Are you going to buy Vista?
It’s few days left before you can get Windows Vista right in your hand. Ready For a New Day launched today in Thailand and will continues world wide to the end of month. Online stores are ready for pre-order including cheaper OEM version. Microsoft gives customer another channel for online purchase and download via Microsoft Windows Marketplace. Mary Jo Foley may have question but I think it just fine for those who don’t care about packaging but want it legally, or it just me.
There are of a lot of question remains. Those questions just simple like: do you really need Vista; what is the real benefit of Vista; if I want to but which edition is fit for my need; what is cost for upgrade including Vista, compatible software and hardware; what about my existing software hardware and peripherals; and the the most painful question..what is Windows Vista?
What is Windows Vista? Don’t look at me like that and don’t get me wrong. Or you may..”LOL” but I faced with this question much more time. I personally play with early builds of Windows “Longhorn”, the almost build of Windows Vista beta and now on Vista RTM. A lot of people I met, online or on the street, ask me question what is Windows Vista including those in IT stores. What will Microsoft answer to this question? with Ready for a New Day? (sorry, I don’t get it), or via Vista bus tour? Vista Bus tour is just-for-fun for blogger but, I believe, it’s make no sense for customers. I remember the day Microsoft launched its Windows XP MCE2005, it seems Microsoft advertising agent can not find a new trick.
I have seen number of the young who wish to get or already get a Mac. I simple ask them why? the answer is just simple like “a Mac look cool”. Mac fascinating these people just with its ‘look’ and ‘image’ with additional side effect of iPod. They even don’t know what exactly Mac is.
Why I should get Vista? Big number of article on the tech site and blogsphere already answer this question, you may do some search. Microsoft is good source if you want to know about Vista or just simply type “windowsvista.com” on your favorite web browser. To answer if you should get Windows Vista is taking a look on its features and benefits. And the listed key features will answer which edition will rather full fill your need. This is the first time Microsoft make it more clear on what feature contained in each edition. Not like Windows XP which people blurry believed XP Professional is better just because it come with word “Pro”. Oh, don’t forget Windows Vista team blog, it is good source for everything.
APCMag also give you 10 reasons you should get Vista, but wait..there are 10 reasons you shouldn’t get Vista from Linux side.
My answer to the question on should I get Vista is I write this entry with Windows Live Writer on Windows Vista. I like Windows Vista much more than Windows XP and contrast to what Ashton Mills wrote “Vista doesn’t do anything you can’t already do with XP“. I feel my life on Vista is easier and flexible than XP. UAC doesn’t hinder me much. You may agree or not but UAC is acceptable for me at the moment, perhaps I don’t get a clue?! What do I like is:
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Installation is easy, with new image base installation most of ordinary user can easy to learn how to install this OS. The installation process take less time comparing to Windows XP. Most of the driver you need is already in your Vista DVD. Upgrading from Windows XP or do clean installation but if you want to keep all application setting and data take look at Windows Easy Transfer, it’ll help a lot.
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Look and Feel. I don’t want to repeat this. You may find screenshot over Internet for Aero Glass.
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Instant Search. For a while that I don’t feel search feature is needed for me when all my file is sorted and stored in good manner, even though it is Bill Gates’s favorites feature. During beta test I found it useless when it handle Thai keyword query badly. Until some of my file messed up, so I back to use search feature again. It is work just fine in Vista RTM and my HDD is now full indexed. For other use, you can search or run any program you have just typing few letter in search box. I used it to run msconfig and regedit with out typing in Run.
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Easy navigate. The favorites links in Windows Explore enable you to add destination folder you frequency use. The new address bar in Windows Explorer also make it easy to change destination or go backward and forward. Changing destination to save a file from Internet is easy with “Folders” on bottom left of Windows.
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Previous version or shadow copy. This safe me from disaster. I did mistake by deleting important file as well as 4 GB file I download from Internet (permanent delete by ’shift+del’). Go to upper level then right click –> select properties –> previous version, the previous version of that folder is listed. Click on the date and get my deleted file back.
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Internet Explorer 7. Oh poor author, what’s pity I list it here. I , perhaps, not an in trend author who not believe Firefox is the best. My reason is here. The security is upon you not web browser alone.
More than 10 reasons I may add but this entry is too long already. There a lot of features I like which make me jump to Windows Vista but you need to judge for yourself if you really want or need it. All depend on you. Test drive is available to have a taste of Vista (business) but it doesn’t give you feeling of being on Vista except just showing off features and benefits. If you really want to try Vista from now, take it from torrent sites and install any edition you want without key. You have 30 days to play with it before you have a conclusion. I don’t suggesting you to use it illegally but just for making decision. Otherwise, wait for a month I think Microsoft will release a trail version just like Windows XP or Server 2003 (someone, I don’t mention the name, live one Windows 2003 trial and did re-install every 6 month without purchasing the product — good idea?).
If you going to buy, you may first check you hardware if it ready for Vista. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor tools is available at Windows Vista Website. Nick White wrote good guide to determine your hardware with “Windows Experience Index“. I believed that most of mid-range computer which bough or composed within last two years will able to run Windows Vista. With additional 512 MB RAM and graphic card replacement, a four years old computer of my brother is already installed with Vista Ultimate and it run just fine.
At the bottom of this entry I just want to remind you to remember the early day that Windows XP is launched. Some of peripheral hardware manufacturer will left your old one behind without update its driver. My ADSL USB modem, ZyXEL, is an example. Software compatible issue is already happended but most software vender is updating their applucations. This problem will not exist so long, not like what happened to XP, but it will ask for your money to upgrade. Worse or worth, it’s your measure.
