require Mac fans why we prefer the Mac to the Windows PC , and you ’ll belike get long list of reasons . Most of those list will have one detail in common : we do n’t have to vex about virus , spyware , and other digital pests that chevy our PC - using similitude . But is that sensation of security really justify ? That was the interrogation we set out to answer in March ’s “ Mac Security : Fact and Fiction ” feature . Judging by the responses to that story , many of you are n’t feeling so self-satisfied .
Security Insecurities
Andy Peters – I do n’t get it . In “ Mac Security : Fact and Fiction , ” you say , “ No virus irruption affected Mac users in 2004 . ” But then , in “ Select Your Shield , ” you tell your readers that “ the program did a good job of bump virus ” on your test drive . If there are no Mac computer virus , what exactly did these computer program find ? possibly they found a Windows computer virus attached to an einsteinium - ring mail subject matter in your Junk pamphlet — but that virus ca n’t do anything to your Mac , so who cares ? You close , “ Any of these program will leave the canonical protection every Mac user needs . ” Seems to me thatnotbuying any of these programs will do the same thing . What do I get if I pass $ 60 on a extremely rated Mac antivirus program ?
No software is perfect , but flaws seem especially glaring in antivirus apps that touch all your files . And while it ’s true that the average Mac drug user may never see a single virus , it is n’t secure to assume that this will never change . Also , Mac users who work in a multiplatform environs ( meaning most of us ) are doing Windows colleagues a fully grown favor by keeping workspace gratis of viruses.—Ed .
You ’re right : the effectiveness of antivirus apps depends on having current computer virus definitions . And every antivirus trafficker accusation for those definitions , typically after the first year.—Ed .
Mini: How Sweet Is It?
Manolis Kroussaniotakis – I just want to add my two cent on the Mac mini and its install RAM ( “ Small Miracles , ” March 2005 ) . base on my experience with my iBook , 256 MB of RAM is enough for most of the software program I use — Adobe Photoshop and Apple ’s Mail , Safari , AppleWorks , Preview , iCal , and iPhoto , usually all open at once . Sure , Photoshop and iPhoto sometimes take a few extra seconds to complete some actions , but you ca n’t have instant satisfaction all the prison term .
Linda Wunner – I was at first really excited about the Mac mini . I believe it would be perfect for me — until I take the specs . How can Apple put only 256 M of RAM and one slot into this machine ? It ’s mad ! The price for RAM upgrades , the difficulty of adding AirPort networking and Bluetooth , and the slow 4,200 - rpm hard driving add insult to combat injury . Do you really think you are put one across anyone , Steve ? When we do the math , we can figure out the last monetary value . No , I do n’t think I will be bribe a mini .
Mellel versus Nisus
Dr. Ron Rhodes – You should reconsider your military rating of Mellel 1.8 (; March 2005 ) and the importantly more expensive Nisus Writer Express 2.1 (; March 2005 ) . As the author of over 30 Book , I ’ve tested all the countersign processors for the Mac , and I ’ve find that while Mellel performs cleanly , Nisus has so many bugs that it ’s impossible to use . For deterrent example , if you forked - outer space footnote in Nisus and then end the papers , those footnotes seem single - spaced when you reopen it . If you examine to reorder paragraph that have endnotes by take and dragging those paragraphs , then the endnote numbers and their content at the end of the document vanish into obliviousness and wo n’t reappear until you close and restart the program . I could go on . Nisus is not quick for prime time .
So Long, AppleWorks?
Brian Smith – As a longtime AppleWorks user , I was intrigue by the declaration of the novel iWork suite ( “ Sweet Software Suites,”Mac Beat , March 2005 ) . After having a tight smell , though , I have to say that Apple may have a winner here — but iWork ai n’t AppleWorks , that ’s for sure . Gone is the spreadsheet , lead is the database , go are the paint and draw section — all sacrificed for the rice beer of Apple ’s competition with Microsoft PowerPoint . Fortunately , I can still use AppleWorks for my accounting system and membership - send routines — for as long as it will run on whatever Modern OS Apple foists on us . But how long will that be ?
Picking on Eddy
The iMac G5s we reviewed had fans that were commendably tranquil . But you ’re right — there have been many write up to the contrary since then . We ’re wait at those reports now to see whether they merit coverage.—Ed .
The original Eddy was holding up a Mac Plus . At a later day of the month — around 1990 — we revised the statue to use the conformation factor of the Mac SE and Classic . It has remained so ever since.—Ed .
Stop Your Sobbing
Scott Brown – What is it with yourFeedbackcolumn ? In every issue , it ’s mostly complaint . For example , in the March issue , 11 of the 12 letters were damaging in tone , if not unlimited complaints . I do n’t want propaganda , but I ’d like to see some balance wheel in the chromatography column . Otherwise , you should call it “ Whine Bar . ”
It’s Just a Tool
Ray Schoch – A Harley - Davidson is only a motorcycle , and a electronic computer is only a pecker , folk . Sure , I favor the Apple version to the Microsoft version of this finical tool , but that should n’t mean I have to drop a month ’s income every year to interchange it . It make neither economic nor ecologic horse sense to toss away expensive and perfectly serviceable tools but because they ’re not the latest and shiniest .