What's So Good About Sharing Computers?

[imoldernu]

With respect, that computer is a doorstop. The CPU is ancient, the hard drive is minuscule (the OS - which Microsoft will not support - will take half of it), the memory is slow and there's not enough of it, there's no WiFi or Bluetooth... the only thing it has going for it is the price.

It's systems like this that keep me out of ladies' bedrooms in our condo development. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't do Windows."

But... but... but....
It works as fast as I can think

 

[Walt34]

Sounds fishy. They would not have the same IP address. MAC, yes but not IP. The IP that the Marshals would see would be the one their ISPs would have assigned.

That's what I was thinking too. I used to work investigating crimes done with computers and yeah, the IP address would be different even if it was the same provider. Unless when the shop was sold the seller simply transferred the account/equipment the with the same ISP, but even then there would be paperwork documenting the sale and foreclosure dates.

Back on topic, DW and I share a desktop and a laptop. She uses the laptop PC more often than I do but on the rare occasions we travel somewhere I use the laptop more. I like the bigger screen for the desktop. We used to have separate accounts for each other on the desktop but no longer since she usually liked mine better. She doesn't change anything in the desktop/setup so I don't mind.

 

[donheff]

I don't see the problem. I have a desktop in the kitchen that is my go to PC. DW rarely uses it but when she wants to , no problem. DW generally uses an iPad mini. Her two email accounts are on it as well as two of mine. If I want to check email or Google something when I am in the living room I use her iPad. Why add another of either device? I do have a laptop that I almost never use. I probably should give it to someone.

 

[mpeirce]

We don't share a desktop computer since we each have out own iMacs.

But - we do own a MacBook that we can each use. We log into our own accounts accessing our own files and such. It works very well since we both keep our documents folder on iCloud along with photos and music. So basically, when using the MacBook we have pretty much everything we each have on our iMacs. Great for travel. The main benefit of the iMacs is their giant screens.

We currently have one house with lots of room - we each have our own offices where our computers are. But if we transition in the future to a northern home and southern home, we've been considering just having one iMac in each house. Either of us could log into their account and enjoy the large screen for activities that benefit from that.

 

[Scuba]

Here's the thing: there is no tool as customized or customizable as a computer. I have dozens of scripts, macros, bookmarks, etc. My desktop is arranged how I like, my applications are configured for me, my dock has my favorite programs in it. It is, in a very real sense, an extension of my private mind.



And the same applies to her computers.

+1

 

[Sunset]

Maybe she is checking up on him, scrutinizing his browser history, peering through his e-mails, and looking for porn? Just kidding. Honestly I don't know why anyone would do that.

Bingo..... One time a woman told me she searched her hubby's cell phone and found out he had been communicating with some other woman, so she phoned the "other woman". Then they got divorced.

Edited.... I didn't read the entire thread before posting, so sounds like hubby has a good cover story in this case.

 

[audreyh1]

We have a small MacBook Air that we share when traveling and otherwise don't use. At home we each have our own laptop, but we do have a large screen high res iMac fo photoediting that we share. DH hogs it - well he does a lot more photography and since he's out of the house a lot chasing stuff with his camera, I could use it then.

On the shared computers we have separate user accounts which are synced to our personal laptops via the usual Apple services such as iCloud, so they are really only shared physically.

 

[audreyh1]

Here's the thing: there is no tool as customized or customizable as a computer. I have dozens of scripts, macros, bookmarks, etc. My desktop is arranged how I like, my applications are configured for me, my dock has my favorite programs in it. It is, in a very real sense, an extension of my private mind.

And the same applies to her computers.

Multiple user accounts, and each has his/her own customized environment on the same physical computer.

When DH and I use the travel Mac, or the big photo-editing Mac, we each see our own personal environment, which is the same across all computers. I don't have all apps and files on all machines, but a core set, so my personal experience is that any machine - my laptop, the travel MacBook Air or the iMac - is basically the same, and many programs are synced between all of the and my iOS devices. And I don't see anything of DHs.

 

[audreyh1]

We don't share a desktop computer since we each have out own iMacs.

But - we do own a MacBook that we can each use. We log into our own accounts accessing our own files and such. It works very well since we both keep our documents folder on iCloud along with photos and music. So basically, when using the MacBook we have pretty much everything we each have on our iMacs. Great for travel. The main benefit of the iMacs is their giant screens.

We currently have one house with lots of room - we each have our own offices where our computers are. But if we transition in the future to a northern home and southern home, we've been considering just having one iMac in each house. Either of us could log into their account and enjoy the large screen for activities that benefit from that.

We don't have space for two iMacs, so we share one. Otherwise use ou personal laptops.

And since the little computer nook is already occupied by DH's large fine art printer, and a smaller LaserWriter, that iMac takes up one end of our dining table! We didn't really have room for it. But that large high res screen is so valuable for photo and video editing.

It's a small house.

 

[Cobra9777]

...My close friend sold his sign shop (including computers) to a gentleman "on time." The guy wasn't successful and my friend repossessed his equipment and vinyl sign printers. One day, Federal Marshals knocked on his door with a search warrant. His computers IP address had been used to download tons of kiddie pornography, and the Feds seized the business computers that had left his possession for a few months. Now he's facing a full blown criminal trial this month, despite being a Godly good man...

Sounds fishy. They would not have the same IP address. MAC, yes but not IP. The IP that the Marshals would see would be the one their ISPs would have assigned.

That's what I was thinking too. I used to work investigating crimes done with computers and yeah, the IP address would be different even if it was the same provider. Unless when the shop was sold the seller simply transferred the account/equipment the with the same ISP, but even then there would be paperwork documenting the sale and foreclosure dates...

+3 Story doesn't add up regarding IP address.

 

[Cobra9777]

DW and I use our smartphones for most casual computing... email, browsing, social media, forums, shopping, etc. We have a laptop that we share when traveling, but last few trips we never once used it. The smartphones work for everything we need while traveling.

At home, the laptop is hooked up to one of the TVs for streaming but it's rarely used anymore since we procured two Fire TV boxes. We also have a high-end desktop PC in the office with three 22-inch monitors. That's where most serious computing occurs... photo and video editing, spreadsheets, documents, online banking, etc. I use the desktop 90% of the time, but DW uses it anytime she needs to perform some task that can't be done easily on her smartphone.

We don't share smartphones, but have no issue sharing computers when/if needed. Given our usage as described above, it would be pointless to have more than one laptop or desktop.

 

[AutumnElf]

Okay, mystery solved about why my SIL is using her DH's laptop. I got the answer from him after asking point blank on a phone call. No porn or any snooping involved, but still worth a hand on forehead.

Ends up, she is a multi-tasker. The type of person with a TV, smartphone and two laptops surfing all at once .

That approach would drive me dizzy but makes total sense now.

Waitaminnit computers can already multitask...why would anyone doing anything other than tasks needing an entire computer to itself, need two computers in front of them! Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[easysurfer]

Waitaminnit computers can already multitask...why would anyone doing anything other than tasks needing an entire computer to itself, need two computers in front of them! Doesn't make sense to me.

I guess the reason is why to some folks use two monitors or picture in TV? I suppose not having to flip back and forth.

 

[Dawg52]

My #1 laptop computer is kept locked up in a safe to keep others out.

For internet surfing and every day use, I use a $150 10.5 inch Chromebook that has virtually nothing saved on it.

That's pretty much my setup. I enjoy the Chromebook for daily use. Will keep my Acer Windows laptop for spreadsheets, tax programs and the like. I know there are clouds, software that can be used so a CB is all that is necessary but not sure I will ever go that route.

As far as sharing a computer goes, not a factor for a single guy like me but wouldn't be interested in doing so.

 

[Nightcap]

Waitaminnit computers can already multitask...why would anyone doing anything other than tasks needing an entire computer to itself, need two computers in front of them! Doesn't make sense to me.

Computers multitask, but you can't. Only one window can have the focus at any one time, there's only one keyboard and one mouse/trackpad. Depending on what you're trying to do, it's sometimes useful to have two - I used two during most of my w*rk career. (Granted, I was a sysadmin. We're a little crazier than most.)

Remember the good ol' days? Need to switch from WordStar to Lotus 1-2-3? Eject the WordStar floppy and insert the Lotus 1-2-3 floppy. Simple!

 

[target2019]

The advantage of two computers is that you have a backup system for when the other fails. Something probably not important, is to have a a more-focused system doing one task. My older system is slower, but all photos and music are there. I can turn it on to play all weekend from the itunes library. It also archives all of our cell pictures.

The disadvantage of two or more computers is that you double your admin/support time.

I prefer multiple devices, having each perform the tasks I need, and just when I need it.

 

[Scuba]

DH & I have separate laptops, iPads and cell phones but we do have a common database for music & photos to minimize duplication. I would never consider sharing a device. Too personalized. I have nothing to hide and DH is my tech support but still I want my apps, favorite websites, etc. and don't want them mixed up with his. He feels the same way.

 

[mountainsoft]

My daughter has her own computer, but my wife and I share a single desktop computer. It has all the peripherals attached (scanner, printers, tv tuners, etc.) and is where we store our photos, music, videos, financial documents, recipes, etc.

1. I keep multiple backups. It's easier to backup one computer than two.

2. If I upgrade the computer, we both benefit. It's easier and cheaper to upgrade one computer than two.

3. If we're looking for something, we only have to search one computer.

4. We don't need to buy multiple copies of expensive software applications.

For us, sharing a computer offers more advantages than disadvantages. We always have the tablets and smart phones if we need to look up something online while the other is using the computer. I do have a couple of laptop computers also, but we rarely use them.

 

[Fedup]

My husband and I share a desk top computer where I use to do trading and paying bills or important stuff to do with money. I only use my iPad to surf the web. My fingers are not accurate enough for dealing with important stuff. Plus my eyes are bad too.

 

[AutumnElf]

Oh man WordStar... Your memory is better than mine. Those programs are in some real dusty file at the back of my mind. Except I can still dig out DOS commands pretty well.

 

[broadway]

With Windows 7+, sharing means you still get your own settings.
Your desktop, etc can be completely different.

The only catch is if all of the people using the PC are administrators. Then something one person does can potentially change the PC such as downloading malware.

 

[Just_Steve]

Computers multitask, but you can't. Only one window can have the focus at any one time, there's only one keyboard and one mouse/trackpad. Depending on what you're trying to do, it's sometimes useful to have two - I used two during most of my w*rk career. (Granted, I was a sysadmin. We're a little crazier than most.)

Remember the good ol' days? Need to switch from WordStar to Lotus 1-2-3? Eject the WordStar floppy and insert the Lotus 1-2-3 floppy. Simple!

I use split view on my Mac. Just like having two computers going.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204948

 

[Jerry1]

We have a main desktop that we share. It is predominately mine but my DW uses it for recording expenses (Quicken) and general surfing. We both also have our own laptops. She mostly uses hers but I mainly use the desktop. Either way, I'm the computer administrator and all machines run well and run fast. All have SSD drives (for the operating system and programs) and a lot of ram. Kind of like cars, we each have our own and we will share from time to time, but both are nice cars. I'm not sure how it would work if one (hers) was really nice and the other was a beater.

 

[Nightcap]

I use split view on my Mac. Just like having two computers going.



https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204948

I use it too, but it still has the above mentioned limitations.

 

[Nightcap]

With Windows 7+, sharing means you still get your own settings.

Your desktop, etc can be completely different.



The only catch is if all of the people using the PC are administrators. Then something one person does can potentially change the PC such as downloading malware.

Yes, but then *someone* is using *my* machine right when *I* want to use it.

Early in my career, PCs were a costly shared resource, kept in a common area. The one closest to my office kept creeping nearer and nearer until it finally slipped into my office. Of course, it was still a shared resource. If you needed it, you just had to come to my office (and arm wrestle me for it).