[ Mac] New Users

[Lyris]

I have this notion that Windows 95 did this.

It did.

[Brad]

It did.

Why did they take it out for XP I wonder?

[JP]

I asked the same question the other week after my Virgin tribualtions John

These two seem popular for the Mac (both are free)

http://islayer.com/apps/istatmenus/ - monitors memory, HD, CPU etc also if you wish, nice flexible program.

http://www.dumeter.com/scrshots.php - also pretty good

Give 'em a whirl and see what suits.

Thanks David, I'm giving the top one a go but the second one seems to be Windows only at the moment. I'll keep iSlayer running for another set of information but I think SurplusMeter seems to be my favourite so far. It only deals with internet usage so it's ideal for what I'm wanting.


I can set how much I'm allowed to download, what day i want each month to begin and in the top bar it shows me much I've had available so far this month the other 2 bars show me what I've actually used. Simple!

The ratio between what I can use and what I do use stays pretty much as it is in that image and already this month I have nearly 3000 MBs spare.

Did you ask them which monitoring software they recommend in that case? They shouldn't claim yours is inaccurate and then not give you an alternative. Silly question, but does your monitor include outbound traffic or just downloads?

They don't supply their own and they can't advertise a specific version, ideally I'd be able to track it directly via my router but it doesn't offer a feature like that.

I've been in touch with somebody else in the company who's going to investigate things for me as it just doesn't make any sense at the moment.

I've just done another speed test and got the result of 5.21Mbs. 6.5 to 7 is what I'd call my usual unrestricted speed but yesterday I got the standard 1Mbs so it looks like it's been removed now.

A little off Mac/PC topic but if I'm playing offline on the 360 or PS3 even though the consoles are connected to the internet they're surely not downloading anything in the background which would cause the problems I'm having?

Obviously if I get a message or I'm browsing one XML or the PlayStation Store it's downloading then but it can't possibly be anything close to what they are claiming?

If I was to leave both consoles on for the month connected to LIVE & PSN but not actually do anything I would have thought it would be less a 1GB by the end of the month? Actually, it would probably be less than 1GB bandwidth and about 2 exploded consoles as neither of them seem to be built to withstand the pressure of being left on for more than about 30 minutes at a time!

[VR46]

Sorry John, pasted wrong link, though SurplusMeter does look great at what it does.

http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/menumeters/ was the other one.

I will never be able to adjust to no CTRL+C/V

[JP]

Thanks David, I'll have a look at those too. I find now that I'm fine with Ctrl C&V but quite often get it wrong when in work where I don't use a Mac.

[rumbletum]

I will never be able to adjust to no CTRL+C/V

How come? Am I missing something, but you know CMD+C/V do the same on a Mac right?

[VR46]

Yep but after what, 15+ years, using a different button is taking some getting used to.

[CrispyXUK]

they're closer together, much easier.

[SegaMark]

I will never be able to adjust to no CTRL+C/V

After switching in May, I've adjusted, so much that when I use a PC I forget it's CTRL + C/V

You'll be fine!

[randombs]

I do, too. Although I still prefer Ctrl to CMD, not least because I use my thumb to press CMD whereas I use my pinkie to press Ctrl. Using the thumb makes pressing certain key combinations at least uncomfortable if not impossible.

[VR46]

That's for the tips guys, am getting more used to it, but with still using a PC at work it will take some adjusting to.

I've been using this program on and off over the last week to shutdown my Mac when I'm not there

http://download.cnet.com/iPassion-Shut-Down-Timer/3000-2072_4-100573.html?tag=mncol

Any problems to be envisaged? I'm sure it closes all programs before actually shutting down the machine, or are there any better options out there? Thanks.

[muddy]

That's for the tips guys, am getting more used to it, but with still using a PC at work it will take some adjusting to.

I've been using this program on and off over the last week to shutdown my Mac when I'm not there

http://download.cnet.com/iPassion-Shut-Down-Timer/3000-2072_4-100573.html?tag=mncol

Any problems to be envisaged? I'm sure it closes all programs before actually shutting down the machine, or are there any better options out there? Thanks.

I never shut down any of my four macs. just leave them sleeping.

[CMcK]

That's for the tips guys, am getting more used to it, but with still using a PC at work it will take some adjusting to.

I was the same when I moved to a Mac at home but still using NT at work. Took about a fortnight to adjust. Then you start to realise just how clunky and inconsistent the Windows UI is. And you will curse your system at work for a while as well!

[Brad]

I was the same when I moved to a Mac at home but still using NT at work. Took about a fortnight to adjust. Then you start to realise just how clunky and inconsistent the Windows UI is. And you will curse your system at work for a while as well!

How long does this 'while' last mate? I've been cursing my work PC for about 5 years so far. Should I stop soon? ;-)

[Lyris]

For me, the Mac honeymoon wore off when it started to slow down (I've repaired Disk Permissions, but to no avail). Now I like both.