Question:
Convert a Vista Sceptic!
I just realized I can get a copy of Vista Business for free through university. Now the question is, why would I want to?
So I figured it might be fun to turn it into a little challenge for all you stinkin' Vista lovers... ;)
So here's the deal:
Convince me to install Vista on my home computer. You probably already know a good deal of what I use my computer for, and why I'm not impressed by Vista, since I haven't exactly been quiet on that front... ;)
But just to summarize:
I'm a computer science student with a part-time programming job. That means two things.
1) I like to pick my computer, or the software on it, apart on a regular basis, and I like the freedom to do anything I like, install or write weird software, reinstall from time to time, mess around with my partitions layout, and pretty much anything.
2) It also means I don't want anything that limits my productivity. I don't want to have to deal with incompatible software, and I don't want an OS that slows down my system noticeably. And I don't want eye candy that is impossible to ignore (So no dancing singing clip-art, no toolbars jumping all over the place, and I'm not even sure I'm hooked on the idea of transparency)
And second, I'm an avid gamer. I don't want to sacrifice gaming performance, unless I get something really nice in return.
And one thing you have on your side:
As I said, I like playing around with new software and such. Vista obviously falls into that category. And hey, I might be able to write a lot of fun little utilities for it. :)
Ok, enough talk.
The rules are simple.
No personal attacks, no flames, no nasty words.
Just your best debate skills, along with any "evidence" you like. Interviews, reviews, home-made images or youtube videos or anything that may demonstrate how amazingly useful Vista is.
I'll try not to get too involved in the discussion. I'll try to simply respond to your cunning arguments by saying whether or not they sound the features you talk about sound useful *to me*. (If you try to tell me that Vista is stable, I may just point out that my XP installation is already perfectly stable, so that argument is rather useless to me)
Teach me the error of my ways! :D
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
Windows XP has official support from Microsoft until 2010.
Linux + beryl + wine has nifty effects, and you can still play many games.
I figure it's not worth it, especially given your "I don't want to sacrifice performance for crap" statements. You might consider upgrading to Win2K ;)
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
for you:
1. its free
2. its 64bit capablities will make working with large file faster.
3. it is a multithread OS so the your X2 or core2duos can run closer to there potential
4. its supposed to be more secure
5. almost everyone at some point will upgrade to vista so this way you are ahead of the rush.
thats the only reason I will get it, it does have some features that i like for example i can turn the screen off(or so I am told) in use, which gives me better battery life when using Jaws. but that is useless for you.
i personally getting my free copy of Vista business 64 Bit, but i will not install it untill there are drivers for it.
i would not Install it now it would just acquire it, thats all but eventually you will have to get vista. unless you put off upgrading until the next operating system.
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
get it play with it if you don't like it uninstall it simple as that the only opinions you have to answer to are yours
IMHO vista rocks just because it's new!
jim
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
honestly on every system I have seen vista run on, it has overall seemed much much much quicker, everything. gaming, normal use etc. boot up times shut down times.
compatability isn't a big issue, unless you are using extremely random software there souldn't be a problem at all with that.
the new interface is just much more efficient to use, etc. and anything you don't like can be changed disabled.
bottom line is, i really doubt your performance will suffer AT ALL. it will probably improve.
ALSO, i don't really care if you use VISTA at all, make a decision for yourself unless you are offering prizes, etc. haha, seriously
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
I'm on the fence until I acquire more knowledge. I'm not in a rush to get said knowledge, so until then, I'm liking what Patrick said on TWiT (paraphrased): "yeah... Vista's... Vista's an improvement on Windows.. ME.."
Having used the beta, some things strike me as good. I'll pretend that there aren't any downs and focus on those:
1. The start menu. I really, really like starting programs by typing their names.
2. The Widgets. I actually use these. I'm a person who never knows the date. Having the calendar is a nice convenience. I like the weather one, and the notes one. Maybe that's just stupid.
3. The firewall has outgoing rules. (I think. I only was in there once, a while ago.)
4. The windows explorer address bar thing is kinda nice.
5. I think they fixed one of those ridiculous networking timeout issues.
6. The Users directory is easier to navigate to than the buried Documents and Settings one, though that's not a huge deal. This is just me again, but having the word "My" removed is a relief too. I always felt... dumber somehow... when using the "My Documents" folder.
7. Apparently Vista has real symlinks.
edit: ok. nevermind that about pretending there're no downs. I'm angry about the way it looks like drm is going, hardware-wise, and I've had the worst sound driver issues... hopefully they'll be cleared up soon after it's released to the general public. I do have a less-usual soundcard (an audigy 2 zx platinum pro superlative plus ultimate really-great e_e; ).
edit2: windows photo viewer lets you pan around with the left mouse button in real time -- that is, it updates as you move the mouse. on the other hand, it doesn't interpolate images when you zoom.
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
Just remember, those of you that are basing your opinions on the Beta, that what you were/are using is a BETA title. The software obviously had bugs, and that's why MS put out a public beta. The actual software title is apparently much better quality. I haven't used it, but I'm waiting for my copy to come from Intel.
Just don't be to harsh on what was a BETA OS with very obvious flaws.
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
I think there was a thread recently that had a fellow who could not get his games to work in Vista Business edition. I know, I know... supposed to be convincing you to get it. Perhaps the biggest plus is that the thing is free. Just look at it as another Linux distro you are trying out; If you don't like Vista Business just reformat.
I noticed that someone in this thread said that Vista performs just as quick as XP does. Is there any truth to that... I mean supposing you turned all of the eye candy off would the performance be equal?
By the way I was looking at the stat sheet for Vista business 64Bit and apparently it supports 128GB of ram (yes thats gigabytes):cool:
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
I noticed that someone in this thread said that Vista performs just as quick as XP does. Is there any truth to that... I mean supposing you turned all of the eye candy off would the performance be equal?
That has been my experience. Vista seems to run just as fast as XP did, interface-wise, at least (eyecandy on. that cost is offloaded to the graphics hardware anyways). I do have two gigs of ram, and that probably plays a part. Performance in games seems similiar. I don't have any solid comparisons -- Oblivion just seems to be around the same framerate as it was previously.
Answer:
Re: Convert a Vista Sceptic!
1) Its free for you. C'mon!
2) Sure, Vista may not be "worth it" for some people, but its still free for you! (I'm probably gonna keep nagging you with the "free" part)
3) Its visual enhancements are nice.
4) Its faster, more secure (for the time being), refined tools like Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker. The Vista version of Movie Maker is much better.
5) It has Gadgets! Okay, so you can get them from Mac OS X or Yahoo or others, but whatever, you still get Gadgets.
6) Search! Its still nice to have instant search integrated inside, even if others already offer Instant Searching.
7) Vista "Backup Save" thingy ma jiggy. The thing where you can revert to the previous document before it was saved. Its useful for some, and if you find it annoying you can turn it off.
8) Its free for you! C'mon!