Vista or XP?

sailor86 · Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 74 Points: 0

What is the latest on Vista? Are there still compatability issues? Which op system is better for strictly home use?

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Grim322 · Posted: Mon 04/28/2008 8:04pm [Post #2]

I am personally happy with XP and see no reason to change to Vista. Of course someday, Vista will be all that is out there. Microsoft may be successful in making me change operating systems- to Linux.
Charlie

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sailor86 · Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 74 Points: 0

Charlie, I'm with you. I dig my XP too much to give it up without a fight. Even if I have to pay a tech to install XP in a factory-installed Vista PC.
And what is up with this "Linux". Are they really a viable alternative?

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Clark76 · Posted: Thu 05/01/2008 8:54pm [Post #4]

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Grim322 · Posted: Fri 05/02/2008 12:06am [Post #5]

Many Linux versions are now point and click rather than command driven. The graphics for fast gaming isn't quite up to Windows, but it isn't Linux's fault. Graphic card manufacturers usually don't offer a Linux version of their top of the line driver because they don't want to release their secrets into the open source world. The vast majority of people that use their computers for email and web surfing could do just fine with Linux and be much more secure while doing it. Linux versions usual come with Open Office which is a free word processor that is compatible with Microsoft Word.
Charlie

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arraknid · Tech Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Points: 19

XP for me too. Recently bought a second machine with Vista installed - it lasted 2 days!

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Mich · Posted: Tue 05/06/2008 8:54am [Post #7]

I actually haven't had vista issues, other than it automatically making the drive it is installed on 'C' when dual booting. I've been running it since the beta version, have tried it on 3 different pc's now.

In comparison I would still have to say that Windows 2000 has been my favourite, but vista really isn't *that* bad. I'm finding that the big issues are people trying to install it on older machines, and the newer features being well...new. A lot of people just have issues with change Wink

Its hard to say what operating system is better for home use. It depends on what kind of system you have, what you do with it, if you want a home network, do you get a lot of spyware infections etc. etc.

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sailor86 · Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 74 Points: 0

Sorry, but I'm still confused. I guess what I'll end up doing is buying a machine with Vista installed (it's hard to find XP installed with the other options that you want) and if I'm not happy with it, I'll just take my computer to the shop and have them install XP. It seems to me that Vista can't be all that bad if most new models are incorporating it.

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arraknid · Tech Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Points: 19

@Mich...I remember people saying that when XP came out. It took 2 service packs to get it anywhere usable.

Vista I find too cpu intensive - lots of glitter, but basically doing what XP does.

My other reason, I guess, is that I feel comfortable with XP. I know it pretty well inside out now and I can sort most problems quickly, either through my own knowledge or by using the vast amount of info available on the net. In any case, I couldn't even imagine how long it would take me to reinstall all of my programs - over 100 at the last count, and a clean install is the only way. I do have it installed on a dual boot, but just for reference when dealing with network problems.

Anyone tried installing Vista SP1? Any problems?

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Mich · Posted: Tue 05/06/2008 10:57am [Post #10]

Yep and now xp is the one everyone is crying to keep Wink

When windows 2000 came out everyone cried that 98se was *so* much better and they hated 2000. When xp came out everyone cried that 2000 was so much better... vista...wash, rinse, repeat. They will release another OS in 5 years and then everyone will hate it and want to keep vista. It happens every time. Its a vicious cycle Laughing

Bottom line being don't trade up until you get a new computer.

Vista is too cpu intensive, memory hogging, and graphic intensive. You need to have a relatively new good system to run it. Same with XP when it was released compared to 2000.

It does do more than xp. It comes with IIS 7 which has more capabilities. It allows you to expand boot partitions, runs shadow copy in the background, it doesn't need an expandable start menu just type in the program name in the search bar, microsoft mail is a more secure mail handler etc. etc. All of which in 5 years everyone will know inside out when whinging about the next OS.

I haven't bothered with SP1 yet. Have heard from a few people so far that they've installed it and its fine. I prefer to wait at least a few months until other people's pcs have blown up from it Laughing

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arraknid · Tech Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Points: 19

You're right of course, but the difference now is that, since we all got turbocharged processors, massive RAM, etc, etc, and broadband download speeds, we all have many more programs than we ever did with Win98 et al. Remember when programs came on floppy disks? Sure, the operating system needs to be able to cope with all of that juice, and XP copes as well as Vista, and better in some cases. All of the extras you mention are laudible, but did they really warrant creating Vista? Actually no, XP could have been upgraded (as per the upcoming XP SP3), but Bill's accountants were screaming 'we need cashflow!!!' and like lambs to the slaughter we all fell for it AGAIN! Will we ever learn?

Footnote: Our organisation is blocking all SP1 updates for the time being - strangely using Microsoft's own software which is freely available on their website. Details here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb92779 4.aspx
Read into that what you will.

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Mich · Posted: Tue 05/06/2008 12:11pm [Post #12]

arraknid that's fantastic Laughing

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arraknid · Tech Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Points: 19

Er...thanks. Anything in particular?

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Mich · Posted: Tue 05/06/2008 2:07pm [Post #14]

The idea of having to make a tool to block your own software in general is just amusing Wink

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arraknid · Tech Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Points: 19

Maybe they thought they should do it before someone else did!

Also, don't you think it strange that, more than a year after Vista was released as a replacement for XP, MS are actually going to release SP3 for XP? That's unprecedented! With every release of MS software, they immediately ceased updating the previous version.

Call me cynical, but what happens after we install SP3? Constant nags to go to Vista? Or a screen clock counting down to the final detonation! I'll give it a few months - then keep my head down.

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