[ritehook]

Sure, eveyone knows this theoretically, but it's painful when you see it up close and personal.

I used computers in the '80s, in a newspaper office, but they were little more than glorified word processors.

Got my first real one about 10 years ago. A news photographer strongly suggested MacIntosh but i figured that since he was into graphics he'd be biased toward that brand.

So I went with the masses and bought a PC. We know that Microsoft makes a bug-laden product. Always has, always will. I hear their new Vista is worse than prior versions. That's why the endless stream of updates, patches.

On my 2 1/2" year old laptop the warrarty is expired, as I didn't want to pay Dell something like $150 to extend it 2 years.

So now I have a prob in Windows Explorer, one or more files corrupted.

Microsoft tells me they'll repair it online, and phone - $60, no charge if unsuccessful.

Or they say I can try myself at their online help center. But I'm not a tech person and staying online for long is often problematic.

The MS guy tells me that if one buys a pc with the OS installed, then the guarantee is up to the pc maker. With warranty gone, out of luck. If I had bought the OS separately, then Microsoft would service it free for years - for XP something like until 2013.

I don't think I'll be doing that. My next laptop will be a big red shiny apple

[forex]

apple rocks

[MrX]

If you want help, send me a PM with the details of your problem.

I'm free and will probably do a better job than MS.

[jjgold]

Macs are error free

make the switch

[SBR Lou]

I agree, but I will not expand on this topic because Data will come in here and start throwing me around like a ragdoll, but Macs are entirely more efficient and better machines overall.

[hoopster42]

macs are nice but i'm too used to PCs. they've got me by the balls

[Tchocky]

Microsoft purchased DOS for $50,000.00 from a small company in Seattle and have earned billions in license revenues.