100 Reasons To Use Windows Vista No, really??

[FirefoxRocks 0]

Recently, I have received an "Exploring Windows" email from Microsoft, which led me to an interesting link called 100 Reasons You'll be speechless. Thought it was related to Windows Vista, and it was. Here are some of my opinions:

 

1. It makes using your PC a breeze, if Windows is responding most of the time. Also, many users have complained about User Account Control, which say that it makes using the PC not a breeze. I haven't tried it yet, but from others' point of view, it seems to be intrusive and annoying.

 

2. Your music may be a click away from your remote control, but you need to buy one with your computer manufacturer first. Obviously Windows Vista Home Premium/Windows Vista Ultimate is required for this to work, and Microsoft isn't going to bundle a remote control with Vista. Oh, footnote, and am I supposed to go to a DIFFERENT HTML page to read that?

 

3. It's the safest version of Windows ever. Emphasis added: It's the safest version of Windows ever. If I read correctly from many other users, and also from my own minor experiences, I think that Mac OS X and open-source alternatives such as Linux are more safe. So the sentence is true, but it doesn't tell the entire truth.

 

4. See your world in a whole new light. What, do we need brighter monitors to use Windows Vista? Or are you referring to the glare coming from overhead lights and the windows in the room?

 

5. It can find your stuff. If you are referring to actual "stuff" (physically), then I'm impressed. If you are referring to files, documents, pictures, videos, etc, then I'm not that impressed. Isn't this option available since Windows 98 or earlier via the Find command?

 

6. No argument there.

 

7. It can freeze time. With your description, wouldn't "preserving memories" or something similar be more suitable? First thing that came to mind when I read that was when the entire operating system freezes, the clock freezes also, then you are freezing time...NOT!

 

8. No argument there, haven't tried Vista yet.

 

9. Unchain your mobile PC. Who chains up their mobile PC anyways? It is mobile. And by the way, Windows XP already has wireless network support. Nothing really new there.

 

10. Surf more safely, once you download Firefox, Opera, Flock, Safari, Netscape, Mozilla or an alternative safer browser on your computer. If you insist on using Windows Internet Explorer 7, then you are exposing yourself to many, many security holes and you need to take unreasonably extreme measures that may/may not protect you from all the security holes.

 

11. Umm....blacklist. Nothing new there, Content Advisor in Windows 98 already does that if you can remember 10 years back. Oh and are you telling us that Windows Vista Parental controls is a replacement for parental monitoring? Nothing beats that.

 

12. See your TV shows if you have Windows Vista Home Premium, but who has built-in TV tuners in their computers these days? And if Windows freezes on an episode, then I am obviously missing it.

 

13. Phishing filters are included with every browser. I'm surprised that you put it in 7 only and didn't make it an update for 6.

 

14. Make any room a media room. So you either need to purchase many devices to be wirelessly networked with each other, or you need to move the computer into the room that you want as a media room.

 

15. Ahem...anyone recall using Windows Task Scheduler in Windows 98? If you are going to put that in Windows Vista, that's one less selling point for Windows Live OneCare then.

 

16. Copied from XP, eh? Files and settings wizard.

 

17. Ok, first of all, I remember I had the Google Sidebar running for a few months in Windows 98, so that could have been optional components for that. But still, Ubuntu Linux gives that possibility already, and it doesn't have that much system demands as Windows Vista (any version).

 

18. Any different from 15?

 

19. Any different from 12?

 

20. I just checked and this wizard is almost the exact same as the one when setting up network connections in Windows XP.

 

21. I think that those have equivalent freeware versions somewhere (not completely sure though). And also, you need to connect to a TV to play on the TV.

 

22. No argument there.

 

23. Digital candy store? Does that mean you have to pay to access your own content?

 

24. Relax, you just need to install at least 4 different anti-spyware programs along with Windows Defender to be sufficiently protected. And don't forget, Microsoft Update will only update Windows Defender, so you must manually do the updates for the other ones.

 

25. People will have to spend hundreds of dollars on new software then. Do you expect everyone to upgrade their hardware to Windows Vista certified versions? The operating system is already expensive enough, don't you think? (<theyThink>no, of course not)

 

26. Tabs in other browsers are at least 3 times quicker than the ones in Internet Explorer.

 

27. You've already mentioned that 2 times previously.

 

28. Ok, how much do you have to promote Windows Media Center?!?!? We already had that in Windows XP Media Center Edition!

 

29. Handwriting notes is way too messy! There are also some issues with that (I won't mention them here).

 

30. Can anyone on Xisto tell me how that works/how good it works? I would love to hear some outside opinions on that because I haven't heard anyone using that. This would be a lovely feature for me if it doesn't corrupt the backup file when I try to restore it.

 

31. Because if your PC is running weird, Windows will think it is software/settings that you gave permission to and automatically allow it to run, regardless if it detected it or not. You need third-party programs to prevent this.

 

32. Does that mean IT department staff will have to relearn how to use Group Policy?

 

33. Any different from 18? It is at least 90% repeated.

 

34. Would that open up so many security threats to schools/corporate networks? Do you seriously want IT department staff to stress out over something that you didn't need to implement?

 

35. A video plays a short snippet of the video? That will seriously slow down Windows Explorer, and will viruses execute a small snippet of malicious code?

 

36. Oh yes, basic things like cropping, resizing, adjust hue/saturation, adjust brightness/contrast are very, very common in many programs. Anywhere from free open-source software like The GIMP or expensive popular software like Adobe Photoshop will help you edit your photos properly though. Your imaging device may also contain software more helpful than this.

 

37. Please note that you need Windows Vista Ultimate to obtain this BitLocker feature as part of Windows.

 

39. Just organize your photos properly, use Details view and click on the column heading to do this! Voila, no Windows Photo Gallery required! And as a Photo Gallery, Filmstrip view in Windows XP works just fine.

 

40. Repetative reports from end-users tells me that it isn't that easy to focus on doing something. Instead, you must learn how to perform a task as you change everything.

 

41. Yes, all versions of Windows had that. Except you deprecated Windows 95/98/ME. And various complaints were heard about Automatic Updates, including unexpected loss of bandwidth and loss of data from "Restart later or restart now?"

 

42. You can also publish them on the Web, password-protected for your family and friends. If uploading the file is an issue, you can email them in a ZIP file.

 

43. No argument there. That sounds quite useful if it works.

 

44. No argument there. I just need to have additional ReadyBoost compatible USB memory drives compatible. But will the read/write calculations wear out the drive way faster?

 

45. But I still have so many wires behind my computer! And wireless hardware is expensive (and don't you dare make Windows Vista compatible with wireless devices only).

 

46. Music isn't a visual object. And you can look up Album art pictures by typing the name of the album into Google/Live Search.

 

47. Umm...repetative enough?

 

48. Again with teh repetition.

 

49. Let's see, PortableApps on my USB drive is good enough for me and a lot of other people. That's called a computer on a stick.

 

50. Tabbed browsing was introduced into Opera and Firefox way before you put them it. Even Internet Explorer derivatives such as Maxthon/Avant Browser was faster than you.

 

So from these arguments, I am still deciding on buying a new computer with Windows Vista. I've had troubles with Linux before, and Windows XP is working fine for me. But things that I look forward to in Windows Vista aren't even listed here!! I mean the cool features aren't listed, like Windows Speech Recognition, or Windows Mail, and Windows DVD Maker is mentioned 1 time as part of extended repetition of Windows Media Centre. Those are features that I look forward to, and I don't know why Microsoft didn't put them it.

 

Share your opinions, criticize all your want, and don't be afraid to express yourself!

[game3ruler 0]

Microsoft should not even have tried tabs, because they failed miserably. The only way to get a link to open in a new tab is right click+open in new tab. Multiple times, i have tried to drag a link into the empty part of the tab bar, only to have it open in the same tab. But then, lately Microsoft has not produced any good programs. They even made office 2007 worse. Oh well. Linux, Firefox, and OpenOffice.org are all better.

[game3ruler 0]

I like angering at stuff over the internet. Especially when it is something easy and takes little effort, such as windows

[FirefoxRocks 0]

Microsoft should not even have tried tabs, because they failed miserably. The only way to get a link to open in a new tab is right click+open in new tab. Multiple times, i have tried to drag a link into the empty part of the tab bar, only to have it open in the same tab. But then, lately Microsoft has not produced any good programs. They even made office 2007 worse. Oh well. Linux, Firefox, and OpenOffice.org are all better.

Actually, you can middle-click on a link to open in a new tab, but it may be blocked by certain pop-up blockers.

Linux may be better, but it is sure harder to manage! OpenOffice.org I like, but when I need powerful tools, I go for Microsoft Office 2007.

[xboxrulz1405241485 0]

I think if we made like a list why NOT to use Windows Vista we can like find more than 1000 reasons .xboxrulz

[FirefoxRocks 0]

Continuation from Part 1:51. Question here: Is all games required to make a link/shortcut into this Games folder/directory thing? If not, it doesn't make them easier to find on the PC.52. No argument here, this might be good.53. Use a combination of Skype/Windows Live Messenger/Google Docs and Spreadsheets to collaborate with your co-workers, family members and etc. This ensures that you can communicate by talking and chatting, and also that it is free and online.54. With all your repetition about Windows Media Center, I think that your main focus of Windows Vista is to make the PC into a DVD/media player and nothing else.55. Because there are 3rd-party programs that do this and are compatible with systems as old as Windows 98, we are now including it with Windows Vista.56. Does Internet Explorer 7 support the printing CSS selectors?57. Most computer manufacturers already include some sort of this software with their DVD burners.58. Did you know that their is something called an iPod, or even the Zune that you can carry in your pocket and rock out it any room, outside, or almost anywhere?59. Ever heard of Microsoft PowerPoint 2000? I think your company invented that, and it is capable of what you describe there.60. Right...61. So why do you sell Windows Live OneCare?62. Preloading files into my memory? What if you preload a file that I don't need? What if it is a virus that you are preloading? Is that going to "SuperFetch" anything except damaged files and etc?63. No argument there.64. What kind of home user has a smart card?65. Please explain further as how you can "receive" faxes without a fax number. Also, scanning and emailing is sufficient for most users.66. How much space is that going to take up? With all my videos, music, documents, pictures and files that I work on, we would probably need to add a second or third hard drive every month or so to hold the shadow copies.67. Because e-mail is your lifeline? No, email isn't one of our basic needs. Food, water, oxygen, shelter, energy and interaction with others are. And Mozilla Thunderbird, among with other email clients, already offer phishing protection, spam filters and a lot more (and it is compatible with older versions of Windows).68. Are you saying that Windows Calendar will replace an essential part of Windows Live Events (the product you just launched), Facebook, Google Calendar and other calendar/event-related applications? I don't think so.69. Higher quality will require more time. Also, I think they use more energy and colour than draft/normal quality printouts, so that doesn't cut environmental impacts by a lot actually.70. I think that Windows 98 has Sleep. And most BIOS systems allow you to control Power Management. Also, Hibernate is available in many versions of Windows I think.71. Just use Recent Documents and organize your files properly and you won't need to use this feature that creates this huge index on your hard drive.72. You can use iGoogle+Google Reader, my Yahoo!, my MSN or any other RSS-compatible software/browser (Firefox, Opera, Thunderbird) to enjoy more advanced features, better notifications and/or integrated experience with what you should be using to surf the Internet.73. Isn't everyone already doing this without Windows Vista?74. How about adding your own mp3 files and then changing your speaker's device equalizer to customize your listening experience?75 and 76. Picasa can already do this.77. We use the software that comes with our cameras to import pictures. Also, Windows Explorer can do that just fine.78 and 79. iPod and iTunes, born to be together.80, 81 and 82. Again with the Windows Media Center? You also need a TV Tuner for TV to work, and few people have that.83. No argument there. Need to find out more about it.84. Seriously, enough repetition about Windows Media Center?!?85. Absolutely no argument there. Now this is a really cool feature, if it means transforming the entire operating system into a whole different language. *looks at footnote* Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate ONLY?! WTF?86. Ok, that is just creative writing. Combining Windows Media Center and Windows Backup in 1 point altogether.87. Didn't I see this somewhere in the beginning? I'm guessing that a few different people wrote this list, and they didn't share their ideas on what to put on, so they came up with duplicate ideas that they included.88. With expensive hardware, you can finally play games on Vista!89. Is Windows going to make your Internet faster? No, paying for high-speed does.90. And how are we supposed to view the stuff on the monitor if the PC isn't booted up?91. Umm...okay?92. Could everyone please press PrintScreen and CTRL+V it into Paint? Then save it and send it with IM, emails, etc. Already available in Windows 98 or even older.93. Are those monitors really expensive?94. So are wireless networks on Windows XP insecure?95. Use Windows Briefcase, and it will synchronize your files just as good as this new feature.96. Just use Remote Desktop, if there is another person at the office to click OK or whatever on the remote computer.97. Because we can already do this with our devices in Windows 2000, let's call it a new and exciting feature in Windows Fax and Scan.98. My school uses Windows XP and we already do that, so I wouldn't call it a new and exciting "speechless" feature.99. Windows Live Messenger with Sharing Folders already does this. And the Network controls in Windows 98 already allow read-only and write access respectively.100. Because we have this now, all IT department staff can be unemployed now because we don't need them to fix network problems anymore. NOT!Real article's name: 100 reasons why everyone's so speechless: Because almost all these features are already available in Windows XP, some with the use of third-party software.So yeah, the cool features weren't even introduced, and way too much repetition in the article. How boring is Windows Vista anyways?

[xboxrulz1405241485 0]

To make to board cleaner, don't split it in 2 parts if it's on the exact same thing.I merged the two parts back to one.Thanks,xboxrulz

[eXc1te 0]

Ok i have not tried vista and dont plan to anytime soon. I here it is still kinda buggy and not much better than xp so why waste my money? I have also tried linux and i LOVE it excpt for one small thing... i cant play my games =(. I know that it is possible by using cedega, or wine but its still not as smooth as running them on windows so looks like i cant drop windows yet. Also some1 mentioned open office. I agree open office is great, but i dont know if it completly out does microsoft office i think that they are more or less the same and i know my way around microsoft offices stuff a bit better so i guess i stick to that too.

[Ronel 0]

I don't think that is "100 Reasons."But rather I think that will be one of the 5 Reasons one should hate Vista!Oh, wait.... I am using one.

[linden1405241551 0]

Oh, this made me laugh. What's sad though is that there are consumers out there that have no idea what they're buying. They have no idea what other operating systems can do, nor how to do half the stuff vista is advertising. Oh, the manipulation.

[rockarolla 0]

The problem is that in most of the cases you are obliged to buy it. Some retailers doesn't sell their computers without OS. So want it or not you got to get it...I am particularly irritated with designed for ........ sticker - so ITS EASIER TO DESIGN THE HARDWARE TO SUIT THE SOFTWARE

[FirefoxRocks 0]

Now that I have Windows Vista now, I can say that it isn't too bad. The features are pretty good, especially User Account Control. I don't have Tablet PCs or the Ultimate edition though, and the speech recognition works well in English on Home Premium.One thing that is really irritating is...RANDOM RESTARTING!!! Drives me (and all other users) nuts!!

Edited November 16, 2008 by FirefoxRocks (see edit history)

[toby 0]

I still see some places selling Xp, though I've never heard this xp with vista upgrade, even from consumers.

[FirefoxRocks 0]

I think you can only get Windows XP with private computer builders. Retail stores cannot sell Windows XP any more after June (or March), and corporations and large companies like Dell, Sony, etc can't do OEM-installed editions of Windows XP any more. Microsoft did this to push Vista out to new consumers.

[y4nzi 0]

That list sounds convincing enough, but seriously vista is not all its cracked up to be. I much prefer the old XP.Linux is probably the best OS in my opinion.