Personal Tech

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro was online to answer your personal tech questions and discuss recent reviews, including Palm's Treo 650 and Apple's new MacBook .

A transcript follows .

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Past editions of Rob's e-letter are online here .

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Rob Pegoraro: Welcome back, everybody--make that, everybody who isn't already drowning their sorrows after the USA's woeful 3-nil loss to the Czech Republic. Drat!

Let's find something more cheerful to talk about...

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West Hartford, CT: I just switched to become a Mac owner with my first purchase being a black Macbook. I'm also a long time Palm user with a Treo 650. What's the best way for me to sync all information and reap all the benefits of both Mac and Palm software?

Marsha R.

washingtonpost.com: Fast Forward: Apple's MacBook Leaves Its Predecessors in the Dust

Rob Pegoraro: Nice work linking topics from my last two reviews. You get to have your question answered first :)

The 650 includes a copy of Palm Desktop for Mac, which I strongly suggest you avoid if you have any intention of using the Address Book program built into Mac OS X (which, unlike Palm Desktop, can share its data with other programs--for instance, Mail and iPhoto--eliminating the need to keep multiple contacts lists current). Apple's own iSync software can link your Treo to Address Book and iCal, but it only does the most basic sync possible; for instance, it will only copy over one street address per person to the Treo and will ignore calendar categories entirely.

What I settled on, and have been very happy with (after a bug-fix release or two) is a program called Missing Sync for Palm OS from Mark/Space. It's $40 and worth most of those pennies--you get complete synchronization of all your Mac's address and calendar data, plus neat extras like automatic syncing of pictures taken on the Treo with your iPhoto library.

I'm generally not a fan of paying for a program that does the same basic job as free-to-use software, but in this case I'm strongly in favor of it.

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Washington, D.C.: One of the biggest differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro is the graphics card in the latter. The MacBook just uses processer power for graphics. Does a buyer lose longevity by purchasing the MacBook? What else does the buyer lose? TIA...

Rob Pegoraro: I had thought that might be a worry. But I haven't seen any ill effects from the MacBook's use of an integrated graphics adapter--it supports the same fancy graphics effects you'd see on a machine with a separate graphics card (for instance, the "splash" effect when you add a new widget to the Dashboard). It even passes the Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor's tests of Aero Glass compatibility.

You do lose some memory to the integrated graphics setup, but with a gig I couldn't detect any different from that either.

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Charleston, SC: This is not so much a question to you as to Palm. I use a Palm and a cell phone. I would love to carry one device but I do not need the size, all the functions, or the expense of a Treo. Why doesn't Palm come out with a smaller, lighter phone + full PDA, a cross between a Palm E2 and a regular cell phone. SD card slot and stylus, but no keyboard. Cost: maybe $250 with plan. Use all the great Palm software and convenience of a phone plus web functions but without need for typing e-mail. Is there not a market for something like this?

Rob Pegoraro: According to some Palm rumor sites (for instance, palminfocenter.com), the company is developing just such a thing for release sometime later this year.

(Palm has a pretty poor track record of keeping secrets secret; these sites are correct more often than not.)

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Albany NY: Hi Rob, Can you explain why only 25 or so channels are high def out of the over 1000 channels that my cable company provides? I am especially surprised that underfunded PBS seems to always provide widescreen high-def programming, while other commercial stations can't. I also can't understand why so many of the high definition programs aren't broadcast in 16:9. I am forced to watch those that aren't on the "stretch" setting or risk burn in on the screen edges of my plasma. Are there a lot of changes coming down the pipeline in this respect?

Rob Pegoraro: Over-the-air broadcasters--not cable/satellite-only channels--are required to transmit a digital signal, but they don't have any legal obligation to provide one in high-definition.

PBS seems to have chosen years ago to make HDTV support one of its biggest goals--for instance, WETA was the first and remains one of the best digital broadcasters. It still offers more secondary channels (three in addition to the primary) than any other station around town.

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Arlington, VA: Rob, in your review of the Treo 700p you didn't sound all that impressed. Did you take that opinion because the 700p isn't that far of an upgrade of the 650, or because it's really worse? I'm firmly in the Palm OS camp and thinking about picking up a Treo this summer, so I won't be used to one or the other.

washingtonpost.com: Fast Forward: Smartphone Challengers Fail to Displace the Treo 650

Rob Pegoraro: If a 700p cost the same to buy--and to operate--as the 650, I'd recommend it unhesitatingly. But a 650 user will have to pay from 1.5 to 2x more a month, thanks to the more expensive voice/data bundles Sprint and Verizon require to buy a 700p at the advertised price of $400. (You can opt out of those, but then you'll pay $650 for the phone.)

I confess that I also felt a certain exasperation at Palm's continuing failure to solve its basic software problems.

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Alameda, Calif.: My girlfriend's new iBook came with a trial version of Microsoft Office. I've downloaded the Mac version of Open Office, the software suite which replicates all the functions of MS Office, including the ability to read the various MS files (Word .doc, etc.) so she can read and write similar files.

However, since the trial version of MS Office has expired every time she tries to open a .doc file the computer defaults to the inoperable Word program and she can't open the .doc file.

How do we get rid of the expired trial version of MS Office?

thanks,

David Efron

Rob Pegoraro: Drag its folder to the Trash, then select any Office document and hit Cmd-I (or select Get Info from the File menu). Click the triangle next to Open with in the Get Info window and select whatever program you want.

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Washington, D.C.: I just read the Post review of the new Mac laptop and it mentioned that one (large) drawback is that it doesn't have a modem. I currently use a Compaq, so I don't know if there is some fundamental difference for Macs, but how is it possible not to have a modem for any dial-up? Even if you have a wireless network in your house, like I do, we still need one computer to hook the router up to. Am I missing something? Why would you ever buy a laptop without a modem?

Rob Pegoraro: You're confusing an Ethernet port with a phone jack (the former is slightly larger than the latter). The MacBook does have an Ethernet port--a very, very fast Gigabit Ethernet port, in fact--to connect to routers and local networks.

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Maryland: So here's the story. I need a new laptop for law school, and I need to be able to run Windows. The school just gave official approval to running Windows on MacBooks, which is great, because I really want to get one. However, I'd kind of like to wait until Leopard comes out before I purchase a MacBook. Do you know when Leopard will be available? Do you think it makes sense to wait for its release, or would it make just as much sense to just buy now? Would it be difficult to upgrade to Leopard if I were to buy a MacBook with the current OS X today?

Rob Pegoraro: I don't have a clear idea of when Leopard--Mac OS X 10.5--will ship. Apple is supposed to demonstrate it at its annual developers conference in August, which will have been 16 months or so since Panther (aka 10.4) shipped. Apple has never taken more than 18 months to ship a new version of OS X, so it wouldn't surprise me to see Leopard in computers before the holidays--but maybe Apple will instead announce its completion at Macworld Expo in San Francisco next January? Very hard to tell. The only thing I'd bet a buck on is that Apple will bust its tail to have Leopard in stores before Windows Vista--seems like the kind of thing Steve Jobs would love to brag about :)

Either way, I don't anticipate any problems putting Leopard on a new MacBook. OS X upgrades aren't like Windows upgrades; they're usually amazingly boring to watch, with no question of "will this run on my machine" unless you've got a Mac several years old.

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Leavenworth KA: I've been, um, not following the world of personal tech for the last four years.

Could you briefly explain the difference between 802.11, wi-fi, ethernet and bluetooth?

Rob Pegoraro: 802.11 refers to the underlying family of specifications for WiFi, as set by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), a trade group. There are a few different versions of WiFi afoot--802.11b is the oldest, 802.11g is the current "standard," 802.11a is a competitor to g that hasn't really gone anywhere, and 802.11n might be a successor to g if it can ever be finalized.

Ethernet is wired networking. It's what probably connects your computer at work.

Bluetooth is a wireless replacement for USB and other data cables, used to link peripherals (phones, handheld organizers, digital cameras, printers) to a computer.

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Merion Station, PA: Dell informs me I need to wipe and reload Windows. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard. Will the Windows loader know how to talk to them or should I go buy a standard wired kb & mouse before getting started?

(The Dell tech said it's not a problem but still, based on earlier Delltech interactions, I worry.)

Rob Pegoraro: The wireless keyboards and mice I've used have all been driverless--they transmit to a little pod that plugs into the computer's USB port, and the computer sees that pod as the keyboard and mouse. (For instance, I took an HP wireless keyboard/mouse combo and plugged it into a Mac mini, and both worked immediately.)

If your set works off infrared or RF, you should be fine. If they use Bluetooth (a more powerful but more complicated technology), you probably won't be.

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Fair Oaks, Ca.: Rob: I would like to convert my 35mm color slides to Dvd. Checked the web and there are an endless number of sites with a wide variety of prices I know you can't recommend a specific site, but a few guidelines would be much appreciated. I have about 300 slides. Dave C.

Rob Pegoraro: Talk to any photo enthusiasts--or better yet, professional photographers you know--and ask who they'd recommend.

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Sirius: Have you heard anything about Sirius Radio's "wearable" radio? I am interested in subscribing, but only if I can record shows to listen to underground on the Metro...I wish you'd do an article on their hardware!

Rob Pegoraro: Here's the review tech freelancer extraordinaire Daniel Greenberg did for us earlier this year: Satellite Radio Tuner Receives and Records

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Tupelo, Miss.: When I turn on my (Windows XP Home fully-updated) computer but do not LOG-ON to any specific user, is my computer more vulnerable to online attacks than if it is logged on to a specific user? I have DSL internet access. I have antivirus programs and firewalls but do not know if they actually boot up until a user is loggon-on. Thanks.

Rob Pegoraro: With no user logged in, there's nobody to click on a virus-laden attachment or visit a browser-hijacking Web site by mistake--but an Internet worm can still crawl in. That's why you do need a firewall (and any good one these days provides protection at the earliest possible stage in the boot-up sequence).

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Takoma Park, Md.: To the person getting rid of MS Office trial version on the mac:

DO NOT use the get-rid-of-it option MS offers. This clears out the documents you created along with the software.

Maybe you'll have a few leftover bits of the app in libraries and preference files, but that's not too high a price to pay for keeping your documents.

Rob Pegoraro: good tip!

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Washington, DC: Through years of upgrades and two home-built PCs, I have accumulated a fair amount of serviceable, but outdated software and hardware including, but not limited to: A P75 CPU, several sound a video cards, assorted memory, cables, mice, MS Office versions, games, Home redesign (can't really call them CAD) programs.... you get the idea. They easily take up two or three storage bins. Is there anything I can do with these things, short of landfills and creative flowerpot-making? Surely someone with a penchant for home-built robots or a vocational school in lesser-developed parts of the world would have an interest. Is there any sort of clearinghouse for these things?

Rob Pegoraro: Sounds like the folks at McKinley Technology High School (around 1st and T NE) might really appreciate that kind of hardware: http://mths.k12.dc.us/

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East Lansing, Mi: I have an HP ZV 6000 laptop with an AMD 64 bit +3200. Will I be able to slide a Turion duo in there when it's available?

Rob Pegoraro: Highly doubtful. Most laptops don't permit any sort of processor upgrades at all, and if it is possible it usually requires warranty-voiding tinkering.

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Frederick, Md.: I'm a PC user who has been waiting for a reason persuasive enough to move me into the Mac camp. I am very intrigued by the new MacBook's ability to run both Windows and Mac operating systems. My concern has to do with using utility programs. I've used Norton Utilities for years to fix problems, prevent problems and basically keep everything "tuned up." Even if the Mac operating system doesn't need it, I assume the Windows will always need preventive or remedial maintenance. Would I be able to run, for example, Norton Utilities for Windows on a MacBook without running the risk of compromising or doing something weird to Mac operating system? Any suggestions or words of warning here?

Rob Pegoraro: You should be perfectly fine. Windows under Boot Camp might as well be on another planet--neither Windows nor any utility programs you're likely to use can even read the Mac part of the partition, much less change any files on it. Meanwhile, OS X can only read the Windows partition and can't write to that.

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Horseheads, NY: Hi Rob, Any idea how software companies are coming with 64 bit applications? I still have decide to install the 64 bit Windows XP because it seems to be a waste of time so far. Thanks, Jeff

Rob Pegoraro: Don't bother with x64 Windows. Total waste of time unless your hat has multiple propellors on the top, as I wrote in this Help File item.

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Washington, DC: Dear Rob,

I recently bought my LCD Samsung LNS3241D 32". After installing the TV, the analog signals like NBC, ABC, among others, is blurry. I just connected the cable directly into my TV. I would appreciate to know if I am doing something wrong or if there is something else that must be done.

Thank you,

LCD fan

Rob Pegoraro: Many HDTVs, and especially flat-panel displays, don't do the greatest job with analog signals. You can improve the incoming signal slightly (use an S-Video connection from your cable/satellite box to the screen if available), but your best option is always going to be to tune in to a digital signal--which that Samsung model, if it's at all new, should be able to do with a table-top antenna from most parts of the city.

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Virginia Beach, Va.: I would like to have a nice, sleek, up to date mobile phone. However, I work with the U.S. Government and cameras are absolutely forbidden on the premises (I can't even have a camera in the trunk of my car in the parking lot).

Mobile phone manufacturers/operators seem to be ignoring my market (want fancy phone, but without camera).

Is there any hope that this will change soon?

Rob Pegoraro: Not much. Verizon does offer some camera-less models (they even sell a no-camera version of the Treo 650) but the industry in general seems to shrug at questions like yours.

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Alexandria, Va.: Have Treo 650 with Cingular. Just AWFUL coverage in my area with this phone - and I say with this phone because my wife gets perfect reception on her tiny Cingular phone, I think it's by Sony. What's the deal with this? They tried swaping SIM cards, that didn't help, but they can't tell me why this phone won't work nor apparently can they test the phone to make sure the antenna is OK. Ready to give up and pay to get out of my contract to get the 700p from Verizon, not because it's a better phone per se, but because apparently Cingular's network stinks with this phone.

Rob Pegoraro: Haven't heard of this one--the friends I know with Treo 650s on Cingular haven't mentioned this issue to me. (They have complained about other issues, most relating to crashes with the phone... apparently Palm shipped a bunch with an iffy SIM card slot.) Anybody with advice for Alexandria?

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Rockbridge Baths, VA: I wish to replace my old Palm V and "dumb" cell phone with a single device that integrates telephone and PDA functions and works well with a PC (windows or Mac). Should I choose the Treo 650 or 700p? Or is there a better choice? Thanks.

John Rafferty

Rob Pegoraro: Go with the 650--considerably cheaper, and you don't sound like you're about to use the 700p's faster data connections.

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Ann Arbor, Michigan: What does it mean when a wireless network provider touts its service as being "secure"? I assume it means that one has to have a password to get on the wifi network and that it does not mean that your computer is "secure" from hacking while on the network. Am I wrong? Thanks.

Genie

Rob Pegoraro: Your understanding is right on the money--the wireless network is secure against eavesdropping attempts (or maybe just casual eavesdropping attempts), but that doesn't make the rest of the Internet any more or less secure.

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Reston, Va.: Rob, I have a Treo 600 and would consider upgrading to the latest model, but I really want to be able to use GSM networks when I travel overseas (as I do now with the 600 on the Cingular network).

Does the Treo 700 work with GSM? Or is that why I don't see a Cingular ad for the 700 yet? Brian

Rob Pegoraro: Nope, the 700's CDMA-only so far. As I recall, Palm said a GSM version would be coming later this year.

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Marietta, GA: My dad is looking for an MP3 player for the express purpose of downloading protected audio books from the local library. I know he needs a non-ipod brand/model, but are there any other special specifications he should look for?

Rob Pegoraro: Make sure it has a "PlaysForSure" sticker that specifies compatibility with subscription-based downloads, not just purchases. (And even then you might have trouble; I got a long e-mail from a frustrated reader in Caroline County, Maryland, who couldn't get any PlaysForSure hardware to work with her library's e-book downloads until she bought a copy of PocketTunes for her Palm handheld.)

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Ashburn, Va.: I noticed in your Mac review you did not state the firmware problems that the new macs have causing the battery to explode or the fact that after bootcamp or parallels is installed on a dual boot all connectivity is lost? Any Comments?

Rob Pegoraro: Because I didn't see any sign of either problem, nor any evidence that there is any widespread problem as you describe? What other answer were you expecting?

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Lake Ridge, Va.: I live in Lake Ridge (Prince William County) and have been waiting for DSL for many years. Is there any way to find out if it will eventually be available or if there is a technical reason why it will never happen in my area? I cannot bear the thought of giving Comcast even more money. Thanks

Rob Pegoraro: As a general rule, if you live out in the farther suburbs your odds of getting DSL are poor. For the phone company to offer that service, they need to put in some fairly expensive hardware at each neighborhood "central office"--and in a less-dense neighborhood, there may not be enough possible customers to justify that investment.

I'm afraid this is just one of those tradeoffs you have to accept for living in a particular spot (go ahead, ask me about the property-tax bill I paid this morning :)

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Haddon Twp., NJ: My son, who is a professional bass player and recent graduate, has asked for the new MacBook. He has a lot of music on his computer and does recordings. He is on the road a lot, so a laptop has become a necessity. Being a PC person I am trying to decide if there might be a better choice for him. What do you think?

Rob Pegoraro: I doubt it--the MacBook Pro costs too much for most home use, and on a PC you're going to have to do more work to get it set up for music production (whereas the Garage Band program comes free and pre-installed on the MacBook).

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Washington, D.C.: Will the new MacBooks be able to run any version of Vista or is it better to go with a MacBook Pro?

Rob Pegoraro: I don't see why not, although I haven't tried that yet. (Here's a page with instructions on installing the beta 2 release of Vista on a MBP: HOWTO: Vista on a MacBook Pro - Mac Forums )

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Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Hi Rob...

Oftentimes computer security problems are traced back to "buffer overflows". If buffer overflows cause so much havov, why do they keep designing them so they can overflow?

Ken Young

Rob Pegoraro: People make mistakse sometimes, and that includes programmers. Some programming languages provide better protection against overflow errors than others, and it's also possible to include overflow protection at the CPU level (which all AMD and most Intel chips now offer).

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Washington, D.C.: I use iTunes on my Dell PC (about 1-2 yrs. old). Everything worked fine until around the time I downloaded and installed Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. Ever since, the computer recognizes my iPod when I plug it in, but iTunes does not. I went to the iTunes, Dell and Windows XP sites, found a list of possible fixes on one of them and performed all of the fixes (including completely deleting iTunes, but not Windows XP), and it still does not work. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

Rob Pegoraro: Not me--I've never had the slightest problem with XP SP2. Anybody with suggestions for D.C.?

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Bakersfield, Calif.: I read your review of the Palm 700p. I've got a 650 and am happy with it and service from Sprint. I'd love to upgrade to the 700p. But should I wait a few months for any bugs to be ironed out or do you think the 700p is good enough out of the box?

Rob Pegoraro: It's a perfectly fine handheld. But unless you already spend a ton of time online and find yourself waiting on too many pages, I just don't know that you'll see any advantage to your purchase. Remember, the 700p runs almost the exact same software as the 650; all of the core info-management functions (calendar, contacts, etc.) work just as before.

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Berryville, Va.: Your reviews of the MacBook and MacMini are the only reviews I have read that bring up the wireless problem these computers have. Thanks for not writing puff pieces.

Has Apple said anything to you about fixing the problem?

Rob Pegoraro: Thanks, Berryville. Beautiful country out there on your side of the Shenandoah...

Yes, I got a message from my PR contact at Apple asking if I could send the MacBook back for them to look at. That's no guarantee that they will fix it--but given the stress this company places on wireless access (as in, "who needs a modem when WiFi's everywhere?") I can't imagine that they aren't strongly motivated to get it right.

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Alexandria, VA: Hello Rob: Need advice. Scenario: Have desktop Windows 98SE on computer with 128RAM. When bought the computer I also received disk for upgrading to ME. Never used it. Ready to do incremental upgrade by installing the ME (I plan to buy a laptop when Vista comes out). My computer is extremely slow and some online applications no longer work. Question: Is it worth installing ME at this point? Also, defrag never works, so I cannot seem to clean up hard drive. Advice on what may be going on? Thanks much.

Rob Pegoraro: I wouldn't sink any more money into that machinem, and I don't think I'd bother installing ME either--most folks seem to regard it as the worst release of Windows in the past decade, and in any case it's not going to offer a meaningful advantage over 98 SE.

Go ahead and buy a new computer, but make sure it's Vista compatible.

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Arlington, Va.: I have always thought of Apple as a software company with the greatest OS around; I always bought their boxes becuase it was the only way to get the Mac OS. Seems like a better play for them would have been tweaking their OS to (potentially) run on the zillions of PCs out there. Does making OS-X work on an Intel chip get us any closer to that?

Rob Pegoraro: Nope. Apple would have to take on the endless and thankless job of writing drivers for every random combination of PC hardware out therel, and I see no sign of any interest in doing that. Remember, Apple's big pitch is "we integrate the hardware and software so you don't have to."

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Fairfax, VA: I have a PC with the Windows XP operating system which has been running nicely for about 4 years until it took a Windows Update download from Microsoft and then literally filled the computer with something to the effect of not genuine Microsoft software. I have the original Microsoft Windows XP Package and original disk with all of the numbers on the original white envelope the disk comes in that was provided with the computer when bought. Do you know what I can do to resolve this mess?

Rob Pegoraro: I think you need to call Microsoft--it sounds like you downloaded the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications program I wrote about in yesterday's Help File, and this app has gotten the wrong idea about your system.

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Allentown, Pa.: Which model of MacBook offers the best price/performance?

Is it possible to use an older iMac (purple one), as just a monitor for the Macbook?

Thanks!

Rob Pegoraro: The $1099 model looks good to me--I'd just upgrade the memory on that. (As cool as black is, I'm not paying $150 extra for it.)

I've never heard of any way to use an iMac as an external monitor.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I have been considering a MacBook but I'm concerned about the heat, noise, and connectivity issues you mention. I don't have to buy the computer right now; do you recommend waiting until a software update takes care of some of those issues?

Rob Pegoraro: Sure--you said the magic words "I don't have to buy the computer right now." If you can say that phrase, then you have all the buying power in the world.

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Springfield, Mass.: In your article about the Treo 650 you talked about slower data rates. Is the Treo not able to use the fastest data rates that Cingular offers? They advertise 70-135 on their Edge network. I have one but haven't sprung for the PDA Data package yet at $45 unlimited. 2nd question: Why hasn't Palm updated their operating system for multi-tasking?

Rob Pegoraro: By "faster data rates" I meant the so-called Ev-DO service Sprint and Verizon offer--400-600 kbps. Cingular's equivalent to that would be the HSDPA (spelling?) service that it's begun rolling out, and I know the 650 doesn't support that.

Palm hasn't operated its OS because it spun off software development to a separate company, PalmSource, years ago--back when other companies were lining up to build Palm OS handhelds. PalmSource then piled up a record of futility nearly unmatched in the software business and was recently bought by a Japanese firm called Access Co. Ltd. (You can see Access's logo when the 700p boots up.) Access says it's developing a new Palm OS based on a Linux foundation; even if it does everything right, this will take a while.

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For DC with the iTunes problem: I would try to clear anything iTunes/Quicktime related from the computer. Don't just delete the programs from your computer, make sure you really get all the related files off there, too (DLLs, etc.). Make sure you do both iTunes and Quicktime, since much of the new versions of iTunes rely on Quicktime's software. After you do this, completely erase your iPod (make sure you have backed up your music). Do a complete restore (download Apple's Update/Restore software at apple.com and click on the iPod/iTunes tab) - plug in your iPod and click "Restore" which will completely erase your iPod and treat it as new. Reinstall iTunes and plug in your iPod and everything should work. If it doesn't, the folks over at the Apple Stores in Montgomery Mall, Tyson's Corner, Clarendon, Bethesda Row, Annapolis, etc. are very helpful. I really think my solution will work, though.

Good luck!

Rob Pegoraro: Man, I just love Windows troubleshooting...

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Arlington, VA: Will you be reviewing Microsoft's new all-in-one security package anytime soon? How about its competitors?

Rob Pegoraro: Yes and yes (though not at the same time, as Symantec and McAfee's answers to OneCare aren't shipping yet).

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Chevy Chase, MD: Probably too late to ask this, but I'll give it a try:

I have a Windows XP machine and recently got McAfee Security Suite installed. Now my e-mail doesn't work right. Four calls to Verizon (my ISP) have left me with e-mail that doesn't work right. My wife's e-mail--same computer--is fine, but with mine I receive no messages. I gather that it has to do with McAfee spamkiller or some such, but several attempts to turn that off have made no difference. Everything will see fine; I come back in an hour or so, try to get into my e-mail, and I can see my inbox, but no new messages will come through. I can send, but I can't receive. Any thoughts?

Rob Pegoraro: McAfee's anti-virus software also ties into Microsoft e-mail software. Try disabling that (but don't touch any attachments that come in). FWIW, I am on record as having a very, very low opinion of McAfee's software: Security Suites Are Rife With Problems

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NoLo, DC: I was a bit surprised that one of your big gripes about the macbook was the inclusion of two USB ports. do you really find more to be neccessary on a laptop? My 4+ year old tiBook only has two USB ports, and to the best of my recollection, I've never needed both at the same time. Even if you were to dedicate the second port to a modem, is this really that much of an issue?

Speaking of the external modem, I realize that's still an issue for some folks, but it's been years since I've used an internal modem for anything but sending the occasional fax. I know a lot of folks were apalled when the first iMacs shipped without a floppy drive, but Apple was dead on with that move.

Rob Pegoraro: Well, let's see... one port for the printer, one for a memory-card reader or your digital camera, one for an iPod--oops! What about an external keyboard? What about an external hard drive for backup? What about a USB memory key? What about a handheld organizer? How much time do you want to spend plugging and unplugging things?

It would cost Apple next to nothing to throw in a third port (which it did do on the Mac mini).

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Concord, MA: If defrag doesn't work, try booting in Safe Mode and run defrag from there.

Rob Pegoraro: Thanks, Concord. Just a few more questions before I wrap this thing up...

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Baltimore, Md.: I recently got a pop-up messgae from Firefox stating that a new release was available. So I clicked on the the download button.

I expected OSX to ask me for my password, but that did not happen. Shouldn't it have?

Rob Pegoraro: Nope. Firefox (along with any other properly written Mac program) doesn't tinker with anything in the core system folders, so it doesn't require that extra level of permission.

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Fairfax, Va.: hi rob,

Love your chats. I recently bought an ipod and downloaded a couple of songs from itunes. Last night, I downloaded a few more songs...after downloading them, I noticed that my original downloads are gone - nowhere in sight. Is there a way for me to retrieve the original songs? Thanks much for answering my questions.

Rob Pegoraro: They can't be gone, unless you moved them someplace else. Try using the file-search function of your computer (I don't know if you're using Windows or OS X) to look for them--just type one word of their title.

I've heard that iTunes does allow one re-download of your collection if you suffer a major computing disaster, but the store doesn't usually offer second-chance downloads. Buying an iTunes download (or most other stores' downloads) is like buying a CD; once you take it home, it's yours to keep--or lose.

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Arlington, Va.: The Apple iLife suite has gotten very good reviews for ease of editing videos and photos. Can you recommend a similar suite for PC's? Is the Sony suite (Click to DVD, DVGate Plus, SonicStage Mastering Studio, etc.) comparable to iLife?

Rob Pegoraro: No.

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Washington, D.C.: What do you think about the new Motorola Q phone?

Rob Pegoraro: It's a major software update away from greatness: Smartphone Challengers Fail to Displace the Treo 650

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Mt. Pleasant, Washington, D.C.: Hi Rob,

What exactly does Apple mean when they describe the new MacBook (I agree, a lousy name) screen? How is it different from the iBook (nice name) screen?

TIA

Rob Pegoraro: The screen is considerably glossier and a LOT brighter--although that's more of a function of having a better backlight, I think. Most PC manufacturers sell the same basic technology under names like "TrueBright" (a name that instantly makes me think of William H. Macy playing a car dealer in "Fargo"--"you get the TrueCoat at the factory, yeah, we have to charge for that.")

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Digital Cameras: Read the recent article on cameras but wasn't clear on one thing: Have any digital cameras shortened the gap between when you press the button and when the picture is taken? my camera basically can't do snapshots because it takes about 1/3 of a second or more to snap the picture!

Rob Pegoraro: Yes, they have--you must have a really old model. Newer ones are a lot faster, and with practice I find that you can nail down most shots.

I did a little test with my wife's year-old Canon at RFK yesterday--I prefocused on the pitcher, then hit the shutter right as or right after Shawn Hill thew the ball, and the picture has the ball in flight about a third of the way to home plate. A lot of newer cameras could do better. (So could better photographers :)

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Detroit, Mich.: Should I buy a new PC now (there are some great deals from Dell) or wait for Vista?

Rob Pegoraro: If you need one now, go ahead and buy it--as long as it's got a graphics card ready for Vista. (And if the manufacturer can't tell you that, I suggest shopping elsewhere.) Vista is supposed to ship in January, but you can't rule out the chances of it slipping another month or two after that.

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Chicago, IL: I have an old (circa 2000) Dell desktop with Windows ME. You were right in your assessment of ME - it's downright awful. And given the age of my computer, upgrading to XP probably isn't worth it.

The problem is, I'm a bit strapped for cash, but I could really use a new PC right now. I'm wondering if I buy a bare-bones PC, but install the version of Office that came with the old PC, will that cause Notification to flag my computer as 'not genuine'?

Rob Pegoraro: Notifications won't flag a copy of Office that old... assuming it's so old that it doesn't have product activation built in. I don't remember when Microsoft added that anti-piracy tool to Office.

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Camp Hill, Pa.: OK, I'm looking at my Win XP Device Manager. How do I know if this computer has the correct graphics software/hardware for Vista? Thanks Rob.

Rob Pegoraro: Not by looking at Device Manager: Go to www.microsoft/windowsvista/getready and download and run the Ugrade Advisor program.

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Cupertino, Calif.: Rob - What computer do you use to do personal e-mail, listening to music, uploading personal photos, etc.? It sounds like you really enjoyed the Macbook and I was curious as to whether or not you used a Mac or Windows machine for personal use.

Rob Pegoraro: My time at home is split about 50/50 between an old iMac upstairs and a not-much-newer Dell Inspiron X300 downstairs. I find the iMac, as computing hardware, more pleasant to use, but often I'm lazy and don't want to go upstairs.

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Arlington, Va.: So a flood in my basement destroyed my computer and I'm now looking for a replacement. A friend has vigorously argued I should get a Mac, claiming they are just better. But Windows machine is cheaper.

So I put the question to you: which is better, mac or pc? And don't wimp out on me by telling me it depends on what you want to use the computer for.

Rob Pegoraro: No question, a new Mac is better than a PC: It can run both OS X and Windows (and Linux), while a new PC can only do Windows (and Linux). But it's also undeniably true that you can save some money by getting a PC instead of a Mac. Both of the statements you cited can be true at the same time.

That said, you'd be nuts to buy a Mac just to run Windows programs. As good as Apple's hardware can be (but isn't always!), it's not good enough to justify paying more than yo would for a Dell or whatever, then buying a separate copy of XP. In other words... (wait for it)... the answer depends on what you want to use the computer for.

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Rob Pegoraro: And with that, I'm outta here. Thanks to everybody for showing up and keeping me busy for the last hour and a half. I should be back here in another two weeks; see you then!

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