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One of the big relief of having Macs is that people just don’t write viruses for them. A long time ago, I heart an analogy about Macs and PCs. If you think of them as having brains, a Mac thinks with its hardware, and software just tells it what to think about. In the case of a PC, the software does the thinking. Therefore, a rootkit or an unauthorized .exe file can wreck havoc.

A Mac can say to a virus “I’m don’t want to think about you, buzz off.” A PC, being a bit lobotomized until it has some software, says, “Okay. If you are here, my person must want you to tell me what to do.” Maybe that is a bit simplified, but you don’t see a lot of Mac viruses, do you? I rest my case.

Antivirus Software is something that my PC friends have to take as a given, just like I would never get on a motorcycle or horse without a helmet. I am very careful with my PC. It is still kicking around and I use it for circumstances where someone builds something just for Internet Explorer and it doesn’t work for me. However, I do nothing and click on nothing until I can be sure my security is up like the Great Wall of China.

One I am trying is VIPRE. Instead of being merely an antivirus software, it also has antispyware capabilities all in one, and it doesn’t slow down your system to a crawl. I remember having to download about three different programs, and then not catching everything as various free downloads only covered a small part of the map. The other reason I looked into VIPRE is that it not just covers these areas, but also works at extracting rootkits. Rootkits are those nasty little vermin that can practically reprogram your computer or jump out at you when you least expect it.

Sunbeltsoftware.com is offering a free 15 day trial of VIPRE now.   If you try it, tell me how you like it.  I am hoping it brings new life to my backup PC, Hal.   In the meantime, the IMac and the G3 are giggling and pointing at it.

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A lot of websites neglect MacIntosh computers when it comes to supplies.  There are some that are universal no matter if you have a PC or Mac, and because of the, Mac seems to develop crossover products or programs that can read the PC extensions.

There is actually a page at Castleink.com that helps you choose the right printer ink for your Apple Stylewriter and Laserwriter printers.   Just select the type of printer, and the model name.   The chooser will give you recommendations on which cartridges are correct.

Of course, you can buy ink at the store that is universal, but sometimes you just can’t remember which on it is if the boxes are not clearly marked. If you don’t find the right ones, inkjet cartridges can be refilled with a little syringe but its a big pain in the rear and it involves a syringe.  I won’t be going down that road again after having a real leaker.   It caused more damage than it was woth   To some, however, replenishing their own cartridges provides enough of a cost savings to make it worthwhile.  Granted, they may have a better and less haphazard method than I do when it comes to going about it.  If you are one of the brave, you can find refills like that at Castleink, too.

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Apple has been hush hush for months about the health of Steve Jobs.  When he became a little scarce, they stated officially that his health was a private matter.  The news broke recently that he is recovering from a liver transplant that he received two months ago.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Jobs didn’t respond to an email requesting comment. “Steve continues to look forward to returning at the end of June, and there’s nothing further to say,” said Apple spokeswoman Katie Cotton.

Was Apple smart to keep this as a secret, versus going public?  It remains to be seen.  It could be that there would be speculation on whether he was able to “jump to the front of the line” as a celebrity, or it could have been an opportunity for him to raise awareness.

We wish Mr. Jobs the very best, and hope that he returns back to doing the things that he loves soon.   Hopefully, we’ll see his jeaned and black mock turtlenecked self at MacWorld someday again.

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Hal 9000, my surly PC computer, has found a new job. Hal was born surly, but he got much surlier when he was replace by a Mac. His job is to pick the winner of a contest over at TheSnackHound.com, of which he will randomly generate. The winner will receive a 16×20 poster print of a photo or graphic of their choosing. Whatever is rotating around your hard drive that you would like to see HUGE is fair game. The print will be provided by Uprinting.com

So, toddle on over and ENTER HERE, by leaving a comment. There is a bonus entry for you if you blog about it or write about it on your website with the apropriate links back. Read the post to find out. I am not eligible, as I also author THAT site, so that’s one less person in the running. The odds are pretty good!

Posted in Just for Fun | No Comments »

Steve Jobs recently introduced the IPeep in a variety of colors!

Of course, I am kidding, but it would have been delicious. The Peep diorama is a part of the 3rd annual Peep Show, put on by the Washington Post.  For the past three years, residents from all over the area have submitted dioramas featuring the fluffy seasonal confection from JustBorn.

The winner of the contest is shown HERE.

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To you and yours, and the ones that you don’t even know: Have a blessed Easter from everyone at BackToAMac.Com: Me, the dogs, and the dustbunnies.

Barcode Jesus by Scott Blake. Check his stuff out. It is very cool.

And check Jesus’s stuff out too. He is even more cool.

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