Windows Vista Beta

[ShawnLee]

Is anyone else using this?

I'm running it on my desktop. It's pretty buggy for me, no surprise. Things will work great, then die.

So far, my plus list:
~The design is very intuitive. I figured out most of the the setup in minutes. Having grown up using computers, I guess that's not that surprising, but it's a semi-natural extension out of Windows XP.
~Windows Media 10. I label this a major plus. It worked so well that I'm using it all the time as a media player. It's basically an outgrowth of earlier WMP versions, but it's pretty fast and controls well, at least except for when it dies.
~Basically, what works is convenient. Windows explorer makes sense. The search process can find all my files relatively well. I'm fairly content with it all.

My minus list:
~IE doesn't work. It worked beautifully and then crashed, only to not work again. Tabbed windows in IE are cool, but only if they work!
~Compatibility issues. Well, duh, it's a beta, but still, I've got to say it. Still, I can't complain too much considering that Firefox works so much better on Vista than IE does.
~Minor inconveniences in simple things. They're aiming for security it seems. So when the computer tasks itself to do simple things, it asks me permission to do it. It's fine that it wants my permission for the first time a new program is run, but it asks me each time a system task runs something in the background, or files are transferred from one drive to the other, etc.
~Too cute. AKA Bloatware. It's cute. I'm playing the built-in games and it's cute. The new card designs and the way it's animated all work. But they're bloatware. I don't need my cards to explode or need leaves to light up like it's some wiccan ritual. Just let me play my Solitaire and Freecell in peace. There should be two versions included in the ultimate release Freecell, and Freecell classic.

[redcolours]

i downloaded it and burned it on to a blank DVD. still trying to get a standalone PC to use it for. no way im gonna install it with my current rig.

[Airencracken]

:stupid:

I'd be interested in using if only to compare it to Linux. I've been using linux for a few months now and I'm VERY happy with it. (I'm running a dual-boot of WinXP and SUSE 10.1) Booting into windows is rare for me, the ONLY reason I do so it play games. (and I'm trying to get cedega to work so I won't even have to do that)

Basically from what I've seen Vista looks like Windows Catch-Up. I don't really see anything innovative in the entire set up. Everything is either

a) Already in another OS (OSX Linux)
b) Already done by another OSS project (Firefox)
c) Bloat

Microsoft is claiming that this is the largest innovation since the 3.11 to 95 switch. I see it more like a 95 to 98. Evolution not revolution. Really the main reason this will have a large user base is the embedded nature of Windows. Most users really don't have a choice of operating systems when they go to buy a new PC (apple excepted). That combined with the recent announcement of WinFS getting the axe really makes me wonder what the improvements here are.

Not to mention that several of the rip offs are painfully blatent (Aqua/Aero anyone?).

[Grubbie]

~Too cute. AKA Bloatware. It's cute. I'm playing the built-in games and it's cute. The new card designs and the way it's animated all work. But they're bloatware. I don't need my cards to explode or need leaves to light up like it's some wiccan ritual. Just let me play my Solitaire and Freecell in peace. There should be two versions included in the ultimate release Freecell, and Freecell classic.

I'm kinda shocked by that statement. The games were completely overhauled and look and play a LOT better then the classic versions. How are improving them bloating Vista? I don't see how making the games play, behave, look, and feel better is a bad thing.

[ShawnLee]

I'm kinda shocked by that statement. The games were completely overhauled and look and play a LOT better then the classic versions. How are improving them bloating Vista? I don't see how making the games play, behave, look, and feel better is a bad thing.
Maybe I just got used to the classic versions. I do think they look better, and in some ways, play better. But the speed of play is much slower than before, and I don't like that I can't click and drag. I think those two things bug me more than anything else.

[Grubbie]

Maybe I just got used to the classic versions. I do think they look better, and in some ways, play better. But the speed of play is much slower than before, and I don't like that I can't click and drag. I think those two things bug me more than anything else.

There are ways to play the old games on vista...

If you feel that speed is slower, turn off the animations, it helps speed up the games a lot. What do you mean by click and drag?

See this is the part about Beta programs, you can file bugs on things you don't like and the teams WILL take a look at them. However, if you wait to long it is to late for anything that could of come from changes to be implemented. So the moral of the story, if you don't like something, file a bug.

[zero2dash]

I like Vista, but IMO it offers too little over XP to upgrade for me.

OTOH I would like to get another computer, something more cutting edge/powerhouse (even though my P4 3.0c isn't a slouch)...I've basically decided that what I'll be buying next will be the Intel Mac Pro (or whatever they decide to call the Intel PowerMac) and I'll just call it a day. I can dual boot with Windows if I need it, and otherwise I can keep using OSX in the meantime for everything else. I don't play games on my PC really...I just a) surf, b) email, and c) graphic design and either a Mac or PC will fit that perfectly, but IMO a Mac is better in those regards. (This coming from someone who really wasn't all that big on OSX a year ago and would've never considered purchasing a Mac again until recently.)

Vista will be good, no doubt...I just don't see any reasons to upgrade to it right now. *meh* :shrug:

[Cubsfan]

I like Vista, but IMO it offers too little over XP to upgrade for me.

I'd agree with this statement so far. There's some cool things in it, but I don't think there was anything that made me say "Wow. I have to have this"

Some of the new GUI features were nice, but they didn't really offer much of anything that I don't already have. The one place that, at least for me, was a definate improvement was the drivers. I bought a new Dell computer in March, and immediately reinstalled XP. It was really a pain to track down all of the drivers. However, when I installed the Vista Beta, every since device was discovered and installed (even the archaic TV Tuner card). I was impressed.

[zero2dash]

I really dig that they added the account protection feature (long overdue) and added the "limited permission" feature of IE7, but it's almost too little too late to justify that upgrade price. I think their biggest hurdle is going to be the people who want to upgrade, but are forced to either a) purchase newer hardware to use Aero or b) deal with the same looking Windows that they're already used to that they've already paid for.

Good ideas are in there somewhere...in a large vat of bad ideas. :disa: Plus...6 versions will be released? Sheesh...I can already see the puzzled look on people's faces trying to figure out which to buy. Sure, it's simple enough to you and me - the higher-end power user, but to the casual user, this is going to be a very shocking and scary trip.

I hate to say it and I'm not trying to sound like a Mac fanboy or a Mac 'mark' but Apple's done it right...they release new versions of OSX but they only release 1 version and they tell you what they've added to it right from the getgo. Microsoft's offering people choices, but at what cost? A lot of confusion. :shrug:

[Grubbie]

Plus...6 versions will be released? Sheesh...I can already see the puzzled look on people's faces trying to figure out which to buy. Sure, it's simple enough to you and me - the higher-end power user, but to the casual user, this is going to be a very shocking and scary trip.


The thing you dont' realize is that pratically only THREE will for hte home user to choose from. Making the decision won't be hard, you have Home basic, Home Premium and Ultimate. The customer will be able to pick up the box and look and see the comparisons between them. It is not like the home user will EVER use Starter or enterprise and they "could" use buisness.

If you even look at the sku info off www.microsoft.com/vista you get this

"Windows Vista Home Premium
Whether you choose to use your PC to write e-mail and surf the Internet, for home entertainment, or to track your household expenses, Windows Vista Home Premium delivers a more complete and satisfying computing experience.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Basic is designed to deliver improved reliability, security, and usability to home PC users who just want to do the basics with their PCs.

Windows Vista Ultimate
If you want all of the best business features, all of the best mobility features, and all of the best home entertainment features that Windows Vista has to offer, Windows Vista Ultimate is the solution for you. With Windows Vista Ultimate you don't have to compromise."

How hard is it to figure out what you want from that? Ya, it doesn't go into depth on features but the actually Vista boxes will. Add in more detail on the box with a checkbox showing features each one has and it is a quick/easy decision.

Just because there are 6 SKU's doesn't mean the user will have to choose between six SKU's.

[Jeffbx]

Plus, here's the process that 90% of consumers will go through:

Hmm, $199 to upgrade to Ultimate. $149 for Premium, or $99 for Basic. I'll take Basic.

[zero2dash]

Plus, here's the process that 90% of consumers will go through:

Hmm, $199 to upgrade to Ultimate. $149 for Premium, or $99 for Basic. I'll take Basic.

:agree:
I think general users will upgrade to Basic (if they do upgrade at all, assuming they already have XP), most techie users will upgrade to Premium - some maybe to Ultimate.

I bet Basic will sell the most. :hmm:

[Grubbie]

:agree:
I think general users will upgrade to Basic (if they do upgrade at all, assuming they already have XP), most techie users will upgrade to Premium - some maybe to Ultimate.

I bet Basic will sell the most. :hmm:

I will bet starter sells the most :D

[Airencracken]

Fuh. OEM Vista will be the largest market unless microsoft ends XP support early (like they did with 98)