Vista - my experience
I'm referring to the old new Operating System (OS) from Microsoft. Old because there is a Beta version of Windows 7 released, but new in the sense that Vista is the OS currently being sold*. I've mentioned it before - 'vista' is also the Latvian word for 'chicken' (as in the bird we eat).
I had a chance to try it out this past week. The version that I bought is the Home Ultimate version with SP1 (Service Pack 1). There are seven or so different versions of Vista, not counting the 32 bit and 64 bit versions as separate versions.
I built my in-laws a new computer. We (the Better Half, her brother, and I) were trying to get Skype working between our house and the in-laws. Their computer barely met the minimum requirements for Skype. I'd already verified my end with my brother-in-law. So the Better Half and I decided to provide her parents a new computer. I gathered (bought) the parts to assemble the computer** and decided to get the 64 bit version of Vista. Here's what I found.
The initial installation went smoothly. Much faster than either Windows 2000 or XP. A short while ago I also purchased a new computer for myself and installed XP on it which gave me a reference for the software install. What didn't change with Vista is that I still had to load a few drivers - notably for the Network interface and the video card. However, despite much written about driver issues with Vista, my driver updates were with out problem.
I loaded up Skype. I had contacted Skype about supporting Vista 64 bit and their answer was that officially they don't support it, but that many people run it and have no problems. My brother-in-law checked around and found the same info unofficially.
The last bit of software I loaded was Nero - it came with the DVD drive. That too loaded without an problem and I used it to burn a DVD. No problem.
Lastly I used the back-up utility that came with the main board to create a back-up image***. And then, since the compute is going far away from here, I deleted the system and used the back-up image to restore it. Another hard learned lesson ****. That too was successful.
Final verdict. If you're running 'mainstream' applications (I don't play games like some folks do) then Vista works just fine. In fact, at some point, new software will not run on XP anymore. Though that will probably not happen in the near future. I have already run into that when considering upgrades to some of the software I use on my Windows 2000 (Win2K) boxes. The newest version of the software (the only one available) would only run on XP and Vista. I even found that to be true when I purchased a video card to fully utilize my new wide LCD monitor - drivers were no longer provided for Win2K. Luckily a bit of research turned up drivers that would work.
I didn't get a chance to do any 'real work' with the computer (it is now on its way to its new home), but I'd say there's nothing to be afraid of in Vista. If you want to be cautious, get the 32 bit version. One of my co-workers also has the 64 bit version and his experiences are like mine. I you have a favorite but old piece of software there may be a problem, but current software should do just fine.
gS.
* You can still get copies of XP, but support for it has been more or less officially minimized. Lots of businesses still use XP because it does everything needed of an operating system and upgrading is an un-necessary expense (unless you're in the business of selling Operating Systems).
** While shopping for my new computer (I even looked at MACs) I found that none of the pre-built, commercially available units fit my requirements. Add to that nuisance of the pre-installed 'junk' software from the vendors and deciding to again build a computer was not hard. Especially for the in-laws - who mainly just read e-mail to stay in contact with their children - all that extra 'bloat-ware' was not needed.
*** I also created an image right after I finished the Vista install but before I added any drivers or other software. I learned that lesson the hard way years back.
**** The 'try the back-up before you need it' lesson I learned from the experiences of my customer. In most cases those experiences were not pleasant.
I had a chance to try it out this past week. The version that I bought is the Home Ultimate version with SP1 (Service Pack 1). There are seven or so different versions of Vista, not counting the 32 bit and 64 bit versions as separate versions.
I built my in-laws a new computer. We (the Better Half, her brother, and I) were trying to get Skype working between our house and the in-laws. Their computer barely met the minimum requirements for Skype. I'd already verified my end with my brother-in-law. So the Better Half and I decided to provide her parents a new computer. I gathered (bought) the parts to assemble the computer** and decided to get the 64 bit version of Vista. Here's what I found.
The initial installation went smoothly. Much faster than either Windows 2000 or XP. A short while ago I also purchased a new computer for myself and installed XP on it which gave me a reference for the software install. What didn't change with Vista is that I still had to load a few drivers - notably for the Network interface and the video card. However, despite much written about driver issues with Vista, my driver updates were with out problem.
I loaded up Skype. I had contacted Skype about supporting Vista 64 bit and their answer was that officially they don't support it, but that many people run it and have no problems. My brother-in-law checked around and found the same info unofficially.
The last bit of software I loaded was Nero - it came with the DVD drive. That too loaded without an problem and I used it to burn a DVD. No problem.
Lastly I used the back-up utility that came with the main board to create a back-up image***. And then, since the compute is going far away from here, I deleted the system and used the back-up image to restore it. Another hard learned lesson ****. That too was successful.
Final verdict. If you're running 'mainstream' applications (I don't play games like some folks do) then Vista works just fine. In fact, at some point, new software will not run on XP anymore. Though that will probably not happen in the near future. I have already run into that when considering upgrades to some of the software I use on my Windows 2000 (Win2K) boxes. The newest version of the software (the only one available) would only run on XP and Vista. I even found that to be true when I purchased a video card to fully utilize my new wide LCD monitor - drivers were no longer provided for Win2K. Luckily a bit of research turned up drivers that would work.
I didn't get a chance to do any 'real work' with the computer (it is now on its way to its new home), but I'd say there's nothing to be afraid of in Vista. If you want to be cautious, get the 32 bit version. One of my co-workers also has the 64 bit version and his experiences are like mine. I you have a favorite but old piece of software there may be a problem, but current software should do just fine.
gS.
* You can still get copies of XP, but support for it has been more or less officially minimized. Lots of businesses still use XP because it does everything needed of an operating system and upgrading is an un-necessary expense (unless you're in the business of selling Operating Systems).
** While shopping for my new computer (I even looked at MACs) I found that none of the pre-built, commercially available units fit my requirements. Add to that nuisance of the pre-installed 'junk' software from the vendors and deciding to again build a computer was not hard. Especially for the in-laws - who mainly just read e-mail to stay in contact with their children - all that extra 'bloat-ware' was not needed.
*** I also created an image right after I finished the Vista install but before I added any drivers or other software. I learned that lesson the hard way years back.
**** The 'try the back-up before you need it' lesson I learned from the experiences of my customer. In most cases those experiences were not pleasant.