Sheet Metal Guy Blog

30 Jan 2007   11:37:15 am
Windows Vista - Should I or Shouldn't I?
With the release of the new Windows Vista operating systems, I am getting calls from customers asking if they should upgrade. So here are some notes borrowed from other experts showing their views on the subject. From Angel Espinoza, KETIV Technologies, http://acecivil3d.blogspot.com/2007/01/civil-3d-2007-window-vista.html The answer is, No, NONE of Autodesk's 2007 family of products run on Windows Vista. From Ralph Grabowski, www.Upfrontezine.com Vista: Do Not Seek the Treasure . . . . . In the movie, "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?," Pete warns his two companions to not seek the treasure. Instead of the location hiding $1.1 million, it's hosting a renegade sheriff determined to hang all three. Now that Microsoft's MPAA-approved Vista operating system is available, and SolidWorks has the first CAD package available for it, it's time to ask the question: should your organization upgrade to Vista? No. According to those who have been working with Vista, you should consider thee strategies: * Resist installing Vista on existing computers, including those sold before Christmas as Vista-ready, due to driver delays and hardware upgrade costs. Many Vista features are available for XP and Server 2003, including IE 7, Avalon, WinFX, and the RSS platform. * Vista's harsh DRM allows Microsoft to disable your computers remotely. * The Vista license includes a clause that allows Microsoft to change the terms of the license. What you agree to upon installing the software is not what you'll be licensed for some time later. Industry observers wonder if Microsoft has crossed the line in creating an illegal license: You have to agree to terms not described at time of purchase. http://newsletter.infoworld.com/t?ctl=15CF424:C49220C15D44729E5AB57F74B2AFFA42EFF29049075316B4 * If you upgrade, you'll be alone. Almost 64 percent of CIOs surveyed don't plan to move to Office 2007 or Vista, but will spend their budgets on hardware, storage, and security instead. http://www.pcworld.com/article/128360-1/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws * In any case, Microsoft has extended support for all flavors of XP to (until April 2009. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-24ExtendedSupportWindowsMA.mspx In short, Microsoft has specified that Vista reduce the functionality of our personal computers and our legal rights. Think Zune*. References: Windows Vista Review by Paul Thorrot http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista.asp Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection by Peter Gutmann http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt CNET notes that if you pay US$400 for Vista Ultimate, your computer might end up running the equivalent of Home Basic ($199) if the installer decides your computer doesn't have the hardware needed. http://news.com.com/Buying+Vista+Get+a+guarantee/2100-1016_3-6154150.html?tag=nefd.top Gen Kanai describes a real-world Windows monoculture environment, and its inherent dangers: http://www.kanai.net/weblog/archive/2007/01/26/00h53m55s The 5 sins of Vista by IntelliAdmin: http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2007/01/5-sins-of-vista.html (*) Credit: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37091 From Jim Hopkins - USA Today - http://blogs.usatoday.com/smallbiz/2007/01/reader_burning_.html "Why do I need Vista? That is the burning question and one that Microsoft hasn't satisfactorily answered." Of the more than 400 people who replied, just 20% said yes -- a figure that's held steady for more than a week now. The vast majority of responses, about two-thirds, came from readers who work for companies with 200 or fewer employees -- small businesses, in other words. From Steve Wiseman - http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2007/01/5-sins-of-vista.html I want Vista to be great, but there are so many issues I have lost count. I will limit my rant to the top 5 user interface nit picks in Vista. This is my top 5 - yours may be different Number 1 - The new file browsing interface is broken Number 2 - The new start menu sucks (Kind of) Number 3 - Windows Networking is a mess Number 4 - Windows Search Is Broken Number 5 - Windows copying has not improved Enough! I still believe, "Don't be the first to try it. Let others work the bugs out first."
		Category : Sheet Metal | Posted By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments[295] | Trackbacks [3720]
1