Apple & Windows

Okay, it’s rather over-done but here is my spin on things recently, considering that I use both frequently and these are the issues that I promised to moan about on my facebook page.

So, both machines do their job, simple as

For those who are technically minded, both are easy to use no matter what.  If you call yourself a geek, all you need to remember is which OS you are using and that is all.
‘Normal’ people get slightly frustrated that things are slightly different, but then get over it.

I’ve been told that computer illiterates cannot easily switch from one to the other, and that Macs are easier to use.  This is because Macs offer a very simple User Interface compared to Windows… and fewer ‘buttons’ (their short-cuts are a whole lot more complicated).

However, for people who actually want to get into all the computer wizardry, then I recommend Windows.  It’s easy to break and easy to fix.  It’s a good way to learn without much hassle in fixing it.  Macs aren’t so nice when you mess with their systems.

Linking

Okay, so the main point of this post is about the machines at work.
They are all macs… except one PC (XP).  We also have a new Dell Printer which we are having issues with (I assume it is down to the paper quality).

So everything is Mac.  You think this would be a good thing.  Well, it’s not.
There are connection issues with the Server (also Mac) and to the previous printers (seriously).  Though it could be down to the machines just slowly giving up over the years we’ve had them (knocking on 3-4 years now, and I think they’re older than that).
Also connection issues over the Network and Wireless to the internet.

What the bad thing is about this is that I cannot figure most of the stuff out.  If it was Windows, it wouldn’t be nearly as bad (literally, I probably wouldn’t have any bother with the new printer if it was connected to my laptop).
Also, every single person has their account fine tuned differently (such as user controls), which makes it hard to use other machines (especially since I’m an Admin and have to get the machines working again when they stop).  Not that I’m complaining about those things, but why make it harder?  For this, I blame Apple.  They made it too tempting for people to leave those features alone.

Just remembered as well… Dual-booted Macs… not good.
We use them at Uni, and they keep crashing (also, using a Mac yet being on Windows messes with you – the keyboard is Mac, yet the short-cuts are Windows; crazy).

Software

Now that is annoying.  On Windows, I know exactly how things work… with Macs, things are different.  It may be down to being ‘brought up’ with Windows, but even Microsoft Office changes!  It does completely different things depending on whichever machine.
The same goes for Adobe Creative Suite.
Drivers are always an issue…

The Job Lot

Okay, now this is where it gets interesting.
You have to buy a Mac, iPhone and iPad… or you do if you were me.  There isn’t two ways about it.
Unless you buy Windows 7 PC, Phone and Tablet (okay, I’ll get the Win8 Tablet whenever that comes out).

It just doesn’t work if you don’t get the whole set, and I’m not a fan of mixing the two up (as you may have guessed).

In all honesty, I’m a Windows Boy.  I don’t like supporting them since I think they’re just a faceless corporation who don’t really care about anyone (at least with Apple you get some customer satisfaction… maybe), but why deal with the company if you know how to do it all yourself?

Your Point Is?

Just don’t be pressured into thinking that one piece of technology is better than another, or let loyalties stand in your way.  You really cannot afford to.
The beauty of my current set up is that I’m linked to my laptop, phone, Xbox and my tablet (once I get it), which helps me a whole lot in the field that I’m in.

I think that’s all…

Z (pr. ‘zed’) Brush & WinTab

Hi guys, this post is unrelated to any of my web stuff, but it is related to my Uni course and Games Design.

So for Uni this year, we are using Z Brush.
So I got the program, installed it and then tried to run it.  However, I kept getting the error: “WinTab Services Not Available”
I will point out that this is not a problem with Z Brush, but actually Windows (as the solution was for another program; still works though)

Now, I looked and looked around for ages (basically spending my entire morning on this) trying to find a solution.  There were loads of different hints and tips, but the one which worked was to update my drivers for my Graphics Tablet (lucky me, I have one).

I found the solution here, and it is:

If you have found after installation of CrazyTalk Animator that you get an error message stating WinTab Services Not Available, please follow the instructions below to resolve this problem.

  1. Go to Control Panel.
  2. Under Hardware and Sound, access to the Wacom Tablet Properties.
  3. Click on the Remove Preferences option.
  4. In the Tablet Preference File Utility dialog, click on the Remove button to remove all user preferences of Wacom.
  5. After doing that, click Download Driver Update under Wacom Tablet Properties to re-install the driver again.

This should resolve the issue for you now while a permanent fix is made.

All I’ve done is copied and formatted the text to my liking.  All the credit goes to the original poster (the link is above).

Either way, don’t be discouraged if you cannot find the exact words as listed; mine were labelled differently as well, but I just found the Tablet Properties and the commands were there.