Internet Tip about Hardware from Accokeek, Maryland

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GETTING STARTED ON THE INTERNET

Well, you're here, so you are already started! If you have any specific questions or concerns, feel free to email me. <-- Just click that "email me" link and an email message should pop-up, otherwise you can right click for PC users, or click and hold for Mac users, and go to the selection to copy the link location, then paste it into your To field of your email message, and erase the "mailto:" part. You can also call me at 301-782-9922.

There are many options in hardware. The Windows Operating System from Microsoft can be used on most computers these days as can the Linux Operating System which is open source, but the latter is primarily used by people who know the computing language, UNIX, and the former is used by the masses. The Mac Operating System from Apple is another option, but unlike Windows, it usually comes on hardware that is designed for it, also by Apple. Here are the pros and cons between the two that I compiled from personal comments and internet searches.:

Macintosh (Mac OS) is made to be easy and friendly. It's operating system is more stable than Windows. It gets fewer viruses. The hardware is a top-notch industrial design and hardware engineering, but is more expensive than most PCs. You can use Internet Explorer and other Microsoft software on a Mac and there are many cross-platform programs. Macintosh has good basic word processing software and some specialized software, like publishing and graphics programs. A common program used by Mac users, MacLink, allows translating of a wide variety of programs that might be sent to the user via an attachment or disc. People also choose Mac to limit support for the big monopoly - it's always nice to have choices.

Windows wins software availability. The PC, an Intel or clone-based machine running some version of Microsoft Windows, is the #1 platform world-wide. The hardware is cheaper and comes in a much wider variety. It has more bugs and viruses, though. Windows users can't usually read files created by Mac programs, though the Mac user can usually interpret the program into something the Windows user can read.

When choosing between a PC with Windows and a Mac, you may want to consider what you will do if something goes wrong. Who could help with problem-solving? Who could help with repairs? What repair facilities are available for it? One technical person told me it's easier to fix a Mac than a PC, but that won't help you if you don't know someone with experience in working on Macs. Sometimes it's best to just go with what your best friends and close relatives have if you need help.

Once you have the hardware and Operating System you want, the next step is to contract for dial-up service, see the ISP FAQ for more information about that. Then if your ISP requires you have your own email software and you'd like something other than what came with your browser or Operating System, see the Software FAQ.

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