You can’t.

Why can’t you compare the two? Well, because the Macintosh and Windows operating systems are fundamentally different, going deep down into the roots of Apple and Microsoft’s software practices. And what is this difference of which I speak? It’s the hardware-software relationship.

Basically, the hardware-software relationship dictates how software works with hardware, i.e. which hardware an operating system runs on. As we know, Macintosh is built to only run on Apple hardware, while Windows was developed to be able to run on as diverse environments as possible. Therefore, we simply cannot compare the two operating systems, because their overall environments are drastically different. You might disagree in that it is possible to compare UI elements – well, of course you can compare how certain parts of the interface are implemented and argue that one operating system is better than the other, and this will go on forever, but here, I wish to find the fundamental difference between the systems – what is the main underlying difference between the Macintosh and Windows operating systems? That’s why the hardware-software relationship is so important.

Now, let’s take the diversity we just identified and expand upon it a little bit to form a general view of the two sides. Let’s start with Mac, again. If we know that the OS was built to run on only Apple hardware, what does this mean? Well, it means that Apple put the kibosh on third-parties. By that, I mean that they aren’t willing to accept third-party technologies in the general development and function of their OS. Just as their hardware is limited, so are drivers – the number of devices manufactured by other companies that connect to computers through USB or other popular protocols is very small, in comparison to Windows. This just shows that Apple’s goal is not to create a system that others can contribute to, in the way that Windows runs. Really, how many times have you tried connecting a peripheral to a machine running Windows and drivers weren’t built in or available on an accompanying disk? My bet: very few.

Naturally, one could go on to assume that Apple is, in a way, monopolizing users of their operating system by creating such a bond between hardware and software. However, I do not want people to think that this article is biased – yes, I despise Mac (Windows & Linux FTW!), but I don’t want that to get in the way of our little analysis (I could write a lot about why I greatly prefer Windows over Mac, but that’s another story).

As you can see, Macintosh and Windows are very different, but the most important difference is their fundamental standpoint, expressed in the hardware-software relationship. Without these being equivalent, we just cannot compare one operating system to another.

This post was originally published on Absolutely2Nothing, the author’s blog.

This Ad is located at news6today.com

Now, it’s been taken too far! In other words, this site is promoting something that is completely untrue! And how is this site hosted? YOUR MONEY! Through this scam, they are making enough money to host realistic looking sites. The only 3 ways to tell that this site is fake is by looking carefully.

First of All: The As Seen On header image, leads to another ad site.

The Second Way: The Fact that this site gives you three steps on how to do what “Mary Steadman” did.

And if That’s not enough… visit news6today.com directly….. Exactly, the page is blank unless, you go to the specific link of: http://news6today.com/2009/FINANCE/income.opportunity/ (Notice how it says: income.opportunity at the end.)

What’s sad: Google doesn’t even remove the ads even though, the companies that host these types of ads don’t follow the Google AdWords/ AdSense Terms and Conditions meaning, this ads are fake, and illegal. So, next you end up on a site like this, look carefully and, hopefully Google will fix this mess.

Lev – TechReevu.com, Founding Editor

Apparently, Microsoft has created a new advertisement for the “Windows phone.” No, it’s not your Zune HD with phone capabilities, it’s the just the Windows Mobile site, with a new layout and, the current selection of Windows Mobile Phones.

The Site itself just shows off aesthetics, no difference in hardware. It does feature information about Software Updates (currently OS 6.5.) So, if you see “New Windows Phone” it’s not true. So don’t believe them.

Just a Note: Microsoft, if you want people to stick with you, just say “New Windows Mobile Phones.”

Lev- Founding Editor, TechReevu.com

P.S. Yes, this is a real advertisement.

Samsung Support Call

Dear Sumsung: 160.50 Is crazy it cost me that much money to buy the thing!!!

Thai – Editor, TechReevu.com

Image Credit: Engadget.com

Recently, Microsoft released the successor to their Zune, called the Zune HD. Looking through the original posts of the Zune HD on Engadget.com, I noticed people saying that the Zune HD will “pwn” the iPod Touch. With only several development copies available at the time, there was no knowing on which would be the best in the end. Epsecially since, those comments were posted before the release of the actual product and, before the recent Apple Event.

The Zune is obviously great for music, and even better for video. Thanks to less compression standard on the Zune, video is in 720p! I applaud Microsoft. Great reason to get the device but, the device isn’t perfect. Here are reasons why you shouldn’t get the Zune HD:

A current problem with the Zune HD is, the lack of support for Flash, and even YouTube. Most Microsoft software devices have some sort of Flash installed, or at least some sort of video player. Obviously there’s no Flash on the iPod but, there is somewhat of a replacement, and that would be YouTube (and if your iPod is jailbroken, many other alternatives.)

Another problem with the Zune HD is the Windows only Syncing. I might have thought about purchasing one if it had Mac supported software. The only other way might be using DoubleTunes but, I’m not even sure if that would work. Hurry up Microsoft! You’ve already made Office Mac, and Virtual PC (Mac!)

The biggest problem for me is, leaving my trusted device, the iPod Touch. I’ve had my iPod since January 2008, and not once has it failed me. It has crashed, due to problems with the version 2.0 software but, every device has crashed at least once, even if you know what you’re doing. The iPod is a reliable device, and I know how to use it. Plus, the interface is easy to use. I like the design of the Zune and, I obviously would like to get one for music and videos but, pretty much, I would stick to the iPod Touch for now.

TechReevu.com Rating: 3/5

Lev – Founding Editor, TechReevu.com

Google Voice is a great service that I really enjoy. It offers free texting, calling, and voicemail transcripts. As much as I love it, the only way that I know of to use the service is through a web browser, which for me is very inconvenient. So, I tried searching for an application that would allow me to log into Google Voice without having to use my web browser and, what I came up with was… nothing. Apparently, not many people are actually interested in a Google Voice application, so of course, I had to make one myself.

Armed with only a copy of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, I made the program within about 20 minutes. The program itself is written on Visual Basic .NET and was pretty simple to make. I won’t give you the source code but, I’ll give you a basic idea of how it’s done. I made a web browser in Visual Basic that does not navigate to any pages besides the Google Voice Mobile site (I used the mobile site to make it fit into a small window.) I then made the buttons link to pages on the site. I’m planning on implementing some more services into the program such as Gizmo5.

Well, this is the first build of my application and I hope you enjoy it. Download the file HERE and read the Release Notes HERE. If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to email me at: fruitpunch36@techreevu.com

David – Senior Editor, TechReevu.com

Hard Drives have been used for decades. If you have a computer, you obviously can’t live without one but, you might think again when purchasing one.

Many hard drives run into problems after only a months and some, almost immediately. Plenty of my friends have run into problems with their hard drives. Most of them non-tech savvy. So, when they ask me for help, I (usually) find a legitimate reason for these problems.
Usually the problem was with the internal parts. Most of the time, a part was stuck. I found that to be the most common problem. I have obviously purchased an external hard drive. Still a bad idea in many ways, especially if the drive falls. Even you could be a victim of hard drive problems. The only 2 real ways to protect your files, is by backing up online with services such as Mozy, or by getting a solid state drive. Solid state drives are an improvement from hard drives due to the fact that, there are no moving parts in the drive, meaning if you drop it, you wont lose your precious files. A good friend of mine purchased a solid state drive to use for his computer, it ran seamlessly, faster, and virtually quiet. If you didn’t know, a lot of sound from your computer comes directly from the hard drive (unless you have several fans in your computer.) The only problems with solid state drives are the prices, compared to hard drives. That’s why, most people head with the online back-up option. (I do not use Online Back-up.) Online back-up is inexpensive. It is also said to be one of the safest method but, when you think about it, you will have to trust your files to complete strangers. I have yet to try Online Back-Up so do not take my word for it.

So the only thing really to do is think about what you’re buying, where you bought, and the company that made it. I currently trust my files to a Western Digital: My Book (since I’ve had no problems with them whatsoever.)

Lev – Founding Editor, TechReevu.com

A programmer, jchaike, created an application to add your favorite songs into Tap Tap Revenge. He is no longer updating the application but you can still download it at TapMaker.co.cc. Watch the Video above to learn where to get it and, how to use it.

Lev- Founding Editor, Techreevu.com