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pushpin fantasies
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:40 am Post subject: Laptop Setup |
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| I just bought a relatively low-performance laptop (I just need it for MS Office, internet browsing, and the occasional downloaded movie), and I'm trying to get it set up with free anti-virus/firewall/anti-spyware/performativity software that will both keep it running smooth for a long time and not slow down or be too much of a burden on my low-performance system. So, given that, I'm just wondering what you tech guys have set your systems up with and what you would recommend using? Any tips on settings, etc., that you think might be useful would also be more than appreciated. |
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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| If you aren't particularly good with computers, I would just use Microsoft Security Essentials and the Windows recommended firewall settings, updates, etc. |
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JMO
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| I run my netbook with linux ubuntu os as it seems to run faster that way. Less need for security with that os also. |
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pushpin fantasies
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you both for your responses.
When I got my last computer, I don't even think the Security Essentials and Windows firewall even existed, so it's good to know that they're there and worth using. In the past, I have used ZoneAlarm, Spybot Search & Destroy, SUPERAntiSpyware, etc. Is it worth using any of these again?
I have also always wanted to check out Linux but am a bit intimidated. Is ubuntu free and how difficult is it to use? What about compatibility issues? |
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JMO
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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ubuntu is pretty simple to set up. The netbook edition is well set up for my screen size (12.1") it is kind of tricky to run .exe programs in ubuntu so no itunes and no internet explorer(for korean sites) right away. I run xp on my pc and ubuntu on my netbook as i have different needs for both.
http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook
superantispyware in my opinion would slow down my netbook. I do use it on my pc tho. You probably know this site. it has good freeware reviews.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/ |
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archmagos
Joined: 14 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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| pushpin fantasies wrote: |
| When I got my last computer, I don't even think the Security Essentials and Windows firewall even existed, so it's good to know that they're there and worth using. In the past, I have used ZoneAlarm, Spybot Search & Destroy, SUPERAntiSpyware, etc. Is it worth using any of these again? |
Surprisingly, Microsoft Security essentials is a decent replacement for these anti-malware programs. I would also recommend Avast for free anti-virus.
| pushpin fantasies wrote: |
| I have also always wanted to check out Linux but am a bit intimidated. Is ubuntu free and how difficult is it to use? What about compatibility issues? |
Yes, ubuntu is free. On an older desktop, you would likely experience near 100% hardware compatibility. Laptops, however, are pot luck depending on what components the manufacturer has used. If you some more details concerning brand and model numbers, I might be able to give you more specific advice.
Ubuntu has gottent easier and easier to use with each release, although the hard disk partitioning step (where you can choose if you want to keep windows as well when you install ubuntu) is still a little tricky without guidance. Having said that, I installed ubuntu 10.10 for a friend at work the other day on his new Sony Vaio laptop. He'd never seen ubuntu until then and took to it straight away. I believe people begin to be won over when they see the stability benefits and how simple it is to keep up to date.
If you want to just see it in action (and get a reasonable idea of hardware compatibility) then you can boot ubuntu off a cd or usb drive and just try it out without installing anything.
| JMO wrote: |
| ubuntu is pretty simple to set up. The netbook edition is well set up for my screen size (12.1") it is kind of tricky to run .exe programs in ubuntu so no itunes and no internet explorer(for korean sites) right away. |
Ubuntu (and other linux distributions) do a quite reasonable job of running windows .exes with wine (I can run all my old win95 games). If you like the style of iTunes (but obviously not the crappy slowness) you may enjoy Songbird (unofficially ported to linux but the closest visual itunes replacement). Banshee (the default ubuntu music application) is getting better but is still no itunes killer just yet.
Regarding IE and Korean sites, I'd say you have two options. One is to look into add-ons for Firefox and Chrome like IE Tab, that load an IE browser engine and will do most IE only sites (running well for me at work with IE heavy microsoft sharepoint sites). The other is to create a small virtual machine in virtual box and create a windows xp machine. You can then let it install all the bizarre active x plugins it wants and know that it is completely isolated from your main machine. This later approach would also work in windows too of course.
| JMO wrote: |
| I run xp on my pc and ubuntu on my netbook as i have different needs for both. |
When you are still new to linux, a dual boot setup like this is definitely the right way to go. |
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pushpin fantasies
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks for all the detailed help. i might give ubuntu a try in the very near future just to see how well it works for me since i have more information about it now and it seems more approachable than i thought. also, jmo, thanks for the link to www.techsupportalert.com . was a helpful site. |
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archmagos
Joined: 14 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| pushpin fantasies wrote: |
| thanks for all the detailed help. i might give ubuntu a try in the very near future just to see how well it works for me since i have more information about it now and it seems more approachable than i thought. also, jmo, thanks for the link to www.techsupportalert.com . was a helpful site. |
You're welcome. Feel free to ask for more advice if you need it  |
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