Response to Popular Mechanics "DIY Tech" Article

In the Feb. 2009 Issue of Popular Mechanics, there is an article in the DIY Tech section. The article is called "Silent Startup". Here is the article word for word:

Silent Startup

The Startup on my Macbook is loud. Is there any way to mute it?

"Windows users can easily silence their startup sounds via the Control Panel without affecting output volume levels. But Mac users don't have this option. Apple's official position is that users should mute the output volume in System Preferences before shutting down...."

The rest of this article is irrelevant to my response.

Okay, now breaking it down.

"Window's users can easily silence their startup sounds via the Control Panel without affecting output volume levels."

Okay..

"But Mac users don't have this option."

Way to make it sound like Mac users suck because we don't have an almighty Control Panel.

"Users should mute the output volume levels in System Preferences before shutting down."

Or, you could have an even easier solution, easier than going into control panel: press a key on your keyboard called "Mute"; or technically, F10. It is on all the MacBooks.

--

I dunno about you, but I think pressing a key on the keyboard is a lot easier than clicking around in Control Panel. Also, if you actually want the startup sound back, you don't have to go back in control panel to unmute it. For Mac, just don't mute it before shutting down.

/sorta-subtle way of saying Mac is easier

The start up sound that Windows makes is different form the start up sound a Mac makes. The Mac sound is the equivalent of the beep that some PCs emit when the hardware check passes prior to booting the OS. The Windows sound is just MS being annoying.

interesting. And yes, MS is usually annoying. My Spanish teacher's computer beeped and a pop up balloon appeared saying "Windows needs your credentials."

Why would windows need credentials when you entered personal information at computer setup?

Control Mac startup chime with the following free utility: "Arcana Startup Preference".

Download from here.

Regards.

chscag said:

Control Mac startup chime with the following free utility: "Arcana Startup Preference".

Download from here.

Regards.

Click to expand...

I swear dude - is there anything you don't know?

cwa107 said:

I swear dude - is there anything you don't know?

Click to expand...

You haven't spoken to my wife...

Regards.

HA!
smart and funny, my vote was well placed.

eric said:

HA!
smart and funny, my vote was well placed.

Click to expand...

Mine too. (shh! Don't tell anyone....)

chscag, virtual rep to you sir!

(I'd give you real rep, but it won't let me )