shigamoto - 11:48 am on Jul 8, 2007 (gmt 0)

I think the whole Vista problems issue has several variables.

1) Some hardware manufacturers knowing that a new version of Windows will be released well in advance did nothing to develop new drivers for Vista. So people had problems with their Ipods, printers, video cards and what not.

Of course the hardware companies didn't want to release new updated drivers for Vista since they are making nothing to provide drivers for the operating system and would rather have their customers buy new hardware.

2) I would like to counter the popular belief that Vista requires a high-end system. I have used Vista for several months on what I would consider a low-end system, obviously I can not use stuff like Dreamscene and Aero but it runs fine as a basic operating system and I see no difference from if I would have used XP.

3) The real problems with Vista has been the software. Adobe also knew that Vista would be released and could have prepared in advance, but they did not. Apple also knew that Vista would be released and could have fixed Itunes in advance, they did nothing.

The only software I have had real problems with using Vista is ZoneAlarm and Itunes. Most other stuff worked fine but then I don't run much older software.

4) Every release of Windows had its share of problems. When 95 came some software didn't work and a lot of hardware were renedered useless (I remember giving away my trusty monochrome hand scanner:).

Now all my systems run Vista (three computers) except for one. I can't say that the difference is that dramatic from XP. It's a little bit more flashy, includes a faster search engine and a little bit different start-menu. Yes there are a lot of software included some of it useless (BitLocker which slows down the system badly) and some useful (Sidebar, Aero and Backup).

The most annoying feature in Vista so far is the User Access Control, it's a security feature I know but I turned it off since it pop-ups just about everytime you do something. I think Microsoft could have integrated it better.

Making a decision about upgrading should be based on what hardware and software you are running. If you know that your printer won't work and some software then don't upgrade. You will not miss much now but you probably will later.

All problems in Vista is not solely Microsoft's fault, there are other culprits as well; Adobe, Apple and a bunch of hardware makers.