Vista: Reader Feedback (Did I Get E-Mail!)
As long as it's not directed at me, I love it when readers go on a rant--and boy have they. Roughly 100 e-mails, all pushing and shoving, came crashing into my inbox. The first batch arrived the day after I posted my first blog; the second wave came just after last Wednesday's newsletter shipped.
Before I share them with you, I heard that some of you had trouble with Microsoft's upgrade advisor. There's another Vista Advisor available (thanks, Todd) and it seems to do a more thorough job than Microsoft's advisor. Try it at Nvidia's site.
Upgrade Woes
This reader got a new PC and received an Express Upgrade coupon (see details at Microsoft's Express Upgrade site). He's not happy with the delayed delivery:
"Many folks thought they would receive their DVD within a few days of the official retail release. The smarter ones expected it would take upwards of a month to get the upgrades all shipped--and we weren't so smart. Microsoft's chosen fulfillment provider has had this in a screwed-up mess since the get go."Even after you successfully register, you have to mail in specific paperwork--just like a rebate program. My submission was in early March--a full five weeks after the official retail release.
"By the way, the upgrade is not free. The cost of the upgrade is zero, but nearly $13 is attached for shipping and handling. -- Jim J., Laurium, Michigan
Here are some more discouraged would-be upgraders:
"To run Vista on my four-year-old Dell Dimension, I first had to upgrade msxml6, which then led to me four more files, one of which I needed to do the upgrade, but none of them were explained. So I had no idea which one to download. I quit."Win XP is working fine. I will stay with it." --Bill M., Kalamazoo, MI
"The upgrade advisor found that Norton must be removed and can't be reinstalled on this computer with the Vista upgrade. Windows Messenger cannot be used either... there are some other software issues, but nothing major. I guess software venders did not anticipate Vista to come out--so no Vista upgrades for me. --Joseph W., Denver
Second Thoughts
"I am sorry I ever bought a new laptop with Vista. My Adobe Acrobat Professional 7.0 does not work; to have the same functionality, I have to repurchase Acrobat 8.0 Pro for $449. (I can't even buy the upgrade because Vista will not allow me to install my Acrobat 7.0 Pro.)"Mr. Gates did not do anyone any favors because that is only the tip of the iceberg. My Lexmark X74-75 doesn't have upgraded drivers. Then there's JASC Paintshop telling me I need to buy Corel's XI in order to use their product with Vista.
"If you ever have the chance to bump into Mr. Gates, tell him thanks. I am 61 years old and finally beginning to understand why kids hack their software products. They all deserve it and Vista is the case in point." --Joe S. Jersey City, NJ
"I've decided that Vista is in fact an acronym:Visually
Interesting,
Significant
Technology
Absent
--Jim L., Ottawa, Canada
Even the Pros Are Annoyed
"As a professional IT consultant and owner of a firm serving many clients, I share your views of Vista being (for all intents and purposes) an intermediary step to the next OS revolution."We have halted any clients from installing Vista, and many are having trouble finding PCs without it (searching for laptops or desktops with Win XP Pro installed is a full-time job). We blogged about it on our Web site and are waiting for the two-year itch for the next OS upgrade." --Thomas P., Huntington Beach, California
"I've documented some of my experiences trying to build a PC that I can sell to clients who want Vista. Some really basic, but key add-ons, such as Real audio/video and QuickTime, aren't Vista-ready yet, In several instances I was unable to get the Java runtime to work (upon going to a site with Java content IE7 would simply close).Pity the poor public who is pushed out of the nest and forced to fly with Vista. --Tim Wilde, Dallas
Give Vista a Chance
Lest you think that everyone hates Vista, here's a fan letter:
"Really Steve, I think it's time to get rid of the 'tall poppy' syndrome and give Vista a chance. What really bugs me about guys like you (notice I didn't say 'you'; I said 'guys like you'), is that they forget Microsoft has opened up the use and availability of computers to millions and millions of people around the world."Apart from their own riches in doing the above they have made multiple millionaire status for thousands of others. So if you going to say yeah, but someone else could have done it, well why haven't they? And if free Linux is such a big deal with its open-source code how come it's still languishing out there and not winning over hearts and minds everywhere?
"Of course Vista is experiencing a few problems, but so what? What new venture in any field doesn't have teething problems? --Greg D., Brisbane, Australia
Wait, I Have More
And if these comments aren't enough, you oughta see what's being tossed around on PC World's forums. Here are links to the forum topics:
Wait! Don't Buy Microsoft Windows Vista
Windows Vista: 15 Reasons to Switch
The Most Annoying Things About Windows Vista
Living With Vista: First 30 Days
Your comments count. Stick them in Comments below.
Tomorrow: A free program that will let you run Vista and XP on the same same -- without dual booting.
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Vista is a "no pain, no gain" starting point to future advantage. The very real pain some currently experience shouldn't be, but it's more a 3rd party hardware and software fiasco than it is a Vista problem. A year from now the real pain will be gone and the comfort zone will be better with Vista than XP - but only if you start now....
Vista is outdated from the start. On april 19th, Ubuntu Linux 7.04 Feisty Fawn will be released. The easiest Linux ever, really Linux for dummies, and entirely free! Install Beryl on it (also free), and you won't believe your eyes....... The visual effects are completely astounding. Vista's wow is nothing compared to that.
Greetz, Pjotr.