Question about Mac OS-X Panther & Mac software.

[BoomAM]

Hi.
Im probably buying a iBook 12" soon, and am currently "scoping" what software the fills my needs is available for Mac.
So.
1) In order to save myself £80, is there any free firewall & antivirus software available for Mac. Otherwise i`d have to get Norton Internet Security for Mac. Similar to what ZoneAlarm and AVG is for windows.
2) Is 256mb memory good enough for a machine that`ll be used for internet surfing, email and office programs? Prehaps upto 2-3 simultaniously.
3) How much room does Mac OS-X Panther and the pre-installed programs take up? Cos if its more than 20gb, then i`ll go for the 40gb drive for it, if its less than that, then i`ll stick with the stock 30gb.
4) Can i set up my WinXP machine, with a USB ADSL connection, to allow access to the internet and its drives/printers, through a wireless network connection? Or will i need a router. If it is possible, can you reccommend a good wireless PCI network card.

Thanks in advance.

 

[misle]

1. Norton is the only good one that I know of.
2. 256 MB is good enough for that. 512 MB would be nice, but you can probably get it cheaper if you install aftermark RAM yourself.
3. When I did a fresh install of Panther the other day, I think it took ~3 GB
4. You might be able to, but I would just get a router (the router would also take care of your Firewall)

 

[n0cmonkey]

1. IPFW was built into previous versions, I believe.
2. Yes, but upgrade. The more ram the better.
3. ?
4. It will work fine, as long as the Windows machine is acting as a router.

 

[addragyn]

1. FW is built into X. I don't run AV on my Mac - it's not needed.
2. RAM is cheap and X should have IMO at least 512MB. Not worth saving a couple bucks on.
3. That depends on your install prefs. By default around 3GB. I llike to do a custom install and remove language packs and printer drivers. You can shave a GB off this way.
4. Shouldn't be a problem. Orinocco makes quality wireless cards.

 

[TMTCC]

1) Panther (OS X.3) has a firewall under System Preferences-->Sharing
2) I've had 256 megs of ram before, and although it was usable I recently upgraded to 640 megs and see better responsiveness with OS X.
3) I'm not exactly sure how much space Panther takes up, but it's definately not more than 20 gig. It's probably around 3 to 4 gigs
4) As n0Cmonkey says, it'll work fine with the windows machine

 

[BoomAM]

Is the firewall any good though? Comparable to something like ZoneAlarm? Or another way to put it, is it better than WinFW?

I was looking at a £59 512mb module for the iBook from crucial, as it doesnt void the warrenty. I can see how it goes and upgrade that at a later date if i feel the need i suppose.

I`ll stick with the 30gb then.

addragyn, nocmonkey & TMTCC;
Would setting up my winxp machine as a router mess its performance up? Cos its still my primary games machine.

Would the router be the easyier and better option?
What about having the wireless router next to my main PC, with a normal network link to the PC (as its far cheaper, and faster), and the wireless capibility for the iBook and my second PC when i get it running? Possible? Easy to setup? I think i know how to make windows access the net via a network interface, and from what ive read, the iBook connectivity is near seamless. How exactely would i get my ADSL numbers/pass/user settings on the router? And would a reset of the router/switching it off when the other systems are off make it lose those settings? Do they have fans in?

Sorry about all the questions guys. But i like to get everything crystal clear before i make purchasing decisions.

##EDIT##
Which is the best wireless router out of all these (must have ADSL modem built in).
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Wireless_116.html

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: BoomAM
Is the firewall any good though? Comparable to something like ZoneAlarm? Or another way to put it, is it better than WinFW?

It is much better than the Windows XP firewall. FreeBSD uses IPFW by default I believe. The learning curve might be steeper, but there should be free or cheap programs to help you configure it, if Apple hasn't released anything.

I was looking at a £59 512mb module for the iBook from crucial, as it doesnt void the warrenty. I can see how it goes and upgrade that at a later date if i feel the need i suppose.

You'll probably want it.

I`ll stick with the 30gb then.

addragyn, nocmonkey & TMTCC;
Would setting up my winxp machine as a router mess its performance up? Cos its still my primary games machine.

Would the router be the easyier and better option?
What about having the wireless router next to my main PC, with a normal network link to the PC (as its far cheaper, and faster), and the wireless capibility for the iBook and my second PC when i get it running? Possible? Easy to setup? I think i know how to make windows access the net via a network interface, and from what ive read, the iBook connectivity is near seamless. How exactely would i get my ADSL numbers/pass/user settings on the router? And would a reset of the router/switching it off when the other systems are off make it lose those settings? Do they have fans in?

Sorry about all the questions guys. But i like to get everything crystal clear before i make purchasing decisions.

##EDIT##
Which is the best wireless router out of all these (must have ADSL modem built in).
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Wireless_116.html

Buy a router. They're cheap, easy, and generally work well. I don't use one though, so I can't recommend one.