Thought for the Day

Review: Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista is an operating system, like Windows XP, 2000, 98, 95, 3.1, and 3.0 before it. An operating system is software that is given complete control of the operation of a computer.

Vista has been available now for a year. Why doesn't WCC use it? Should you? Here are some thoughts...

Why WCC does not use Vista

1. Vista and XP can run on the same network, but it is difficult to provide effective technical support for both at once. So WCC wants to make the transition on all its computers at once.
2. Vista requires about twice as much random access memory (RAM) and about ten times as much disk space as XP. WCC has hundreds of machines not powerful enough, and cannot afford to replace them all at once.
3. Vista is much pickier about working with peripheral devices, like printers, scanners, storage, and mice. WCC has many that are not compatible and would need to be replaced.
4. Not all software that runs well under XP will run well under Vista, especially in a networked environment. WCC needs to test hundreds of programs used for instruction and college administration to make sure they work together they way we need them to.
5. Vista has some improvements, but none of them is essential for WCC.
6. ...and finally, Vista doesn't come free, and WCC would need to license hundreds of copies.

So WCC's Information Technology department has been testing Vista for the last year, and they'll let us know when conditions are right for the upgrade.

Should *you* use Vista?

Vista's main advantage is better security. If you have a good combination of XP, anti-virus software, and backup habits, Vista's only advantage is that it looks a little more "cool" than XP.

What will Vista cost you? money, time, and frustration!

1. Money.
   • Vista's direct cost is between $60 and $300 USD, depending on several factors...
     • Full or upgrade? If you plan to upgrade from XP, the cost is less
     • OEM or direct? Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Dell, Compaq, Lenovo, or Toshiba, can get Vista for much less than you can directly, and include it in the price of a new computer.
     • Which direct source? You can buy Vista at computer stores, "big box" stores, from Microsoft, online retail, or online auction site (like eBay). Each will have a slightly different price.
     • Vista version: this table illustrates features of the four retail versons available:
       
   • If you think you want Vista and your computer isn't powerful enough, you'll need a new computer - or, so many new parts you might as well get a new one. My advice: think again.
   • If you buy a new computer with Vista, you may need to replace many of your peripherals - printer, scanner, video monitor, storage devices, game controller, even mouse. (That isn't all Vista's fault though. Many older peripherals work through serial and parallel ports that are no longer standard on new computers. USB, Bluetooth, and Firewire are the connections on new computers.)
   • Some of your favorite games and programs may not work under Vista. You may be able to upgrade them free...or maybe not.
2. Time. Even if the only money you spend is for Vista itself, you'll still need to put in time.
   • Learning new ways to do things: Vista has switched some things around. Not too much, fortunately, but enough to take some time.
   • Installing peripherals: all those devices you have, or bought new, take time to install. If you're lucky, you plug them in, Vista says, "New Device detected" ... "Your new device is now ready to use!" That's true plug-and-play, but many devices need you to install a "driver", either from a CD or downloaded from the maker's Web site. (A driver is a program that communicates between the operating system and a peripheral device.)
   • Re-installing your software: all the programs you know and love will have to be re-loaded on Vista, one by one.
   • Reconnecting to your Internet Service Provider: You'll have to connect the wires (if you don't use wireless) and re-enter all the user codes and passwords.
3. Frustration. Computers have many ways to frustrate you, and Vista seems to know them all.
   • Incompatible software: those programs that used to work just fine. Now, they either won't work right, or won't install at all.
   • Incompatible hardware: that scanner that used to do such a good job, now doesn't know how to talk to Vista. And the printer. And so on.
   • Slow operation: Vista looks cool, but doesn't seem to have the oomph XP did.
     • This may be because your computer is just barely powerful enough to support Vista. Check the Upgrade Advisor (if you haven't already), or the "Windows Experience Index" (In Vista: Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Performance Information and Tools).
     • Vista may speed up several hours or days after you install it, if you have file indexing turned on and you have lots of data files. Microsoft apparently hasn't cracked Google's rapid indexing techniques yet, and their indexing slows things down a lot. You can set indexing options from the "Windows Experience" window described above.
     • There are lots of tips on how to improve performance available from the "Windows Experience" window.
   • Paranoia: Vista has "enhanced security" which is a very good thing. But from your perspective, it may appear paranoid, asking you for permission to do things that used to work without hesitation. Get used to it. It's good for you.
   • Anti-virus program: Many third-party anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall programs are even more paranoid than Vista. Do not use Symantec (Norton) or McAfee! They will cripple your computer to the point of being practically useless. They are impossible to get rid of, unless you re-format your hard disk and re-install Vista without them. A much better option: AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/).

Info-links

• Vista home page
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/default.mspx
• Vista Upgrade Advisor
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
• Video: "Bill Gates Celebrates Worldwide General Availability of Windows Vista"
  http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0701/29339/GA_Launch_MBR.asx
• Annoying features, By Lance Ulanoff:
  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250344,00.html
• PC Magazine Tips, Reviews, Columns, Utilities, Troubleshooting, and Expert Advice:
  http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,1786052,00.asp

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