The Windows firewall is both free and effective. It doesn't have the notification features of other tools like Zone Alarm, but it's also a lot less buggy than other tools like Zone Alarm. I would simply use the built-in firewall, it works fine.
The issues to worry about mostly relate to malware (not even viruses, although antivirus is a good idea). Some of the malware programs, like CoolWeb, are incredibly difficult to remove and they're awfully good at finding ways to invade your system. It's best to plan to have to reinstall the system on a regular basis and set things up to make that as easy as possible. Using Parallels you have the ability to take a fully configured VM and clone it. Do this, it will save you a lot of effort come the day you need to recover from some piece of nastyware, or even just because Windows suffers badly from entropy.
The real question isn't if you'll get malware, it's when. But certain behaviors can dramatically reduce your odds of being infected. Two of the best ways to keep malware out of your system are to avoid using IE and avoid using Outlook/Outlook Express. Firefox and Thunderbird are far less susceptible to malware and I find them to be excellent products, but many other alternatives exist (eg, Opera).
I don't really need to be online in XP for anything, maybe XP activation. Most downloads I need I can get on the mac side and move them to XP. I will take a look at some of the links and see what I need to install. I have yet to access the internet from XP anyway. I have not tried.
When the Mac gets here, been more than a week since I ordered.
I simply can't believe you Mac guys surf the net and yet don't have any software for removing spyware. That doesn't make sense. I suspect that you've picked up some spyware along the way and aren't aware of it.
The drives finally showed up. I put the 300gb in my G5 with no problems.
The 120gb went in my Macbook very easily too. I am reinstalling the OS now.
The only problem I have is the enclosure is for a 44 pin drive, not a 2.5" SATA. I cannot find one, anyone have a link to on that will work or is this drive ahead of the curve?
I simply can't believe you Mac guys surf the net and yet don't have any software for removing spyware. That doesn't make sense. I suspect that you've picked up some spyware along the way and aren't aware of it.
I haven't seen any evidence that any of it runs on anything but Windows. I guess there might be some pages with java or javascript code on them that "do evil," but I've not seen any like that. Most that I've seen are fake "click here to speed up your downloads" or "download this free game" trojans that convince unawares to install win-specific junk on their systems.
That stinks, Patch. I so much prefer Firewire. What are you going to do with that enclosure? I might have reason to buy it from you....:D
I don't know yet. If I could find a good deal on a drive that would fit it, I might just build my own. How do I know if a drive will fit this enclosure with 44 pins?
I don't know yet. If I could find a good deal on a drive that would fit it, I might just build my own. How do I know if a drive will fit this enclosure with 44 pins?
Isn't it just and IDE/SATA thing? I don't know much about these things, but that's what I'm thinking....
Parallels is interesting with it's use of a virtual hard drive. I guess I will see how well it works. It looks as though it will keep the HD space to a minimum vs boot camp which makes a real partition.
Parallels is interesting with it's use of a virtual hard drive. I guess I will see how well it works. It looks as though it will keep the HD space to a minimum vs boot camp which makes a real partition.
So would my Windows PS run as fast in Parallels as it would as a separate boot-up?
Why? Aren't they as fast as each other, USB2 maybe faster?
Firewire is faster, and a better protocol, from what I understand. The more basic reason I like it better is that the connectors are the same on both ends. Daisy chaining is a snap.
So would my Windows PS run as fast in Parallels as it would as a separate boot-up?
Boot Camp works just as XP does on your machine, Parallels does not. It is still beta and has some bugs. I did see an article where they are close, maybe PW is a little faster? PW is only USB 1 at the moment, so that could slow you down.
Firewire is faster, and a better protocol, from what I understand. The more basic reason I like it better is that the connectors are the same on both ends. Daisy chaining is a snap.
Not sure you're correct about speed. But the daisy-chaining is a big deal. My USB hubs look pretty darn messy with cables snaking everywhere.
Why? Aren't they as fast as each other, USB2 maybe faster?
USB 2 has a faster top speed on paper (in the spec). In the real world, USB runs into bottlenecks because of its architecture, and FireWire wins. See link: http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm
FireWire can operate without a CPU. USB must always go through the CPU. With USB, you need to hope the CPU doesn't have better things to process when you want to move a file.
Though USB 2.0 is rated at a higher throughput speed, FireWire delivered faster performance on external hard drives when connected to a desktop. Still, an upgrade from a USB 1.1 to a USB 2.0 hard drive is definitely worthwhile. And since nearly all new mainstream desktop PCs have USB 2.0 ports, USB hard drives will be the market winners.
Spyware is of 0 concern for me. The only protection I have is a backup.
EDIT: And Sid, haven't you been listening? Why is it mind boggling *now*?
Let's put it this way: when you say "Macs just work," then list your maintenance routine, one becomes a little skeptical.
Also, spyware/adware of various kinds is so common and its use so widespread, that I simply don't believe that none has been written for Macs. I think it's entirely possible you have some on your machine and are oblivious. I imagine they made this program for a reason.
Mac Users: The good news is that the majority of the adware & spyware industry is focused on developing their "malware" to target Microsoft Windows PC users through ActiveX controls and DLLs that only work on Windows based computers. Here is a listing of additional resources for Mac Security:
* Secure Mac
* Macintosh Security
* MacSecurity.org Source
Note that the author says "the majority,", not "all."
USB 2 has a faster top speed on paper (in the spec). In the real world, USB runs into bottlenecks because of its architecture, and FireWire wins. See link: http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm
FireWire can operate without a CPU. USB must always go through the CPU. With USB, you need to hope the CPU doesn't have better things to process when you want to move a file.
Comments
I use a free firewall (not Windows) and three cleaners that I run everyday (when I'm not on the machine, David!
When I get home I'll list them for you. I only pay for one, and the free ones are highly rated by the debugging community.
These guys are great. Read around their forums, you'll learn lots about what they think works.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
The Windows firewall is both free and effective. It doesn't have the notification features of other tools like Zone Alarm, but it's also a lot less buggy than other tools like Zone Alarm. I would simply use the built-in firewall, it works fine.
The issues to worry about mostly relate to malware (not even viruses, although antivirus is a good idea). Some of the malware programs, like CoolWeb, are incredibly difficult to remove and they're awfully good at finding ways to invade your system. It's best to plan to have to reinstall the system on a regular basis and set things up to make that as easy as possible. Using Parallels you have the ability to take a fully configured VM and clone it. Do this, it will save you a lot of effort come the day you need to recover from some piece of nastyware, or even just because Windows suffers badly from entropy.
The real question isn't if you'll get malware, it's when. But certain behaviors can dramatically reduce your odds of being infected. Two of the best ways to keep malware out of your system are to avoid using IE and avoid using Outlook/Outlook Express. Firefox and Thunderbird are far less susceptible to malware and I find them to be excellent products, but many other alternatives exist (eg, Opera).
jimf@frostbytes.com
Gonna miss that windows box, Sid?
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I simply can't believe you Mac guys surf the net and yet don't have any software for removing spyware. That doesn't make sense. I suspect that you've picked up some spyware along the way and aren't aware of it.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
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The 120gb went in my Macbook very easily too. I am reinstalling the OS now.
The only problem I have is the enclosure is for a 44 pin drive, not a 2.5" SATA. I cannot find one, anyone have a link to on that will work or is this drive ahead of the curve?
If you're looking for a Firewire enclosure, I think you're out of luck... but a few USB2 enclosures seem to exist:
http://www.cooldrives.com/almiposa25in.html
http://www.addonics.com/products/external_hdd/#25sata
I've never used either of these companies' products, though...
That stinks, Patch. I so much prefer Firewire. What are you going to do with that enclosure? I might have reason to buy it from you....:D
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Ahh, looks like they're coming soon though:
http://www.cooldrives.com/2sahddencosa.html
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Units will be available for shipment beginning June 28th[/FONT]
Whoa. 'spensive.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I haven't seen any evidence that any of it runs on anything but Windows. I guess there might be some pages with java or javascript code on them that "do evil," but I've not seen any like that. Most that I've seen are fake "click here to speed up your downloads" or "download this free game" trojans that convince unawares to install win-specific junk on their systems.
my words, my "pro"pictures, my "fun" pictures, my videos.
I don't know yet. If I could find a good deal on a drive that would fit it, I might just build my own. How do I know if a drive will fit this enclosure with 44 pins?
Isn't it just and IDE/SATA thing? I don't know much about these things, but that's what I'm thinking....
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I guess.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Coming from a Windows world, that's mind boggling. (Cue David and Andy.)
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Spyware is of 0 concern for me. The only protection I have is a backup.
EDIT: And Sid, haven't you been listening? Why is it mind boggling *now*?
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Firewire is faster, and a better protocol, from what I understand. The more basic reason I like it better is that the connectors are the same on both ends. Daisy chaining is a snap.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Boot Camp works just as XP does on your machine, Parallels does not. It is still beta and has some bugs. I did see an article where they are close, maybe PW is a little faster? PW is only USB 1 at the moment, so that could slow you down.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
See you did not believe me and I took back up my HD with Super Duper.
My new Lexar FW reader is super fast, we should test it against your USB2.
USB 2 has a faster top speed on paper (in the spec). In the real world, USB runs into bottlenecks because of its architecture, and FireWire wins. See link:
http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm
FireWire can operate without a CPU. USB must always go through the CPU. With USB, you need to hope the CPU doesn't have better things to process when you want to move a file.
from http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Let's put it this way: when you say "Macs just work," then list your maintenance routine, one becomes a little skeptical.
Also, spyware/adware of various kinds is so common and its use so widespread, that I simply don't believe that none has been written for Macs. I think it's entirely possible you have some on your machine and are oblivious. I imagine they made this program for a reason.
Note that the author says "the majority,", not "all."
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au