If Windows XP is getting slow, consider a Mac

By BILL HUSTED

Cox News Service

June 1, 2008

Q:  Because I have a cellphone, I do not have a home phone. ... I don't have cable or dish [service]. Is there any company that offers Internet access only? I'm thinking I have the string, just no yo-yo.

—  Suzy Davis

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A: Hi Suzy, AT&T sells DSL access to those who don't have land-line phone service.

Q: My 4-year-old Windows XP is getting sooo slow. I understand Windows XP is being phased out and my son is recommending I get a Mac. Please give me the plus and minus of the Mac over the Windows Vista.

— C. C. Dickerson

A: Both systems work well. In your shoes, however, I would consider a Mac. You'll have fewer worries about viruses. And every survey I've seen ranks Apple highest in customer service and technical support.

Q: Friday afternoon I was online with Bank of America reviewing my bill and setting up an auto payment. Two hours later I received what looked like an e-mail from BOA directing me to a link to "unlock" my account. I called BOA and they asked that I forward the e-mail to them. When I tried that, I got the following message: "To complete the transaction, MSN must download content from a server other than your e-mail server. This could verify to the sender that your e-mail address is valid and increase the amount of junk e-mail you receive in the future." I want to send the e-mail to the BOA abuse address they provided, but the above message scares me. What should I do?

— Bob Rollman

A: Print out the message and mail it to Bank of America. I can't say whether anything crooked is going on here. But I wouldn't take the chance. So do it by mail and include a note explaining why. If the bank's technical support people want the actual electronic message, ask for their help in safely sending it.

Please send your questions to Bill Husted at tecbud@ajc.com. While he reads every e-mail, not all are answered. E-mails are selected for publication based on the likelihood that the answers will be of general interest.