Windows 7's amazing desktop.

[donniezazen]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk

[pwnst*r]

recurring ->

[fatality_uk]

recurring ->

+1

[wsonar]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk

Ubuntu make it whatever you want

here's how in Kubuntu

http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/V...?content=104232

[donniezazen]

Ubuntu make it whatever you want

here's how in Kubuntu

http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/V...?content=104232

I am sorry if its a recurring post.

I don't have a very good experience with Kubuntu. I like gnome. Second thing i also tried the themes and all make up packages from gnome-look.org and ended with a mess. I would like to see thing work out of box.

Thanks for your detailed opinion.

[LowSky]

another Windows 7 thread....?
I guess no one uses the search function?

Windows might look "good" out of the box, but Ubuntu is far more customizable.

My favorite feature to Windows 7 is the newest verison of media center.

[Hyper Tails]

I got windows 7 RC on my pc and it does look good

[Viva]

Not this again. If all you want is a good theme out of the box, get mac or windows. Or save the money and install any theme you want for ubuntu.

[donniezazen]

Yeah Win 7 looks pretty good.

Ubuntu is customizable but for a newbie its a problem. Ubuntu is fast moving, every 6 months we have a new and better Ubuntu. As Ubuntu is getting older, customization guides for newbie are getting outdated.

SK

[CJ Master]

recurring ->

^pointless post.

Anyway, I agree, Windows 7 certainly does have good looks. All I want Windows to do is have a package manager! Then I'd go back to dual booting.

[cariboo907]

moved to recurring discussions

[donniezazen]

moved to recurring discussions

Thanks.

[pwnst*r]

^pointless post.

Anyway, I agree, Windows 7 certainly does have good looks. All I want Windows to do is have a package manager! Then I'd go back to dual booting.

^pointless post.

mine worked.

next.

[CJ Master]

^pointless post.

mine worked.

next.

Your package manager worked on windows. That's great.


...Wait, what?

[SunnyRabbiera]

Feh, take away its fancy looks its still probably the windows 95 like shell underneath.
When the real thing hits I wont expect it to be no better then Vista, just much slower and more DRM crap.

[Giant Speck]

Yay! Another opinion thread!

[medicalystoned]

why are we even discussing windows? what can windows do that linux can't?

[Giant Speck]

why are we even discussing windows? what can windows do that linux can't?

There's already a thread for that. ;)

[fatality_uk]

why are we even discussing windows? what can windows do that linux can't?

Make you stay up till 4am trying to figure out why some numpty clicked a link after you told that person in your office just three weeks ago NOT to click links to sites that are OBVIOUSLY dodgy

[3rdalbum]

There is a version of Ubuntu that looks great out-of-the-box and works just as well as the regular Ubuntu.

It's called Kubuntu.

KDE 4 is awesomeness if you give it a chance; in some ways it's superior to Gnome, and of course it looks fantastic.

[Screwdriver0815]

Yeah Win 7 looks pretty good.

Ubuntu is customizable but for a newbie its a problem. Ubuntu is fast moving, every 6 months we have a new and better Ubuntu. As Ubuntu is getting older, customization guides for newbie are getting outdated.

SK
oh yes, its a big problem for a newbie to download a file, click the install-button, click "OK" and done... :lolflag:

serious question: how is the installation of a new theme done in Windows Xp?

There is a version of Ubuntu that looks great out-of-the-box and works just as well as the regular Ubuntu.

It's called Kubuntu.

KDE 4 is awesomeness if you give it a chance; in some ways it's superior to Gnome, and of course it looks fantastic.

oh no! because everybody has had bad experience with Kubuntu since Kubuntu ate the cat of aunt Minny in Connecticut! :D
So its better to keep on praising Windows 7 as it could not eat aunt Minny's cat anymore because Kubuntu has done it already last year :D

[madverb]

I don't get it... it's all well and good until you have to pay $500 for a piece of software just to use your computer. Not hardware. 1's and 0's. Quit with all the annoying Windows 7 crap. Windows 7 seems to be pretty decent but you shouldn't praise Microsoft for creating a decent desktop that you have paid that much money for. It should be ******* amazing for that price.
Praise the developers and supporters of open source software for creating software that you don't have to pay a cent for. Get real people.

[kelvin spratt]

Since when did Windows 7 rc look good its Vista tarted up These threads a total joke.

[Swarms]

I don't get it... it's all well and good until you have to pay $500 for a piece of software just to use your computer. Not hardware. 1's and 0's. Quit with all the annoying Windows 7 crap. Windows 7 seems to be pretty decent but you shouldn't praise Microsoft for creating a decent desktop that you have paid that much money for. It should be ******* amazing for that price.
Praise the developers and supporters of open source software for creating software that you don't have to pay a cent for. Get real people.

You believing software is worth nothing, doesn't mean its true.

[madverb]

I didn't say it was worth nothing... genius.

[Screwdriver0815]

I don't get it... it's all well and good until you have to pay $500 for a piece of software just to use your computer. Not hardware. 1's and 0's. Quit with all the annoying Windows 7 crap. Windows 7 seems to be pretty decent but you shouldn't praise Microsoft for creating a decent desktop that you have paid that much money for. It should be ******* amazing for that price.
Praise the developers and supporters of open source software for creating software that you don't have to pay a cent for. Get real people.
*Sarcasm switched on*
- oh no, we can't because the lack of professional software avoids the Brekthrough of Linux on the Desktop!

- oh no we can't because Microsoft has done an amazing Job and... wait... these KDE and Gnome guys who do it because they WANT to do it and not because its their primary job.... no, KDE and Gnome is not as amazing as Windows

- oh no, we can't because the hardware support of Linux is really really bad
(seriously the out of the box support of Linux is better than in windows but anyway...)

- oh no, we can't because Linux behaves different to Windows and a newbie can not deal with that. So the Linux developers should make Linux to a second windows!

- oh no, we can't because occasionally in Linux you have to use the commandline

- oh no we can't because Microsoft saves lots of jobs - even in these difficult times
(seriously Red Hat, Novell and all the opensource companies too and Microsoft has fired some people recently... but anyway)

- oh no we can't because Windows 7 has the best boot-time and the starting sequence is so seamless!!
*sarcasm off*

:rolleyes: :lolflag:

[Chame_Wizard]

It's ugly like Vista.

[wsonar]

My favorite feature to Windows 7 is the newest verison of media center.

I was kinda impressed with that to what will canonical to to match it??

[growled]

I haven't tried it and probably won't until I have to. I do know this though...it's not worth the price I pay for it. Not when free software does everything I need for a much cheaper price.

[billgoldberg]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk

Well that's being worked on for Ubuntu 9.10, Karmic Koala.

Canonical hired designers a while back and they have been working on "prettyfying" the gnome desktop for Ubuntu.

Windows 7 looks pretty damn good, but so does KDE.

I like my modified gnome also, but that's more minimal.

[billgoldberg]

serious question: how is the installation of a new theme done in Windows Xp?

Microsoft released some themes for XP a while back, but they were just the same theme with new colors.

You need to used third party software to change XP's looks.

Windows Blinds comes to mind. But there are others.

You could always install a different shell for Explorer, like bblean.

[Screwdriver0815]

I was kinda impressed with that to what will canonical to to match it??
the question is not what Canonical does to match it, the question is: what will you do to get a media center?

Maybe installing the Elisa Media Center from the repositories?

Ah.. no... the Elisa Media Center is not exactly the same as the Windows 7 Media Center - so therefore it sucks... right? ;) :rolleyes:

[Screwdriver0815]

Microsoft released some themes for XP a while back, but they were just the same theme with new colors.

You need to used third party software to change XP's looks.

Windows Blinds comes to mind. But there are others.

You could always install a different shell for Explorer, like bblean.
yeah thats not the question.

The question is: how do I install a Theme in Windows? I download it, and then? What do I have to do to get it on the screen?

[Giant Speck]

I don't get it... it's all well and good until you have to pay $500 for a piece of software just to use your computer. Not hardware. 1's and 0's. Quit with all the annoying Windows 7 crap. Windows 7 seems to be pretty decent but you shouldn't praise Microsoft for creating a decent desktop that you have paid that much money for. It should be ******* amazing for that price.
Praise the developers and supporters of open source software for creating software that you don't have to pay a cent for. Get real people.

Since when does Windows cost $500?

[praveesh]

Please go to http://www.kde-look.org and search for windows 7 . You will find what you want . 'Vistar7 windows 7 transformation pack' & 'who want windows 7' are recomended themes . Kde is really great . Kde 4.x is more customisable than kde 3.x and Gnome . You can make your kde desktop exactly same as windows 7.

[JK3mp]

+1 on above, i don't think i've seen it go over 200, what country you living iN? Your getting screwed!! LoL. Windows 7 has alot of great improvements, but then i think about it and its taken it this long just to catch up a bit with linux distro's. Congrats Microsoft! Best release yet! ALMOST as good as linux :P . Also sometimes i think is Windows 7 that great? Or is it we are comparing it to that wonderful 100lbs (In bog and add on junk ;) ) paperwieght OS called Vista. Maybe that was the plan all along! Lets make the WORSE OS EVER, then are next release will seem like the BEST OS EVER! Sounds like a plan... ;)

[wsonar]

the question is not what Canonical does to match it, the question is: what will you do to get a media center?

Maybe installing the Elisa Media Center from the repositories?

Ah.. no... the Elisa Media Center is not exactly the same as the Windows 7 Media Center - so therefore it sucks... right? ;) :rolleyes:

just stick with Hulu for now :)

[wsonar]

+1 on above, i don't think i've seen it go over 200, what country you living iN? Your getting screwed!! LoL. Windows 7 has alot of great improvements, but then i think about it and its taken it this long just to catch up a bit with linux distro's. Congrats Microsoft! Best release yet! ALMOST as good as linux :P . Also sometimes i think is Windows 7 that great? Or is it we are comparing it to that wonderful 100lbs (In bog and add on junk ;) ) paperwieght OS called Vista. Maybe that was the plan all along! Lets make the WORSE OS EVER, then are next release will seem like the BEST OS EVER! Sounds like a plan... ;)

I never had a problem with vista, they just moved things around disabled the administrator account and a few other things that where security improvements over XP

mainly to be able to sell education I believe same with the Office suite everything is completely rearranged so users have to relearn it

[rliegh]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk

I used it, I didn't hate it -but I was underwhelmed, to say the least.

I could stand using it until March, but then I'd have to wipe it off anyway -so I went back to Ubuntu so I don't have to worry about it.

[LowSky]

I was kinda impressed with that to what will canonical to to match it??

MythTV is the closest thing its in the repos, but honestly there needs to be a better implimentation of the services. MythTV is not for people new to linux. Windows Media Center is really easy to setup when compared.

[Koori23]

^pointless post.

Anyway, I agree, Windows 7 certainly does have good looks. All I want Windows to do is have a package manager! Then I'd go back to dual booting.

Oh man.. I totally agree. It'd be nice for them to have a repository system. That way, I wouldn't have Adobe updater, Java updater and god knows what other kind of updating programs I have at work.

Yes, I am aware that Adobe are not owned by Microsoft. But I do believe they could work something out.. I wouldn't put it past them.

[Keithhed]

As they say, "lipstick on a pig" :)

[Foster Grant]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk

I think the KDE community needs to reverse-engineer and/or duplicate the functionality of the Windows 7 taskbar (the app icons with the spring-loaded popup menu). Beats everything else hands-down.

Other than that? Meh. It's still Windows.

[rookcifer]

Windows 7 is a copy of KDE4. I am not the only one with this opinion. Google "KDE4 Windows 7" and you will see lots of talk about this. For instance: here (http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13515)

And then you have this classic video (http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/software/soa/Is-it-Windows-7-or-KDE-4-/0,139023769,339294810,00.htm) that shows some dudes walking around a shopping mall with a laptop with KDE4 on it. They tell everyone its Windows 7 and everyone is like "Wow, that's cool."

It seems M$ once again rips off Linux and/or OSX. It's just like Steve Jobs said, "Microsoft just has no taste."

[Giant Speck]

Windows 7 is a copy of KDE4. I am not the only one with this opinion. Google "KDE4 Windows 7" and you will see lots of talk about this. For instance: here (http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13515)

And then you have this classic video (http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/software/soa/Is-it-Windows-7-or-KDE-4-/0,139023769,339294810,00.htm) that shows some dudes walking around a shopping mall with a laptop with KDE4 on it. They tell everyone its Windows 7 and everyone is like "Wow, that's cool."

It seems M$ once again rips off Linux and/or OSX. It's just like Steve Jobs said, "Microsoft just has no taste."

If you're going to use a baseless claim that Windows 7 is a ripoff of KDE 4, I'm going to come up with an equally baseless claim that KDE 4 is a ripoff of Vista.

[madverb]

Since when does Windows cost $500?

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Vista/category/101

That's US pricing... I live in Australia.

[Giant Speck]

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Vista/category/101

That's US pricing... I live in Australia.

US$500 = A$625 and A$500 = US$400

I don't see any price on that website that is anywhere near US$500 or A$500.

[Wiebelhaus]

I'm a hardcore power user , Every kernel revision I try to use it and I last about an hour.


It just doesn't have any depth or personality or any hard core usability but it's pretty! yay!.


I'll give it that.

[madverb]

Whatever the price, it is still to much. Stop being a pedant.

[praveesh]

Windows 7 is a copy of KDE4. I am not the only one with this opinion. Google "KDE4 Windows 7" and you will see lots of talk about this. For instance: here (http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13515)
And then you have this classic video (http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/software/soa/Is-it-Windows-7-or-KDE-4-/0,139023769,339294810,00.htm) that shows some dudes walking around a shopping mall with a laptop with KDE4 on it. They tell everyone its Windows 7 and everyone is like "Wow, that's cool."
It seems M$ once again rips off Linux and/or OSX. It's just like Steve Jobs said, "Microsoft just has no taste."
It is possible to make your KDE desktop look exactly same as windows 7 by theming . There is an application called 'vistar7 windows 7 transformation pack '(http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Vistar7+-+Windows+7+Transformation+Pack?content=104232) which as a bundle of themes for kde 4 to make it look like win 7. It can be found at http://kde-look.org. There is one more theme pack called 'who want windows 7' the link is http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Who+Needs+Windows+7+%3F?content=105399. If some one wants to enable emerald themes for KDE go to http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/Kwin+emerald?content=96279

[karellen]

Whatever the price, it is still to much. Stop being a pedant.

you know the old mantra. opinions...like belly buttons ;). nobody forces you to buy Windows, and anyway when it comes preinstalled it's much cheaper than you $500

[bashveank]

It is possible to make your KDE desktop look exactly same as windows 7 by theming . There is an application called 'vistar7 windows 7 transformation pack '(http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Vistar7+-+Windows+7+Transformation+Pack?content=104232) which as a bundle of themes for kde 4 to make it look like win 7. It can be found at http://kde-look.org. There is one more theme pack called 'who want windows 7' the link is http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Who+Needs+Windows+7+%3F?content=105399. If some one wants to enable emerald themes for KDE go to http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/Kwin+emerald?content=96279

I've used these transformation packs. They never really work the way they're supposed to. Something's always a little bit off. It feels a lot like using house paint on your car.

[praveesh]

I've used these transformation packs. They never really work the way they're supposed to. Something's always a little bit off. It feels a lot like using house paint on your car.
I couldnt try there packs since my computer is complaint . Did you try the second pack 'who wants windows 7'

[b@sh_n3rd]

The KDE mod for win7 is cool...I wouldn't know the difference. And yet, I don't think it's right to have ubuntu look like Windows...It's all together a different OS right? We all tell various ppl this when ever they say that Linux doesn't work for them. All we can do is vote for a better, newer Karmic :D...Karmic seems promising...If we can kick our imagination processors into action, we'd be able to get a really awesome, UNIQUE OS for the Linux community...

[Screwdriver0815]

I think the KDE community needs to reverse-engineer and/or duplicate the functionality of the Windows 7 taskbar (the app icons with the spring-loaded popup menu). Beats everything else hands-down.

Other than that? Meh. It's still Windows.
Hopefully they will NOT do this and concentrate on a nice and useful desktop experience for the users who actually WANT to use KDE.
They should not concentrate on users who take thing »A« to modify it and make look like thing »B«.
Because thats just pointless.

Personally I never would install a Theme which imitates the look of another OS. Whats that? If I want the look of it, I install the whole system!

[Foster Grant]

It is possible to make your KDE desktop look exactly same as windows 7 by theming .

Which is not what I want. The new taskbar is the only thing that appeals to me; the Aero look introduced in Vista is nothing special.

[praveesh]

All we can do is vote for a better, newer Karmic :D...Karmic seems promising...If we can kick our imagination processors into action, we'd be able to get a really awesome, UNIQUE OS for the Linux community...
Is there anything special in the KUbuntu karmic other than the default KDE. They always used to ignore KUbuntu and KDE

[donniezazen]

Some of the Linux guys are baffled over the improvements that Windows 7 has made. If it is good then we should praise it. It is good that windows is giving though competition.

You windows haters must accept that they have done good job. Ubuntu is not a rabbit hole, you cannot silence the voices. Ubuntu is all about acceptance, openness, and improvement.

SK.

[k2t0f12d]

Some of the Linux guys are baffled over the improvements that Windows 7 has made.Windows 7 couldn't have made improvements itself, only Micro$oft's developers could have done that. It seems to me that Micro$oft overextended themselves a bit with Vista, then discarded the broken bits, fixed the a few others, and called it 7. Not the least bit baffled here.

If it is good then we should praise it.Why? Lots of developers release improved versions of their software. What makes Windows 7 the second coming?

It is good that windows is giving though competition.The number one competitor to Windows 7 is going to be the same as it was for Vista, which is XP. Micro$oft knows they need to completely replace their old platform to remain a viable monopoly, and Vista just couldn't cut that mustard.

You windows haters must accept that they have done good job.We must do no such thing. I don't use GNU+Linux because its technologically superior or because Windows is inferior, although arguments could be made for either case. I use free software because it gives no one other than me mastery over my computing. Windows 7 may very well be a technological improvement over Vista (which we cannot conclusively prove without source code), but its the same old one developer dictatorship.

Ubuntu is not a rabbit hole, you cannot silence the voices. Ubuntu is all about acceptance, openness, and improvement.You can sing its praises all you want. Ubuntu is not the only GNU+Linux project. There are many, each of which has its own goals. Free software is about sharing improvement rather than hoarding it or improvement for improvements sake. I don't think Ubuntu is different from that idea either. So until Micro$oft relicenses Windows 7 as free software, thanks but no thanks.

[ubuwatson]

Hi All,

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?

Good Luck!
Sk


I am quite the opposite of you in opinion and I am a long time Windows user. I find the Vista theme rather dated looking. Aero was a big improvement when Vista came out several years back.

IMHO, Ubuntu's desktop is more pleasing to my eye and as it is more configurable than that of Windows, you cannot judge Ubuntu based on the default theme alone. Ubuntu's panels for instance are much better organized and configurable than the task bar/ start menu in Windows. The panel applets and notification system in Ubuntu are actually useful in comparison to the dozens of system tray icons that Windows and third party applications install, many of which serve no purpose and actually eat up resources.

The menu system in Ubuntu is clean and concise. No buried menus like that of Vista/Win 7, no folder inside of folder inside of folders to route through, and no hidden items (ala the personalized menu system).

Windows attempts to force a desktop onto you, one that includes many useless features. Ubuntu on the other hand allows you to configure the desktop to your liking and the features included are practical.

I am not sure how one finds the Windows 7 desktop amazing. All it is a theme and new taskbar, but it shows just how naive people really are and how clever Microsoft's PR campaign is. Reviewers are claiming that Windows 7 looks better than Vista (when in fact the GUI is the same) and even sites I once respected like Gizmodo are stating that the 'new wallpapers are an added bonus' and another reason to upgrade. Since when did wallpapers make an OS better ?????

Considering how ignorant some people are, I bet we could put in a new theme and wallpaper into Ubuntu 9.04 and people will claim the OS is faster....

[Mirge]

I'll flat out state I love Ubuntu. I have Kubuntu 9.04 installed on all 4 computers here. I will also state that I'm not a fan of Windows (any version--period).

What I am having a hard time understanding, is why SOME Linux users are getting upset that others like Windows 7. Why do you have to say Windows 7 isn't an improvement, doesn't look better than GNOME's default appearance, KDE 4's default appearance, etc. Who cares? People will sometimes have a different opinion than others, and that is their own right. There's no need to try to prove Windows 7 ISN'T better than Ubuntu or Linux, because maybe for some, it really IS. For me, it most definitely is not, but I am not going to try to force my ideas onto others. I use Linux and love it. It works for me. For some people, Windows works for them.

Competition is a good thing, imho. If people think Windows 7 looks fantastic, great! I think Kubuntu 9.04 looks fantastic right out of the box, and is more functional to me. Windows and Linux CAN co-exist and will.

End of rant...

[jdunn]

I am a long time Ubuntu user but i am amazed to see improvements in Windows 7. I know Ubuntu is far better in performance than any Windows OS, thats why i use it, still i think Windows 7 has better looks than Ubuntu Jaunty. I love Aero theme, clean and clear windows, and its over all outlook. I would love to see Ubuntu having a beautiful desktop out of box. What do you guys think?
Sk

Well, I haven't seen Windows 7 but I've seen Vista (which has Aero). To me, Jaunty with compiz-enabled desktop effects looks on-par with Vista Aero. Looks aside, performance is more important to me and Jaunty beats Vista and XP easily.

I've heard that Windows 7 has a new feature called "shake" which really amounts to nothing more than simple "gesturing". Having used several drafting and schematic capture programs, "shake" is nothing new or revolutionary. In fact, I think "shake" will confuse and annoy the average computer user. I would hate to see this type of feature included out-of-the-box in Ubuntu

[stimpack]

I am liking Windows 7 too, a lot in fact. But no, it not as good as KDE4 in many ways, including appearance. It is by far the best Windows desktop yet and I like it. But lets not go overboard..

[jdunn]

I suspect there will be no improvement to Windows support for Win 7. :p
I have a laptop dual booting Vista and Jaunty right now. Thanks to the these community forums and the nature of open source software, I was able to fix any issues I had with Jaunty within 2 weeks after I installed it. With Vista, I've had an ongoing issue with sound drivers that use 50% of the CPU while idle...all I can do is wait for a fix in a future driver update.