[macintologist]

So I work at Information Technology Services at the university I attend as a student worker. I was on the phone today with the mother of an incoming freshman. Her daughter is getting a Mac and she wanted to know whether or not they needed to buy antivirus software. I told them that having a Mac meant that antivirus software was not needed and that I've personally been using Macs for 15 years without ever buying antivirus software. My supervisor overheard me and told me "no no it is encouraged if not required that a student have antivirus installed" for the good of the network. I got starred down for it.

I hate it when PC people who live in their spyware/adware/virus hellhole want to put Macs in the same boat. I honestly think that getting Norton Antivirus for Mac is a big waste of money and I don't want to be responsible for a mother of a college student who already has huge bills on their hands to have to spend any more than is necessary

[TETENAL]

Next time you suggest ClamXav. For the piece of mind of your boss and the mother.

[alligator]

Here's the solution. Buy .Mac for $99 and get free antivirus software. That's a good deal!

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

Its called stuppidity. Lots of PC users are stupid and think that macs run on the same system as PCs and need anti-virus software.

Also your boss my have a point, Macs can cary PC viruses and infect windows users on the same network. It may seem like that can't happen but it can.

[MacGallant]

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

Its called stuppidity. Lots of PC users are stupid and think that macs run on the same system as PCs and need anti-virus software.

Also your boss my have a point, Macs can cary PC viruses and infect windows users on the same network. It may seem like that can't happen but it can.

Frickin' PC users' logic are out of whack! If a PC has antivirus software isn't able to fend off PC viruses from a Mac (if a Mac does carry PC viruses)?, then it defeats the whole purpose of having antivirus software.

[kupan787]

Funny story.

I was at a party at my neighbors last week. He works at Geek Squad in the local Best Buy. He is like the head or something, and is a total PC guy. We got to talking, and it came out that I was a mac user. He started laughing and said "Its so funny, cause right after that commercial came out saying that Macs don't have viruses, 200,000 viruses were released for the Mac". I honestly didn't know what to say. Then he proceeded to call the iPod the "biggest piece of crap MP3 player on the market", and that "Macs are only good for Designers and Film Makers". Then I made a comment about how "It's a good thing that Vista is coming out in 2004, I mean, 2005, I mean 2006, I meant to say 2007". And then he went off about how Microsoft funds Apple, and that is the only reason they are still around. That if Microsoft didn't give all this money to Apple, they would have had Vista done already, and Apple would be so SOL it would be funny.

My only question is are all PC users this stupid when it comes to Macs, or just most of them?

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

Originally Posted by kupan787

Funny story.

I was at a party at my neighbors last week. He works at Geek Squad in the local Best Buy. He is like the head or something, and is a total PC guy. We got to talking, and it came out that I was a mac user. He started laughing and said "Its so funny, cause right after that commercial came out saying that Macs don't have viruses, 200,000 viruses were released for the Mac". I honestly didn't know what to say. Then he proceeded to call the iPod the "biggest piece of crap MP3 player on the market", and that "Macs are only good for Designers and Film Makers". Then I made a comment about how "It's a good thing that Vista is coming out in 2004, I mean, 2005, I mean 2006, I meant to say 2007". And then he went off about how Microsoft funds Apple, and that is the only reason they are still around. That if Microsoft didn't give all this money to Apple, they would have had Vista done already, and Apple would be so SOL it would be funny.

My only question is are all PC users this stupid when it comes to Macs, or just most of them?

I know add least 5 other people like that! . One of them everyday dises my Mac!!

Edit: That mac virus thing has to be false. The system is updated every 2-3 months with Mac OS X 10.4.4, 10.4.5, etc... Ill belive it when I get one of them viruses

[mitchell_pgh]

I still hear outlandish misinformation like:
- Apple is owned by Microsoft
- The Mac OS is crap because of extensions, it doesn't run Word, it won't connect to the internet, it can't surf the web, it can't send email.
- Apple is on the verge of bankruptcy

There is so much FUD out there... and people more than happy to perpetuate it.

[hickey]

oh I love it when people tell me microsoft owns apple. Once the argument gets to that point, I try and leave because it's obvious that there is no way of finishing it properly

[kupan787]

Originally Posted by hickey

oh I love it when people tell me microsoft owns apple. Once the argument gets to that point, I try and leave because it's obvious that there is no way of finishing it properly

Ya, I usually don't even bother arguing with people like that, because then they just pull out something equally stupid. Its like they just keep digging themselves into this hole, all the while thinking they are building up a sand castle.

I guess the real question is what should/can Apple do about this.

[CharlesS]

I agree with TETENAL - just put ClamXav on and everyone's happy.

There may not be any credible viruses now, but that could change. Get ClamXav deployed now, and if a scary virus ever does show up, you're just a definition update away from being covered.

[brassplayersrock²]

"Apple must be the stupidest company EVER because none of there computers have modem ports!"

heard that the other day at CompUSA

Alex

edit:
no wait the guy said this:
"Macs must be the stupidest company EVER because none of there computers have modem ports!"

[CharlesS]

How do you know he said "there" rather than "their" if you heard this aurally?

[brassplayersrock²]

*sigh*

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

How do you know he said "there" rather than "their" if you heard this aurally?

Or maybe he said "They're". People are always making that mistake too. I hate people that can't spell properly when they're speaking.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by kupan787

Funny story.

I was at a party at my neighbors last week. He works at Geek Squad in the local Best Buy. He is like the head or something, and is a total PC guy. We got to talking, and it came out that I was a mac user. He started laughing and said "Its so funny, cause right after that commercial came out saying that Macs don't have viruses, 200,000 viruses were released for the Mac". I honestly didn't know what to say. Then he proceeded to call the iPod the "biggest piece of crap MP3 player on the market", and that "Macs are only good for Designers and Film Makers". Then I made a comment about how "It's a good thing that Vista is coming out in 2004, I mean, 2005, I mean 2006, I meant to say 2007". And then he went off about how Microsoft funds Apple, and that is the only reason they are still around. That if Microsoft didn't give all this money to Apple, they would have had Vista done already, and Apple would be so SOL it would be funny.

My only question is are all PC users this stupid when it comes to Macs, or just most of them?

Wow, you have three of my friends rolled into 1. One says that M$ funds apple, one bashes iPods but wants a MacBook Pro, and the other says they're only good for design etc.

In response to your post, one of my friends said:

lol
12:23
microsoft do fund apple
12:23
and withdrawel of support leads to their demise
12:25
loooooooooooool
12:25
opinion of macnn >>degrades:

[ghporter]

People without real facts to judge what they hear will often believe all sorts of things that those of us with facts think are just plain stupid.

For example, a lot of people participating in this thread seem to feel that EVERY PC user is a dolt. Thanks-I'm typing this on a home-built, AMD-based PC. Not a dolt, thanks.

ALL SORTS OF IDIOTS use computers, and there are plenty of idiot Mac users too. Just remember that not every non-Mac user is a moron, ok?

But just saying "Geek Squad" categorized the guy kupan787 mentioned. I have yet to run into anyone working at BestBuy that had more than a hint of technical expertise, and it looks like the Geek Squad people get their positions by being particularly inastute. NEVER ask for technical assistance at BestBuy! There ain't any to be had!

[chris v]

I'm so glad I never have to come into contact with this particular brand of idiot. Three of the guys in my band work for Dell, and another works for a company that makes the fabbing machines that AMD, etc. use. They're all Windows users, obviously, and we give each other a good-natured hard time ("OH, HAY BLUESCREEN!" "Does your Mac run Win 98?" etc.) but none of them seriously believe any of that kind of crap.

As to viruses, it IS possible that if you're on a Windows LAN and using Outlook, you could pass on viruses to other machines on the LAN, so in that environment, an admin has the perfect right to request that MAC (lol) users install anti-virus software.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by macintologist

Why the

You should have laughed at him

-t

[Powerbook]

Originally Posted by kupan787

Funny story.

I was at a party at my neighbors last week. He works at Geek Squad in the local Best Buy. He is like the head or something, and is a total PC guy. We got to talking, and it came out that I was a mac user. He started laughing and said "Its so funny, cause right after that commercial came out saying that Macs don't have viruses, 200,000 viruses were released for the Mac". I honestly didn't know what to say. Then he proceeded to call the iPod the "biggest piece of crap MP3 player on the market", and that "Macs are only good for Designers and Film Makers". Then I made a comment about how "It's a good thing that Vista is coming out in 2004, I mean, 2005, I mean 2006, I meant to say 2007". And then he went off about how Microsoft funds Apple, and that is the only reason they are still around. That if Microsoft didn't give all this money to Apple, they would have had Vista done already, and Apple would be so SOL it would be funny.

What a farking idiot. But I tell you one thing. Whenever I get F.U.D. like that I research it on the Web and shoot it back to the O.P. So in this case get the actual numbers of MacOS Viruses. Or let him find the basis for his "200.000" viruses.

[SirCastor]

Originally Posted by chris v

"Does your Mac run Win 98?" etc.

Sort of ironic that Macs do/can run windows

[Velocity211]

Originally Posted by macintologist

"no no it is encouraged if not required that a student have antivirus installed"

Typical windows user.

[moodymonster]

once had someone tell me macs were crap as they were on their way to buy a firewire card and movie software.

[powerbook867]

Having once a long time ago worked at best buy out of desperation, I can testify that getting technical advice at BB is a complete waste of time. The only reason why most people work there is to sell service plans....

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Why the

You should have laughed at him

-t

or poked him

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

or poked him

...with a stick-don't want to get too close!

[himself]

I actually think installing AV software on a Mac is not a bad idea... especially if you're going to be on a network with Windows PCs, or otherwise sharing files with a PC. While a Mac may not be affected by an infected file, it can still pass it on to a PC and bring that system down.

I work with clients and vendors that use Windows, and if they got an infected file from me, and somehow traced the source of the file back to me, I'd be in some deep dookie.

[Doofy]

I find that the best way of arguing with Windows users is to let them wallow in their own ignorance.

[Brien]

Like I said in another thread - I'm surrounded by the cult of Mac hate PC using masses. :/

[SSharon]

I may be a bastard but I intentionally did not use AV software while in college. I let the mail server pass along all sorts of goodies. If they want to use windows they can deal with it. There is no reason for me to waste precious clock cycles defending their machines. I even got email viruses that it said were sent by me!

[kupan787]

Originally Posted by ghporter

For example, a lot of people participating in this thread seem to feel that EVERY PC user is a dolt. Thanks-I'm typing this on a home-built, AMD-based PC. Not a dolt, thanks.

I by no means think every PC user is a dolt. Hell, I have a custom built AMD rig sitting KVMed up with my G5. I am in my last semester of Computer Science right now, and there are a lot of smart guys in my classes. Its the guys that think they know everything (funny how they always end up at Best Buy or Frys...), and are complete idiots, that bug me. Just because you can build your own machine, run a CD troubleshooting program, install some spyware removal tool, etc, doesn't mean you understand how it works, or really qualifies you to talk about things.

[ghporter]

Those people who think they know everything really tick off those of us who DO.

Point taken-the clueless who wish us all to believe that they know all are the worst, whether they're spouting off about PCs or Macs (or anything else-listen to one of the millions of phone store drones tell you how the cell system works; hysterical and totally wrong!).

[MacGallant]

Originally Posted by himself

I actually think installing AV software on a Mac is not a bad idea... especially if you're going to be on a network with Windows PCs, or otherwise sharing files with a PC. While a Mac may not be affected by an infected file, it can still pass it on to a PC and bring that system down.

I work with clients and vendors that use Windows, and if they got an infected file from me, and somehow traced the source of the file back to me, I'd be in some deep dookie.

Like what I said in my original post, If Windows users have virus protection software, why would it matter if a Mac on their network has virus protection or not? Based on the logic of virus protection software, their Windows PCs are protected due to their virus protection software so the arguement of having a Mac with virus protection software is null.

[Salty]

Windows users at school drive me nuts when they try and mock the Mac. The fun part is that I tend to be able to put them in their place.

[seanc]

I don't think all PC users are idiots either, heck I'm using a Dual Core Pentium D right now, and Windows XP.

[Bandit240]

Im at a Holiday Inn right now useing the Wi-Fi. When i checked in i asked if there was Wi-Fi or hookups in the rooms. The guy at the desk saw me set the Powerbook on the counter and said they do have Wi-Fi and ethernet hookups in the rooms, but none of it would work with a Mac. I kinda stood there, with a dumbassed look for a minute, then asked him how that is possible. He proceeds to tell me that Macs and PC's use different Wi-Fi signals, and a PC ethernet cord wont fit a Mac. Right there i opened the Powerbook and connected to the Wi-Fi, then asked him why it works. Oh you must have the new Windows Mac. Nope ive got an older 1ghz Powerbook running Tiger. He then trys to cover his ass by saying the hotel must have bought a router that does both Mac and PC. That was the end of my chat with him, and here i am a few hours later still online with my Powerbook.

Sometimes i just hate PC people.........

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by seanc

I don't think all PC users are idiots either, heck I'm using a Dual Core Pentium D right now, and Windows XP.

You might be an idiot, not knowing about it ?

-t

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Bandit240

Im at a Holiday Inn right now ...The guy at the desk saw me set the Powerbook on the counter and said they do have Wi-Fi and ethernet hookups in the rooms, but none of it would work with a Mac.

What a farkin' idiot.

-t

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Bandit240

Im at a Holiday Inn right now useing the Wi-Fi. When i checked in i asked if there was Wi-Fi or hookups in the rooms. The guy at the desk saw me set the Powerbook on the counter and said they do have Wi-Fi and ethernet hookups in the rooms, but none of it would work with a Mac. I kinda stood there, with a dumbassed look for a minute, then asked him how that is possible. He proceeds to tell me that Macs and PC's use different Wi-Fi signals, and a PC ethernet cord wont fit a Mac. Right there i opened the Powerbook and connected to the Wi-Fi, then asked him why it works. Oh you must have the new Windows Mac. Nope ive got an older 1ghz Powerbook running Tiger. He then trys to cover his ass by saying the hotel must have bought a router that does both Mac and PC. That was the end of my chat with him, and here i am a few hours later still online with my Powerbook.

Sometimes i just hate PC people.........

Haha... well OK in all fairness a few WiFi things are different from Macs to PCs. I never found a way to let PCs connect to my closed network at school. But other than that... yah... freaking retard.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Salty

Haha... well OK in all fairness a few WiFi things are different from Macs to PCs.

Well, yeah, PCs are far more fickle with WiFi. It really suxx. Never had problems with a Mac.

-t

[ghporter]

How about just saying "I hate when people act stupid?" I've seen some real Mac 'rons in my time. At a computer show there was a guy with a table full of old Macs, and he wandered over to the local Linux user group's table to see what they were playing-he asked (dead serious) how they got OS X to run on that PC hardware! Um... It's a Linux box running X-86, and the desktop just looks a little like the default OS X desktop... Can't you see the KDF icon down there?

Sheesh! The Mac seller beat a hasty retreat to his table and the Linux guys had someone to laugh at for once. Stupidity should be painful-this kind especially.

[tboparis]

Originally Posted by kupan787

Funny story.

I was at a party at my neighbors last week. He works at Geek Squad in the local Best Buy. He is like the head or something, and is a total PC guy. We got to talking, and it came out that I was a mac user. He started laughing and said "Its so funny, cause right after that commercial came out saying that Macs don't have viruses, 200,000 viruses were released for the Mac". I honestly didn't know what to say. Then he proceeded to call the iPod the "biggest piece of crap MP3 player on the market", and that "Macs are only good for Designers and Film Makers". Then I made a comment about how "It's a good thing that Vista is coming out in 2004, I mean, 2005, I mean 2006, I meant to say 2007". And then he went off about how Microsoft funds Apple, and that is the only reason they are still around. That if Microsoft didn't give all this money to Apple, they would have had Vista done already, and Apple would be so SOL it would be funny.

My only question is are all PC users this stupid when it comes to Macs, or just most of them?

I know of these PC type of guys. Worships Creative MP3's. The best is he thinks that the Vista delay is voluntary. For some reason all his arguments seem to include 'but did you see Apple's share of the market?'
But I also know some PC-users that like Macs and with who you can have an intelligent conversation.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by tboparis

I know of these PC type of guys. Worships Creative MP3's. The best is he thinks that the Vista delay is voluntary. For some reason all his arguments seem to include 'but did you see Apple's share of the market?'
But I also know some PC-users that like Macs and with who you can have an intelligent conversation.

OOh thats my iPod bashing friend! Although he is drooling over MacBook Pros.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by ghporter

How about just saying "I hate when people act stupid?" I've seen some real Mac 'rons in my time. At a computer show there was a guy with a table full of old Macs, and he wandered over to the local Linux user group's table to see what they were playing-he asked (dead serious) how they got OS X to run on that PC hardware! Um... It's a Linux box running X-86, and the desktop just looks a little like the default OS X desktop... Can't you see the KDF icon down there?

Sheesh! The Mac seller beat a hasty retreat to his table and the Linux guys had someone to laugh at for once. Stupidity should be painful-this kind especially.

Don't you mean KDE?

[seanc]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

You might be an idiot, not knowing about it ?

-t

It's definitely a PC, it told me it had 4 pieces of Spyware and 2 Viruses yesterday

[Oisín]

They’ve got PCs talking to you now, telling you when it’s got a virus? :o

Right, that’s it. I’m getting a Dell.

[Jawbone54]

Here's a pointless story that is somehow relevant to the thread...

I had a fantasy football draft last week and I was at my in-law's house in Florida. They didn't have WiFi there, so I decided to use their PC in order to draft. I had an issue with Yahoo Fantasy Sports, and mentioned it during the draft chat. One of my PeeCee-wielding comrades threw out the, "Ha ha! It's cause of that stupid Mac! ROFL!!!" I then quickly explained that I was indeed not on my PowerBook. No response. He's never used a Mac in his life, by the way.

Not really all that funny of a story, but a typical example of Mac hatred from numbskulls.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by seanc

Don't you mean KDE?

...stupid fingers....can't proof what I write...darn Internet anyway...

Yes, that's what I meant. There's no little embarassed smily, so I'll jsut have to say oops.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by himself

I actually think installing AV software on a Mac is not a bad idea... especially if you're going to be on a network with Windows PCs, or otherwise sharing files with a PC. While a Mac may not be affected by an infected file, it can still pass it on to a PC and bring that system down.

I work with clients and vendors that use Windows, and if they got an infected file from me, and somehow traced the source of the file back to me, I'd be in some deep dookie.

If you're free-lance, yeah. Kind of bitter though.

Other people's bad judgement is not my personal or financial responsibility. Damned if I'll spend any money on their mis-decisions.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by Oisín

They’ve got PCs talking to you now, telling you when it’s got a virus? :o

Right, that’s it. I’m getting a Dell.

A DELL?

I'll have you know that my PC is of far inferior quality than a Dell.

Avast will pop up alerts and scream sounds at you when it detects Spyware or Viruses so, yes, my pc was talking to me until I got annoyed with Avasts noise and went back to AVG and Adaware.