|
Find the best deals,
Search Like a Pro!
|
Computing in a small arts and crafts businessYou probably use a PC running Windows. 95% of the people in the United States use the same combination. I'm one of the minority who doesn't. I'm not going to make any secret of the fact that I'm a Macintosh user, and after spending nearly 30 years of using every type of computer imaginable (see my Consulting Experience for more information, if you're interested), I'm not going to use anything that makes me work harder than I absolutely have to, or makes me spend any more time than necessary doing configurations, installations, and removal of software and equipment. Your mileage, as they say, may vary considerably. If you choose to use Wintel systems, at least treat yourself to quality companies when you make a purchase. I strongly recommend PC Connection, and I've been purchasing both Macs and PCs (and peripherals and software) from them as long as they've been around (1984) with nary a single problem. Feel free to disagree with me -- it's what makes the world such a special place. We can still be friends! With a few exceptions, whenever I recommend a computer or software solution or resource, I'll be concentrating on Macintosh and Unix. With the new release of Mac OS X 10.1, we have a wonderful combination of technologies that come together to offer a whole new panorama of possibilities. I won't try to convince you to change -- it's a free country -- and I won't participate in the 'my computer is better than yours' arguments that have dragged on for far too long. I will look for solutions and resources that suit my needs and the needs of fellow Mac users. If I find something I feel I can recommend that works in the Windows world, I'll probably add it, too. I also make no secret of the fact that I will do nothing to support Microsoft. At one time, I really liked that company and it's products. But a few years ago, they crossed the line and started abusing their competitors. They've been found guilty of unlawful anticompetitive activities based on their monopolistic position. That's a statement of fact. I will not support a company that acts in such a manner. As a result, I've quit buying any of their products and the only one I still use on a regular basis is Internet Explorer. That will change as soon as Opera or iCab or some other browser offers everything I need. As a result of dropping Microsoft and its products, I have a much more stable computing experience and I don't have to worry about all the viruses that are prevalent on the Internet. It makes my life easier and more productive. So those are some of the reasons for my position. I'm aware of my bias and I state up front where I'm coming from. I'm not trying to drive anyone away or even criticize you for your choices. It's a free world and you're welcome to do what you think is best for you. There are millions of websites that offer advice and recommendations for Windows computers and folks who use them. When I run across one that I feel is particularly useful, I'll recommend it. One of those sites is The Newbie Club, which I discuss below. Windows PCs and NewbiesYou may be an old pro at using computers, or you may be a newbie just entering this brave new world of cyberspace. Unlike that popular series of books that insults you by calling you a Dummy on every cover, there is a group of people who want to help you learn to use your computer better and they work to explain things in plain English rather than technical mumbo-jumbo (the kind I speak so fluently). Their motto is "You're a newbie, not a dummy." If you're struggling to learn to use your computer and struggling to learn to navigate through cyberspace, the Newbie Club is dedicated to helping you learn. Their ebook, Windows for Newbies is highly acclaimed and seems to be popular. If you want to learn more about your new digital camera, check out Digicam MAGIC!. ...For Dummies Series BooksPersonally, I refuse to purchase a book that insults me. I'm no dummy. I don't know what's cute about someone calling him/herself a dummy, but for some reason lots of people love these books. I've looked at a couple of them and they are well-written. It just galls me a bit. There are many things we don't know in a world where knowledge is expanding at an exponential rate, but that doesn't make us dummies.
Please try again later. Computer and Internet BooksAmazon.com's list of top selling computer books has excellent suggestions for books on getting the most from your computing investment.Computers, Software, Peripherals and AccessoriesI'll be adding links relating to these topics on the Computers and Technology page of my directory, and I'll be recommending books on these topics in my Bookstore. You can also see my page of Top Selling Computers that is constantly updated by Amazon.com. Using a computer for businessI've come to the conclusion that we all spend too much money (and time) on software that offers many more features than we need. (Over the years, I've spent over $60,000 on software and upgrades! I've also spent hundreds or thousands of hours programming custom solutions.) People tell me that I have to use Microsoft Office to live with the rest of the world and I find that to be fallacious. I get along just fine, and I resent the implication that everyone has to bow to the 800 pound gorilla from Redmond rather than chosing to use competing products and technologies. There were some excellent word processors and spreadsheets that bit the dust because of this herd mentality. Standardized file formatsI do agree that the file formats of the various programs should be standardized so I can use whatever program I want to use and you can do the same, yet still be able to share our documents with each other. But, it takes companies that are willing to cooperate to make this work. If you're like me and you want to think for your self and buy software that works for years, without being intentionally broken to make you upgrade, then you have to either find a way to interchange information or import and export documents using a variety of formats. The best way to exchange information in a format that is readable to everyone, so far, is through Adobe's Portable Document Format (pdf) files. If you purchase Acrobat (the full version, not the free reader), you can print a document from just about any of your applications that can be read by just about anyone. But, you have to spend money to do that. With the introduction of Mac OS X, PDF becomes the native format for displaying information on the screen and printers. Saving and producing PDF files is easier than ever. Because of its Unix underpinnings, OS X will also offer a variety of other solutions for creating PDF documents. If you want to exchange information, don't send a Word, Excel or other proprietary format document, take the extra step to produce a PDF (Acrobat) file that can be read by anyone. If what you're sending is just text, then make it a plain text file that can be read by just about any application. Don't send a Word file unless it is necessary, and even then it probably isn't necessary. If you're a Mac user and you just have to exchange files with folks who insist on using Microsoft Office, you can use file translators. AppleWorks 6.2 or later includes the filters to read and write documents in Mac or PC format and you can save as a PDF file. Of course, since AppleWorks doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Word or Excel, it works with a subset of those applications' possibilities. But, since most of us use less than a quarter of the features provided in those programs, this is usually not a problem, and the program will do almost all of the things I've needed to do for several years. Mac Link Plus offers a full set of import and export filters for a huge variety of applications and it is recommended if you, like me, prefer to 'Think Different.' OpenOffice.org has just recently announced that they've managed to port the open source version of Sun Microsystems' StarOffice to run on Mac OS. It's not ready for prime time, yet, but now that it compiles, developers will be working to bring it to us. OpenOffice/StarOffice is a suite of unix programs designed to provide all the functionality of Microsoft Office at a fraction of the cost. They can read and write Microsoft Office file formats. I'm looking for this to be a real alternative to Microsoft's products in the near future. Media formats and networkingFor years, Macs have been able to read and write to media (such as floppies, ZIP disks, CDs, and more) in the PC's native format. Now, with the new features of OS X, it's becoming even easier to live differently in a world dominated by Microsoft. Networking Macs and PCs is easier than ever, and even though there will be some growing pains and adjustments, it will get even easier and more efficient as time progresses. Networking two Macs has been possible for over 15 years by just plugging in a cable and turning on sharing. Now, it's a bit more complicated, but not much. Every Mac comes with ethernet ports as do most PCs. Networking a home or small office is as easy as purchasing an ethernet hub or switch, plugging in a few cables, setting the network preferences and turning on sharing. Networking portable computers isn't much more difficult. You can purchase an Apple Airport base station to access the Internet (either through a dial-up modem connection or a full-time digital connection) and add it to your ethernet network for all your desktop computers. If you have a portable computer, such as an iBook or a PowerBook, you can add an Airport card that will connect using radio to your network. This allows you to move your computer within about a 150 foot radius from the base station, depending upon how your home is constructed and what kinds of interference is in your neighborhood. For around $400, you can give yourself the ability to carry your iBook to any office in your business or any room in your house and still be connected to the network and/or the Internet. Is it a nice comfortable day? Do you want to be outside? No problem. Carry your iBook out onto the porch or patio and continue working or surfing the web. Apple isn't the only source for these products, and they're available for other computers, too. As long as you're using a product that is compatible with the 802.11 standard, it should work with your AirPort network. You can probably save a few dollars by buying competing products, but I've learned over the years that everything works better when I purchase Apple products whenever possible. (Yes, I'm aware of my bias, but I won't try to convince you to do exactly what I do. I'm just telling you what works best for me. I encourage you to think for yourself and do whatever works best for you.)
|
