Tech Tip 123: Introducing…Windows Vista – Part I

Posted by on 05/13 at 01:00 AM Permalink

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Are you ready for a brand new day?  You may have heard it, seen it fleetingly in neighborhood electronic shops, and it didn’t make big headlines like the debut of the Macintosh during Super Bowl Sunday or become the “End of the World as We Know It.”  The “it” here is Microsoft’s successor to its hugely popular Windows XP operating system, Windows Vista. 

Vista was finally released to the public on January 30, 2007, five and a half years in the making.  The positives:  Vista drastically improves upon security (sometimes to the point of annoyance) and sports a more intuitive look and feel.  The negatives:  As in any release of the Windows OS, you need to have relatively new hardware to run it, and running it on the “minimum” specification won’t get you anywhere but frustrated.

Of course, as was common in their XP software, there are multiple versions of Vista and not all versions come with the same features.  All in all, it’s a worthy successor to its siblings, moving Windows closer to “Mac-like” proportions. 

We present a rundown of Vista’s features below.

Read Full Article Here: Tech Tip 123: Introducing…Windows Vista – Part I

Do you wish to add to this article? Click the “comments” tab below and let your voice be heard!

    Posted by Edward A. Skoog  on  05/20  at  08:00 AM

  1. Just received two core duo laptops with Vista home premium and I’m just about ready to install XP on both! Vista is a resource hog. The code for this OS is so big it comes on a DVD. If you discount the eye candy which looks nice, Vista is just a bloated NTFS OS. The security features punish the user. I have renamed Vista, Millenium Edition 2007 because that is what MS has done to XP. When will the folks at Redmond finally make an OS that isn’t trying to be a Mac and runs new hardware like a F1 instead of a pimp wagon?

    2. Posted by James J  on  05/20  at  11:08 AM

  2. Greetings @ Tech-Tips,

    Many thanks to Microsoft for trying to improve n the best mouse-trap they’ve ever built Windows XP.
    I’m not sure if anyone who has used Vista has truely had time to take a hard look at some of the network interface software issues. There are some real compatability issues comimg depending on what isp service one uses, and vista’s overall performance or the look and feel just is not enough to win everyone over at the moment as to cost for the premium versions.  New PC buyers will probably op to get it when they buy, but not in all cases or the OEM is the best way to go like in the new Compaq’s or HP’s.

    Sure I tested it and liked it ok, however in some cases to much of a good thing is just too much. Yes I’m aware of brisk sales in most areas but they most don’t like the issue of being forced to upgrade to newer hardware in most cases.  Personally think I’m going wait for Vista II as I ee it coming in a couple of years. This one just appears to be alot like a enhanced version od Window’s ME or Me II as some have pluged it with more bells & whistles.

    Sure the secrity is somewhat grately enhanced depending on which version one elects to use.  Ultimate would is best for most if your going to sink the bucks for it in any case.  I just think with all the time spent on this 5 yrs in the making MS could have done alot more for us diehard windows fans.  Anyone who know anything about the patches added to XP-Pro or Home Edition knows well the patches are coming for vista.  I’m just really a little tired of waiting for real technological leaps as far as softwares concerned.

    thanks for listening...Scarabeus

    3. Posted by David negvesky  on  05/20  at  01:01 PM

  3. Did you guys write this review in an ,,improved% Vista tool, because your punctuation was all screwed up!  LOL

    Oh, brave new world!

    4. Posted by N Roseman  on  05/20  at  01:42 PM

  4. Windows Vista will be just like the rest of the Windows OS family. The wil be update after update after update until they come out with a new OS. There will be new blocks in place to prioritize hardware and software to Microsoft “approved” products and more ways to scan computers to see “Is you OS genuine?”
    Microsoft doesn’t even pretend to offer flawless products and that’s sad since they charge so much.

    5. Posted by Gary Croll  on  05/20  at  04:40 PM

  5. My new HP laptop came with Vista Media Edition and it sucks big time! It is painfully slow, doesn’t work with the hardware that came as part of the computer, refuses to work on my wireless network, and best of all, none of the 4 new programs I’ve bought will run on it.

    XP RULES!

    BTW, Yes I am an advanced user and have been building my own computers since the days of paddle switches for programming.

    6. Posted by David Wiggins  on  05/20  at  06:32 PM

  6. I been running Vista Ultimate since the 2nd week of Feb, I really like it. I custom build computers for people but my personal machine consist of a AMD Dual Core 5200 it clocks at 2.6 GIG, I run 3 GIGS of Ram and (2) 250 GIG HD Stripe Raided. My machine is smooth, but I have customers that have VISTA HOME AND VISTA HOME PREMIUM and they hate it. I guess you get what you pay for.

    7. Posted by Billy R. Brooks  on  05/20  at  07:27 PM

  7. What Microsoft should really do is get a computer manufacturer to make Microsoft computers loaded with their latest, like Apple computer does. That way the other computer manufacturers could build computers loaded with more open-source operating systems so the people could get to know them. A real choice would then be possible.

    8. Posted by Mike C.  on  05/20  at  08:19 PM

  8. I work at a computer store and there has been very low interest in Vista. We are selling way more XP boxes than Vista. Also, We have been converting a lot of Vista Computers (mostly Notebooks) back to XP .Customers are paying the added expense of an XP license and a format fee just to get Vista removed from their new Notebooks.This also makes Microsoft’s reports of how many copies of Vista they are selling flawed. I am sure we are not the only computer store going through these things. I personally use XP Professional and several versions of Linux and see no need to upgrade to Vista.

    9. Posted by joe hub  on  05/21  at  02:43 AM

  9. might better consider an engeneer’s Vista built around the operating system, upgrading is a nightmare even with approved hardware and microsoft support is a joke except it will be on you if you try to go to vista. Like the old stationwagon it’s big -it’s heavy- it’s a lead sled- and it’s a buick!!!!!!!

    10. Posted by Moe Knight  on  05/21  at  06:03 AM

  10. Couldn’t help but laugh while reading the “tips” on Windows Vista.  Your ‘grabber’ in the first paragraph “hugely popular” was a great line.  What an interesting way of saying “common.”

    You handled the negative quickly and efficiently in paragraph two.  Admit the truth (sort of) that it doesn’t run well on the minimum system while trying to gloss over that fact with another sort of truth, that it is intuitive.  Intuitive?  Why are so many companies planning for training sessions and adding help desk staff while introducing such an intuitive product into the company?  May I remind you that two ‘sort of’ truths don’t make a truth.

    I also find it curious that you write a review of a product which you clearly admire (for reasons yet understandable) validating your opinion on the basis of Vista becoming ‘more Mac-like’. Was that in the Microsoft literature too?

    I can’t wait to read the Tech Tip on how Office 2007 has achieved a Zen like perfection by becoming more ‘Open Office like’.

    11. Posted by Guy  on  05/21  at  10:52 AM

  11. Your Tech Tip articles to date have been great, often even brilliant and insightful.  I have truly learned a gread deal from them.  But this article on VISTA is like a reworked version of Microsoft PR, and doesn’t belong in your archive.  It does not teach anything, but tries to sell a bad product.  Dell is now offering PCs and laptops with XP installed because so many consumers do not like VISTA, especially the DRM and required WGA.  There are cute upgrades but no meaningful reason for anyone to upgrade to VISTA.  If you want to “sell” it, at least present the full story.
    Disappointed in Colorado!

    12. Posted by aaron  on  06/01  at  07:33 AM

  12. Now is the time to ditch Windows in favor of Linux.  Dell is preinstalling laptops and desktops with Ubuntu and the hardware compatability is superior to Vista.  Also, the Vista DRM is a crushing burden on the user, it is rumored that the Vista system will refuse to play certain hi-definition movies unless it has a DRM compatible monitor and display card.  The same movie plays just fine on Linux.  Its our choice to be free of this convicted Monopolist or to continue to pay a head tax that has outlived its usefulness.  Lets choose to be free.  I do hope part III will address these issues.

    13. Posted by software nederland  on  02/15  at  06:09 AM

  13. Windows Vista has received a number of negative assessments. PC World listed it #1 of “the 15 biggest tech disappointments of 2007,” saying that “many users are clinging to XP like shipwrecked sailors to a life raft, while others who made the upgrade are switching back.

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