Windows Vista review

Sorry for my English:

For me, Windows Vista (ultimate) is truly awesome...
Many complain that there is not enough features... the only thing I can say is that they are more features then when XP came out (compared to Win2000). When I tested the public RC2 of Vista, I discovered that finally most of my old games (<2000) worked fine under Vista (it used to stop working since Win2k came out) , including the original WarCraft II and it's exp. pack.

They are also features that are not emphasized enough on my taste, here are some:
- Go back in time on files, or OS (so if you got a virus, you can go back in time from 1 day, and prevent a virus attack. That worked perfectly under RC2). Just make sure you have 2 partitions, 1 for Vista, and the other for your files, as if you only got 1 drive, and you decide to go back in time on the OS, you may lose all your work that you did during the last marked point set.
- Proper Windows Repair. Under XP that screwed up even more WinXP, and takes just as much time as re-installing it. Under vista, it's a 5-10 min job, and everything feel like new.
- Automatic Disk Defrag., updates, spyware removal (not great spyware removal tool, but better then nothing). For me I don't care about this, but for people that don't know how to use a computer, this is great.
- Improve multitasking with Areo... I don't know about you, but under XP I fell I need a second monitor when I work, then under Vista Areo design, I'm good with one.
- Lightning fast (compared to other Windows OS version) setup (20min then your printer is ready to print (no other disk was interested between setup and first run of Windows Vista)
- Movies don't catch up to the player screen anymore... so everything is smooth. (it's all about small details)
- IE is NO MORE included in explorer :D. If you enter a URL in the address bar, Windows will open your DEFAULT web browser and go to the URL.
- I love the new address bar structure, were you either enter yourself the destination, (classic style) or browse by folder, without changing an option. (just click on the icon on the URL bar to switch modes)
- Faster startup of the OS (for me anyways)
- Better Help document with plain English and pictures/graphs (again, I personally don't care, but heck, for once it's usable by some.)
- Explanation for each item commonly used. (ie: Desktop Preference Panel). Finally I'll have more peace in mind from stupid questions.

About UAC, that is a direct disable for me, and DRM will be surely cracked by someone.
The problem is the price. Too expensive.
_________________________________________________
I would also like to add:
- I have WIndows XP Pre SP1... everytime I re-install it, I'm having fun rebooting my computer every time, as it only works once every ten times.
When I say it's *not* working, I mean it does work fine, but whatever you run, or download it gets corrupted, until you update SP2.
This is due to having new hardware that is not supported by Windows XP.
Here are the hardware that cause issues:
- PCI-Express Ethernet card.
- SATA HDD (Windows keeps believe it's a removable disk, and I can not set it for "Optimize for performance" until I reach SP1.)
- Dual Core CPU (unable to detect the 2 cores until you upgrade to SP1)

Computer specs:
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Soket 939
- ASUS A8N32-SLI *Deluxe* (Nforce 4-SLI)
- Creative X-Fi Extreme Music (rev: 2).
- W.D SATA(2) 250GB, 16MB of Buffer.

over here in Argentina the price for the Vista Ultimate Update is totally insane.... 1246 argentinoian pesos or... 400 us dollars.

Its totally insane because for that money u get a home use pc with XP home edition...

Because of these prices, 90% of home users uses pirated windows...

[Off Topic]

Originally Posted by GoodBytes
...
- I have WIndows XP Pre SP1... everytime I re-install it, I'm having fun rebooting my computer every time, as it only works once every ten times. ...

There are two solutions for this. One option is to make your own "slipstream" copy. There are several guides for this on the internet. The other, easier, option is to borrow or copy an install disk that already has SP1 or SP2 (it has to be the same version [home / pro / mce] as your key).

[Off Topic]

Originally Posted by Meanmotion
Is that convenient for a long term installation that you'd use in your home, though? I.e. Does it constantly need validating, etc?

If not, that's a friggin bargain!

Well there is a definite restriction that you shouldn't be using it for business purposes - e.g. seting up an office. However I can't see anything too nasty for the uses I need it for.

To be honest MS aren't goign to be going after home-users doing this (provided it's one user not you and all your mates at different locations. I can't see that I'd be breaking any of the licence as I've read it and as a developer working with this tech I have legitimate testing needs - which could possibly include my stack of boxes at home At the end of the day they're gettign a nice revenue stream if you renew at £170 per year

great review bit-tec on my feeds now thanks guuys :D o and for anyone get the oem its a bargain.

i'd rather get osX but, i'll stick with XP for a while.

I have OSX, now I wanna get Vista and compare the two :)

The only thing I can say is 'It's so expensive!'Although vista is powerful,beatiful and useful,it costs a lot!I have 3 computers ,buy 3 copies?Waste...
Another reason is it does not support my favourite game,at least now.

dragonszy, Microsoft has a family pricing... (not sure they still have it thu)
If you buy 1 copy of Vista ultimate, you can buy for really cheap 3 upgrade serial number for Home Premium up to 3 computer.

(You use your Windows ultimate CD to install Home Premium on other computers)
I know it's still expensive, but you might want to check it out

[edit]
Ah there is the link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx?wt_svl=20108a&mg_id=20108b
Ok hey reduced now to up to 2 copy of Home Premium upgrade
[/edit]

Vista is only a pretty looking XP, nothing more sure it has improved security but that could be hacked in two minutes :( no one using there head will use the built in security that windows has if you want Vista looks then use VTP6, go to google and look it up it will make XP look like Vista with out making you pay to much money for a pretty screen

Originally Posted by Iago

And this Kids, is why Windows has 95% market share!

Next week, why Linux zealots scare the c**p out of most average users? Stay tuned!

Seeing as this thread has been risen from the dead, I might as well point out that it is far from necessary to install all software like that. Nearly all software is retrieved off servers hosted by the distributors which doesn't need compiling.

And whilst I'm here, here's a blog of mine so all of you who bitched about me not having used Vista so therefore cannot comment can go to hell: http://vista430.wordpress.com/

@Ace:
No, no, no, no... you clearly have NOT used Vista not even for 1 second.
Vista is WAY better, packed with features, and PACK with bug fixes that was never fixed since Win95!

Example, did you ever delete your Temp dir. well most of the time, there is always a file you can't delete. Well with Vista you FINALLY got the nice "Skip" and "Retry" button on the dialog box (also there for other tasks), so now you won't need to redo the action.
Now this is just 1 example of a very long list of new features.
Here's an other, under Vista if you fall into something that ask you restart your computer, or ask it to restart and you have application running. Vista will pause, and ask you "There is the fallowing applications that ask you to Save your Work, would you like to resume the restart or Cancel it." This message appear with a nice smooth fade to a darker screen with a message written on it. No dialog box. The program(s) are listed with full caption name and files name, also its icon.

How about the feature that allows you to control the volume of each application. From Microsoft, they say it was a VERY demanded feature.

How about applications runs (even without Superfetch) faster then under XP, and how about that Vista take advantage of multi-core CPU's, and doesn't stay stuck to 1 CPU. As a new mini new feature, Vista support Side scrolling mouses.

Vista is extreamly more stable then XP. When I use Windows Vista RC2... the minute I returned to XP, I feel like sludge hammering my computer as it's sooooo bad.
Try Vista for a month, and you will see that Windows 2000 was and still is WAAAYYYYY better then WinXP, YET Vista is WAAAYYY better then Win2000.
As or the case of UAC... you can disable it. In fact the idea that you have the option in front of you to disable it, is for you to be able to install everything in peace, and enable it back once everything you need is installed.

Vista is a brand new core. Windows XP is based on Win2000 witch is based on the first version on NT. Virus, spyware was thought impossible or no big issue in Microsoft eyes at the time.

With Vista, Microsoft has... lets say prevented and healed their cut they had from older Windows versions which made people switch OS. I must agree that it still doesn't attract people from switching back to Windows. But at least Microsoft slow down and possibly stop from loosing people. For me, Vista work as expected. The Interface is consistent all the time, and everything works perfectly as expected from a computer.

Example of issues from WinXP:
Sometime drag'n drop stop working after leaving your comp turned on for more then 2-3 days. Tooltip on taskbar is hidden, StartMenu button takes time to show the press state. If you click an drag a window, the window does not fallow the cursor, it's the way around, the cursor fallow the window (try it, look closely). While your comp startup your startup application when you log-in, you can not do anything until everything is fully loaded. If you load a big file like a video, explorer or the window that you were using (depending on how big the file is) stop responding until that file is fully loaded into the program.

As for those who says that Vista is crap, it's because your running it on a Dell 200$ laptop or about that. Unlike dear old Apple, you should thank MS to support old programs, and at least run the OS on your old computer. My 2.5k purchased in Jan 2006 ran Vista Beta 1,2, RC1 and RC2 perfectly without any crash and BSOD, and that was with my faulty hacked X-Fi drivers. For those who the OS crashes, that because you have faulty drivers on some (or all) hardware or bad BIOS.

________________

As for the comment on sending a file to System32 dir from Fophillips blog, it's a simple fact that Windows consider that you are smart. I'm sorry I don't get this... If you get a warning you guys complain "Oh Microsoft treat me like I'm dumb", and if you don't get a message "Oh Microsoft did a bad job on security". As a system admin for someone that is computer illeterate, you can just remove the system32 folder from the "Send to" in the folder "Send To" under "Documents" (if I recall correctly).

As for Day1, of your (Fophillips) blog, I'm sorry ... what drivers installation.... There is non that is required, either Vista has it, or Windows Update. Sometime Windows Update has drivers that are not specifically found on the hardware manufacture website, for some reason (each hardware manufacture has their own reason. The drivers found only in Windows Update is sent by your hardware manufacture and approved by Microsoft). As for this "Vista appears to be restricting my bandwidth" That's just totally wrong. Probably it's driver issues, or just your impression, or just your internet that was slow during this moment.

What I find funny to Fophillips is that you complain, but you can't make better. There is no perfect OS to compare with. All OS has a long list of flaws. I won't continue to comment on anything else as I clearly see you had serious issue with Vista since day one. Something that I didn't have. Frankly, I have serious issue when installing WinXP.

Lastly, didn't nobody remember when WinXP was released how BAD and AWFUL it was. It was a freaking joke it was a big insult to all, it took SP2 to barely save it's life, yet you say that XP is better then Vista. Vista has issues due to drivers because some companies like Nvidia, ATI, Creative, thought that "things drastic could change" under Vista RC2. They didn't take the public beta and private beta from companies seriously. Because of that, Vista has a rough start.

All OS has a long list of issues, it's impossible to please everyone. If you like MacOS better, then good for you. I'm happy that you found something that pleases you, same for Linux. Nothing in this planet could please the hole world, not even a custom build OS design for you. The only thing that could possibly please everyone is that everyone makes their own OS. But what I don't like is that you trow false fact, and show to people that you actually tried to troubleshoot (which you didn't) and tried to get some support (which you did not) and really blame on the OS. Just the fact that we have similar main components, and I didn't have 1 single issue what so ever with Vista Beta 1,2, RC1 and RC2 proves that you are doing something wrong. Also you just look at the overview, and go "Oh vista only has a new skin, not worth your money" and not look deeply at the new and the improved features.

P.S: Dual-core CPU's requires 2Gb of RAM, nothing was running smoothly when I got my AMD Athlon 64 4400+ X2 S939 with 1GB. 2 did the trick for Win2000 and XP (specially Vista) Most of the time WinXP takes 1.5GB of RAM just by playing any new game. :D

P.S2: When I tested WinVista Beta 1,2 RC1 and Rc2 I had a geforce 6600GT with 128MB of buffer.

I can't agree more with GoodBytes, I've had nothing but good experiences with Vista, worked right out of the box, hasn't crashed nor slowed down, unlike my XP install, which after 2 years of fighting with it is *finally* stable. I switched all the PCs in my house to Vista actually, and it's been running happily and bug-free on all 3 computers, and the other three only have 1Gb of RAM and older P4 processors.
I've been finding that my games run slightly better and internet is much more performing, getting a regular 800kbs/s compared to 300kb/s in XP, same internet connection. Funny ain't it?

I'll be switching my main box to Vista soon (right now I'm still on XP), just need to make a suitable backup of all my files and settings just in case going from XP 32bit to Vista 64bit goes awry.

<3 Vista

As for the comment on sending a file to System32 dir from Fophillips blog, it's a simple fact that Windows consider that you are smart. I'm sorry I don't get this... If you get a warning you guys complain "Oh Microsoft treat me like I'm dumb", and if you don't get a message "Oh Microsoft did a bad job on security". As a system admin for someone that is computer illeterate, you can just remove the system32 folder from the "Send to" in the folder "Send To" under "Documents" (if I recall correctly).

It's not that it didn't give me a warning, it's that it shouldn't let me do it at all. What legitimate reason could I have for having an unprotected link to a system folder?!

As for Day1, of your (Fophillips) blog, I'm sorry ... what drivers installation.... There is non that is required, either Vista has it, or Windows Update. Sometime Windows Update has drivers that are not specifically found on the hardware manufacture website, for some reason (each hardware manufacture has their own reason. The drivers found only in Windows Update is sent by your hardware manufacture and approved by Microsoft). As for this "Vista appears to be restricting my bandwidth" That's just totally wrong. Probably it's driver issues, or just your impression, or just your internet that was slow during this moment.

Oh I'm terribly sorry, obviously no matter what hardware you have drivers shouldn't be required. I must have been terribly mistaken when I looked at the options for my monitor, and through those 18 days I must have gone deaf when looking at the computer screen.

What I find funny to Fophillips is that you complain, but you can't make better.

What the **** are you talking about? Of course I can't make it better, nor can you. You can't make XP better, yet you complain about it. Just because it's better than what you can personally make does not make it 'good'.
As we can see here:

WinXP was released how BAD and AWFUL

And here:

It was a freaking joke it was a big insult to all

I'd like to see you do better.

There is no perfect OS to compare with. All OS has a long list of flaws.

Exactly right, but at least most manage to cover the most basic of points like security, and stability, unlike Vista which fails miserably at both hurdles.

But what I don't like is that you trow false fact, and show to people that you actually tried to troubleshoot (which you didn't) and tried to get some support (which you did not) and really blame on the OS.

How the **** am I supposed to trouble shoot when it gives me output like this? Get support from whom? I should not have to pay to get my paid for operating system to work.

Just the fact that we have similar main components, and I didn't have 1 single issue what so ever with Vista Beta 1,2, RC1 and RC2 proves that you are doing something wrong. Also you just look at the overview, and go "Oh vista only has a new skin, not worth your money" and not look deeply at the new and the improved features.

What could I possibly do wrong? I put the disc in, pressed the only option "next", and did the same for the drivers. There is nothing I can do to make it go wrong.

P.S: Dual-core CPU's requires 2Gb of RAM, nothing was running smoothly when I got my AMD Athlon 64 4400+ X2 S939 with 1GB. 2 did the trick for Win2000 and XP (specially Vista) Most of the time WinXP takes 1.5GB of RAM just by playing any new game. :D

Why the hell should your amount of RAM depend on how many cores your processor has? You evidently have no idea how a computer works.

Oi, let's have less of the swearing. If you can't have a constructive debate, don't bother at all.

Personally I've got vista and had no problems with anything :)

Yeah, thanks ./^\.Ace./^\. for your insightful comments and for resurrecting a long dead thread. If you really think that Vista isn't step forward from XP then you've clearly not had much time with it. There are a vast number of improvements and the only issues I've had have been driver related, but they're long since gone. I know you were probably only posting to aggravate anyway, so it's silly to rise to your comments, but I still felt something had to be said.

using vista ultimate here that i got free from ms. its lovely i like it.

i have got vista on my pc and XP dual booting (XP default) and it looks very nice and clean but there are some small problems that thay need to work out an little

i can make an big list of things on Vista that i think thay not done right
spliting the display pannel is anoying to change the Power button in the startmeny to set it to shut is an 8 Submenu's of options to get there
games perform Poorly on it you realy need 3gb more (pageing can happen) more ram for games if high level detail settings are used in some games

you need 2gb of ram for it to work good for an norm Home user you Slap on Norton or macfee with 1gb ram you be out of ram or it start swaping it about alot (ready boost helps an little {drop an SD card in or an fast USB Flash in turn it on}) its not so bad once windows is running as long as you not planning on running games wish 1gb of ram or an big program

Vista with 512mb of ram is an Joke i just sit there for waiting for the pc to start up then once the desktop loads wait an little longer to start my porgrams

i do like the look of vista and the ideas of superfetch it works well Opera starts very quicky as superfetch has allready loaded all 20 of my TAB's that are open into ram so soon as i start opera the tabs more or less instanlty are there
the Aero interface is cool and the 3D handleing of window boxs
mm UAC first thing i did was turn that off but its an good idea still

Sorry for waking up this old thread, but I think this might intrest some people that complain about the power button the start menu, which act as sleep as default.

Here is how to switch this (item #35)
http://www.windowsvistamagazine.com/UK/4352741769798249371/50-ways-to-customise-windows-vista-part-3.html

I've tried installing printer driver with my 3 in 1 printer but I'm having problem with the way vista handles the drivers, or maybe its just that I don't have all the knowledge with all these talkies... ;0

Look on your printer website for the latest drivers, or look inside Windows update for your printer driver.
If it's an old printer, sometimes company does on purpose to not make drivers, or make them work only for specific OS, so that you buy their newer printer model....However, what they fail to see is that the customer will simply not buy their brand ever again.
Bad managerial decision, but that's life...