Vista Isn’t The Answer

So far, with heaven knows how many beta releases and two RCs, I have yet to hear anything that even hints at Vista being (a) substantially better than XP in any useful way, or (b) substantially more trouble-free. Now, with the “virtual recall” of RC2 (see Chris’s column a couple of days ago) Micro$oft has essentially admitted that things are getting worse, not better.
I can conceive of no good reason to continue using Windows with completely viable options available. I have no real problem with XP (it works OK except when they try to fix it), but I have no desire to contribute further to MS’s coffers for the privilege of several more years of hassels and wondering if my computer will crash the next time I get an update. (It’s happened to me twice with XP.
My next computer will have an apple on the box.
Bill - Bill’s Web

It seems that my thoughts regarding Vista are pretty much universal. I have worked in various capacities within the IT industry including IT Manager and Network Administrator positions. My friends and associates have always considered me “The Computer Guru”, a title bestowed upon me that in actuality they (mis)interpret as “The guy that will fix it for free”. I mention this to affirm my knowledge of computers. (Incidentally, I have also been a Lockergnome subscriber since 1997/8).
I have used Windows Vista beta 1 and 2 and although initially ‘wowed’ by the trendy interface have decided that XP is for me. Even without having to look deeper at the mechanics of the Vista OS, just the overall subjective feel doesn’t leave me excited at the prospect of switching. In fact I have no interest in upgrading to Vista - especially after learning the proposed ‘highway robbery’ prices Microsoft expect consumers to pay!
No, I shall be remaining with XP for as long as it is possible to hold out, but having said that, no doubt Microsoft will arrange things so ‘upgrading?’ will become a necessary evil. In typically MS fashion they will ensure there will be ‘must have’ apps that will only operate with Vista installed.

Can you please republish “Windos Versus OS X
Thanks

I’ve used every version of Microsoft’s operating system ever made. My computer experience goes back to the old Tandy Radio Shack’s Model 100 and Model II. Tandy’s operating systems were far more stable than anything Microsoft has ever produced.

About three months ago I finally said to myself, “Myself, enough! Maybe the film, ‘Hacker 3,’ was on the right track.”

I decided to follow the sage advice of “Ask Leo” and some of my respected friends. I made the switch to Big Mac! I bought a MacPro.

I have not regretted my decision once. The Tiger OS X is a pleasure to operate. The transition was far easier than it would have been to switch to over-security conscious Vista. Tiger is unbelievably stable and a pleasure to use.

So, to hackney a phrase, it’s hasta la vista Vista for me.

Stan Kossen

It’s all just the usual “Market Forcing”. There’s absolutely no need to upgrade to Vista EXCEPT:

a) The fact that M$ will NEVER release DirectX 10 for previous windows versions… Meaning that most future software (games mostly) won’t run worth a crap (intentionally), unless you upgrade to a vista machine (of at least twice the hardware $pecification$ of your current PC).

b) Micro$oft will drop support for XP at their earliest POSSIBLE convenience (in the interest of YOUR better Windows experience, of course).

c) Future DRM content will likely not run on earlier platforms (thereby requiring even more horsepower to run your favorite DVD ripper).

I’m sure there is a plethora of “Necessary Reasons To Upgrade” yet to be discovered.