Why I Don't Want Windows Vista
Wednesday, April 19, 2006 by geekinthecity | Discussion: Windows Vista
I’ve got a confession to make I’m one of the computer users on Microsoft’s hit list. I’m hanging on to Windows 2000. Microsoft has been running has been ads on television and in print still promoting Windows XP despite the fact that it will be replaced by Windows Vista in early 2007. When promoting a new upcoming release of Windows Microsoft promises the most revolutionary change to desktop computing since Windows 95. When Windows Vista is released at the start of 2007 Millions of people will be running out and buying it but I will not.
I skipped Windows XP because I am really bugged by product activation. While Microsoft has the right to do what they need to prevent people from stealing it’s products, but I have the right to not want to turn over certain information about my computer to Microsoft. Car buyers are under no obligation to tell the auto makers about the automobiles that they are buying and aftermarket upgrades they install. With more and more anti-piracy measures built into Windows it seems like the less and less that Microsoft trusts the people buying their products.
With previous releases of Windows Microsoft has packed more and more features then the preceding version but was the number of features in the operating system have increased, so too has the price. A copy of Windows 95 could be bought for about eighty dollars when it was released. Currently I have seen Windows XP Professional selling for over four hundred dollars. If Windows Vista costs more than Windows XP, which it probably will, that will be a paying a lot of money to get a lot of features that I’d never use.
One of things that is certain when it comes to the Windows operating system is that every new release will require more processing power than previous versions. I don’t feel like sinking yet more money into more RAM, a new video card and faster CPU. My computer should not become a money pit just because Microsoft releases a new product.
Microsoft is promising to put digital rights management (DRM) embedded into Windows Vista, this takes control of data away from a PC owner and can give it away to any third party. DRM technology can be used as an essential security tool for protecting sensitive data for corporations or government departments. If sensitive documents are leaked out of company or government because of a security breached they can’t be opened. DRM however is probably will be used by the entertainment industry to restrict how people use digital media. If I record my TV shows on my desktop PC, and then copy it to my laptop so I can watch at a more convenient time and place I should be able to without Microsoft or anybody else trying to dictate to me that I can’t do with my computers what I want.
My computers do a good job doing to the tasks that I do, I have absolutely no need or desire to spend yet more money on a new version of Windows just because Microsoft releases it. If I feel this way then other people feel the same way and maybe selling Windows Vista will be an uphill battle for Microsoft.
I skipped Windows XP because I am really bugged by product activation. While Microsoft has the right to do what they need to prevent people from stealing it’s products, but I have the right to not want to turn over certain information about my computer to Microsoft. Car buyers are under no obligation to tell the auto makers about the automobiles that they are buying and aftermarket upgrades they install. With more and more anti-piracy measures built into Windows it seems like the less and less that Microsoft trusts the people buying their products.
With previous releases of Windows Microsoft has packed more and more features then the preceding version but was the number of features in the operating system have increased, so too has the price. A copy of Windows 95 could be bought for about eighty dollars when it was released. Currently I have seen Windows XP Professional selling for over four hundred dollars. If Windows Vista costs more than Windows XP, which it probably will, that will be a paying a lot of money to get a lot of features that I’d never use.
One of things that is certain when it comes to the Windows operating system is that every new release will require more processing power than previous versions. I don’t feel like sinking yet more money into more RAM, a new video card and faster CPU. My computer should not become a money pit just because Microsoft releases a new product.
Microsoft is promising to put digital rights management (DRM) embedded into Windows Vista, this takes control of data away from a PC owner and can give it away to any third party. DRM technology can be used as an essential security tool for protecting sensitive data for corporations or government departments. If sensitive documents are leaked out of company or government because of a security breached they can’t be opened. DRM however is probably will be used by the entertainment industry to restrict how people use digital media. If I record my TV shows on my desktop PC, and then copy it to my laptop so I can watch at a more convenient time and place I should be able to without Microsoft or anybody else trying to dictate to me that I can’t do with my computers what I want.
My computers do a good job doing to the tasks that I do, I have absolutely no need or desire to spend yet more money on a new version of Windows just because Microsoft releases it. If I feel this way then other people feel the same way and maybe selling Windows Vista will be an uphill battle for Microsoft.
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seldomseen
Reply #22 Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:45 AM
Reply #22 Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:45 AM
[Jafo has astonishing presence of mind here. I am in awe]
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #23 Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:51 AM
Reply #23 Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:51 AM
| "Oh, no!!!! My super-dooper PC only gets 96 fps in NFSU at 1600x1200!!! My life must end NOW!!!"... |
In my case no. When you see a rather ordinary UT2004 map everyone raves about chug along at 10- 30 fps then it's time to end it all... 
The 3dMark 2006 score of 176 doesn't bear comment, especially when the replacement scores about 5500... No relevance in the real world, but an accurate indicator of how pc technology has moved on in the last 3 years.
The old girl needs to retire while she's ahead. One of the drives is giving the occasional clunking sound (ominous) and I don't feel like buying another IDE. Best let her slip away quietly
And of course the new pc is 'Vista ready' 
XX
Reply #24 Saturday, April 22, 2006 6:44 PM
Reply #24 Saturday, April 22, 2006 6:44 PM
Curse of the correction... you point out errors, your post WILL contain said errors...
Besides for some of us, English is second language. For one, me.
Besides for some of us, English is second language. For one, me.
Jafo
Reply #25 Saturday, April 22, 2006 7:48 PM
Reply #25 Saturday, April 22, 2006 7:48 PM
Rolf...that was my reasoning behind #18, but perhaps it was too subtle, considering the response.
The odd grammar error should not be a reason to dismiss someone's argument as "blathering, uninformed, naive..."
But, when it's suggested to think twice before doing so the response is that I need to go back to third grade to learn to count. Now, considering the last time I was in 'third grade' was about 24 years before this person was born maybe I actually should be allowed to now count poorly....senility and all that...
It really is important to be well aware that the skinning community knows no social or geographical boundaries, and nor should it do. The next person you correspond with could very well know NO English at all and is relying on Babelfish [I hope not....'cos it's not the world's best translator]...
XX
Reply #26 Saturday, April 22, 2006 8:45 PM
Reply #26 Saturday, April 22, 2006 8:45 PM
Indeed. I happen to be American, however. 
Born and raised one. 
I'm trying to keep spelling straight, since that's more important, you do remember posts in skinz?
Not everyone is rich enough to just buy a new computer, even at low prices lately. Like I said, it's worse when your main computer is a laptop like me. More money to replace that.
Born and raised one. 
I'm trying to keep spelling straight, since that's more important, you do remember posts in skinz?
Not everyone is rich enough to just buy a new computer, even at low prices lately. Like I said, it's worse when your main computer is a laptop like me. More money to replace that.
steelsnake
Reply #27 Saturday, April 22, 2006 10:24 PM
Reply #27 Saturday, April 22, 2006 10:24 PM
Honestly I don't see the point in updating to Vista just now. Maybe after it has been out for a while, and the REAL good&bad lists are out. At the moment it's too early to say anything. Looking at XP... the ONLY reason I ever upgraded to that one was the better stability, and the better support for power saving features.
Most of the features on Vista are, so far, completely irrelevant for my home use. WinFX? Who cares. Display Foundation stuff? Who cares. WinFS? Last I checked it was slower than molasses in January.
I skipped Win2k, never missed it. I might skip Vista, unless there is really a compelling reason to buy it. Which there is, at the moment, none that pertains to me.
Most of the features on Vista are, so far, completely irrelevant for my home use. WinFX? Who cares. Display Foundation stuff? Who cares. WinFS? Last I checked it was slower than molasses in January.
I skipped Win2k, never missed it. I might skip Vista, unless there is really a compelling reason to buy it. Which there is, at the moment, none that pertains to me.
Vailene
Reply #28 Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:04 AM
Reply #28 Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:04 AM
I have nothing innovative to say about Vista. All I know is, I'm keeping XP Pro. 
I don't feel like shelling out another ($600 expected) for perhaps a "midgrade" version of Vista. Not me, not this time.
I don't feel like shelling out another ($600 expected) for perhaps a "midgrade" version of Vista. Not me, not this time.
Pwnz0r
Reply #29 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 3:59 PM
Reply #29 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 3:59 PM
I agree.
Microsoft has never been able to support their OS with all the features that OSX and Linux (yes, I said linux) have already. What makes them think they can now? I feel that these features in Vista could easily be done through third-party applications (such as using AppRocket for the Spotlight search....). I don't want my OS to do ****. I want to run the programs that I want to run, and deny access to those that I (myself, not Microsoft) deem inappropriate for my system. If OS makers continue to throw these features into the computers of people who don't them, I'm going to get very pissed off. I'm definitely getting Linux on my system, hopefully by the end of this week.
Unless Vista comes with some free RAM and a hell of a good processor, I'm just not buying it.
It will be typical to see Microsoft sell Vista to the uneducated people around the globe (if they have the money).
Microsoft has never been able to support their OS with all the features that OSX and Linux (yes, I said linux) have already. What makes them think they can now? I feel that these features in Vista could easily be done through third-party applications (such as using AppRocket for the Spotlight search....). I don't want my OS to do ****. I want to run the programs that I want to run, and deny access to those that I (myself, not Microsoft) deem inappropriate for my system. If OS makers continue to throw these features into the computers of people who don't them, I'm going to get very pissed off. I'm definitely getting Linux on my system, hopefully by the end of this week.
Unless Vista comes with some free RAM and a hell of a good processor, I'm just not buying it.
It will be typical to see Microsoft sell Vista to the uneducated people around the globe (if they have the money).
Adamness
Reply #30 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 9:01 PM
Or to people who want the features Vista has.
Reply #30 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 9:01 PM
| It will be typical to see Microsoft sell Vista to the uneducated people around the globe |
Or to people who want the features Vista has.
TYCUS
Reply #31 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 9:32 PM
sry pal', but i dont think so, many rumours say that if a user want to use the new windows system vertion, he most have a powerful computer, with at least 2 Gb, of memory Ram...
Reply #31 Wednesday, April 26, 2006 9:32 PM
| When Windows Vista is released at the start of 2007 Millions of people will be running out and buying it but I will not. |
sry pal', but i dont think so, many rumours say that if a user want to use the new windows system vertion, he most have a powerful computer, with at least 2 Gb, of memory Ram...
BuriedByAshes
Reply #32 Friday, April 28, 2006 8:09 PM
Reply #32 Friday, April 28, 2006 8:09 PM
2GB Ram isnt exactly powerful. Plus ive r.. heard that vista has run on a 512MB ram pc.
Greg Albright
Reply #33 Saturday, April 29, 2006 12:03 PM
Reply #33 Saturday, April 29, 2006 12:03 PM
I think the sentiments about not wanting to upgrade are why Vista is late. Microsoft realizes (not to hackle anyone but) windows XP is a pretty darn good operating system, and people dont want to change. I know that I feel no particular urge to upgrade, and computers are my lively hood. I only upgraded to XP, from 2000, in the last year(And that was only because BF2 required XP). The office that I do tech support in still predominantly uses 2000, because everything already works the way users expect it.
I use my computer to use applications. Browse the web, read and write E-Mail, write software, remote access to help people with tech support, play with my photographs, and occassionally edit a home movie (I use the MS movie maker thingie, cant beat the price!). I dont use it to manage my music collection, which I hear that windows already does expertly. But I do use it as a DVR, which it does expertly. Finally every couple of months I might play a game for a week or two.
Vista doesnt help me (or the other myrad of windows consumers) do anything new, and windows is already very stable. Until there is some reason for me to upgrade (see why I upgraded to XP) I think the take up of Vista will be slow (as it was with XP).
A lot of the discontent I think is people forgetting how computers were just 10 or 15 years ago. Back when windows 3.11 was the operating system, people rebooted with great regularity. When 95 was release, it was a massive improvement in stability. I dont think I have ever seen XP crash (and im tech support) without accidently installing a crappy driver. In my tech support position the users don't even know to try rebooting as a trouble solving technique anymore.
Personally, I think this is a great place to be. The upgrade churn PC users were on for 15 years in the 80's and 90's is over. Now everything just works. A lot of the noise around MS is the haters. They hated MS for so long, they forgot why they hated MS, and just know that they do. (Read a slashdot thread with all the people claiming that XP is unstable, vulnerable???, I think someone in that equation is unstable, but its not windows) I think I saw a Star Trek episode about that once, lol.
Finally, the retail copies of windows are expensive, because MS is negotiating. Go buy a OEM copy from New Egg for a $130, and skip the shiny box. At $130 windows is a great value. Also, just go ahead and ignore whatever the haters say, when has anything of value ever come from a hater?
P.S. I am no windows fan boie, I tech support it just about every day of my life. I better than most know its problems.
I use my computer to use applications. Browse the web, read and write E-Mail, write software, remote access to help people with tech support, play with my photographs, and occassionally edit a home movie (I use the MS movie maker thingie, cant beat the price!). I dont use it to manage my music collection, which I hear that windows already does expertly. But I do use it as a DVR, which it does expertly. Finally every couple of months I might play a game for a week or two.
Vista doesnt help me (or the other myrad of windows consumers) do anything new, and windows is already very stable. Until there is some reason for me to upgrade (see why I upgraded to XP) I think the take up of Vista will be slow (as it was with XP).
A lot of the discontent I think is people forgetting how computers were just 10 or 15 years ago. Back when windows 3.11 was the operating system, people rebooted with great regularity. When 95 was release, it was a massive improvement in stability. I dont think I have ever seen XP crash (and im tech support) without accidently installing a crappy driver. In my tech support position the users don't even know to try rebooting as a trouble solving technique anymore.
Personally, I think this is a great place to be. The upgrade churn PC users were on for 15 years in the 80's and 90's is over. Now everything just works. A lot of the noise around MS is the haters. They hated MS for so long, they forgot why they hated MS, and just know that they do. (Read a slashdot thread with all the people claiming that XP is unstable, vulnerable???, I think someone in that equation is unstable, but its not windows) I think I saw a Star Trek episode about that once, lol.
Finally, the retail copies of windows are expensive, because MS is negotiating. Go buy a OEM copy from New Egg for a $130, and skip the shiny box. At $130 windows is a great value. Also, just go ahead and ignore whatever the haters say, when has anything of value ever come from a hater?
P.S. I am no windows fan boie, I tech support it just about every day of my life. I better than most know its problems.
Jos Joslyn
Reply #34 Saturday, April 29, 2006 8:12 PM
Reply #34 Saturday, April 29, 2006 8:12 PM
Interesting reading...... Which ever way you slice the MS(OS) cake the result is an expensive option.
Vista is likely - although no-one can tell for certain - to be a significant hike in cost to the average user, and as a result many will hold back from an upgrade, as this trail has already demonstrated
The OS itself is significantly more expensive than alternative options, and the cost doesn't stop at buying a "shrink-wrapped" product off the shelf.
The need for more and more powerful hardware
You buy an OEM flavour and then upgrade your system - buy another license please
Limited production tools bundled with the package (Linux is bundled with OpenOffice, just as an example)
Continual attacks from worms, trojans, viri. Necessitating the need for multiple management tools (AV, Reg Cleaners, Spyware Tools, etc..)
Then there are the annoying "backdoor" activities of MS, such as - keylogging activities when using built in MS features.
I could go on, and on, and on................ but many of you will never be convinced that you are wrong just as I am unlikely ever to be convinced you are right. I have been supporting the various Windows OS' - at a corporate level - since 1991. And today I am as unimpressed with it now as I was then. My exposure to a wide variety of OS' over the years (DEC, MVS, VM, Primos, HP-Unix, Linux, OS/2, Mac OS X, and others) has shown me that this OS is little better than a gaming platform.
Vista is likely - although no-one can tell for certain - to be a significant hike in cost to the average user, and as a result many will hold back from an upgrade, as this trail has already demonstrated
The OS itself is significantly more expensive than alternative options, and the cost doesn't stop at buying a "shrink-wrapped" product off the shelf.
The need for more and more powerful hardware
You buy an OEM flavour and then upgrade your system - buy another license please
Limited production tools bundled with the package (Linux is bundled with OpenOffice, just as an example)
Continual attacks from worms, trojans, viri. Necessitating the need for multiple management tools (AV, Reg Cleaners, Spyware Tools, etc..)
Then there are the annoying "backdoor" activities of MS, such as - keylogging activities when using built in MS features.
I could go on, and on, and on................ but many of you will never be convinced that you are wrong just as I am unlikely ever to be convinced you are right. I have been supporting the various Windows OS' - at a corporate level - since 1991. And today I am as unimpressed with it now as I was then. My exposure to a wide variety of OS' over the years (DEC, MVS, VM, Primos, HP-Unix, Linux, OS/2, Mac OS X, and others) has shown me that this OS is little better than a gaming platform.
streetracajj
Reply #35 Sunday, April 30, 2006 6:23 AM
Reply #35 Sunday, April 30, 2006 6:23 AM
in my own opinion i think that windows vista shouldnt be much of a concern anyway. I dont want it and I think that microsoft is going to have a lot of trouble selling it. Unless you want 'enhanced media' and a seethrough bar thinggy, then there are options... 'enhanced media': ok you will be able to download windows media player 11 for windows xp/2000, no problem!
see through bar thinggy: download f****** windowblinds and then a vista tranformation pack.
And I also don't see the point of "flip 3d windows" WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I don't
see through bar thinggy: download f****** windowblinds and then a vista tranformation pack.
And I also don't see the point of "flip 3d windows" WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I don't
Adamness
Reply #36 Sunday, April 30, 2006 9:52 AM
Reply #36 Sunday, April 30, 2006 9:52 AM
I think a lot of you are forgetting that Microsoft will sell more Vista when it's preinstalled on computers, rather than people going out to buy an upgrade. And if you read some of the features Vista will have, I think it looks really good.
Link
For some of you, the features are useless, and you may not know what some of those new things do. I think a lot of them are really good ideas, and I'm eager to see them in action.
Link
For some of you, the features are useless, and you may not know what some of those new things do. I think a lot of them are really good ideas, and I'm eager to see them in action.
Jos Joslyn
Reply #37 Sunday, April 30, 2006 3:21 PM
Reply #37 Sunday, April 30, 2006 3:21 PM
You are right Adamness ............. most of the uptake will be from "new systems" as MS will quickly turn-off the tap for XP installs on new.
As for the features, yes a lot of them are useful, and in OS terms "sexy"(no, I don't need to get out more..... I was not referring to them literally !!
) In excess of 90% of the "new" features, we in the Mac OS X world have been using for some time already, and can only hope - for you MS types - that MS make them work nearly as well as they do under Mac OS X. I saw a neat presentation the other day where BG was making big of the new features in Vista, and someone had overlaid the video/graphics with a tour around a Mac OS X desktop. For example as BG was describing what could be done with MS "new" feature called "gadgets" (widgets to the rest of the world, the video demonstrated amongst others "Fox Sports" - see the link(s) here = Link + Link + Link
MS is now a follower, not a leader
As for the features, yes a lot of them are useful, and in OS terms "sexy"(no, I don't need to get out more..... I was not referring to them literally !!
) In excess of 90% of the "new" features, we in the Mac OS X world have been using for some time already, and can only hope - for you MS types - that MS make them work nearly as well as they do under Mac OS X. I saw a neat presentation the other day where BG was making big of the new features in Vista, and someone had overlaid the video/graphics with a tour around a Mac OS X desktop. For example as BG was describing what could be done with MS "new" feature called "gadgets" (widgets to the rest of the world, the video demonstrated amongst others "Fox Sports" - see the link(s) here = Link + Link + LinkMS is now a follower, not a leader
Adamness
Reply #38 Sunday, April 30, 2006 5:28 PM
Reply #38 Sunday, April 30, 2006 5:28 PM
I don't really care who did what first, second, or last. I'm not switching to a Mac anytime soon, but I like having lots of features at my disposal, some of which are part os OSX, some of which will be part of Vista.
I don't work for Microsoft, I don't have any investments with Microsoft, and I don't really care about Microsoft. I don't need bragging rights by having a Mac, but I do need something I can rely on. As long as Microsoft keeps making software that I think is superior, I'll stick with them.
I don't work for Microsoft, I don't have any investments with Microsoft, and I don't really care about Microsoft. I don't need bragging rights by having a Mac, but I do need something I can rely on. As long as Microsoft keeps making software that I think is superior, I'll stick with them.
starkers
Reply #39 Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:28 PM
Reply #39 Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:28 PM
Both MS and Apple develop upon ideas that have been around for a while, so neither is necessarily a leader or follower.
In the end it comes down to user choice and what feels comfortable to use. Vista and OSX may not be for everyone, and people should go with what they feel is right for themselves, rather than be influenced by the thoughts/opinions of others.
In the end it comes down to user choice and what feels comfortable to use. Vista and OSX may not be for everyone, and people should go with what they feel is right for themselves, rather than be influenced by the thoughts/opinions of others.
black_udder
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 2, 2006 9:00 PM
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 2, 2006 9:00 PM
nobody mentioned that XP Pro was supposed to be for businesses. Home was meant for users and as long as I've priced it, was always $200 or less. I don't know why MS doesn't offer Office for home users - something inside the pricing stratosphere.
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Reply #21 Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:36 AM