Thanks to everyone for the Zone Alarm help

[rolanni]

Comodo Pro has been downloaded and installed on my computer, where it seems to be playing nicely with AVG anti-virus.

I'm afraid switching to a Mac isn't in this year's budget...

Comments

[estara.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'd like to say thank you, too. I wanted to change from Windows Firewall for a while now, Comodo seems really good with my current Antivirus.

Linux would do thte trick.

[edgreenberg.livejournal.com]

No need for a Mac.

Re: Linux would do thte trick.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Yanno, I've tried to go over to Linux three or four times now and I'm just not smart/patient/dedicated enough to make it work over the long haul. I particularly can't seem to grasp the indexing methodology, so I keep losing files and downloads, which is vexing, to say the least.

My need for a computer is that it be as transparent as possible; it cannot get between me and my work.

Re: Linux would do thte trick.

[(Anonymous)]

I tried twice to go over to Linux because I know it's a superior operating platform that has all the stability that Micro$oft never had and probably never will. Perhaps my mild autism (Asperger's) and advancing age (68.5) are now against me: I just can't do it. Not to mention dependence upon a certain software package that I seriously doubt I could do without at this point: a double decade into a pet project of mine.

Apology

[(Anonymous)]

The above Anonymous post was mine and I do apologize for failing to sign my name. My L_J account is being deleted. As are a lot of others. Not yet used to having to identify self.

- Eta7

[saruby.livejournal.com]

Mac is worth budgeting for. I wouldn't do without mine. That said, they are expensive and, if you have already invested in a lot of Windows software, the cost of switching over may be prohibitive even with careful budgeting. If you decide the virus protection and other benefits are worth it, you can buy good quality used Macs from a variety of sources. If they have Macs at Colby, they may be willing to sell you one when they upgrade. I know that our local university has a program like that for employees and they upgrade the student-accessible desktops every two years or so. OTOH, if you have found a fix that works, go for it.

[terrio]

There are also Mac Minis, which are small and adorable and (comparatively) inexpensive. (Though you do have to provide your own monitor, mouse, and keyboard.)

Pictures of their small adorability may be found here. I'm holding out hope they may upgrade the processor and hard drive at MacExpo in January. ::please please please::

Re: Linux would do thte trick.

[keristor.livejournal.com]

"My need for a computer is that it be as transparent as possible; it cannot get between me and my work."

This is what a load of GNU+Linux and Free Software advocates seem to be unable to understand. It's all very well someone sayng "Linux is a better platform[1], you shouldn't be tied into the Evil Empire", but if it takes a user longer to set up, longer to learn, and even worse they can't actually do their job on it, then it is useless.

I'm a programmer who is very much in favour of Free[2] Software, everything I write for myself (as opposed to for an employer) is free/open. But I get stick from a lot of the FLOSS[3] advocates because I (shock, horror) also use Windows! There's a good reason I use Windows -- it's because some of the software I need to run only runs on that and there is no FLOSS equivalent which is suitable (or, in some cases, compatible with that used by people who have no choice what they use).

I find it annoying when a request for help with one system immediately gets a response of "use a different system". It is not an option for most people, they can afford neither the time nor the money (and for many the two are connected).

[1] Arguably GNU+Linux is much better in many technical ways. But 'better' also includes "fit for purpose", and for many people it isn't because the software isn't available.

[2] That's "free as in freedom, not necessarily free as in beer".

[3] Free/Libre/Open Source Software.