Personal Vista Review
I love this operating system.
I am still learning the ins and outs, but I have been on it pretty solid for about 3 days, and it's beautiful.
The interface is extremely snappy and attractive on my 6600GT. It really takes advantage of my 1.25GB of RAM. Every single program (aside from iTunes) that I use on a regular basis is running better under Vista than it did under XP.
The security pop-ups are not nearly as irritating as I thought they would be, as they are very easy to get past and never require a password (that I have seen). They let me know that Windows is being cautious about security, which is such a welcome feeling that I am glad to click a few extra "OK" buttons every so often.
The default UI is attractive and professional. I liked XP, but the UI has too goofy, loud, and in-your-face. Aero is classy and slick.
The improvements to Explorer are noticeable, and it adds functionality to the best default file viewer on a major OS platform (in my opinion).
I have noticed that it is more stable than XP, which by SP2 had already evolved into a very stable operating system.
The per-application volume leveling is fantastic and I have already taken advantage of it.
The system-wide search is fantastic, especially for launching obscure tools and utilities.
I am really happy with this OS. Nice job by Microsoft.
I am still learning the ins and outs, but I have been on it pretty solid for about 3 days, and it's beautiful.
The interface is extremely snappy and attractive on my 6600GT. It really takes advantage of my 1.25GB of RAM. Every single program (aside from iTunes) that I use on a regular basis is running better under Vista than it did under XP.
The security pop-ups are not nearly as irritating as I thought they would be, as they are very easy to get past and never require a password (that I have seen). They let me know that Windows is being cautious about security, which is such a welcome feeling that I am glad to click a few extra "OK" buttons every so often.
The default UI is attractive and professional. I liked XP, but the UI has too goofy, loud, and in-your-face. Aero is classy and slick.
The improvements to Explorer are noticeable, and it adds functionality to the best default file viewer on a major OS platform (in my opinion).
I have noticed that it is more stable than XP, which by SP2 had already evolved into a very stable operating system.
The per-application volume leveling is fantastic and I have already taken advantage of it.
The system-wide search is fantastic, especially for launching obscure tools and utilities.
I am really happy with this OS. Nice job by Microsoft.
Comments
it will get slower just like xp (hey i am still using vista on my other computer)
just my 2 cents of observation...
I love this operating system.
I am still learning the ins and outs, but I have been on it pretty solid for about 3 days, and it's beautiful.
The interface is extremely snappy and attractive on my 6600GT. It really takes advantage of my 1.25GB of RAM. Every single program (aside from iTunes) that I use on a regular basis is running better under Vista than it did under XP.
The security pop-ups are not nearly as irritating as I thought they would be, as they are very easy to get past and never require a password (that I have seen). They let me know that Windows is being cautious about security, which is such a welcome feeling that I am glad to click a few extra "OK" buttons every so often.
The default UI is attractive and professional. I liked XP, but the UI has too goofy, loud, and in-your-face. Aero is classy and slick.
The improvements to Explorer are noticeable, and it adds functionality to the best default file viewer on a major OS platform (in my opinion).
I have noticed that it is more stable than XP, which by SP2 had already evolved into a very stable operating system.
The per-application volume leveling is fantastic and I have already taken advantage of it.
The system-wide search is fantastic, especially for launching obscure tools and utilities.
I am really happy with this OS. Nice job by Microsoft.
Did you upgrade from XP? I'm guessing you did vs. buying a new pc with Vista pre-installed. What was that experience like? What cpu and gpu do you have on your Vista machine?
The interface is extremely snappy and attractive on my 6600GT. It really takes advantage of my 1.25GB of RAM. Every single program (aside from iTunes) that I use on a regular basis is running better under Vista than it did under XP.
What is your basis for this observation? Are you using benchmarks?
The improvements to Explorer are noticeable, and it adds functionality to the best default file viewer on a major OS platform (in my opinion).
Can you be more specific about this general comment? I abandoned use of Explorer in XP long ago so I'm really interested in hearing about these improvements. Most Vista reviews I've read so far give the "New Explorer" a less than favorable review.
I have noticed that it is more stable than XP, which by SP2 had already evolved into a very stable operating system.
What is your basis for this observation? Are you having fewer crashes per day than with XP/SP2?
The per-application volume leveling is fantastic and I have already taken advantage of it.
I'm not familiar with this feature in Vista. Can you elabotarate?
Thanks.
P4 3.0ghz
1.25GB DDR
Nvidia 6600GT (128MB)
This machine has had XP since it was born. Vista came with a full system drive format.
lfe2211:
No benchmarks, just my own intuition.
Can you be more specific about this general comment? I abandoned use of Explorer in XP long ago so I'm really interested in hearing about these improvements. Most Vista reviews I've read so far give the "New Explorer" a less than favorable review.
I am not surprised people are unhappy with it, it’s pretty different (not very much, but nerds are pretty much autistic when it comes to any change).
The non-classic Explorer window view in XP was pretty much useless, in my opinion. Now in all explorer windows you have a graphical representation of the file system on the left, always pointing to where you are in the main window. And above you have a breadcrumb trail showing the directory structure.
It is not dramatically different, but there are a lot of little changes that add up to it being very nice. One of the main reasons I refuse to use OSX as a main OS is that I hate the Finder with a passion, so maybe my this is a matter of odd personal taste. I really like Vista’s Explorer.
What is your basis for this observation? Are you having fewer crashes per day than with XP/SP2?
Fewer hard freezes, mainly. Except for iTunes.
I'm not familiar with this feature in Vista. Can you elabotarate?
You can change volume levels for different apps. The classic example is the insanely loud noises that IM clients can make if you’ve got your music cranked up. Now you can tell AIM or whatever to quiet down up without turning sound completely off or turning your music down.
Did you have any problems with the upgrade installation? Many have reported that it was difficult, even experienced users.
No different than installing any version of Windows after 95. Completely painless and it had drivers for everything built-in, usually you have to install some afterwards (especially video drivers).
lfe2211:
Ultimate
I'll likely wait and then see what VM program runs Vista the best and add it but I've other upgrades to make before then in RAM and HDD.
There are some noticeable improvements. I do like that you can type into the search bar right above the start button instead of going to Run. But most of these improvements could have just been added on to Windows XP.
I think Microsoft moved everything around to pretend that Vista was really something new. And now everyone has to relearn everything. And the Control Panel now is really out of control. There are like 50 different control panels for virtually everything.
But in the short run, to me, it mostly seems like change for the sake of change. I do tech support and I have wasted so much time not knowing where things are. "Damn it's not there in Vista, it's somewhere else." keeps hitting me.
I think Microsoft moved everything around to pretend that Vista was really something new. And now everyone has to relearn everything. And the Control Panel now is really out of control. There are like 50 different control panels for virtually everything.
This was my short lived experience of Vista. It maybe takes getting used to but putting the UI aside, I prefer XP. And I prefer OS X to that.
I love this operating system.
Steve Ballmer has killed groverat and is now posting under his name.
Vista is professional looking and snappy though. Hopefully Leopard will be too.
Steve Ballmer has killed groverat and is now posting under his name.
Is that character assassination?
Are you a dual platform user (XP-Vista/OSX)? If so, have you ever tried Path Finder on OSX (21 day free full trial)? If so, how do you think it compare to the new Vista Explorer? I'd be interested in your views. Thanks.
Just my view after 6 months.
1. Ripped off Mac OS X even more (Aero, Windows Flip, Gadgets)
2. Made the control panel even more ludicrously complex.
3. Made it look better overall
4. Made it arguably more stable and secure
Now, #2 drives me insane. I HATE the XP control panel. After years of using a Dell laptop for work, I still cannot find where things are to change settings. The worst is trying to figure out a network problem. There are about 17 places to look. Finally, you realize that a there a checkbox unchecked buried in the advanced settings under Internet Options (not network connections, mind you!). You didn't uncheck it either...it just got hosed one day. I am typing on an XP machine right now. I feel dirty.
I am typing on an XP machine right now. I feel dirty.
Take a shower and have a cup of green tea. It will pass.
With the changes to the Vista UI, Microsoft has caused the loss of billion of dollars worth of productivity.
hahahah what?
lfe220:
My laptop is a Powerbook with OSX.4.
I have never tried Pathfinder or any other Finder/Explorer alternative and I likely never will. The OS should provide that basic functionality, and (in my opinion), Windows Explorer has always been superior to the Finder and still is. If I have to install an entirely different file management system to make it workable then the OS itself is not worth my time.
The Finder works, but I hate it with a burning passion. It feels fat and childish.
spindler:
hahahah what?
lfe220:
My laptop is a Powerbook with OSX.4.
I have never tried Pathfinder or any other Finder/Explorer alternative and I likely never will. The OS should provide that basic functionality, and (in my opinion), Windows Explorer has always been superior to the Finder and still is. If I have to install an entirely different file management system to make it workable then the OS itself is not worth my time.
The Finder works, but I hate it with a burning passion. It feels fat and childish.
yeah finder is bad just as bad as the windows flip 3d
at least if microsoft made flip 3d like expose it will be way better than what flip 3d now
spindler:
hahahah what?
lfe220:
My laptop is a Powerbook with OSX.4.
I have never tried Pathfinder or any other Finder/Explorer alternative and I likely never will. The OS should provide that basic functionality, and (in my opinion), Windows Explorer has always been superior to the Finder and still is. If I have to install an entirely different file management system to make it workable then the OS itself is not worth my time.
The Finder works, but I hate it with a burning passion. It feels fat and childish.
Too bad you have such a narrow minded view on this issue. No operating system is perfect. For 20 bucks, you're missing out on one the best apps ever written for OSX. Path Finder v 4.6 blows the doors off of the new Vista Explorer. It has file management features that Vista Explorer will never come close to. I suggest you read the Explorer analyses by such Vista luminairies as Mary Joe Foley, Mark Manasi, Ed Bott or Paul Thurrott.
Path Finder also has other capabilities that go beyond file management but you'll never know since you've closed your mind on the topic because you "hate" the antiquated OSX Finder. It's akin to saying I won't use XP because IE 6 stinks (it does) and I'll never use Firefox (which is great) since it's not part of the Windows OS. What kind of fractured logic is that?