Windows Vista review

Nice review ;)

I was trying to watch Gates' keynote on Vista the other night, but could get it to work - this review is a better alternative...

One thing I'm wondering about though; are there any Vista drivers yet for the Nvidia Go 7xxx series? I can't seem to find them on their site - even the XP driver hasn't seen an update in the last 7 months or so!
I'm guessing that laptop users may have to wait longer for drivers to become available...

If you think Vista's DRM just is there to allow us to watch new HD content, and does nothing if you don't use stuff like that, you are totally and utterly clueless.

I bet you have read this, but I doubt you have understood it, as well as the reader posts on M$'s "vista team pseudo blog".

Your own few stats speak a clear language: Vista slower on all tested tasks except one.

From your comments from the superficial article you look like the kind of person who prefers graphics over gameplay, so to speak. How did M$ turn you into another mindless propaganda drone of theirs?

Just to make that clear: I am not a die-hard M$ hater and I really like WinXP. But there is no way I will ever buy and install Vista on any of my machines. XP support will last until 2010, and that is a lot of time for Linux to continue to mature. I already have Linux installed on one of my boxes to learn how to admistrate it.

Ooh, forgot, one thing I really like is the ability to almost anywhere, hold down ctrl and move the mouse wheel back and forth to zoom icons in/out and go from details to big thumbnails. Very neat, that.

I've allready had to order a copy of Ultimate so that I can run my PC on the School Network.

I've just got two little niggles with it..::

1) I think that Aero Glass thing looks absalutley hideous.
2) Lots of the photos you've displayed make it look like a Web2.0 version of OS X that will run on my PC. I think that someways with the design, Microsoft have just jumped onto the Apple Bandwagon (or is that iWagon ?? I forget these days)

[QUOTE=]Full-version Vista is best saved for a) those who don't mind forking out over hundreds while only getting Home Premium and b) those who buy with new systems.[/QUOTE]

Surely new systems will come with OEM and not retail software? So that really only leaves a) people who don't mind their wallet taking a really good $hafting.

As far as I'm concerned, it all looks pretty, but that's not sufficient to cough up for a new OS. But then again I only bought XP two years ago, so I'm hardly the early adopter demographic.

Personally I'll wait for XP Service Pack 3 :D

No tilt-bits, no DRM infestation.

Full-version Vista is best saved for a) those who don't mind forking out over hundreds while only getting Home Premium and b) those who buy with new systems.

And c) those who make frequent hardware updates. Vista OEM's EULA says that it is tied to the motherboard you first install it on. Wethere MS chooses to enforce this policy or not (as it seems they didn't with XP) is yet to be seen, but given the strong emphasys on one-device/one-license they are making, it's not unthinkable.

And if that's the case, every motherboard upgrade means an extra 100-160€ for a new Vista License.

Originally Posted by karx11erx
I bet you have read this, but I doubt you have understood it, as well as the reader posts on M$'s "vista team pseudo blog".

There's 14 'probably's' in that first link. After the second one, I gave up reading it - opinionated load of guff, imo.

Just wanted to add that the NForce beta drivers are still quite lacking for some systems: the Asus A8N-E that is in my second box does not have a recognized SATA controller, so i have two 250 gig drives that I can't use.

@Nite_Moogle, try the second link down on this page - the SATARAID5 v1.5.10.0 (assuming your using 32-bit Vista, the 64-bit version is another two notches down). Those work fine on my Vista A8N Sli Deluxe. I'd assume your board uses the same sata controller (it has four extra sata ports, as well as the nvraid ones). They wouldn't have been installed under any NVidia drivers in XP, either.. you'd have had to either install them from the supplied floppy/cd or via Windows Update.

I've got a free version thanks to my University, so I'm gonna give it a go and see if I can hack it. The only reasons being are because I'd like to see how glass feels (kororaa/OSX have whet my appetite in that respect), and indeed make sure that I know what I'm saying if anyone asks my opinion.

But I can't see it liking my Nforce 2 much. And I've Ubuntu to go on as the primary OS :)

Originally Posted by kenco_uk
There's 14 'probably's' in that first link. After the second one, I gave up reading it - opinionated load of guff, imo.

So you read up to the 2nd 'probably' (which is quite a bit into the article, I just read it again to look for it), but you know there's 14? Uh-huh. So you probably just used the browser's search function, w/o regarding the context 'probably' was used in. That's the most stupid excuse for not reading something one doesn't like I have heard in a long time.

Actually your reply is the one who doesn't really have an argument. Pretty biased, I'd say.

Good you didn't bother to read the 2nd link, or you might have actually had to change your mind.

Originally Posted by JADS
Personally I'll wait for XP Service Pack 3 :D

No tilt-bits, no DRM infestation.

Bingo. ;)

The 2nd link wouldn't load for me, for some reason. I just did a quick search for the word 'probably' (ctrl+f, btw).

Did I say I didn't like it? No. It's just opinionated, is all. Whilst I, like many other human beings on this planet, read other peoples opinions - some we take onboard, some we reject. It's all about being human. Which oft sparks debate upon why the third party disagrees with someone's opinion.

'Probably' = supposition, maybe, perhaps, should.. i.e. not definite, fixed in place. As you have pointed out, I read a fair bit into it, but gave up as I've read similar opinions elsewhere.

So no, it's not a stupid excuse at all. I would assume if you continue to post personal insults, they'd soon get reported and you'd be on the receiving end of a banhammer.

Anyway, to lighten the mood.. fluffy bunnies :D

Originally Posted by kenco_uk

[[ Originally Posted by karx11erx
I bet you have read this, but I doubt you have understood it, as well as the reader posts on M$'s "vista team pseudo blog". ]]

There's 14 'probably's' in that first link. After the second one, I gave up reading it - opinionated load of guff, imo.

Haha! Great. every time someone post link (a) somewhere, someone else will (after reading up to approx. the 1st paragraph) state that its ologuff.

Originally Posted by JADS
Personally I'll wait for XP Service Pack 3 :D

No tilt-bits, no DRM infestation.

Service Pack 3? I'm betting they'll add DRM to that aswell, just to be annoying. :(

Originally Posted by bilbothebaggins
Haha! Great. every time someone post link (a) somewhere, someone else will (after reading up to approx. the 1st paragraph) state that its ologuff.

**it happens :)

I wish the preview windows that appear above the window buttons in the taskbar could be resized, much like the free util you can get for XP that does it.

Originally Posted by kenco_uk
**it happens :)

I wish the preview windows that appear above the window buttons in the taskbar could be resized, much like the free util you can get for XP that does it.

You might still find M$s response interesting: (the 2nd working link)
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/
windowsvista/archive/2007/01/20/
windows-vista-content-protection-twenty-questions-and-answers.aspx

cheerio,
happy DRM

Originally Posted by kenco_uk
@Nite_Moogle, try the second link down on this page - the SATARAID5 v1.5.10.0 (assuming your using 32-bit Vista, the 64-bit version is another two notches down). Those work fine on my Vista A8N Sli Deluxe. I'd assume your board uses the same sata controller (it has four extra sata ports, as well as the nvraid ones). They wouldn't have been installed under any NVidia drivers in XP, either.. you'd have had to either install them from the supplied floppy/cd or via Windows Update.

I'll give them a try, but I've been hitting Windows Update regularly for a few weeks now and I haven't gotten any additional download options.

Ahem... *puts mod hat on*

Dear lord, can we quit it with the "M$"? It's fine to state either you don't like Vista or you don't agree with the review, but the "M$ is teh d3v1l 4 DRM!!!111one here's my uber link from some other guy" is a little bit off-topic. The point was made (ineloquently at best) already and can be moved on from.

Thank you.

And now, back to the show...

Hmm.. ok, so if you want to view a HD-DVD/Blu-ray movie on a computer, then you have to have the necessary codecs and hardware to be able to play it back. Just because MS has it built in with their latest OS, people are complaining.

Originally Posted by ITSpec

At this point, there is a thick fog of theories and suppositions around Vista's DRM and the actual impacts, both for when protected content is in use and when NO protected content is in use. Until Microsoft provides sufficient clarification, the common information available for people to form their perceptions are Steve Gutmann's paper, Microsoft's specs and limited response, and blog discussions.

Source

edit - remove if you want, Da Dego.

Originally Posted by Mankz_91
I've allready had to order a copy of Ultimate so that I can run my PC on the School Network.

What kind of network do they run that they require you to be running Vista Ultimate on your PC?

Originally Posted by Mankz_91
I've allready had to order a copy of Ultimate so that I can run my PC on the School Network.

You don't need Ultimate. Get Home Premium.

Thanks for the review ;)

This:

Originally Posted by Article (end of page 3)
Device drivers have been a major source of instability and insecurity under the WinXP regime. For 64-bit, any device must have a device driver that is signed by either Microsoft or VeriSign, authenticating it with the operating system. Anything that isn't properly signed simply won't install.

concerns me and conflicts with:

Originally Posted by Article (end of page 6)
Even if you guys do have something unusual, chances are that someone has written an open source driver or hacked something from XP to work

I guess my NF2 boards are going Linux (which is probably for the best anyway)

Originally Posted by kenco_uk
Ooh, forgot, one thing I really like is the ability to almost anywhere, hold down ctrl and move the mouse wheel back and forth to zoom icons in/out and go from details to big thumbnails. Very neat, that.

Does that mean it all scales better now? (up until now Windows font scaling has been very patchy, often the font scales but the dialog box doesn't)

You'll be able to install unsigned drivers on 32-bit Vista. :)

I have never seen such tosh in my entire life!

It is probably the most uncomprehensive review I have ever read. You only included the "good" factors of Vista. Most of it was opinion, "it has a nice interface" or "ooh look, gadgets". You failed to mention the unimaginably awful things surrounding Microsoft's latest version of the bane of my existence. After being a long-time Macintosh, and GNU/Linux user I can honestly say Windows is, and always has been, lacking.

Let's start at the first (and only) major difference with XP; the interface. Everything you mentioned in your review was purely opinion. I, for one, cannot stand the interface. It is ugly, over the top, obtrusive, and bloated. Translucent windows? Shiny buttons? I've had those for years.

Now, security. But didn't Microsoft say Vista was the most secure version ever, I hear you ask? Well, I think you're forgetting one vital point, "most secure" is not equivalent to "secure". And just because Microsoft say something, it doesn't necessarily make it true! The new UAC can be turned off! Neither Microsoft, nor the consumers realise that having a box pop-up to issue the most basic of commands won't make it secure. Users will become so accustomed to typing their passwords left, right, and centre, they will type it in without though, leaving them vulnerable to attackers. Or even worse, they will get tired of it and turn it off, making them administrators! Administrators!!

What about the sheer amount of choice? What the hell is the point? I think this cartoon outlines my feelings exactly.

Now the trivial stuff is out of the way, let's get to the truly awful aspect of Vista. DRM. While people recognise and will protect their property rights for their homes, cars and other such property, most are unaware of the attacks on the rights associated with information technology.

Imagine the builder of your home or the manufacturer of your car put locks on your doors and refused to give you the keys. They used the keys as a way to only allow you into your home when you have gained their permission to do so, and only under conditions they have set. The builder/manufacturer has made arrangements with other companies such that they will protect the interests of these third parties against you, the owner. The builder/manufacturer has also gone to various governments to make it illegal for you to remove their locks in order to put your own locks on, so that you can protect your property rights.

This may sound like nonsense, but this is what has been proposed and in some cases already passed as law in some countries for information technology such as your computer, your home entertainment system, your digital camera, your camcorder, and your portable media players. They use confusing phrases like "Digital Rights Management" (DRM), Technical Protection Measures (TPMs) used by copyright holders, the "Broadcast Flag", and something the industry called "plugging the Analogue Hole". All of these are attempts to lock up technology which you could otherwise own, and make it a crime for you to use your own locks and/or remove the manufacturers locks.^[1]

Microsoft use DRM lavishly. Inclusion of HDCP and DVP hinder the user's experience dramatically. Peter Gutmann, a computer security expert from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, has published a paper in which he raises the following concerns against these mechanisms:

• Adding encryption facilities to devices makes them more expensive, a cost that is passed on to the user.
• If outputs are not deemed sufficiently protected by the media industry, then even very expensive equipment may need to be switched off (for example, S/PDIF-based, high-end audio cards).
• Some newer high-definition monitors are not HDCP-enabled, even though the manufacturer may claim otherwise.
• The added complexity makes systems less reliable. Gutmann cites anonymous sources from within Microsoft who, as he says, "are quite distressed about having to spend time implementing large amounts of anti-functionality when it's already hard enough to get things running smoothly without the intentional crippling."
• Since non-protected media are not subject to the new restrictions, previously legal users may be encouraged to illegally remove the protection in order to view them without restrictions, thus defeating the content protection scheme's initial purpose.
• Protection mechanisms, such as disabling or degrading outputs, may be triggered erroneously or maliciously, allowing denial-of-service attacks.
• Revoking the driver of a device that is in wide use is such a drastic measure that Gutmann doubts Microsoft will ever actually do this. On the other hand, they may be forced to do it because of their legal obligations to the movie studios.

As you can see, Windows Vista did not deserve the 9/10 rating you deemed fit.