Frankly Speaking: Dell PC, Mac get highest marks from computer whiz

In honor of this week's section theme, Communications and Technology, we now serve up a small goulash of maybe-useful cybertips.

Which computer?

Jim Teters, local Web-site designer, desktop publisher and computer consultant, who programs both Macintoshes and PCs, strongly recommends the powerful Dell Dimension series to PC users looking for "genuine stability and reliability."

His Mac recommendations: Apple's current entry-level PowerBook, which he calls, simply, "unbelievable." He says when connected to a digital videocam the PowerBook becomes "a literal mobile movie studio." For a desktop Mac, he recommends the Macintosh G4 running Apple OS 10.

Teters advises discounting speed as a factor in computer shopping because "current models already run much faster than users can make use of."

Teters, who also keeps busy hosting 20 Web sites on a Linux server, asks politely that we include a note not to call him, as he has more work than he can handle.

Welcome guest

Re: designers, we welcome this week Web designer and computer instructor Randel Hanes, who has a special gift for putting tricky tech talk into plain English. His article on defeating spam appears on page 30.

Info-Gap monster revisited

Mac users buying palmtop organizers need to be wary of connection problems. It's a PC user's world out there and if a salesclerk tells you the Palm package contains everything needed to link the device with the Mac, be prepared to give the cosmic razzberry.

Truth is, if you buy a Palm IIIc you'll be missing two items: 1) the Palm OS installation software and 2) a special serial connector to provide the link. The first, thankfully, can be found free for the downloading at the Palm Web site and the second's available at about $5.95 at most stores, if they have it, which most don't. or you can order the disk installation kit with the connector from Palm for $14.95. Caveat emptor, as usual.

Great tip

The Palm operating system, or Palm OS, is the industry standard and drives every handheld we know. Soooooo, if you're interested in buying a handheld you could get no better grasp on how they work and what they can do for you than to take advantage of Palm's free download. Go to www.palm.com/software,download the software and see on your own computer exactly how it works before buying.

Our-Highly-Biased-Opinion Dept.

The best-ever computer game for both PCs and Macs is still Starcraft, Brood Wars edition. In this gem, as many as three races can compete to control exotic planets or space stations revolting, insectlike Zergs; resourceful, tenacious Terrans (humans); and technologically dazzling and mystical Protoss.

It's a combat game so leavened with whimsy that it's less hostile than amusing. Simple to learn, it can also be more complex strategically than chess and has actually been used by the Army to teach military strategy.

Play it alone, via modem with a friend, or, if you're a glutton for punishment, go on the Internet to play with multiple opponents at once.

P.S.: If you know a better game, we'd love to hear about it.

Vertigo

Head spinning over telecom terminology? Don't despair. Just fire up the browser and go to www.aarowireless.com/glossary_terms.html to find a terrific glossary sponsored by Aaro Broadband. Sample: "Crosstalk: Interference on analog lines created by cables that are too close together."

Over and out.