I hate Vista

Post by **Skyone** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:20 pm

I'll be one to say that Vista is amazing, but that may just be because I got it for free, so I wasn't losing anything. Took me a day to get used to, but I really love the layout, it's something StyleXP can't replicate, no matter what anyone says. Everything is a lot smoother, and it really does add to the experience. I've had only a few problems with the new structure that's actually practical - installing Adobe Reader, which has fixes all over the internet, so whatever.

I would NEVER blow $400 on any OS, but this is definitely worth the price I paid!

Unless you're a die-hard debugger, Windows Vista has hardly any compatibility problems. Despite what people say about the "OMG LAME VIRUS PROTECSSION!" it's really not that bad. Windows Defender has caught a few cases of Jeefo for me, and after turning off UAC (User Account Control), everything is back to XP normality.

Post by **bicostp** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:29 pm

Skyone wrote:I would NEVER blow $400 on any OS, but this is definitely worth the price I paid!

Ha! So Vista IS worthless!

I tried it on a couple computers at the store. It's nothing special by any means. Get rid of the shine and you have XP SP3. I really don't like the way they re-arranged the Control Panel. (They made it a big patronizing mess.) Windows' patronizing in general is really annoying, and to be honest kind of an insult to power users. (Imagine being talked down to in a store by a clerk. It's kind of like that.) Just to be a pain in the butt, and out of revenge for the annoying salespeople who want to unload Vista and HDTVs on me, I set the machine I demo-ed to Windows Classic mode with no sidebar or wallpaper.

Right on the main aisle, too.

Computers are tools to get something done. Your attention and resources should be put into the program you're running, not the shiny borders around it.

Post by **Skyone** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:47 pm

Vista does have a lot of actual features, though, that I use to make computing go faster. For instance, it's search engine is unbelievably fast. Vista has "shadow copying," which just in case I forget to save my work, or need to restore something, it creates temporary copies you can easily access. Speech recognition is far better than any other programs I've used for the purpose. I spoke my 600-word essay to the computer, and it got done at the same pace that I can type. Although working in the background, SuperFetch has the ability to speed up transfer rates, free up RAM and prepare the computer for actions based on the user's popular maneuvers. ReadyDrive allows you to go into lock-down or hibernation extremely fast, and is a great alternative to shutting down, as it actually saves the greater part of your RAM, and allows you to resume faster. Another feature that speaks for itself is DirectX 10, even if Microsoft is being a whore, forcing you to buy Vista for it.

These are just some of the features I use on a daily basis, along with the fancy templates and themes. Maybe I'm not complaining because I've actually got a great enough computer to run it. It runs just as it ran XP, as far as I'm concerned; it uses the same amount of CPU running idle, and boots up with only a bit more RAM taken.

Trying it out in the store isn't enough, you really have to use Vista daily to get used to the features and easter eggs. As I've quoted before in this situation, Ben stated that video games do not need to have great graphics, but they can have them. Same applies to my operating system. I can run it fine, therefore it is superior to all previous Windows.

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:00 pm

Computers are tools to get something done.

Is it really so clear cut? I like my entire experience to be a visually pleasing experience.

On the other hand a failed attempt at visual shine might be seen as annoying and gaudy.

Post by **bicostp** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:13 pm

teraflop122 wrote:Is it really so clear cut?

Well, "computers are tools" is my opinion, anyways. Besides, it's a tool to run the game, much like a key is a tool to run your car. I believe the operating system shouldn't be the main attraction, your game/app/[insert product here] should, and they should get the amount of time and attention they need.

On the other hand a failed attempt at visual shine might be seen as annoying and gaudy.

Exactly. I see no point in the "glass" and transparency effects aside from attracting Joe Sixpack. I think all those effects are rather intrusive. But hey as long as they don't exclude Windows Classic mode, I'm a happy camper.

(I hate Luna, too.) Actually, I think most of the Windows themes out there are pretty ugly, first party or not. They either don't do enough or go way overboard. (I grew up with System 7's understated simplicity and DOS's in-your-face, no-nonsense command line, and they're what I'm used to. If you like shiny OSes, that's fine with me.

)

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:17 pm

Skyone wrote:Vista does have a lot of actual features, though, that I use to make computing go faster. For instance, it's search engine is unbelievably fast. Vista has "shadow copying," which just in case I forget to save my work, or need to restore something, it creates temporary copies you can easily access. Speech recognition is far better than any other programs I've used for the purpose. I spoke my 600-word essay to the computer, and it got done at the same pace that I can type. Although working in the background, SuperFetch has the ability to speed up transfer rates, free up RAM and prepare the computer for actions based on the user's popular maneuvers. ReadyDrive allows you to go into lock-down or hibernation extremely fast, and is a great alternative to shutting down, as it actually saves the greater part of your RAM, and allows you to resume faster. Another feature that speaks for itself is DirectX 10, even if Microsoft is being a whore, forcing you to buy Vista for it.

That actually makes Vista sound kinda good, I'd still use the Classic theme and save my processing power for doing stuff, though. Now I just need a faster computer and $400 for an OS (well, only $250 if I get the upgrade).

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:42 pm

Bicostp, I editted that out of my post- directly after originally posting- because I myself realized how little sense it made ~_~ In fact, my original post made about as much sense as you quoting my original post!

Unless you had already posted before my edit took affect, or you used your mysterious MOD powers, in which case you can ignore everything I just said.

Personally, I can't stand the Control Panel as implemented by XP. I always switch it back to Classic the moment I install the OS. I have yet to see the Control Panel on Vista, though I can only assume it has gotten worse.

Bibin · Post by **Bibin** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:53 pm

vskid wrote:
gamemasterAS wrote:PS the reason there is no viruses currently for the mac is because there are so many less mac users then PC users, same for any Linux distros.
I've heard of mac viruses (or at least they're possible), but the small user amount decreases the effect of a a virus, so it isn't as damaging to make a mac virus. Its about the same with Linux. And Windows is so easily taken over by a virus, Microsoft is almost asking for viruses to spread and rule their software.

I have a MacBook.
I've had to reinstall OSX about 7 times. Now I use XP. Haven't had a problem yet because I properly maintain my computer.

"MAcs" are PC's too.

XP runs a lot faster than OS X does overall on the same machine, even when I first bought it.

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:58 pm

And Windows is so easily taken over by a virus, Microsoft is almost asking for viruses to spread and rule their software.

I am sorry for posting so often, but I just had to point out the obvious paradox:

1) people rat on Windows for its lack of security
2) Microsoft builds more security into its next OS
3) people rat on Windows for its new security measures

illustriouschin · Post by **illustriouschin** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:01 pm

Like Linux, MacOS is based on Unix and security on Unix is far from perfect, even if it doesn't have much for viruii. That is not to say windows security is much better, it is far worse, of course.

Bibin · Post by **Bibin** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:02 pm

Mac's Local security is awful. Anyone can get into a console-verbose-unix mode and delete whatever they'd like without even logging in by holding down Apple+S at startup, then typing mount -uw /, hitting enter, then whizzing away.

Post by **bicostp** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:05 pm

teraflop122 wrote:Bicostp, I editted that out of my post- directly after originally posting- because I myself realized how little sense it made ~_~ In fact, my original post made about as much sense as you quoting my original post!

Unless you had already posted before my edit took affect, or you used your mysterious MOD powers, in which case you can ignore everything I just said.

Personally, I can't stand the Control Panel as implemented by XP. I always switch it back to Classic the moment I install the OS. I have yet to see the Control Panel on Vista, though I can only assume it has gotten worse.

Nope, no mod majik. Just crazy-lucky timing.

And yes, the Control Panel is much worse in Vista than it is in XP. Vista gives you no options. Instead of the normal display options control panel, you get the "customize" patronizing mess, where you click a task, then you click another task, THEN it gives you one of the old Diaplay Properties tabs in its own window.

I'm not sure if it's mandatory, but it certainly is annoying.

Besides, I edited my post so it's gone now.

Bibin wrote:Mac's Local security is awful. Anyone can get into a console-verbose-unix mode and delete whatever they'd like without even logging in by holding down Apple+S at startup, then typing mount -uw /, hitting enter, then whizzing away.

Windows is no better. (CTRL+ALT+DEL-DEL, Administrator, no password, enter. Bam!) Even if there is a password, you can clear it in less than a minute with a boot floppy.

I'm sure if you set a root password you have to type that in.

EDIT: Ah, okay. I don't have an OS X machine so I'm not too familiar with the nitty-gritty of the system.

Bibin · Post by **Bibin** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:08 pm

No. There is a root password, but it is bypassed as you are in verbose mode.

gamemasterAS · Post by **gamemasterAS** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:37 pm

bicostp wrote:
Windows is no better. (CTRL+ALT+DEL-DEL, Administrator, no password, enter. Bam!) Even if there is a password, you can clear it in less than a minute with a boot floppy.

Ophcrack live cd does the trick, I usually keep a copy of it on hand for emergencies.

sgtpepper · Post by **sgtpepper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:41 pm

Bibin wrote: I have a MacBook.
I've had to reinstall OSX about 7 times. Now I use XP. Haven't had a problem yet because I properly maintain my computer.

"MAcs" are PC's too.

XP runs a lot faster than OS X does overall on the same machine, even when I first bought it.

That's completely untrue, and at best, a trivial statement. Why have you had to reinstall OS X 7 times? That's just plain ridiculous. Unless you go mucking around in the system folder and start deleting stuff, there's no reason that you would need to reinstall OS X. You either have no idea how to use a Mac, or you are simply lying...

Oh, and you "Haven't had a problem yet" because you "properly maintain" your computer? Well maybe you should try "properly maintaining" OS X.