After hearing about some of the annoying, useless little features that the fine folks at Microsoft injected into Windows Vista, I decided to list the Top 5 Reasons not to upgrade to this operating system. (Of course we could come up with more reasons.)
#5 New security feature: User Account Protection (UAP) pops up so many security warning windows that it will take an admin longer to close the pop up windows than it would to complete the task in the first place.
#4 Glass Windows feature stinks. It makes it hard to tell which Window is the active one. They look cool as hell but in reality this feature is technically useless.
#3 Media Center is now an overly complicated array of selections where previously in XP it was very uncluttered and easy to use.
#2 New licensing restriction on Vista allows you to transfer the operating system to only one other device. After that you will have to purchase another copy. If your computer crashes or has a hardware failure more than once, oh well. Break out the green baby.
#1 And the number one reason why you should NOT upgrade to Windows Vista is:
Ubuntu Linux Desktop and Server are FREE!
If anyone is planning on upgrading to Vista, I surely would like to know why?
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[tags]windows vista,ubuntu,linux,operating system,upgrade O.S.,linux desktop,UAP,vista upgrade,microsoft[/tags]
Ubuntu is cool..I have it but you cant run any good programs on it and to install anything you have to be a scientist.
Now if we can only figure out how to run Microsoft Office on Ubuntu. Hmmm…
Is #2 really true? I can see MS doing this, but that seems pretty drastic. I had to re-install XP on my parents computer a while back and it didn’t believe that I had a genuine copy. After about an hour of digging, I found out how to tell it that it was, in fact, genuine. After that, I bought them a Mac Mini and they have been happy ever since. 🙂
I’m currently trying out Ubuntu as a lateral move. It IS limited in certain areas, gaming for instance, imaging software, gui multimedia software, etc.
However, this is the first time I’ve gotten WINE to work almost perfectly (They’ve come a long way), and I have Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Firefox, and IE installed and all working. (Wine really works better with MS fonts, so install those while you’re at it).
I beta’ed Vista for a short while. I see no reason to go there on a permanent basis. Cost of o/s, licensing, and cost of new software and hardware for no reason are pretty much the reasons I won’t switch. And, my recommendation to anyone wanting to ‘upgrade’….. it’s NOT an upgrade. It’s a lateral and slightly downward move with severe financial repercussions.
There will undoubtedly be those who MUST have it because it’s NEW, exciting, COOL, MS, cutting edge, blah blah…. been there, done that, didn’t bother with the t-shirt.
My 2cents from Ubuntu / Firefox ~ KC
I agree with KC if they could get the the multimedia, imaging and gaming apps running well on Ubuntu then they would really be a force to be reckoned with. It will happen eventually.
I’ll have to do some digging on #5 myself, but if anyone has any links that describes this issue in more depth, i’d be glad to check them out. ElectorGeek? any chance you’d be willing to do a counter-point (devil’s advocate) and list the “Top 5 Reasons why you MIGHT WANT TO upgrade to Windows Vista” ? that’s a joke but would comeback to read if it you do it.
Everything on this list is moronic except for Reason #2 which is a deal breaker.
Hey pL, It’s funny that you mention that because I was actually considering doing a Top 5 list of why you should upgrade as well. I’ll think about it. There may very well be a few reasons to upgrade but right now I just can’t justify any of them.
Hey pastco, Think about it, if you have a business and you can run your apps on a free, stable O.S. or run your apps on an O.S. that will cost you hundreds of dollars per seat with strict licensing restrictions, which one would you choose? Uh… Look here: https://www.electrogeek.com/blog/2006/09/22/munich-replaces-windows-with-debian-gnulinux-31/
I seriously don’t like the “one hardware change, then buy Vista again “feature””. What kind of crimp is MS trying to put on the average PC enthusiast with that one?? I guess maybe some money from the big PC builders might have had an influence on including this “feature”. Think about it. Is it easier/better/cheaper for a hardware guy to build your own (or someone elses) PC now? Yes it is. Will it be as easy to do so in the future if you are using Vista? I don’t think so. Probably just easier/cheaper to buy a pre-configured, activated, working PC with Vista installed.
Complete B.S if you ask me. I mean what enthusiast doesn’t swap motherboards, cases, video cards like mad? Ridiculous. Take that little guy! (Do I sense more anti-trust fun in MSs fututre?)
So many Linux distros to choose from too. Time to have a look.
I have an unbuntu install for myself but I’m the only one in my business even remotely capable of troubleshooting it in any way at all. All I need to know from that link is that Munich, with all its resources was a year behind in their move. By the time I got automatix installed on all the machines we would already be behind!
Look Unbuntu is great but it isn’t a panecea and pitching it that way is part of the problem. I’ve seen people try it thinking Happy Days are here again and get frustrated very quickly. It is not as 1-2-3 as many people make it out to be. In my experience you are going to have to open a terminal window at some point and you should know that going in. And honest assement shows that there are problems with it in and of itself and, aside from those…well, frankly, until it can run AutoCad natively there is no way it could our only desktop.
I think Vista does have some nice stuff regardless of the eye candy. I miss the breadcrumb a lot when switching back to xp, but it is true that #2 is, without question, a dealbreaker. We build all our machines so we can mix and match parts and upgrade on the fly. The new restriction is absurd and utterly tone-deaf because they are going to lose a lot of hobbyists who are also influencers. Ultimately this can only be helpful to linux which is the only redeeming aspect of that draconian measure.
shock, how did i know this was going to be another pro-linux ploy.
All opinion on features that will most likely be configurable. Except the last, which clearly shows your bias in the first place.
Go away linux boy, go away.
I don’t know about the other guy, but I am personally staying with XP for the forseeable future. As far as Linux goes, how can you not check it out at least with all this open hostility towards users from MS? Seems worth a look to me.
“Feature” #2 is what’s got my ire up more than anything. I used to just have to get pissed, then call MS to re-validate XP after a major hardware change. Now they actually have the juevos to expect everybody to repurchase the OS after more than one major hardware change. That is completely backwards and unacceptable. Technology moves forward, as do I.
Let’s see if we cant actually get this country moving forward too. Get out there and VOTE next month people.
Hey Rob, You couldn’t be farther from the truth. I actually make my living servicing customers that run Microsoft products! WOW!! I know I sounded pro linux by writing that post, however I am very displeased with Microsoft’s decision on the licensing deal. As pastco stated in an above comment, #2 is the dealbreaker.
New (2008) Games only possible on Vista???
You’re completely wrong about the changes to the Windows Vista EULA. Although it is a wonderfully incendiary reason to start a flame thread about Microsoft, it’s just not true. The Windows XP EULA was vaguely worded in regards to license transfer, but it was never an issue that was up for debate: Windows is licensed on a per device basis. Vista is no different. The license transfer “clause was always aimed at very specific circumstances,” Microsoft general manager Shanen Boettcher, “Someone has a hardware failure, but still wants to run that copy of Windows on the new machine, for example.” If you purchase a retail copy of Windows, it is not licensed to you, it is licensed to the first device you choose to install it on, therefore you have never been allowed to install it on infinite machines and if you have been doing that with XP, you are in violation of the EULA anyway. Don’t get pissed because MS clarified the EULA.
Furthermore, the hardware change detection plays right into that same license transfer issue. If you swap out the motherboard and CPU (less than 10% of licensed Windows owners have EVER done this) isn’t it a new device? And therefore, doesn’t it require a new license? But regardless, the hardware change algorythm in Vista is actually LESS strict that the one in XP, so you have nothing to complain about. If you upgrade your GPU or add a new hard drive, it’s not going to force you to purchase a new license.
And besides, if you were actually a Microsoft service provider you would know that the MS Activations call center don’t look into anything very deep. If you call them to activate a product, they ask you a few boiler-plate questions to which you simply give the answers they obvioulsy want to hear and 3 seconds later they give you your authorization code. No one will show up and slap you on the wrist for violating the EULA.
And just so people don’t just down my throat about being a MS mouth-piece, I’m a linux user. Sitting on a Gentoo workstation right now running a 100% open-source desktop environment. But I am also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner because, whether you like it or not, Microsoft has the ability to offer the marketplace more value added products and services than any other technology partner in the world. Period.
Don’t get your panties in a bunch about Vista. Maybe you won’t like the UI (so switch to the “classic” interface that’s still available), but you aren’t going to be restricted from using it in any way that you were used to using XP. Even the software pirates will have no more problems then the periodic WGA crack updates of XP.
I too made the switch to Ubuntu about 8 months ago and have never looked back. I also switched my servers to CentOS. Sure Linux lacks certain applications but it’s getting easier to use and it’s apps are becoming more powerful. And remember, while your Linux install may frustrate you sometimes stick with it because the more people that switch to Linux the more companies like Adobe will sit up and take notice. So hang in there and you might be running Fireworks natively on Linux before you know it.
Can someone provide some clear evidence on #2? I have a feeling it’s not really what this post says, but if it is, then that also kills the deal for me. I probably get a new machine every year, and sell my old one, so I need the software to keep going.
Don – here a source on the Vista licensing “revisions”: http://www.techweb.com/wire/software/193300234. I’ve used Ubuntu, and it’s quite good, but I’m also interested in newer Fedora distros.
“Ubuntu is cool..I have it but you cant run any good programs on it and to install anything you have to be a scientist.”
Oh I’m sorry, are you from the past?
(scientist, yeah right – even I use Ubuntu, and I’m a 17 year old student)
Ubuntu is easy to use, but it still lacks many features that Windows users are comfortable with.
Games are everywhere on Windows.
Where is the Media Center for Linux?
The media center on Linux is a little thing called MythTV which isnt perfect but its getting there.
I’d much rather use it than cough up my left nut for Vista MCE and then the right nut for hardware which is on its supported list.
*UPDATE*
The long and the short of it is, MS was definitely going to implement #2 as an anti-piracy tool. They probably heard a lot more complaints than they had anticipated from boards just like this one, and have decided NOT to implement number two. You WILL be able to uninstall Vista from one machine and install it on another. Now let’s just hope it doesn’t suck! Hah ha. (Still gonna check out Linux though)
*MICROSOFTS STATEMENT*
* You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices.
Our intention behind the original terms was genuinely geared toward combating piracy; however, it’s become clear to us that those original terms were perceived as adversely affecting an important group of customers: PC and hardware enthusiasts. You who comprise the enthusiast market are vital to us for several reasons, not least of all because of the support you’ve provided us throughout the development of Windows Vista. We respect the time and expense you go to in customizing, building and rebuilding your hardware and we heard you that the previous terms were seen as an impediment to that — it’s for that reason we’ve made this change. I hope that this change provides the flexibility you need, and gives you more reason to be excited about the upcoming retail release of our new operating system.
*Update 2*
Hi all. Just another little update to add. It appears as though MS is still going to use the “one hardware transfer” rule to harass PC enthusiasts who have the gall to purchase OEM copies of Vista. If you pay more and buy retail Vista, you are entitled to less harassment upon OS transfer. (why do they even bother selling OEM versions if they are just going to harass you for using them???)
The following is quoted from a Newegg review of Windows XP Home SP2b that includes a coupon for a free copy of Windows Vista. Seems like a cheap way to pick up both OSs for very little money if you can deal with the restrictions.
“Buyer Beware
Pros: New O/S with the latest features and protections.
Cons: Memory Hog.
Other Thoughts: I contacted M/S with the number here and was directed to Vista marketing. I was told that if you purchase OEM versions of Vista (like the coupon is) you will experience a lot of difficulty upgrading your PC and using this O/S copy again. She also said retail copies of Vista should allow you to upgrade a single PC and keep on using it… if not abused.”
Thanks for the update Raiden!
Hey no problem Electrogeek. Thanks for having a cool site where Anons can post. (I hate havin to register every time I have something to say)
Also, that Newegg review is actually listed under XP PRO SP2b, NOT XP home. Both versions come with the upgrade coupon for Vista though.
So tell your friends everyone. MS will still screw with you for too many hardware changes if you buy OEM Vista. Better yet, tell your business associates too. Perhaps if enough people find out about this, MS will back down again.
The power of people.