it, I'll try it.

I'm not too worried about too many background processes taking up resources, I clean instaleld everything a few months ago, and haven't installed too much since, mostly just what I need to work.



Ha, no, my dad isn't a typical (nearly) 60 year old who has no clue about computers. Part of his frustration is paying money to microsoft for "tech support" and he basically knows more about how the computers work then the tech guys.

The computer is a work computer (I work with my dad, so these two computers I'm talking about are on the same network). We've been fiddling with the Panda Security settings trying to figure out whether something in there is causing the slowdowns. There shouldn't be any spyware or adware on the comp, panda would have caught them, plus, the computer doesn't really get used to surf places that have those kinds of annoyances. It's also had everything clean installed within the last few months.

It was just a suggestion, if you have 10+ processes you have to manually stop then whoever clean installed XP or something has happened that shouldnt. I have been running my Vista Home Premium machine for about 8 months with no problems at all.

At work I imaged my XP Pro machine 14 months ago and no problems at all with processes.

Pentium D 3.2 GHZ, 3.00 GB RAM.

Also, I would get rid of Panda quick, that would definately be slowing your system up more than what it needs to IMO.