Windows on an extra internal drive

[DCG]

OK. So, I have used Macs for 20 years and have actively avoided the W word for my whole life. Sadly, Royal Mail in the UK refuses to allow non W users to access their online postage service so I need to now address the issue of running Windows.
So here is my problem. I know masses about Macs and nothing at all about Windows and so I need your help.
I have a MacPro with three drives bays filled. I have just bought an extra 750Gb SATA drive which I intend to put into the 4th drive bay and I want to use this for my Windows operations as I wish to keep it well away from everything else. I have looked at Boot Camp but it only seems to want to partition my boot drive.
My question is, what is the best way for me to use this totally new, unformatted, extra, internal drive to get Windows up and running? Any advice would be gratefully received but please remember I know nothing at all about Windows - but this is through choice!

 

[AnimaLeo]

I find it weird that you have chosen not to learn about Windows. Why would you choose to limit your knowledge on something haha.

 

[stomer]

Wouldn't a virtual machine suffice? Having a proper install of Windows seems like overkill to me.

BTW, which online postage service? Since its run by the government it should be platform agnostic.

 

[DCG]

Royal Mail Smart Stamp

Wouldn't a virtual machine suffice? Having a proper install of Windows seems like overkill to me.

BTW, which online postage service? Since its run by the government it should be platform agnostic.

I quite agree with you on that Stomer. However, here is the page from the Royal Mail 'Smart Stamp' section which allows you to print postage online. It definitely is not Mac compatible.

Buy postage online

Make a more professional impact with your mail using SmartStamp®. It's a convenient online service that lets you print postage directly onto your envelopes - along with personalised elements like your company logo or even a customised message.

No stamps, no franking machine - all you need is a PC, a printer and a SmartStamp® account to get started.

 

[old-wiz]

hmm it doesn't say it won't work on a Mac, just that you need a PC.
"PC" is a generic term, and both windows machines and Macs are PCs.
Do you have to download some software to make it work?
If it's a web based app, then why wouldn't it work?

 

[DCG]

Royal Mail Smart Stamp

hmm it doesn't say it won't work on a Mac, just that you need a PC.
"PC" is a generic term, and both windows machines and Macs are PCs.
Do you have to download some software to make it work?
If it's a web based app, then why wouldn't it work?

Yes I have tried to continue beyond the message above but it detects MacOsX and posts a message saying that the service is 'incompatible' with this operating system and that you need Windows to be able to use it. I have checked with their customer services and this appears on the FAQ about the service

SmartStamp® requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or above.
SmartStamp® does not currently run on Apple Macs.

So it is 100% not Mac friendly.

 

[Stridder44]

OK. So, I have used Macs for 20 years and have actively avoided the W word for my whole life. Sadly, Royal Mail in the UK refuses to allow non W users to access their online postage service so I need to now address the issue of running Windows.
So here is my problem. I know masses about Macs and nothing at all about Windows and so I need your help.
I have a MacPro with three drives bays filled. I have just bought an extra 750Gb SATA drive which I intend to put into the 4th drive bay and I want to use this for my Windows operations as I wish to keep it well away from everything else. I have looked at Boot Camp but it only seems to want to partition my boot drive.
My question is, what is the best way for me to use this totally new, unformatted, extra, internal drive to get Windows up and running? Any advice would be gratefully received but please remember I know nothing at all about Windows - but this is through choice!

First, get over it. Seriously, 20 years is pretty ridiculous for a grudge. Windows. Microsoft. See, I said it. And look at that, nothing happened.

Anyway, Firefox actually has an add-on that allows things like this to "trick" them into thinking you're running a Internet Explorer. A friend of mine runs Ubuntu and has this same issue you experience, except a lot more often. It's called User Agent Switcher. Give this a try first, as installing Windows simply to access that site is pretty silly. Surly there must be another way.