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Hello, I have decided to take the plunge and ordered my first iMac. Before it is delivered I thought I'd get as much preparation in as possible so that I can just start using it and integrate it into my mixed network, without spending the first few days wondering what I need to do!
My mixed network will include 2 laptops running XP, a Canon IP4200 printer and a Netgear DG834G router/modem. The 2 laptops connect to the router via wifi.
I would like to share this printer and files from both laptops and the iMac.
The iMac will be positioned in close proximity to the router so I'll probably just wire it into the router.
From the point of integration/sharing, is there any reason not to hardwire it to the router? I'm assuming the wifi of the iMac can be turned off?
I understand that anti virus software and software firewalls are considered as optional rather than necessities. Am I correct in thinking that as my iMac will only be used behind my router, I do not need a further firewall or is it still a case of it being an optional extra rather than an unnecessary one? Is Mac OSX's firewall better than XP's?
I also have an ipod and iTunes on each laptop. My ipod has only been connected to a PC. Am I right in thinking that if I want to connect it to my iMac, I'd need to format the ipod and would then be unable to connect it to my laptops?
In the past I have tried centralising my iTunes libraries but I'm not too sure I've succeeded completely as I still seem to find tunes missing, so this is my final item on my 'to do' list. Ideally I would like my entire library on an external hard drive (hopefully my WD usb drive will work on my iMac).
If my WD drive has only been connected to a PC, via usb, unfortunately it isn't a network drive, would I be able to plug it into my iMac or would I need to format that too?
Thank you for your time
JJ
My mixed network will include 2 laptops running XP, a Canon IP4200 printer and a Netgear DG834G router/modem. The 2 laptops connect to the router via wifi.
I would like to share this printer and files from both laptops and the iMac.
The iMac will be positioned in close proximity to the router so I'll probably just wire it into the router.
From the point of integration/sharing, is there any reason not to hardwire it to the router? I'm assuming the wifi of the iMac can be turned off?
I understand that anti virus software and software firewalls are considered as optional rather than necessities. Am I correct in thinking that as my iMac will only be used behind my router, I do not need a further firewall or is it still a case of it being an optional extra rather than an unnecessary one? Is Mac OSX's firewall better than XP's?
I also have an ipod and iTunes on each laptop. My ipod has only been connected to a PC. Am I right in thinking that if I want to connect it to my iMac, I'd need to format the ipod and would then be unable to connect it to my laptops?
In the past I have tried centralising my iTunes libraries but I'm not too sure I've succeeded completely as I still seem to find tunes missing, so this is my final item on my 'to do' list. Ideally I would like my entire library on an external hard drive (hopefully my WD usb drive will work on my iMac).
If my WD drive has only been connected to a PC, via usb, unfortunately it isn't a network drive, would I be able to plug it into my iMac or would I need to format that too?
Thank you for your time
JJ