Does Vista Need To Go Back To School?
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Found out something interesting from my wife. Apparently in each college she has recently attended, it has been recommended that students avoid using Vista. Not just with select applications - I am talking completely. Yet with further research, I found that many schools are fine with it, just as long as students understand that support is only one page. Here is one such example.
The above linked page appears to be dated as of 2007, yet I know for a fact that most schools are wary of Vista due to its ongoing headaches with BlackBoard. Other universities still, are more patient and have provided a quick fix to the BlackBoard problem when using Vista - use FireFox. Yes, you could use IE, however as you can see here with the two possible solutions, installing the browser looks to be much less of a pain than following the myriad of instructions when a simpler alternative is available.
So what is the state of software compatibility on Vista now? Can’t really speak to that myself, however I do know that if you want to use BlackBoard, you might be better off thinking of using an alternative browser.
2 Comments
D Lowrey
September 26th, 2008
at 12:02pm
Being one of the geeks who like to play around (been doing it since the Timex/Sinclair/Commodore Vic20/Apple][ days)…even Windows Vista/Server 2008 has MAJOR compatibility issues with software & hardware which will run fine under 2000 or XP.
For instance…I run a DVR with GBPVR. Even though I got it “working” under 2008 & Vista (means would not lock up the whole OS) for some reason…the recording would stall out after 5 minutes (says it’s recording)…then wouldn’t stop on time. It’s not a problem with the third party software…but the crappy OS Microsoft has seen fit to allow the world to run.
Another issue is Vista/2008 seeing my XBox 360. No problem with XP…but you would think Vista/2008 would find another piece of hardware with the Microsoft name on it.
Before my experience with the latest/greatest…just thought people were just letting off steam on learning how to use a new OS. Now…I understand what people are talking about.
Jim S
September 26th, 2008
at 4:19pm
As a semi geek I have been very involved in setting up new systems and teaching colleagues how to use each new OS as they emerged over the past 15 years.
I must emphasize that anyone who does anything more than just run programs must find Vista more than just annoying. By putting multiple layers of switches and security, connecting a system to a network and sharing a printer takes much longer and requires hunting for switches that should just pop up when you select certain features. For example, after joining a workgroup to share a printer, one then goes to add the network printer. Well of course it doesn’t find it because you didn’t turn on printer - file sharing, which you must then hunt for. Why the blazes doesn’t a dialogue box pop up as soon as you try and find a networked printer if the sharing is not activated? … and don’t even get me started on the missing up-folder button on the explorer menu - And this is supposed to be MORE useable. XP was the best and should remain the flagship OS until Vista is replaced.