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Operating System Skills TutorialsWindows XPWindows VISTA Mac Additional SkillsBackup files to an alternate locationMac PC Specific Application SkillsMicrosoft Office Tutorial SiteBasic Word Processing Skills (Generic) More Advanced Word Processing Skills Basic Spreadsheet Skills Basic Presentation Skills |
Mac versus Windows PCI have had many folks ask me my opinion on which is "better", a Mac or Windows PC. Some of these folks are buying for themselves or a student in college, or have some position on the subject that they want validated, or expect me to prefer one over the other and just want me to hear me justify my position. Well here is the deal.. Many of the things that would lean a person toward one of the other platform became irrelevant 5 years ago. Not everything, but most. The most common issues that have determined allegiance in the past are not quite as defined. I will explain them all objectively for you. I have been in the game before either OS system was in version 1, and have used, configured, built and maintained both platforms in quantity. I have a broader view than most of the values of both. I love Apple, I love Microsoft, and they both are better together than either one would be alone. And we are better off for the competition.Virus and worm vulnerability of the Windows PCThe Windows PC has become quite resistant to worm and virus attack with UPDATED Windows XP and greater operating systems. Individual user education still plays a big factor in this, as browsing habits on the Windows PC can still introduce problems. With a Windows PC you MUST do regular updates to the OS. You MUST avoid free game, free music, free programs, and anything else that starts with and flaunts "FREE". If you or your student will have a hard time with this, buy a MAC. If not, a Windows PC is fine.Multimedia advantage of the MACThe MAC comes with some built in multimedia apps. They are nice, but they are so dummied down that one risks becoming a tool of the tool, and they may not develop capabilities beyond that of imovie, idvd, or the like. You may become an itechie. Nice, but just like all the other itechies. Windows also has these same built in apps now, with the same benefits and risks. If you really want to thrive, learn how it all works so you can be the master of what you create and fully understand it so that you can add features that these tools do not provide.Reliability advantages of the MACThe MAC hardware was once more reliable than the PC. Quality control adjustments in an effort to narrow the price gap and outsourcing components to foreign countries have leveled the reliability playing field. From the other end, manufacturers such as Dell and HP/Compaq have had to bring up quality at the prompting of consumers.Application compatibility of the MACNearly every major business application has native versions that run on the MAC OS. This includes Office productivity software, design software, email and collaboration software and much more. There are specific applications such as Microsoft Publisher that do not, but better solutions from adobe and other vendors fill that gap well. If you are in a business setting that requires out of policy that you use an application that is not supported by a MAC, then you may be better off with a Windows PC. But do the research fist. Find out what you need, find out if it runs on a MAC, then make your choice. Obviously if you already own Windows versions of all of the software that you wish to run, you will be better off with a Windows PC. Otherwise a MAC will do you justice.Web Browsing superiority of the Windows PCToday we have several modern standards compliant browsers that run on either platform. There is no issue here with either OS, as long as it is current and updated.Game Superiority on the Windows PCIf you have a "favorite game" or have a significant amount of previous investment in games for the Windows PC platform you may let that guide you. Otherwise you can find nearly every major PC game compiled for tha MAC OS, and more are coming all the time.Price to feature comparisonIn the small desktop and small laptop segment, price performance breakdowns between MAC and Windows PCs are in a dead heat. We will not mention the $400 to $600 Windows laptops at all as they are limited and Apple is prudent not to offer them or any machine with that low of specifications for sale. In the mid sized (15") laptop segment, Windows PCS have a $400 lower price for the same hardware specifications. This is significant advantage. In the upper end laptop and upper end desktop offerings the price difference leans even further in the Windows PC favor.SummaryWith all other features and benefits being similar other than price, I would say that the design and ergonomics of the MAC are wonderful, and taking a new MAC out of the back makes your short hairs tingle. I have never felt that with a PC... so if you have the coin and the opportunity for a high-end MAC, you owe it to yourself. You are that special you know. Sometimes an item is more than the sum of it's parts. Mac is that item. This is an emotional recommendation at best. Or buy yourself the best darn Windows machine you can get your hands on, see if that tingle is there for you. Do not settle for cheap when buying for yourself. They build those beauties for someone, let it be YOU!! And my final opinion, if it smells new, I like it. If it smells old, I can use it. If it is different, I can master it. So can you!! |
Internet SkillsUsing the internet instead of the library can have advantages in currency and variety but can lead you astray with misinformation and opinion. Here is a site from Houghton Mifflin that does a good job of mentoring students and staff in the process of using and finding information on the web. Remember that nothing replaces supervision in the learning environment!Internet Research Skills Additional Expectations for StaffGrade Sheet SkillsSetting up your Gradebook Backing up files to your server folder Connecting to the HS/Elem staff Color Laser (Windows) Connecting to the HS/Elem staff Color Laser Mac) Connecting to HS Staff Ricoh (Mac) |