Help tugon buy a computer!

[tugon (imported)]

I know we have many computer savy members and I am about to embark on a computer shopping trip. As some of you know I have been using Windows 98 and dial-up much longer than they have been compatible with many sites. Now that I am looking for a new job I am finding that like men most sites are not responding to me. It is time to make the jump into modern software/hardware and connection speed.

This Tuesday DSL will be installed primarily due to my e-mail address already used for many applications. For the time being I am staying with the phone company so I can have the same address. In my area DSL will give me 6 of something which I was told is fast. To me it meant I can be, twice as strange X three times as fast equals 6. I do know it will be faster than dial-up.

What I am looking for is a desktop PC and not a laptop. I eventually want to do some digital photo work so need a good amount of memory. My computer has never had a virus so I will need effective protection. I will most likely buy one with Windows 7 or with free update. I do not want to spend the money for a Mac.

Any suggestions for computer, virus protection, software will be greatly appreciated. Oh and please type slow as I can not read computer information very fast. Dumb it down might be another good tactic to use for me.

Oh and with all the good information provided I will not be swayed by the young good looking hunky salesman.

[charlenebrown (imported)]

tugon,

i have a pretty powerful rig (desktop, which will do most of what you need.

if you pm me your email address i will send you the spec.

i am an IT manager/engineer and happy to help if you wish

xxx

charlene

[tugon (imported)]

Thanks Charlene but since I was fixated on a new computer I went out and bought one. I purchased the HP Pavilion Elite 9220. It comes with Windows 7 and I bought Office. The young woman felt it would be all I need when I begin to photoshop my digital photo's. Hey now that I will be able to

photoshop images I may be ready for the personals.

Of course still looking for advice on antivirus software.

[charlenebrown (imported)]

good for You tugon, i hope it meets ALL Your expectations

xx

charlene

[fhunter]

This Tuesday DSL will be installed primarily due to my e-mail address already used for many applications. For the time being I am staying with the phone company so I can have the same address. In my area DSL will give me 6 of something which I was told is fast. To me it meant I can be, twice as strange X three times as fast equals 6. I do know it will be faster than dial-up.

How is e-mail address tied to you internet service provider?

Congratulations on buying new machine.

As for antivirus software - while I still used windows, I used avira antivir. But this one is more for the power user. As I am now using linux - well - can not recommend anything.

[micropenis (imported)]

Please get protected ASAP! You need a firewall as well as antivirus software. I use these. They are very good and they are both free. Install them as soon as you can.

AVG 9.0 free version:

http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download?prd=afg

Ghostwall firewall:

http://www.ghostsecurity.com/ghostwall/

[tugon (imported)]

Thank you all for your advice. I am still on the old one because I want to extract a few files before I set the new one up. Since I have been using dial-up my e-mail address is provided by the service I use. Since I have sent out many resumes with that e-mail address I will be staying with the phone company for the time being.

Great thanks to EunuchOH! I appreciate the phone call and it was great speaking with you. I learned so much from you tonight. If I remember only 50% I have had a great computer education. Thanks again!:)

[ibnmichael (imported)]

I echo the call for AVG as an antivirus solution. I use it all the time for my clients.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Yes, use AVG you can download it right from the net, they have several types, from free to $$$. it will walk you through it.

Good luck,

Windows 98? you may need to take a course on how PC's work.

River

[ibnmichael (imported)]

Yeah, speaking of Windows 98, its no longer supported by Microsoft......at all. As in no security updates. None. It makes a good offline toy, but, seriously, its actually a danger to you in this day and age.

I use Debian Linux, but I wouldn't recommend it to a novice or someone technically challenged. Windows 7 is probably a great choice for you. Mac would probably be far better from a security standpoint, but I am sure the IT crowd in here could debate that all day, and then some.