I have to admit it... Vista makes a nice desktop

[Wally Balljacker]

The other day, simply out of curiosity, I did what no Linux user is supposed to do... *Gasp* I installed Windows Vista. Yes, I committed the ultimate heresy and act of defiance. The most serious of offenses, defecting BACK to Windows.

I can't help but wonder what the critics are talking about. Because all the terrible things that I have heard about Vista from the Linux community have turned out to be sheer lies, half-truths, and blatant exaggerations. Vista is not slow. It isn't unstable. It isn't bloated, and it doesn't require super high-end hardware. In fact, my laptop is a mere Pentium M 1.7GHz with 1GB of RAM, and it runs Vista just fine with all of the fancy Aero effects.

I actually think Vista is a more pleasant desktop experience than the slightly buggy, and somewhat-still-in-progress KDE4. Vista is smoother, the effects are faster, and frankly, I think it looks a hell of a lot better. And this is just cosmetics. Feature-wise, Vista blows KDE out of the water. It is stupidly easy to accomplish just about any task that would otherwise be a chore on a Linux desktop.

So lets just put all of that aside for a moment, because all that really matters for a good desktop experience is software, right? And Windows supports every piece of software known to man. Linux, well, doesn't. So, Vista looks good, it performs well, it's stable, it's relatively secure, it runs any application a user could possibly want, it is ridiculously easy to use, and it is guaranteed to support your hardware. What exactly is the criticism, again?

Is this a joke? Is Vista really a good OS? With all the freadom stuff aside, is it really better than Linux? Do you use KDE? I think Gnome is junk. But you are serious that Vista is better than Linux??

EDIT: Oh, are you sure that the effects are better than compiz? I think you're just joking...

I never said Vista was "better" than Linux, but I do happen to think it's a more polished and complete desktop than KDE or GNOME for the reasons stated above.

[eddie]

Darn, you made want to get a windows fix. I installed win2kas on system with dual pIII cpu's. Oh no!!! I have forgotten how to use windows.
Oh that's right you have to press start to stop it.

[MattKingUSA]

The other day, simply out of curiosity, I did what no Linux user is supposed to do... *Gasp* I installed Windows Vista. Yes, I committed the ultimate heresy and act of defiance. The most serious of offenses, defecting BACK to Windows.

I can't help but wonder what the critics are talking about. Because all the terrible things that I have heard about Vista from the Linux community have turned out to be sheer lies, half-truths, and blatant exaggerations. Vista is not slow. It isn't unstable. It isn't bloated, and it doesn't require super high-end hardware. In fact, my laptop is a mere Pentium M 1.7GHz with 1GB of RAM, and it runs Vista just fine with all of the fancy Aero effects.

I actually think Vista is a more pleasant desktop experience than the slightly buggy, and somewhat-still-in-progress KDE4. Vista is smoother, the effects are faster, and frankly, I think it looks a hell of a lot better. And this is just cosmetics. Feature-wise, Vista blows KDE out of the water. It is stupidly easy to accomplish just about any task that would otherwise be a chore on a Linux desktop.

So lets just put all of that aside for a moment, because all that really matters for a good desktop experience is software, right? And Windows supports every piece of software known to man. Linux, well, doesn't. So, Vista looks good, it performs well, it's stable, it's relatively secure, it runs any application a user could possibly want, it is ridiculously easy to use, and it is guaranteed to support your hardware. What exactly is the criticism, again?

Is this a joke? Is Vista really a good OS? With all the freadom stuff aside, is it really better than Linux? Do you use KDE? I think Gnome is junk. But you are serious that Vista is better than Linux??

EDIT: Oh, are you sure that the effects are better than compiz? I think you're just joking...

I never said Vista was "better" than Linux, but I do happen to think it's a more polished and complete desktop than KDE or GNOME for the reasons stated above.

So it's basically the same old crap OS that it was with XP they just made it shiny? That's cool. Well, what the heck. Linux should be more shiny then.

[reine]

Heroin and a needle could be nice and polished, but that's no reason to try it!

[reine]

Wooly wallJacker uses the wrong dope!.

[Wally Balljacker]

So it's basically the same old crap OS that it was with XP they just made it shiny? That's cool. Well, what the heck. Linux should be more shiny then.

Not really. It's based on NT 6.0 which contains a brand new kernel, completely revamped networking, audio, and video stacks, better power management, improved security features, revamped wireless support, and improvements to the memory manager, process scheduler, heap manager, and I/O scheduler. Vista is pretty much a complete overhaul of Windows XP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_a ... dows_Vista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_ ... dows_Vista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vi ... chnologies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vi ... chnologies

[MattKingUSA]

So it's basically the same old crap OS that it was with XP they just made it shiny? That's cool. Well, what the heck. Linux should be more shiny then.

Not really. It's based on NT 6.0 which contains a brand new kernel, completely revamped networking, audio, and video stacks, better power management, improved security features, revamped wireless support, and improvements to the memory manager, process scheduler, heap manager, and I/O scheduler. Vista is pretty much a complete overhaul of Windows XP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_a ... dows_Vista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_ ... dows_Vista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vi ... chnologies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vi ... chnologies

Wow, there's nothing you could say to make me want to use Windows. But sounds fantastic. Sounds like 8 years of work for nothing. Because it's still windows. My friend has Vista, it would BSOD every half hour and then it locked him out so that he couldn't use it. He had to pay someone to reinstall it. The why starts now.. Why did I buy this? Why does it not work? Why did I upgrade? Why would anyone who knows of linux or has used linux use this?

Anyway, I am passionate about how crap windows is. But it sounds to me like they're on their way to having something close to a real OS someday.

[Colin]

Wow, there's nothing you could say to make me want to use Windows. But sounds fantastic. Sounds like 8 years of work for nothing. Because it's still windows. My friend has Vista, it would BSOD every half hour and then it locked him out so that he couldn't use it. He had to pay someone to reinstall it.

You friend has some kind of problem. Every half hour? You're clearly exaggerating.
I deal with Vista personally everyday.
I have clients with it. I haven't seen those problems.

How about you setup up your friend's computer with Linux instead of focusing on how bad is Vista?

Anyway, I am passionate about how crap windows is. But it sounds to me like they're on their way to having something close to a real OS someday.

There it is: your disclaimer.

[MattKingUSA]

Wow, there's nothing you could say to make me want to use Windows. But sounds fantastic. Sounds like 8 years of work for nothing. Because it's still windows. My friend has Vista, it would BSOD every half hour and then it locked him out so that he couldn't use it. He had to pay someone to reinstall it.

You friend has some kind of problem. Every half hour? You're clearly exaggerating.
I deal with Vista personally everyday.
I have clients with it. I haven't seen those problems.

How about you setup up your friend's computer with Linux instead of focusing on how bad is Vista?

Anyway, I am passionate about how crap windows is. But it sounds to me like they're on their way to having something close to a real OS someday.

There it is: your disclaimer.

Man, there is some real Vista love going on in this topic. It's making me feel a bit out of place.

You are right about my friends computer. It was really about every hour. Not half hour. And it's his computer not mine. He likes Windows and doesn't want Linux. Otherwise I would install Linux on it for him.

And how about you quit deffending Windows and mind your business?

Where do you live? I think you and I should have a good old fassioned fist fight pal....

[dann]

Alright guys, I want a clean fight here - no hitting below the belts. This is a 10 round match or first knock out. Get to your corners and come out swinging when the bell rings. The winner gets a hoagie and a shave courtesy of Troels.

[elgordo123]

Go ahead and try to use Vista for a couple weeks for your everyday computing needs, then post back. You must really be bored to post something like that just to purposefully encourage this thread. You really need a girlfriend or a hobby, are things really that bad?
Vista does "look" nice, so does OS X, not any better thank kde 4. However, does it let you use a computer for what a computer was designed for? Or does it limit you? Vista is "sluggish" as all hell, Not even XP gave me the hourglass after clicking on every damn thing.. vista does. No reason for it. Try to install a lot of programs then go to add/remove and WAIT... for it to build the list.. You really need to use it for awhile to "appreciate it".
Microsoft does almost nothing in innovation or internal changes. They pretty much slap a new gui on something, move things around for no reason- and release it as a whole new exciting update. Sure there are SOME good changes they make. How do you like the User Access Control security? Wonderful isn't it? Now that's security! Try living without ssh and command line programs, it will drive ya nuts. Want to add some software? Sure there are a few free programs, but most everything you have to pay for. Now we find out that MS provides information to FBI, etc to bypass all security and access your info? How long before I can pick one of those up on ebay or download it? ActiveX is still as insecure as ever, reboot after almost every update or software install? Gotta love that registry...
Keep your Vista and enjoy it, keep your restore cd's with you too. Freedom of choice is a great thing. Meanwhile, me and my linux.... from my cold dead hands.....

[Tsuroerusu]

The winner gets a hoagie and a shave courtesy of Troels.

Sorry Dann, but I am busy rearranging some of my computers, you'll have to take care of that yourself.

[akuma624]

I was recently asked to come by someone's house to help with setting up an MS Outlook OWA access so my coworker can access her work email from home.

She has Vista on a shiny new HP (very nice looking unit I may add).

Oh yeah - our work MS Exchange server is running version 2007 and Vista IE7 is not compatible.

Here is the bug report.

The solution is to have the Exchange server admin load a "hot fix".

Where I work that is like moving a mountain.

My coworker is not a "computer" person by any stretch and she only needs to accomplish this simple task. And guess what - Vista is not up to the task.

[karst]

My only complaint with WIndows apart from them deciding how many Computers I can legally(and yes as you get older you get that responsibility disease and such things have importance with maturity...not that I am arguably mature, but I digress) load their OS onto, is it just isn't fun. Sort of the same way my old college chum enjoys messing around with his '68 Camaro...or was it '69. I can't remember. A dealer's garage could do a much better job than he'll ever do and he certainly isn't worried about saving money, but even if his maintenance is not 100% factory perfect or his tuning isn't to the nth degree he enjoys messing about with it and learning stuff and using tools.

In my case I don't code, but I enjoy figuring things out and making possibily non-ideal solutions function (sort of the idea that any fool can do something the easy way. It takes genius to do it the hard way. or more precisely; taking the easiest path makes rivers and men crooked(gakk! I seem to be channeling my sister the priest). Everybody needs a hobby and since I don't really care for fish Puttering about with Linux and Some BSD's is as good a choice as any. Also the Community is usually pretty cool. Windows doesn't seem to have a community to the same degree. I guess most who are happy with it look at their computers as appliances. Sort of like you don't see much of a community gathered around Target's Michael Graves designed toasters. The attraction for those is they make toast and match some folks kitchen decore. and they're relatively cheap. not much fodder for a community there; folks may use them because they like warm bread, but they won't sit about and chat about it or make podcasts that anyone outside a mental institution would listen to.

[Vogateer]

I mean free as in freedom.

I think that is a bunch of crap to be honest. I enjoy the freedom to use whatever I want, open or proprietary.

What a completely useless statement. I've heard it enough that apparently it needs a response.

Nobody has said you shouldn't be allowed to use whatever software you want. Stallman voices his opinion on why you shouldn't use proprietary software, and he has reasons to back up his argument, but I've never seen him once say that you should be forbidden from doing whatever the Hell you want to do with your computer. Stallman simply points out the consequences of proprietary software, which you can't avoid unless you use Free (as in Freedom, of course) Software.

So you're basically arguing against nobody. It's the strawman argument against Free Software; it's old, and it's a complete waste of time. Use whatever you feel like using for whatever reason you want to, but quit wasting people's time with sayings that contribute absolutely nothing to anyone's understanding.