Micro Soft Vista

Well after 6 billion dallors in developement costs VISTA will be released tommorow. Do you plan on upgrade to this new operating system?
Three words for you "buy a Mac"
www.apple.com

Vista will not run on machines that are even a year old the way I understand it. You'll need to upgrade your whole computer to take advantage of Vista.

To upgrade from windows now to Vista will be $159.00
Full new version $250.00

[grinnen30]

And my guess is that I will spend the next six months just trying to relearn where everything is and all of the cool gadgets...just like I did after 3.0, Windows 95, and windows 98...Give the government 6 months and some "techno geek with power" will swear we need it, and they will replace every computer system in the inventory.

I am about to trash my desktop (still have a decent laptop)...but when I do, I will seriously look into getting a Mac...I mean, if I have to learn something new anyway...

I am just waiting for someone to invent something that can make my existing computer better...

[aixguy]

I gota say, this release of Windows sure did open the advertising door for MAC!

What's happening fellows?? I'm barely able to operate my computer now because of computer illiteracy & older dogs aren't easily taught new tricks.. I'm running with windows XP--am I going to have problems??

[aixguy]

Originally Posted by darladidit

What's happening fellows?? I'm barely able to operate my computer now because of computer illiteracy & older dogs aren't easily taught new tricks.. I'm running with windows XP--am I going to have problems??

NOPE! You will be fine. If it works for you don't mess with it. Mr. Bill Gates loves for use to spend money on stuff we don't need, that ends up costing even more money to get the new stuff to performance as well as the old did before we upgraded.
I still use Windows 2000 and won't upgade till I have to. I am really thinking about a MAC when that time comes.

[rowie]

Darla, as a friend my advice to you is from the heart. As a computer engineer my advice to you comes from experience.
And this advice goes out to one and all! Windows XP is just fine. Windows Vista is a whole new ball game, and one you don't need to step into at all.

Yes it is full of bells and whistles, yes it looks AMAZINGLY like Mac's OSX, but seriously if it's not broke don't fix it!

It is just not worth the pain.

If you guys do want more information about what I have found with Vista please just ask.

rowie

[EhBCz]

Here is a little fact card that I have from work on vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ns/choose.mspx
There are 4 flavors of Vista, and make sure that you get the right one as they are offered in 32bit and 64bit.

Personally I will not be upgrading anytime soon. There is no need. Also for any one who is thinking about it, you might be better off waiting for SP1(Service pack one) or SP2 to hit the market so that MS has time to fix the bugs and holes.

Ps. My real job is in Computer/IT Sales. We sell to the Canadian Gov and I hope that they don't get the notion in their heads that they need Vista. Even though I would have higher numbers in sales, it would be a big waste of tax payer's money.

Barry

[yardartnut]

I wont be upgrading....would not have jumped to Xp if my other laptop had not gone out last year and this one came with Xp...I dont do anything much serious with the puter anyway....edit patterns...and surf bout it for me. You can buy alota AB stuff fo the cost of the Vista......

[heartless]

LOL upgrade?? whats that??? i still use windows 98SE!!! ROFL

we have winXP at work, and the more i use it, the less i like it to be perfectly honest. this old beast of a machine does just fine for me, see no reason to change it now - and to be perfectly honest - if i could afford it, i would go Mac!

[Vicar]

Originally Posted by heartless

LOL upgrade?? whats that??? i still use windows 98SE!!! ROFL

we have winXP at work, and the more i use it, the less i like it to be perfectly honest. this old beast of a machine does just fine for me, see no reason to change it now - and to be perfectly honest - if i could afford it, i would go Mac!

I was wondering when we were gonna get a computer thread to talk about... pc/mac threads get very 'one sided' when it comes to personal preference i have found.
I own an XP system based pc with 3.4 gig processor i "used to use" for gaming online (lineageII, but will not attempt re-subscription on a dialup connecton)
To tell ya the truth... this is my personal computer and i wont be upgrading for any rediculous vista upgrade just for the new features/visual effects that this new operating system boasts because i have all i need with what i have.

I know i will have many who will back me up on this but win XP is an extremely reliable and safe online experienced operating system that is considered just as good (Until the dorks in office find an above par way to back-up their systembase) as the new kid on the block... I guess its the same thing as upgrading your mode of transport. When push comes to shove, you have your reliable chassis built with all hacker beware materials and ease of use(when really it is requiring more system resource power to run... i dont need this PERIOD) My system will run fine and reliable with an 800 mhz to the latest whatever they have on the shelf today and for that reason i sum up my conclusion with dont go spending un-needed cash on an operating system that will most likely give you trouble because of the new extras included.
Windows XP is still (and will be for many years) an excellent operating system that i feel is still self sufficient with great outcome on pressured work.

I guess i got away from what i was trying to point out here, but i will submit this text out of anger for a new product idea attempting to boost integrity on a new sales pitch trying to make consumers feel like they need to upgrade when really this is nothing but a new curtain in the living room.

As far as the mac goes... it is getting more gamming into its repetoire, though just not what i need at the moment... kinda got sidetracked a bit huh?

[rowie]

rowies background and skills.

Started working as a Jackaroo at the tender age of 12
Learnt saddlemaking, whip making and leatherwork, loved it.
Opened my first business at 15 import/exporting leathergoods. lasted 12 months, oh well.
Travelled around Australia on horseback 2X, worked in Antarctica for 3 months, worked on large scale hydraulic equipment in all mining environments, even underwater.
Somehow during all this I managed to get a few degree's, electrical engineering, hydraulic engineering, mining engineering, and some other crap.

For the past 20 years I have been working in the computer /IT industry mainly in sales/design/support I currently own 2 Mac's, both running OSX, 3 Linux systems and many winblows systems.

The point I really need to make here is that I don't have a preference, they all have their own place in the sun and I will never be drawn into an argument over which is better.
But in regards to this thread I can say just one thing and that is Vista is a total HOG. While it can look all pretty and do all these wonderful things, unless your a total geekazoid that lusts for the latest techno crap and your computer is big and tough enough to run NASA then Vista is not for you.

Cop this for stats:-

Needs about 5gb just to install and run.
Minimum "RAM" for the system to run is 1gb
Base system CPU is a Pentium 4 2.5Ghz or above

The only thing I know off that was hungrier than this was the old steam tractor we used to use to run the shearing shed. Even my mates old Caddie would be considered an economical marvel compared to Vista.

as always this is just my $0.02

take care all

rowie

[heartless]

i'm no computer geek, but i'm not an computer illiterate either - hehe - i know just enough to get me in trouble!

Built my current home system about 4 years ago, re-using a few items from my old system, including the OS (Win98SE). honest truth, it works just fine, has for 4 years so far. I dont much care for a system that I cant tweek or make simple adjustments to without a huge hassle (WinXP), and I darn sure wont be dumping boatloads of cash into something like Vista.
I would love to try the Mac, simply for the graphics capabilities, but the cost of a Mac - for me - is a bit prohibitive, maybe someday.

I've learned a lot since getting a computer in 2001, but in truth when I run into a problem or anything else that a window pops up & I need to make a decision, I click any button & just get lucky most of the time..someone watches over those that need a computer but don't know much of anything about one..I'm a little enviuos of heartless as she's way ahead of me, but thanks to rowie for easing my mind & I slept like a baby..

[heartless]

dont be envious, Darla. it's just like painting - just takes a little practice!
I got my first 'puter in '99 - a cheap, no name. after a couple of years things started to give up - modem, sound card, etc, found out how to replace them, then added a second hard drive. couple years later it started to have more serious problems - thats when i made up my mind to build one - doesnt hurt that the other half is computer geek of sorts, but he made me do all the work on mine! (the big meanie! lol) it was a great learning experience.

[fresnojohns]

I thnk I will just use my Windows XP until my computer goes bad. I
first had Micrsoft Millenium. Never had problems. My girlfriend and I bought two Gateways the same day in 2001. She had a mountain of headaches with Mil. We both have XP installed now and its been great. For me, I think I will
get a Mac when mine plays out. Since this is a new system, you never know how reliable it is. Never know.
Fresnojohns

[Vicar]

Originally Posted by heartless

dont be envious, Darla. it's just like painting - just takes a little practice!
I got my first 'puter in '99 - a cheap, no name. after a couple of years things started to give up - modem, sound card, etc, found out how to replace them, then added a second hard drive. couple years later it started to have more serious problems - thats when i made up my mind to build one - doesnt hurt that the other half is computer geek of sorts, but he made me do all the work on mine! (the big meanie! lol) it was a great learning experience.

I will agree with ya heartless... the best way i was able to get to grips with my basic computing know-how was reading articles online and disassembling/replacing components in that thing everyone calls the tower

BTW darla... i dont recommend this for one who is not confident about these things to attempt!!
There are better ways... this is just the option i learned from.

As far as running a newer version operating system... i think XP is the beez kneez in terms of setup, ease of use, consumer options, browsing confidence, appearance and such
My father inlaw uses win. millenium (a try hard upgrade of the 98 OS) which i had to reinstall after i attempted to upgrade with my old copy of win. XP (his computer wasnt up to par with the specs the OS (operating system) was calling for)
I will say this though... one thing that really irritated me with the previous windows versions was that blue screen with white text comming up while i was browsing/gamming for no reason (well, perhaps was from lack of system power or something?) It has been a few weeks since the blue screen has shown its ugly face but thats because i have reinstalled everything back onto the father inlaws computer the way it came out of the shop with no extra programs to interfere with system demands.

I'm not saying that pre XP OS's suck, but you will definitely have a much friendlier user experience with XP as your workhorse operating system.
I hope everyone was wearing steel capped shoes

[heartless]

Vicar - the computers at work run XP - I personally find it to be a bit of a pain (too much background stuff eating up resources), altho it (XP) does have a nice feature or two - like the "plug and play" of USB items the 98 doesnt have...
I have heard of nothing but problems out of the Millinium version so i stayed FAR away from that one. Now, i have so many "old" programs on my "old" machine that i am afraid to upgrade to XP for fear of loosing those programs. One in particular has no upgrades for XP - they were absorbed by another company & no longer produce this program, and i have not found anything similar that i like.
I know i will end up being forced into an upgrade eventually, but no need to rush it! LOL

[carlos]

Am with you Don, " Great mind think different, get a mac!!!" I recently upgraded to a G4 prior to that I've been running on a "power mac 180" for the last 8 to ten years. I my humble opion when it comes to art, photos, music, videos etc. there nothing better than a mac. When I was a photographer and using large files, 500 mb and greater, and using program like photoshop, & illustrator, the mac ran smoothly and quick. It just seem that my partners with pc had more problem with their computer when it came to editing or even viewing large files. Then again I could be bias due to being a stock holder. carlos

[witchybronco]

I had my current system built by a guy who has a store thats still running, after buying the dummies book, I have fixed it more than he could figure out.
Win XP home, sp1. I have the sp2 disc sittig here but am afraid to install it after so many folks said don't! . I upgrade often thru micros site. Have a pr of good virus programs, and the usual whatever-ware programs to keep clean.
When I have I major problem(so far nothing in over a year) I dump my programs to cds, and erase the system, load it up again and go on.
Only thing I wish I had is acess to the back up disc the guy installed from my 98, its locked up and I can't use that as it was intended for, pics storage~

As for all the background programs running, atm I have 4, once I found how to turn the excess off.
But overall xp is better than my 98 was, cuz it can operate the programs I installed, mostly art things. And whenever my phone comp decides they want to run the cable 3 miles up the rd from their office to allow dsl, I'll be much happier.
I know I have lots of things in here I don't use, But it does what I want it to .Surf, email, IM and play art.
As for going with the new vista thing, nah, I may upgrade parts, like getting rid of this huge monitor I have taking up my whole desk to a flat screen, but thats it.