Concepts are identical, implementation is not.
You'll never see a WINS error on a Mac, but you'll never see this error in Windows:

I suppose I shouldn't have mentioned the error and instead pointed out that WINS is a configuration option in Windows that makes it more complicated than is necessary. Bonjour pretty much works or not. User intervention is rarely required. That's part of why Windows networking seems so counter intuitive.

I half agree. One could say WINS either works or not as well. I wouldn't call it counter-intuitive so much as a complete lack of effort on their part to explain what things are. They could include a note in that control panel that explains that WINS is a legacy protocol, and that if you don't know what it is, you have no reason to touch it. It's not used on home networks, and on corporate networks that do still use it, the settings are pushed down with the DHCP packet. Name resolution is all done via DNS now.
But they don't, so if someone gets the error you mentioned, they have no clue what it means, or even if it's important.
I'll still say though, that 99% of the time, basic networking in windows is still plug'n'play, just like it is on OS X. When you get to advanced settings, yeah, things start to get more obscure.
But plugging into a router to get on the internet and share files is pretty trivial on both.

Hi guys, I am back.

1. Does Apple still do cheap shots on their newly purchased Macbooks, like if I want to use the 802.11N (enabler) option on my macbook/imac airport card will Apple charge me money (assume I do NOT own an airport extreme).

2. I tried getting an answer about this in the ipod forum: Even though all NEW ipod touches are shipped with recent firmware allowing for mail, suppose I go into Best Buy and purchase on that has been sitting around for a few months (meaning it has the old
firmware), will they oblige me to pay 20$ to get the new firmware with mail on it?

3. I tried searching for this, but is there a good forum on how to make Airport Extreme's
(802.11 N) USB drive troubleshoot with win xp ?

BTW :1. my latop is NTFS 2.My USB external HDD is FAT32 a seagate 60 GB with a plug in power source for the drive.

I think it is very easy - if the software doesn't come with your new hardware then you will likely need to pay the nominal fee for it when it comes out later.
This is something that Apple was forced into doing by the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbanes-Oxley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_T...classic_Mac_OS

So I repeat: if you buy old hardware (e.g. that has been sitting around in the store for a while) that doesn't come with the software you refer to, then you will likely need to pay the norminal fee to get it.

I'm not sure what you mean by "how to make Airport Extreme's (802.11 N) USB drive troubleshoot with win xp". The word "troubleshoot" means something that you do when you experience trouble. Maybe you want to ask the question more clearly. There should be no problem in accessing a drive attached to the Airport Extreme from Windows XP.

Hi , thanks for the help:), that explains the 2$ fee for the enabler for the macbook, I presume the same reasoning applies to question #2 the ipod touch upgrade? While 2$ seems reasonable to follow the law, 20$ does not.
I think Apple decided to take advantage of this legislative "misfortune" with
the ipod touch. I am not convinced Steve Jobs cannot call up Barbra Boxer or Diane Feinstein, and have them change a few amendments and have it passed in the house or senate. --Actually Hayne you have peaked my interest, I am going to email Apple to get a clear answer on the ipod touch
upgrade issue, and assuming this is true I will just ask what version of firmware comes with mail etc.

Moreover, can you please tell me what steps you took to make the USB drive work with windows XP in Airport Extreme 802.11N. The Apple site does not do a good job on this. As well, can you tell me if my winXP has to be fat32 in order to be operable with Airport Extreme N, or if it has to be on the same work group.

ADDENDUM: I just found out that if you have Leopard you do not need to pay 2$ for teh 802.11N enabler I think someone back me up on this.

Moreover, if I get a Touch and find out that it has old firmware without mail and stuff I will just return it. Seriously as of today's date Apple is still holding onto the 20$ fee.

Dear folks, ok, I just bought an Airpot Extreme , and I already own an Airport Express and I tried to make them work together on windows XP . ****!, what a bloody nightmare, somehow with osme quick thinking 5 hours and some maneuvering, I got AEX to SLAVE TO AEBSA(802.11N). I had to use the sofware installer of both individually and somehow they both recognized together on Windows XP with teh new airport utility. PLEASE someone tell me that if I had a MAC computer, slaving AEX and AEBSA would be easy.
(somehow I am scaerd of the answer because I know that some MAC users
had big problems making both work with a MAC.

IF you own an AEX and an AEBSA please tell me your thoughts on this subj.

It should be easy, but I hesitate to say that when Windows is involved.

Maybe you should download this. Check out pages 48-49.

I did see that except half of the problem was when windoes wireless zero system try utility is connected to one airpot it cannot see the other.
SO you have to connect to one via system trya wireles config Icon, set it utp , disconnect frmo that wireless network refresh and then redo it for all other airports.

Apple care versus BestBuy PSP/PRP

Please comment as to which one is better.

Mmmm. They're completely different types of things. (I'm assuming that Best Buy PSP/PRP are their 'extended warranty' programs that they try to push you into buying every time you buy anything from them. If PSP/PRP is something different, please explain.)

The Best Buy program is an insurance program that Best Buy gets through a third party that will replace electronic gear if it fails during the extended warranty time period.

Apple Care is done by the manufacturer itself (Apple in this case) and is a program where they will support you if you have problems, at least to an extent, as well as repair or replace the hardware when it fails during the warranty time period. Best Buy's extended warranty program only replaces.

Which one is better? Well, if you just want insurance that your electronics won't fail, and if they do you want to throw it away and get a replacement, then Best Buy's is better. If you want manufacturer support for issues, and don't believe in throwing things away when they are still repairable, then Apple's is better.

Trevor

Here is the thing, MY Vista laptop just got some sort of update and then the speakers stopped working. HP will not investigate teh issues except saying
quite a few peopel had this problem and its a Vista problem.

Now Iam affraid Apple will do the same and say its just an intermittent problem or some BS.

Meaning in teh sense that If there is a deign software flaw will apple care just deny it or actually do somethign about it.

Two things:
1) Apple is consistently rated very highly for customer service relative to PC makers.

2) Apple makes the hardware and the software, so there's nobody to shift the blame to.

I think your bad experiences with Windows PCs are clouding your perception of Apple and Macs.

Is there any way to get Office OSX for cheaper than the 169 rebated .

Yes.

I noticed a lot of dismal ratings for MS office 2008 for mac osx,
I also noticed that the windows version MS office was crap.

Can anyone who has mac office (the news one) how its acting?
You supposedly cannot do scientific work in excel anymore, true or false?
Is open office user friendy and refined?

I AM OFFICIALLY A MAPPLE PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (for reference to Mapple please see video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L2fsubA2-c

13.3 inch Apple Macbook Pro, with wireless mouse Snow Leopard and Apple Care.

My initial reaction when plugging in and opening my computer was wow, except there was one thing that put a damper on my celebration.
When I started up my new MAcbook Pro introduction video came up and then it asked me to create a name and then a folder name that I
cannot change. It then it tried to take a picture of me, at the same time I noticed that it tried to communicate with Apple's servers.

My question is why? Why does Apple need my picture and name on their server.

They don't, and I doubt they want that information. More likely it was sending your registration information or checking for software updates.

Hi, as I said before I am a Mapple person woot!

Now I own a wireless mighty mouse I am just finding that the calibration on it is not that great. Is there any way to fix this (aside from system preferences mouse, tracking which fixes the tracking fine, but does nothing for the calibration)?

Thanks.

Please note that I have a blue Fellowes brand mouse pad made out of solid blue plastic. I dont know if that changes anything


Also I just wanted to knwo can I use wildcards to search in spotlight such as *.mp3?

Can you explain what you mean by 'calibration'?
If you move the mouse, the cursor moves. It moves in the same direction as your physical movement. If you move the mouse faster, the cursor moves a greater distance at a greater speed. So, the movement is determined by you, in conjunction with your tracking settings.