Just another couple of notes about compatibility…
The LEED online website is very picky about what what browsing software and what operating system is being used.
Apple’s corporate refusal to embrace Flash (which I am inclined to agree with as a matter of principle) can also cause problems on certain websites. It’s not just the opening “splash” screens, but some of the tools offered by certain manufacturers. One of my “goto” tools is OldCastle’s Glasselect which requires Adobe Flash.
Does Chrome work on USGBC’s website? If so, the Oldcastle site should be fine in Chrome as it has Flash built in. It’s cloud based Flash player, so always most current version with any need to update.
I’m encouraged by the high level of computer knowledge and experience expressed by all contributors to this thread. It is apparent that no one solution is right for everyone. In fact, everyone is right, since their solutions fit their needs and especially their experiences. It’s hard to criticize a solution and needs of another, based solely on personal expertise.
Ann has to make her decision based on her personal needs, not the solutions of others. In order to run a business, she has to select the system she feels comfortable with, that meets her budget, and that she can be productive with as soon as possible. In time she can upgrade equipment and software, and add utilities that solve her needs.
Switching from Windows to Mac OS as suggested by some engineering friends is like learning a new language. If her friends are willing to coach her, she might want to ramp up her experience with Mac while still using Windows, which I assume she is comfortable with. She could start with a Mac mini, a little power pack with enough muscle to be effective for years. Apple introduced the mini after they switched to the Intel processor, and it allowed Window uses to plug in their monitor, keyboard, and mouse so that the base price to switch was only $600. Then they added Boot Camp so that it would run Windows. As Nathan said, you can run Windows on a Mac, and you can learn to use the Mac side at your own pace while being productive with familiar Windows software. A word of caution though, learning the language of a Mac is not as easy when Windows is all you’ve known. Make sure you have someone to turn to for help.
If she buys equipment with the assumption that future OSs and software will need more power and storage than today’s needs, she will be well served, and her per year cost will be less.
David’s comments are much appreciated.
Nathan, Apple products running in Apple’s various OS enviorments do not support Adobe Flash regardless of the software application. I am not sure whether or not this applies to Macs running Windows. Apple has a long standing aversion to Flash (don’t remember why) and is just one of the quirks that they build into their systems.
J. Peter Jordan, I believe you are confusing iOS with OSX. The mobile opersting system iOS (iPhones, iPads, Touch, AppleTV run iOS and do not run Flash. Mac OSX however, runs Flash just fine, as an app you install (just like Windows), or natively as an automatic plugin to Chrome (just like Windows).
Flash is used for video and animation. I don’t remember all the details, but a few years ago Flash was experiencing damaging malware attacks, especially on browsers, and Adobe has been issuing updates to Flash about every week since. Apple’s browser is Safari, and they decided to replace Flash with HTML5 which was just coming into use. As I understand it, HTML5 can produce the same video effects as Flash right within the same HTML code without depending on Flash. Maybe someone else on this thread has more specific details on the subject. Keeping up with the updates for Flash and not clicking on risky web sites should keep you out of trouble.