Manly Computer Pals* Our Club’s Hardware & Software Recommendations
*COMPUTERPALS FOR SENIORS – MANLY INC Version A
Commonly known as Manly Computer Pals June 2011
Manly Computer Pals Hardware & Software Recommendations The Issue There are a plethora of choices for Hardware & Software when setting up a Personal Computer. Many users are understandably confused as to what choices to make, or even what choices exist for their particular needs. Advertisements, shop assistants, friends, relatives all contribute with usually conflicting advice. The Club has a role, even a responsibility, in providing some guidance to Members though this maze. Our Tutors are generally stepping up to this. However, personal experience varies from tutor to tutor, and different Tutors can offer conflicting advice. This merely adds to the confusion.
The Solution To ensure any guidance that the Club & its Tutors offer is consistent, a standard set of recommendations for basic choices is required. These recommendations will be regularly reviewed, and updated to reflect better choices as they become available.
Product Selection Criteria The Club product recommendations should be 1) 2) 3) 4)
Easy to access, install and maintain Cost effective Provide adequate performance and functions to match user needs Basic recommendations … suitable for new users
The recommendations fall into three areas: 1) Windows PC and Apple Mac common 2) Windows specific 3) Apple s
Comments Colour Lasers, Netbooks, iPads et al are not included in the scope of this document. Where products are not included in the Operating System or freely downloadable from the web, a price indication is given. Recommendation for more advanced applications, such as tuning software, graphic manipulation, financial software etc are not part of this document’s objective . We have applied the KISS principle.
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Manly Computer Pals Hardware & Software Recommendations Areas Common to both Windows PC and Apple Computers Desktop versus Laptop? 1) A Desktop Computer a. Is limited to use in one location b. Has a larger footprint c. Has the best price/performance d. Has the best ergonomics for the user (large screen, large keyboard, allows best posture) 2) A Laptop Computer a. Is portable (for use in multiple locations) b. Has a smaller footprint c. Has a poorer price/performance than the Desktop machine d. Repairs generally more expensive. Which Brand? 1) Apple, Asus & MSI brands topped world wide 2010/2011 satisfaction surveys. 2) Quality & reliability is usually related to price. 3) Work Ventures provides refurbished PCs for pensioners. (See http://www.workventures.com.au) Which sort of Printer – Monochrome Laser or Colour Inkjet? 1) Laser (Black & White) a. Lowest cost per page over life of printer b. Usually longer life than lower end inkjets c. Toner ink does not dry out a. Colour Lasers available, but expensive 2) Colour Inkjet a. Justified if colour a requirement b. May include scanner c. Ink cartridges are more expensive & dry out. b. Cost per page high (High end products have better cost per page) Type of Broadband Connection? 1) Wired ADSL2 or Cable connection (like a wired telephone) a. Has the best price, performance and reliability 2) WiFi (like a cordless phone) a. For use in multiple locations in the house 3) Wireless Broadband (like a mobile phone) a. Expensive, unreliable & coverage issues a. For use when no other option is available Internet Service Provider (ISP) This is a difficult area. To select a plan which delivers the best price/performance for a specific the user has to consider many issues such as the number of monthly phone calls, the number of local/interstate/overseas calls, how much broadband download is needed etc. The Club can’t determine all these factors and advise a student. It’s highly unlikely we would get the user’s details to get it correct. Version A
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Manly Computer Pals Hardware & Software Recommendations However, for a general Starter Plan for Seniors, which bundles: • Phone line rental, • Local & interstate fixed line calls, • ADSL2 or Cable broadband with a 5Gb/month download quota, the Optus Senior Fusion Plan @ $50/mnth is a good starting point for new users at the time of writing. This is a no-brainer recommendation that gets the average user up & running at a fair price. The Whirlpool website (http://bc.whirlpool.net.au) provides extensive information on broadband choice for those with reasonable technical understanding. The only hard line advice would be to NOT get a dial-up connection!
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Manly Computer Pals Hardware & Software Recommendations Software Recommendations for a Windows PC machine Operating System Windows 7 for newer machines Windows XP for older machines that cannot run Windows 7 Internet Browser Easy Option - Internet Explorer (latest version) on Windows 7, Internet Explorer Version 8 on Windows XP More Frills – Firefox for add-ons etc. Email Client Easy Option – Windows Live Mail for both Windows 7& Windows Vista, Outlook Express on Windows XP More Frills – Mozilla Thunderbird for add-ons, features, speed A separate Webmail Account is recommended for all users. Gmail has advantages with its integration with other Google products. Gmail can be accessed & used via most local mail clients (Outlook, Live Mail, Thunderbird) Office Suite $$ Option – MS Office Home & Student (~ $150) Free Options – Open Office and others Anti Malware Easy Option – Microsoft Security Essentials & Windows Firewall More Frills – Vipre Premium (~ $40) speed & low, low resource use. Photo Editing Easy Option – Windows Live Photo Gallery Preferred Option – Picasa - for its integration with Gmail, web albums etc. Music Easy Option – Windows Media Centre More Frills – iTunes (also needed for iPod, iPhone, etc. support) Backup Windows 7 Option – Windows 7 Backup Windows XP Option – GFI Backup
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Manly Computer Pals Hardware & Software Recommendations Software Recommendations for an Apple Mac Operating System OSX latest version for Intel PCs
OSX Tiger for older non Intel PCs Internet Browser Easy Option – Safari
More Frills – Firefox for addons etc. Email Easy Option – Mac Mail
More Frills – Thunderbird A separate Gmail account is recommended for all users. Gmail has advantages with its integration with other Google products. Gmail can be accessed & used via most local mail clients (Mac Mail, Thunderbird) Office Suite $$ Option – iWorks 09 (~$65) $$$$ Option – MS Office Home & Student for Mac (~$150)
Free Option – IBM Lotus Symphony for Mac Photo Editing Easy Option – iPhoto
Preferred Option – Picasa (requires Intel Processor Macs). - for its integration with Gmail, web albums etc. Music
Easy Option – iTunes Backup
Easy Option – Apple Time Machine
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