It's a good laugh

[Mikael]

The difference is that *theoretically* this is how easy it is to get a windows system to work with wireless. However the sysadmin obviously knows that in 90%+ cases windows finds some way to be an arse about it and not do what it's supposed to.

Nah, connecting is as simple as that. A default Windows wireless connection or regular LAN connection will always be configured the same. Getting broadband to work is as simple as plugging in the LAN cable or connecting to the access point. It's actually quite idiot proof. This assumes that the network doesn't require any special settings. If so, they'll have to be configured in OS X, just as in Windows, though.

Now, if the default settings have been modified, you can hardly blame Windows for any problems. I'm quite sure that OS X has the ability to change all those settings too, if one wants to.

For example in our uni network the place is crammed with Access Points all just in reach of each other. My mac always connects to the strongest one and gives me reliable access. My friends PC connects to the strong one and lets him log in over VPN, then about 30 seconds later it goes "oh wow, a new access point. I'll ignore the fact it has almost no signal and connect to it". Then the connection says "extremely low signal" and dumps the connection, kicking you off the VPN. Then about 3 seconds later it connects to the strong access point again and so the whole cycle starts again.

This may be, although it isn't anything I've noticed myself. It's kind of a different problem than what the thread is about, though.

 

[Seasought]

You people really need to learn the basics about Windows before bashing it.

Myself, as well as most others do. Technically, we can say whatever the hell we want whether or not we "know the basics" of an OS. I understand what you're getting at but, given subject of the site it should be expected that most will lean toward one OS over another.

 

[thomasp]

On my university network, to get Windows XP computers working, you have to follow about 15 steps AND reboot the computer (as the computer's name has to be changed). This takes about 20mins of setup time.

On Mac OSX, you plug your ethernet cable in, and add the proxy server to the system prefs and you're done.

 

[Mikael]

Technically, we can say whatever the hell we want whether or not we "know the basics" of an OS.

Of course you can. Just as I could say that WindowsXP is more secure than OS X, but just because I can write it doesn't mean it's correct...

I understand what you're getting at but, given subject of the site it should be expected that most will lean toward one OS over another.

Then I don't think you understood what I was getting at at all. I believe that OS X is a better OS than WindowsXP, but would that really be an excuse to make up half truths or pure BS? Nope, because that's what fanboys do, and nobody likes those.

On my university network, to get Windows XP computers working, you have to follow about 15 steps AND reboot the computer (as the computer's name has to be changed). This takes about 20mins of setup time.

On Mac OSX, you plug your ethernet cable in, and add the proxy server to the system prefs and you're done.

Are you sure all those steps are needed? My university have a good long list on how to set up WLAN too, but it's only needed if you have changed the defaults. They of course fail to mention this at the beginning, so there are probably lots of people that go through the list even though it's not necessary...

 

[sushi]

And I've never understood why people want to infilict themselves with the pain of getiing and having a PC, either. Never understood it...

No pain, no gain!

Sushi

 

[sushi]

The difference is that *theoretically* this is how easy it is to get a windows system to work with wireless. However the sysadmin obviously knows that in 90%+ cases windows finds some way to be an arse about it and not do what it's supposed to.

For example in our uni network the place is crammed with Access Points all just in reach of each other. My mac always connects to the strongest one and gives me reliable access. My friends PC connects to the strong one and lets him log in over VPN, then about 30 seconds later it goes "oh wow, a new access point. I'll ignore the fact it has almost no signal and connect to it". Then the connection says "extremely low signal" and dumps the connection, kicking you off the VPN. Then about 3 seconds later it connects to the strong access point again and so the whole cycle starts again.

Ha Ha! Love it.

Just the other day, I decided to give my buddy a new 802.11G Linksys PC wireless card -- An early Christmas gift.

He had been using an 802.11b Linksys PC wireless card that I had loaned him.

Since I am the sysadmin I needed to set up the card with the password and such. What a pain in the butt. Driver problems, even when using the included software.

Ended up having to delete the PC card driver, then reinstalling everything.

Yeah, Winders is wonderful.

Granted Winders XP is better than previous versions of Winders. But it still can really suck at times. On a daily basis I use XP, 2K and 98SE. Of the three, XP is by far the best for most situations.

Networking is one area that the Mac routinely is better than Winders -- especially at recovering from a lost connection.

And as for cheap PC notebooks with built in wireless cards, they leave a lot to be desired. I routinely help folks get their systems up and running and am totally amazed at the lack of range and connectivity. On some cheap PC laptops it is so bad that even at less than 10 feet they cannot connect.

The old adage that you get what you pay for is so true.

Note, I am not bashing all laptop PCs. There are some great ones out there but they are not cheap knock off types.

That is where Apple stands out. You get a good level of quality regardless of the model. They usually perform as specified.

Sushi

 

[sushi]

Is that University of Missouri-Rolla? I just transferred from there this year. Good school. Funny instructions though!

Took my first college level computer course over a summer there many moons ago. Neat school.

Do they still have the nuclear reactor with heavy water insulation?

Sushi

 

[Seasought]

Then I don't think you understood what I was getting at at all. I believe that OS X is a better OS than WindowsXP, but would that really be an excuse to make up half truths or pure BS? Nope, because that's what fanboys do, and nobody likes those.

Well it looks like you edited/added to your original post (just read the new one).

 

[umrdad]

Took my first college level computer course over a summer there many moons ago. Neat school.

Do they still have the nuclear reactor with heavy water insulation?

Sushi

Yep Sushi they still have the reactor, it's used a lot in grad studies and privately funded research, first computer class? would that have been ComSci 73 intro to FORTRAN? taught by the videotape of Frank Garnett Walters? did you still have to use punch cards back then? just curious . . . I was there too back in the 70's . . . still can recall some of it . . . especially St. Pat's

 

[mkrishnan]

Yep Sushi they still have the reactor, it's used a lot in grad studies and privately funded research

I cried a couple of tears when *my* alma mater, the University of Michigan, decided to shut theirs down in 2003.... I remember that I had to go in to the reactor facility and get the techs to get me activated water once for a radiation detection and measurement lab!

 

[Mikael]

Well it looks like you edited/added to your original post (just read the new one).

Nope, nothing edited or added.

 

[Seasought]

Nope, nothing edited or added.

Well the one I read earlier in the progress of this post lacked several parts I now see in your post (and I read the post a couple of times).

At this point it's irrelevant I guess but hey, chalk another one up to the thread count.

 

[Mikael]

Well the one I read earlier in the progress of this post lacked several parts I now see in your post (and I read the post a couple of times).

At this point it's irrelevant I guess but hey, chalk another one up to the thread count.

Well, after reading your post I started doubting myself... Maybe I edited and forgot it? Then I remembered that these forums have a handy feature that marks all posts that have been edited with a "Last edited by..."-line at the bottom. I checked all my posts and none had this marking. I then edited my very first post in this thread, adding a point at the end, just to make sure that it marked the post as I thought it would. As you can see, it did.

Not wanting to drag this thread too much off topic. Just wanted to make it clear that I did not edit any of my posts in this thread. If anyone missed anything the first time reading them, it's sloppy reading and nothing else.

 

[shdwsclan]

Both macOS and MSWinXP have very easy network installation. The mac has some network conversion protocols that are missing and if your network has specific setting past the basics, then if you have MAC, its like boxing your computer to get it on the network. There something called netBios. The macOS can adapt, but windows needs a broadcast. If your university has 15 steps, then they have idiot working in the IT dept. At my university, all you do with the pc is:
1: plug into network or detect WIFI signal.
2: Open your brower, it will automatically redirect to a UMR screen if you are a first time user.
3: Enter cridentials and download/run automatic network config file provided by the network.

In windows, the services must be provided by the server, in Mac, its usually embedded in the system. It depends how stupid people are on the server and client end.

No reboot needed for windows machines usually, because if you keep up with your updates, it should plug and play automatically with no restart. All cheap wifi cards have their problems....I recommend linksys or intel as the wifi card. Also try to get ABG or upcoming ABGN standard cards

 

[sushi]

Yep Sushi they still have the reactor, it's used a lot in grad studies and privately funded research, first computer class? would that have been ComSci 73 intro to FORTRAN? taught by the videotape of Frank Garnett Walters? did you still have to use punch cards back then? just curious . . . I was there too back in the 70's . . . still can recall some of it . . . especially St. Pat's

Good to hear they still have the reactor.

I forget the course name, but it was FORTRAN. Wonderful language. We ran it on the mainframe. I believe it was an IBM 360 or 370.

Still have a few punch cards from back then -- even one with all the holes punched out that was used for ... well you probably know.

I remember seeing a mini computer that could plot a curve (line) using a 15 variable equation. You could see the points being plotted it was so slow. But at that time, we were all very excited.

Sushi