If Microsoft Gave Away Windows Vista Ultimate Edition For Free.... Would You Use It?

[Sunflower1970]

Yeah, I'd try it out...as long as they're giving me a brand spankin' computer for free too :p

I really doubt my computer could handle Vista--and my graphic card probably wouldn't work at all: nVidia GeForce3 Ti 500 graphics card.

[marx2k]

Yeah, I'd try it out...as long as they're giving me a brand spankin' computer for free too :p

You mean like: http://laughingsquid.com/microsoft-sent-a-free-laptop-with-windows-vista/

???

Looks like they are really getting desperate for good PR on this release of their latest insecure, overpriced, overhyped, DRM'd and underpowered bloatware.

It would only be better if Bill Gates' printers emblazoned his signature on it in silver :rolleyes:

[Prizmrider]

I've been using Ubuntu for almost 3 months now and find it to be an O.K. OS. Nothing to write home about but it works. The one thing that bothers me is all this Windows bashing. Why do you find it necessary to post polls about accepting free copies of Vista? What is the purpose? If people want to use Windows what does it matter to you? It's very childish if you ask me.

[Sunflower1970]

You mean like: http://laughingsquid.com/microsoft-sent-a-free-laptop-with-windows-vista/

???

Looks like they are really getting desperate for good PR on this release of their latest insecure, overpriced, overhyped, DRM'd and underpowered bloatware.

It would only be better if Bill Gates' printers emblazoned his signature on it in silver :rolleyes:

Thanks for the link! That was too funny. I'm not impressed with the Acer Ferrari at all. It reminds me of the older laptops from years ago.

[BoyOfDestiny]

I've been using Ubuntu for almost 3 months now and find it to be an O.K. OS. Nothing to write home about but it works. The one thing that bothers me is all this Windows bashing. Why do you find it necessary to post polls about accepting free copies of Vista? What is the purpose? If people want to use Windows what does it matter to you? It's very childish if you ask me.

I guess the purpose of the poll is the title? Why does it matter if people want to use windows... Frankly it's fine, but I'd prefer they stay away from Vista...

Why?

http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt

http://badvista.fsf.org/blog/analysis-of-microsofts-suicide-note-part-1

As for other version of Windows, keep on using it. I can't really find fault, except for security issues, such as zombie'd machines churning out spam...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/technology/07net.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Besides that, some people aren't fans of MS's business practice:, embrace, extend, extinguish.

May be worth the history lesson to google msdos and novell dos, java and j++, beos, etc. etc... It just goes on...

Anyway, to the topic of the poll, again I say "no" due to the reasons outlined above.

The purpose of my "bashing" here is maybe people will think twice about upgrading Vista. If that's childish or disagreeable, well it's a public forum here... Just ignore me and go about your day.

[hendoc]

What would be the point? Sooner or later, problems would arise, and most likely, right when you are depending on it. I don't need an OS that can ban me from using it due to mistakes that may not even be my fault.

[floke]

Ok, so here's my childish response....

I used to think XP was great, but in the same way I used to think dial-up was great before I got broadband, and the way I used to think broadband was great before I got wireless, and the way I used to think video cassettes and tapes were great before I discovered DVDs and CDs, and the way I used to think buses were great before I learned to drive, and the way I used to think white coffee was great before I discovered black (no sugar), and the way I used to think cigarettes were great before I gave up, and the way I used to think pot noodles were great before I discovered ham sandwiches, and the way I used to think ham sandwiches were great before I discovered how to cook, and the way I used to think England were great before they hired Sven (muppet), and the way I used to think that Gnome was great until I discovered KDE, and the way I used to think KDE was great until I rediscovered Gnome, and the way I used to think Microsoft were great before I discovered Linux.

[detyabozhye]

...and the way I used to think Gnome was great before I discovered Xfce, and the way I used to think gLabels was great before I discovered Scribus, and the way I used to think IE was great before I discovered Firefox, and the way I used to think Firefox was great before I discovered Opera, and the way I used to think Opera was great before it started crashing all the time, and the way...

sorry, got carried away. ^_^;;

[Prizmrider]

No need to apologize, if anyone should apologize it should be me.

This is a great forum. Although I have not posted any questions I got all the information I needed to fix problems from searching the forum. There are a lot of great people here, very knowledgable.

If MS gave away Vista Ultimate Edition I doubt my present pc would work with it. I am satisfied with XP for now, for the things I can't do with Ubuntu. I am currently dual-booting while I learn more about Ubuntu/Linux. I just wish there was better finance software for
Linux.

[floke]

Have you tried KMyMoney?
No idea if its any good though!

And by the way, I also used to think XFCE was great until my desktop disappeared due to a known bug when selecting different icon/themesets (actually i still like it, but just have to remember to be careful when configuring!)](*,)

[GregDT]

It's only my addiction to PC games and the struggles that I have making them work under Linux that makes me keep Windows running on one PC. Otherwise I would drop Microsoft completely.

[Fitzy_oz]

I don't use Windows at home and get away with not using it at work on my workstation - Unfortunately Windows is the soe that's installed across the enterprise where I work so it's a necessary evil that I have installed on one box purely for testing and educational purposes...


All that aside - I just plain don't like their business practices, and as stated earlier in the thread - the WPA and genuine advantage stuff is crossing the line for me. You have to wonder if you download an MP3 from somewhere that an M$ representative and Lars Ulrich aren't going to rock up on your door step with a tazer and pair of handcuffs....:rolleyes:

[Plankman]

Call me a linux zealot, but I will not even have MS hardware in my house. I seriously believe they need a damned good kick up the ****.

You WILL NOT be able to dual boot a vista system. It seems to be the one devel thing everyone forgot. It appears that vista will use the MBR to boot, and the way it boots has been altered substansially. This means grub on linux will not see it, as it will have an encrypted boot sequence. There is however a chance that the Vista bootloader will be able to boot linux, but thats not confirmed.
Vista will follow the same sales model that XP 64 bit has - not available off the shelf, only as an OEM OS. So you will have to buy hardware in order to buy vista off an MS approved reseller.
Also, remember that Vista will be an encypted version of NTFS initially before switching to WinFS (a journalled FS!!), and linux will not be able to see either system.
The only way to have Vista on a machine in your house really will be to get a second High performance machine.

I dual booted it with edgy and grub picked it up fine. But then two hours later I formatted and killed vista, i found it extremely annoying. I won't be using it at all

[Anurag_panda]

Even if MS gives Vista for free, i still wont use i due to following reasons:
(1) My PC specs cannot afford to run Vista.
(2) I don't want to complicate with DRMs.
(3) I am sure Vista would be much more insecure than XP
(4) Using Linux is much more fun than Vista
(5) I find the look of KDE much more appealing than that of Vista.
(6) Moreover, I hate microsoft's domination in the desktop market.

[mushroom]

I'll probably grab a vmware image off some torrent site just to check out DWM and how it compares to Beryl, but other than that, no way.

[waterbear]

I'd be crazy not to at least try it. If it's a good product, it's a good product, and if it's not, I can always transfer the license to someone (maybe someone I hate who has frequent computer issues thanks to the license.)

[Evil 1983 Genius]

well proberly not because my love hate relationship with windows and most other microsoft software came to a crashing halt last week when i went and upgraded my mb because my old one just gave up so i replace the mb and put my hdd that has win. xp pro installed in and boot the computer and at the splash screen it tells me to re-activate it do to a major hard ware change .
oh well fine, so i go to activate and they wont let me period. wel they only gave me 3 days to actvate and i didnt sinch i cant so three days went by and xp wont even let me log in, so if i want to use my copmuter i have to buy a new os well guess what i'm not paying no $100 or more fro a os just cuz i upgraded my mb. so here i am happly trying to learn ubuntu 6.10 64 bit ver.
knowing i wont have to deal with microsofts games when i whant upgrade my computer :-D
and you know what i'm loving it so microst can keep there software to them selfs. and one last thing i wont uses microsoft programs any time soon but im still as happy with my microsoft key board and mouse set that im using as i was the day i bought it. there hardware and inbut devices are ok but there software sucks:p

[Frak]

Wow. I got Vista for free, and yeah I'm using it, so proof of concept (MSDN subscriber)

[wert613]

yeah if is free why not use it?

[Yossarian]

This question is more than academic for me: I'm downloading windows vista business for free from the MSDN student edition run by my university.

No plans for installing it yet, though.

EDIT:

I'm slightly disturbed by the lack of the words Ultimate or Premium. Is this the edition for people who are not with 'it'?

Will this make me the lamest guy in town? Will they all laugh at me?

[Frak]

I don't see why, my version of MSDN Vista had Aero graphics installed, I see no reason why your wouldn't...

[Taylor]

It's only my addiction to PC games and the struggles that I have making them work under Linux that makes me keep Windows running on one PC. Otherwise I would drop Microsoft completely.Why not do programming like Java, Perl, PHP, HTML, C++, etc instead of playing games like Halo, WoW or whatever games people play on PC? Learning to program is just as fun leaning Linux.

IMO, programming is more to do rather than play Windows-only games. :)

[Galactic Jack]

Wow a very though question.

I would say no because of the encryption crap, verisign stuff, "we own your desktop" attitude and the like.

I want people to communicate what they want and do what they want online and Microsoft tends to want a commercial internet.

So I say join the Linux rebellion and give the Internet to the people !

This just about sums it up for me.

[buuntuu!]

nah, wouldn't touch it with a stick, there's GOT to be a rub in it!

[steven8]

The rub is it puts windows in one more household giving MS even more marketshare, and gives them control of one more computer.

[homh]

If I were offered a free copy of VISTA, sure I would take it, just to check it out. Provided its not one of those time-limited, feature-limited trial copies. I wouldnt bother with that. But a real working Vista Ultimate Edition. Its like your at the grocery store and your offered a free sample. You take it even if it doesnt look appetizing.

But I doubt it would run on my hardware, my computer would be too underpoweed for Vista. I also dont like the variious anti-privacy legitimate copy verfications that MS does. Dont like having to run all the anti-virus anti-spyware cleanup programs and put in a software firewall. I dont like the crashes and notices that "you have a damaged or missing xxxx.xxx file.

For teh most part WINDOWS XP works okay. Not always and there seems to be a lot of security holes that get discocered and MS has to issue emergency patches. But its okay. I dont think most people are going to upgrade to VISTA because of cost and hardware requirements.

Except maybe the people who live in Vista, California. It could be popular there. :biggrin:

[Kratos]

I use Windows XP as my dual-boot option, simply for the sake of games. I find Wine and Cedega to be to cumbersome/annoying to be viable options. The only problem with this is the fact that DirectX 10 will only be available on Vista, making it the only choice for any gamer. So, for the same price that would get me a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (plus the cost of upgrades to run Aero Glass) , I could get a Wii and Twilight Princess. :)

[Pobega]

I don't touch anything Microsoft makes anymore. I also try to avoid to use anything not open source in general, with the exception of AIM/MSN (I connect to them through Jabber though, how can I not? 95% of my buddies are on those servers and refuse to switch.).

[bover]

if i need it ill download it for free anyway :D
but no thnx i am quite happy wth my ubuntu :)

[Unterseeboot_234]

MS offers a download to evaluate your hardware/os to see if you're ready for Vista. Tempting, but it takes a MS OS to run, and from what I've read, the evaluation program crashes. No, what concerns me is MS is trying to shove new data/file formats onto the computer that are proprietary MS.

"Vista is the first step of Microsoft's strategy to extend its market dominance to the Internet," the ECIS statement said.

It said Microsoft's XAML markup language was "positioned to replace HTML," the industry standard for publishing documents on the Internet. XAML would be dependent on Windows, and discriminatory against systems such as Linux, the group said.

It said a so-called "open XML" platform file format, known as OOXML, is designed to run seamlessly only on the Microsoft Office platform. It governs the way a document is formatted and stored.

from yahoo.news about the EU's ongoing suit against MS. Interesting read.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070126/bs_nm/vista_microsoft_eu_dc (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070126/bs_nm/vista_microsoft_eu_dc)

[xabbott]

Why not do programming like Java, Perl, PHP, HTML, C++, etc instead of playing games like Halo, WoW or whatever games people play on PC? Learning to program is just as fun leaning Linux.

IMO, programming is more to do rather than play Windows-only games. :)

Wow, this is crazy. You are going to tell gamers "Learn to program it's more fun."

Hardcore PC gamers are just generally going to need Windows until more games are ported. You can't tell people to change what they find to be fun.

[phersotty]

Yes if no strings were attached. If Robin Hood Bill Gates were a shoe salesman he would probably offer the left shoe for free and charge you for the right. :D

[yigal.weinstein]

Wow, this is crazy. You are going to tell gamers "Learn to program it's more fun."

Hardcore PC gamers are just generally going to need Windows until more games are ported. You can't tell people to change what they find to be fun.

I think for the most part I can do without hard core gamers. Programming is satisfying in a number of ways that gaming is not. For instance the product of programming might actually be useful. I think you are right that hard core gamers will probably want Microsoft - but I don't think you mean Windows because it will be Vista in the near future.

[Robin T Cox]

Gamers would be best advised to avoid Vista and stick to XP for the time being.

http://techgage.com/article/windows_vista_gaming_performance_reports

[Frak]

Gamers would be best advised to avoid Vista and stick to XP for the time being.

http://techgage.com/article/windows_vista_gaming_performance_reports
Or use xsOS to use DirectX 10 (psst... even M$ says its legal, they're supporters)

[presbp]

yeah but only cause of games.. if linux had commercial popular games as Windows does I would leave Windows

[Stevo22]

Sincere apologies if this has been posted before, but I was just trying to gague the general "mood" of the community.

Let me explain.....there are 2 reasons why Windows XP Pro and Office 2003 Professional will be my last experience with Microsoft software:

1) Ridiculous Pricing - Who the hell can afford to pay those sort of prices for an OS and an Office Suite? Also, why would you want to? (P.S My current Microsoft software was heavily subsidised as I bought it through my University)

2) Principal - Unethical corporate behaviour, and the fact that my personal freedoms and privacy are being invaded through use of Microsoft software. (Activation, Genuine Windows, Intrusive Windows Updates, DRM etc...)



I couldn't have explained better why I'm looking at getting away from Microsoft altogether. Now I've got another reason to ditch MS. I read an article a few days ago (in a reliable magazine) that says MS plans to use Vista to take control of the Internet by developing a replacement for HTML (compatible initially only with Vista) . Effectively this means that non-Windows users can't use the Internet unless they get MS Vista or get software which incorporates the new XAML mark-up language (which of course, will have to be acquired under licence from MS!).

Last time I looked, behaviour like this violated anti-trust and anti-monopoly laws in just about every jurisdiction in the world. You'd think MS would have learned the first time around when the US Department of Justice took them to task for such behaviour.

This use of force is a bad business model and may hurt Microsoft far more than it will help. It's already losing market share because of its ill-conceived Genuine Advantage anti-piracy system.Indeed, WGA and Vista smack of Sony's rootkit debacle. I won't buy Sony products now because of that. I'd daresay that Vista and the naked grab for the 'net means MS is running - scared.

Hewlett-Packard's decision to fund Ubuntu speaks volumes to me about Microsoft's possible future. Why would HP invest money in an organization which gives away a free OS? Out of the goodness of their hearts?

[Frak]

I couldn't have explained better why I'm looking at getting away from Microsoft altogether. Now I've got another reason to ditch MS. I read an article a few days ago (in a reliable magazine) that says MS plans to use Vista to take control of the Internet by developing a replacement for HTML (compatible initially only with Vista) . Effectively this means that non-Windows users can't use the Internet unless they get MS Vista or get software which incorporates the new XAML mark-up language (which of course, will have to be acquired under licence from MS!).

Last time I looked, behaviour like this violated anti-trust and anti-monopoly laws in just about every jurisdiction in the world. You'd think MS would have learned the first time around when the US Department of Justice took them to task for such behaviour.

This use of force is a bad business model and may hurt Microsoft far more than it will help. It's already losing market share because of its ill-conceived Genuine Advantage anti-piracy system.Indeed, WGA and Vista smack of Sony's rootkit debacle. I won't buy Sony products now because of that. I'd daresay that Vista and the naked grab for the 'net means MS is running - scared.

Hewlett-Packard's decision to fund Ubuntu speaks volumes to me about Microsoft's possible future. Why would HP invest money in an organization which gives away a free OS? Out of the goodness of their hearts?
And what you've read is totally correct, in fact, Microsoft has released some documentation on this. Don't know where(can't remember right off hand), but they did. It's a shame such a high power can become so corrupt, but when all else fails, the government steps in, because recently, Microsoft has been investigated for tries of Monopolizing, a big no-no in the USA, and if they don't stop their ways, the evil corprate business practices will end... (and with a bug thump...)

[Stevo22]

And what you've read is totally correct, in fact, Microsoft has released some documentation on this. Don't know where(can't remember right off hand), but they did. It's a shame such a high power can become so corrupt, but when all else fails, the government steps in, because recently, Microsoft has been investigated for tries of Monopolizing, a big no-no in the USA, and if they don't stop their ways, the evil corprate business practices will end... (and with a bug thump...)

I just learned something else today viz. Microsoft. They spent $7 billion developing Vista.
Little wonder they want to find a way to get their money back.

[Frak]

I just learned something else today viz. Microsoft. They spent $7 billion developing Vista.
Little wonder they want to find a way to get their money back.
The state of Oklahoma (where I live) filed another Anti-Trust lawsuit against Microsoft. First one this year.

[fenian]

Here's a good take on that xaml issue.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070126-8715.html

[peachy]

I'm not going to M$ bash. Personally I have zero interest in windows, although occasionally have to use it at work.

For my purposes Kubuntu is unrestrictive, stable and predictable. It is by far the easiest operating system for me.

I think Linux in general is getting easier for non tech savy uses to use and will continue to do so. I believe if you found somebody and had never used any computer and asked them to install e.g. XP then (K)Ubuntu they would find the latter easier.

When M$ released XP there was a big emphasis on the desktop. Now people generally want a terminal that allows them to access their email and browse the net, XP allows them to do that. Are they really going to by a new PC to upgrade to an OS that doesn't benefit them above or beyond what they have?

For many users computers aren't sexy any more.

I think Vista is a bit of a breaking point, it's hard for me to give a balanced view as a bit of a geek, but i see a lot of comparisons in the general press between Linux/Vista and osX. Hopefully it'll convince the curious to check out a linux distro.

I really think home users have to adopt Linux before we see it commonplace on the corporate desktop, I personally wouldn't replace the windows desktop unless i felt comfortable my users would feel happy with it

[teaker1s]

I've been involved in selling new pc's and IT support and I hated the way the computer user is treated as an idiot. I've scaled down my support to about 25 computers and it's a hobby now.
So if vista was given to me (had several beta's and they were trash) I'd exploit how it works-but couldn't be bothered to use it full time.

[vivin_west]

If you gave it to me for free I would certainly take it. I am sure I can sell it to someone:D

[mtibesar]

I just transistioned from XP and Vista RC1 to Ubuntu Edgy.

I simply got sick and tired of all the Windows applications wanting me to sign up for monthly or yearly subscriptions (they LOVE getting a piece of your wallet every month).

Anyway the transistion to Edgy went smooth. I was able to export all of my Microsoft Money accounts into QIF files and import them successfully into GNUcash

I was also able to export my Family Tree Maker database into a standard GEDCOM file which imported well into GRAMPS

I have worked with Ubuntu now for two days and find it very user friendly. I got FTP all set up in Firefox's FireFTP aok.

Actually the transistion has been great and I am liking linux after only two days - I kinda of kick myself in the pants for not abandoning the Windows money train sooner!

Just my two cents worth folks!

[Ptero-4]

No way I`m going to cash out $400 for a ugly, bloated GUI on a crappy kernel and full of spyware.

[GSF1200S]

Ive been using Linux for about a week now, and I havent booted Windows since I first installed Ubuntu.

The ONLY reason I have Windows XP is to support my games, and it came with my laptop. Im sick of the problems that have nothing to do with me. Im sick of the lack of customization. Im sick of the ever increasing hardware requirements.

Check this out- with windows XP in classic mode, with all affects turned off, and my services set to the power user setting on www.blackviper.com, Im consuming exactly 260MB of RAM idle. Ubuntu (with the "resource hog GNOME") idles at 105MB of RAM. I have once or twice managed to get my RAM usage to 250MB, and that was with 2 Firefox windows having about 12 tabs a piece (I dont screw around when I tackle something), music playing off my windows partition, a terminal window, nautilus, Evolution email, AND Abiword for taking notes! Thats ridiculous! I mean how much crap do they need to run?

Vista?!? No way... Ill have to make do with old games when corporate MS decides to screw all former computer owners with "get vista, a Nvidia 8800, and then DX10 if you want to play the cool games."

You know, being completely neutral here, looking only at capability, Linux has so much more to offer. It can be easier on lesser systems. Its fast as hell on nearly anything. Even though Im a COMPLETE NOOB, in the week Ive been running Ubuntu I havent had a single thing crash (except one KDE app I didnt realize was KDE). Windows is just like any empire- it will fall eventually. And man, what a great site to see MS on its knees in front of Mac and Linux.

[Cannonade]

Oh yes! I've seen Vista in action on a friend's PC (he gets to test it for free doing his Computer Science course). It rocks compared to the beta versions I've used.

I love Vista, it is very smart. It's just too expensive! It would have to be Vista Ultimate though, I like having the big guns.:biggrin:

[ginnie6]

you need another option...one that says "I will no longer support MS because of their principles......I paid dearly for xp and will keep it as long dh feels the need for it. me i'm completely comfortable with Ubuntu.

[Moeru]

I wouldn't use Vista. I beta tested it before I came back to Linux. I absolutely can't stand it. Its not that I hate MS or anything. Hell, I adore my xbox360. I just think Vista is the worst OS since ME. XP runs like a dream on my system but Linux runs just as well if not better even with Warcraft. I changed to linux because I love trying out new OS and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling like when I used to play with DOS when I was a kid

[karellen]

yes, I would use it. if my current rig could handle all it's hardware demands (as I have only 512 mb ram and an old ide hdd)

[jbaerbock]

I would not use Windows ever again unless I had to for a job. Even then I have DSLinux on my flashdrive to run within windows via Qemu. I look forward to an IT (Linux Oriented) Job someday and would then probably be forced to use windows, which I'll do if I must. I just don't like windows and also don't like overbearing big business who tried to invade our privacy in everyway possible, the authentication feature is rather annoying when reinstalling. Basicaly I'm sticking to Linux for my personal OS, more specificaly Ubuntu! Oh and I love how customizable Linux is.

[zipperback]

I was an avid user of Windows 98se and then a user of Windows XP, but with the issue of MASSIVE DRM control over your entire system and the Big Brother attitude they take towards their customers, that has gotten considerably worse over the last few years.

I will never purchase another Microsoft product ever again. EVER AGAIN.

If however MS decided to send me a few copies of vista for free, I would use them in the exact same manner that I use all those other free CD's that I have (AOL and the like). I'd glue felt on the bottom of them, and use them for drink coasters.

So NO I would not, under any circumstances install or use MS Vista on any of my systems, even if it were free.

[melenor]

Sell it, to buy more hardware:grin:

[Mr_J_]

After not giving a crap about DRM and have used Vista Business I found the magical conclusion of I should listen to my instinct more often.
It's shiny crap, but crap nonetheless...

It's just XGL(etc...) with a slightly better use of beagle.

Honestly...
Considering everything it's still not very impressive.
I knew it would be impressive 4 years ago, but not anymore.
I was right...

If beagle gets more integration with folders and info relevant to the files, the same effect will be achieved or at least aproximated.

The rest is just special effects...

I've used Vista a few times and that UAC thing will drive you nuts!
If you thought users payed little atention to warnings before; just wait until most people switch to Vista.
Ubuntu is going to look like the yellow brick road to them in a few years, just don't let it crumble until they do.
If the momentum keeps up in a few years the Vista switch will be a serious source of newcomers.

We just need to wait until they get bored with Vista and see Ubuntu...

[M$LOL]

It's probably been said somewhere in the 31 pages I skipped, but M$ did give it away for free (RC1) and I used it... for the twenty minutes it took to show me the installer after I clicked OK.

[Lucifiel]

While I do think that Microsoft's software IS expensive, they do need to turn a profit too. However, my dig with certain large corporations like MS is that the salary scale is largely unbalanced and the smaller guys at the bottom don't get paid much. And I don't really like Microsoft's way of doing things, they REALLY should've chosen a more compassionate attitude instead of being so testerone-driven and pissing off many companies and users. Me thinks it's probably not too long before they anger some people with plenty of political clout and end up being investigated by SEC or get involved in some financially destructive scandal.

But, let me get to the point: no matter how costly WinXP was, it's still a pretty good operating system. However, for Vista, it sounds way too resources-hungry and the pricing doesn't justify some of the "perks" you get in Ultimate. Besides, even if you got Ultimate for free, you'd still have to upgrade your hardware too. And in many cases, "upgrade" usually turns into "revamping of up to 80% of the computer system". :p

And even if a lot of digital graphics artists use Windows for their work, I suspect that Vista might drive a good number of them to Linux instead of forking out so much cash to run Photoshop and other tools like Corel Paint, etc. After all, not all of them are rich, some of them are students and others are struggling to make a living too.

[LaRoza]

Use it for what? As an operating system no... My computer only has a dual core processor and 2 GB of RAM and word processing is difficult, I crashed MS Word 2007 by saving a file as .rtf. It was originally rtf.

[AusIV4]

Currently, there are a number of reasons I don't use Windows. I don't like paying for my operating system, I don't like having to pay for an anti-virus only to sacrifice resources to a bloated program, I don't like screwing around with activation procedures, I don't like having an artificially crippled OS, etc. It's not that I can't afford these things, so largely it is on principle that I don't use MS. However if MS were giving Vista Ultimate away for free, the only thing I'd have to pay for was the AV software, and I assume I wouldn't have to fool around with activation because they were giving it away for free. Most of my principle-based objects to microsoft would be gone. That doesn't mean I'd switch back to Windows.

I love the freedom Linux gives me. Despite what many will say, I find it to be easier to use than Windows, it's more secure without sacrificing resources. It has most of the functionality of Windows, and offers numerous features Windows doesn't. I love being able to search the repositories for free software any time I have something I need a program for. Basically, I like Ubuntu too much to go back just because MS released the OS for free. That's not to say I wouldn't keep up a VM with Vista to occasionally use some Windows only software, but I'm really quite fond of Ubuntu and have no desire to go back.

[M$LOL]

But, let me get to the point: no matter how costly WinXP was, it's still a pretty good operating system.
That's where different opinions come in. Some people will say XP is crap no matter what, while others will say that it's good and way better than any other Windows versions.

It all depends on what you are comparing it with. Yes, it is good alongside other Windows versions, but it's still Windows and still has the same flaws. Look at it in terms of Linux/Unix, however, and it looks substantially less favourable.

[beefcurry]

Microsoft does have half decent produces every now and then. But with the price tag, I just don't think its worth the money.

[freewill07]

I currently have windows Vista but I am too lazy to install it on my laptop DV6000z Nvidia 7200 2gb 667 Kingston.

[Marc_UK]

Thats a hard one.

Surely people like Windows for the ease of use or the amount of programs available. People write programs more for WIndows because Windows has grown to become the most popular.

If it DID become free like Ubuntu, then perhaps it wouldn't as popular, people would be curious why is it free (I have heared about some companies doing this) Therefore maybe Mac's would become more popular? Then Linux and WIndows last?

[Miademora]

Id use it as soon as its stable and fast like xp until then only for tech support

[eentonig]

I would accept the money they offer me to install it on a system. But I doubt if I'd use it.

Ever since I got used to working with linux and the available software, I just get irritated by the bloat of Ms products. It's so limiting and ressource intensive. I feel like I can do twice the work with half the effort and annoyance while working with linux.

allthough I must admit that a large portion of my Ms frustration comes from the irritating extra services and crap that's been installed by my companies Dekstop Support group. This was the same in all my past jobs, but at least in my previous job, I was tolerated to work with Ubuntu.

[insane_alien]

if they were giving it out for free then i'd probably go pick up a copy to play about with. i wouldn't do anything important on it. kind of like how i use my puppy linux memory pen.

[zariuq]

Exactly... I would obviously go pick it up and keep it in storage in case I ever had a change of heart or it became useful...

[dan171717]

i think that ms is the evil corporation however i have 2 dual boot because almost all software that you by in shops (i cant by online i dont have a credit card) only works on windows and rarely a mac but there is nothing 4 linux linux is the coolest os ever !! :D :D :D




windoze sukz :guitar:

[igknighted]

I do have it for free (msdnaa)... and I don't use it :)

[Frak]

I do have it for free (msdnaa)... and I don't use it :)
Ditto

[peacenik]

If it was free and open source, I would love to use it.
Free + open source = accessibility + enhanced security

[TimelessRogue]

I'd have to agree with *John* on this one ... Windoze is Windoze ... as is MS Exploder. Both corporate greed and pricing on ALL MS software is reason enough ... but the market release of a very buggy Vista is inexcusable. Some think Feisty is buggy ... have a look at the first release of Vista ... and even the initial "updates" ... again inexcusable considering the pricing.

Soooo ... I guess it boils down to a "No!" vote base on MS's principles being in conflict with mine. Plus, of course, the fact that Linux in any flavor but particularly Ubuntu is superior ...

[pattymnaish]

I was lucky enough to get a copy for free from a Microsoft Developer event... but I'm not sure I'll use it.

[Tsen]

I wouldn't.
I use Linux because it gives me superior flexibility and control. I can have a separate /home and /boot partition, so I can switch OS's in an instant without losing settings, I have direct access to the underlying structure of the OS, so when things break, I don't have to use Window's dumbed-down tools to try and fix it.
Ultimately, MS designed Windows under the philosophy that the user is too stupid to know what they're computer is doing. On the surface, it's not too bad a policy considering MS's user base is generally not tech-savvy. But then they start slipping in back-doors for governments to use, implementing DRM into their OS, spamming the user with "Genuine Advantage(!)" notifications, and generally making their OS as difficult and insecure to use as possible.

Windows is an OS for the (ignorant) masses, basically. Ubuntu's easy enough for the average user. My mom, who's notoriously bad with computers, is more comfortable in Ubuntu than in Windows after only a month using the OS.

Anyway. </rant>

As for Vista in specific, I'm not a big fan of the UI. It makes me feel claustrophobic. Aero doesn't improve its usability for me, either. Just personal preference, but I'd rather use Linux just for Compiz/Beryl and a usable UI.

[igknighted]

If it was free and open source, I would love to use it.
Free + open source = accessibility + enhanced security

So what you are saying is that you want linux?

[sloggerkhan]

my friend has vista. It doesn't burn ISO images out of the box.............

[chakkaradeep]

I got free Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition through my University and Microsoft Academic Alliance and I am using it along with Feisty :guitar:

[graigsmith]

it depends on how they defined "free" when they gave it away.. most likely it would be a limited licence. or it would expire after a certain amount of time. or something like that. it would almost definately have some kind of strings attached so microsoft could still have total control of your computer.

[hobieone]

no i would due to the whole drm thing. plus hate having an os that tells you what you can and can't run on it

[BrokeBody]

No. I'm not boycotting Microsoft software on price or principal. I just don't like it!

[Dirty Ole]

My stone age computer won't run Vista. Tried Vista beta, I couldn't get 1024x768 @ 85Hz. So there is no point using it. And Windows seems bloated after I switched to Ubuntu.

[samiam24]

I do not mean to be rude, I really want to like Ubuntu. But it only seems to work with old computers. Case and point I have an old Dell laptop that the family uses, Ubuntu works:D . But family does not like to learn a new OS. I get a new Conroe 2 Duo E6700, Ubuntu does not work:( . It has issues with the Jmicron chip used for serial HD. I wait for the new release of Ubuntu:popcorn: . It has issues with Marvell Yukon NIC:( (again). I download the beta v of Ubuntu 7.04 (two days before its release), and I do a CD check, 20 min later i get: Detecting Hardware to find CD-ROM drives (at 6%) loading module for VIA8xxx chipset. What! I have a Intel P965 chipset:confused:

Basically you will not need to worry about the large influx of Ubuntu users as long as there is a lack of support for new hardware, I got my system in OCT06. 6 months later & ~3 Ubuntu releases, I am stuck with M$.

[motin]

That twisted set-up of options is impossible to vote on!

I'd vote "Yes" without agreeing that the pricing is the most important factor!

Other options I wouldn't vote for:
"Yes, of course, the DVD-discs would do well serving our local frisbee golf community"
"Yes, of course, I just have about 16 Gb free space on the drive and are looking for something to fill it with"
"Yes, of course, I have always wanted to try pushing the limits of my in Vista's definition "mediocre" hardware (Intel Celeron 1,73 mha, 1gb ram)"

If you are up to it - give your opinion on what the market-shaping features of either Ubuntu, Windows and/or OS X instead:

- What are the ultimate features of Vista that Ubuntu needs? (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=409721)
- What are the ultimate features of OS X that Ubuntu needs? (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=409722)
- What are the ultimate features of Ubuntu that neither Vista nor OS X has? (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=409720)

I believe defining these will help the community focus on aspects that would make the community stronger.

[Quillz]

Considering that I'd be more than willing to pay for Vista Ultimate, yes, I'd accept a free copy.

[proalan]

no way, there seem to be some strange processes running during vista sessions, the aero thing is way more resource hungry than beryl and is not as half as useful. Seems completely overpriced for what it is.

As for principle I notice that microsoft security updates are mostly updates on genuine checking than fixing security flaws with as many as 1 in 5 genuine users being penalised incorrectly for having pirated copies.

Linux is a growing threat to MS as vista already prices out education institutions and developing countries. One of the main reasons he was so opposed to the one laptop per child program, because windows won't run on them.

[NJC]

I voted #3 "... I just don't like it" since I don't have the min hardware specs to not like Vista! After spending the time and effort to get Dapper running, I doubt I'd setup even a free copy of Vista.

And one of the reasons I like the concept of Ubuntu is that it WILL run on older hardware. MS's business strategy plunders millions of perfectly running PC's because they won't run their latest offering. This is not a business value I really want to support.

[Kingsley]

No, I just prefer Linux over Microsoft. I installed a cracked and fully activated Microsoft Vista Ultimate in February on dual boot with KUbuntu and haven't logged into it more than 5 time since then. Everything is shiny and beautiful but I don't like the programs and there aren't many ways to customize/personalize the desktop. I must admit I really only installed it for bragging rights. I'm sure my sisters will enjoy Vista when I go off to university this fall and leave the computer to them. Now I'm worried about how well Linux will run on my future laptop for school.

[nenyalorien]

i would play with Vista for a day... or a week. just for fun, nothing more. i might even install it on an old machine, just souped up a little, just to have it run and experience its "eye candy-ness". but after i've seen it's features, i'd obliterate it promptly. i've had baaaaaaaaad meltdown moments with all the Windows versions i've tried... almost everything i've tried from WinME melted down on me! but i must admit that i didn't have too many problems with win95.

well, i'm having a blast with OS X and Ubuntu, so i doubt i really could ever consider becoming a hostage to M$ ever again. :p

[wuzzerd]

Don't use their stuff, didn't even use win 95

[nenyalorien]

hi kingsley. i read that the system 76 laptops have a problem with sleep, hibernate and suspend, like Windows laptops... i think the best software for laptops is still OS X. so far, it's working like a charm, sleeping obediently when i close the lid. if i were you, i think it would be better to get a MacBook... no offense to Ubuntu, i luuuurve Ubuntu and will use it forever, but i still think it needs more work in the laptop department. :)

[cjm5229]

In Feb. I bought 2 new computers with Vista Home Premium installed. After about 2 weeks of trying to get them to stay connected to my cable DSL router, for longer than five min. and my wife manageing to catch a virus on hers the second day. Both boxes became Ubuntu only. No problem with the internet connection, no viruses, I have all the software and games I need and Feisty Fawn w/Beryl is way ahead of Vista. Windows is just not ready for the desktop!:) I guess that means I just don't like it.

[Chillee]

I would use it mainly because of poker software and games. But vista itself dont interest me.

[Marc_UK]

I don't think anyone has touched up upon my point.

Why do noobs use Vista? Cause its teh most popular and comes with their PC.

Why do more advanced people like us use Linux and Windows? Compatibility issues?

If Windows was free, it wouldn't be as popular, it wouldn't be the market standard would it? Perhaps if Windows turned into a open sourced Windows users would switch to Ubuntu because they have already established themselves.

[KeaponLaffin]

No..Until I buy my next box, with which Vista will come 'free'(I know it's not really).
Just because I require certain Windows proggies for work that I don't think(or haven't figgered out) will work under WINE in Ubuntu. Ironic since I work on(thru a VPN) a mainframe that has an OS that is very Unix-like.

Why? Because Windows XP is a POS, and I've seen Vista..it's worse.

As many problems as I've had with Ubuntu..and I'm running an ATI PCI Dual-Head on an E Machine Celeron with an Integrated Intel graphics PCI that I can't disable...so the Live CD doesn't work and X doesn't start, and I'm too much of a noob to be comfortable with the Alt-CD(tho I do use it)

After all that..I still got it to work(Not Compiz, I'm waiting for Gutsy..I gave up)
And after all that, 4-5 fresh (re)installs..I still prefer Ubuntu over Windoze.
It's safe, secure..I'm told I don't even need Clam AV or Firestarter, but I'm trying them anyway. I can access files on my Windows drive. Even for a noob like me, I don't have to reprogram anything to make Ubuntu super-customizable. When I search for help on the Ubuntu Forums...there is actually help!!! And if I can't find an answer..people actually respond within hours, or even minutes!! Try searching for tech assistance in the Windows Tech Database..it's hopeless.

I don't hate Microsoft..it's just that Ubuntu is MY Operating System. Sure I got restricted drivers for ATI..but thas bout it. Sure I don't OWN Ubuntu, but my copy, my configs, my installed packages(cept for ATI), are MINE. They don't belong to someone else who can suddenly take them away or say I'm not using them properly.
(You can't do that!).
I know thas not an accurate legal description of the GPL, but thas what it comes down to.

I like Ubuntu because the stated definition of Ubuntu is definitely real among the community. The Ubuntu community really does help people out, they're nice folks...And you don't see that alot in most places ;)

Go Open Source!

[dn_desaku]

I feel that MS is slipping into the Dark with its legal crap. That's why I'm dual booting and I will go Linux cold turkey when MS gets caught up in avarice. As for Ultimite... I would turn Windows Areo off because its pretty but pretty damn useless. And I would turn UAC off. Its annoying.

[lisc998]

Vista is a step backwards from XP. I actually don't mind XP, but I don't want an OS that eats my memory and decides it's an illegal copy just because I've updated my video drivers.

What I want is an OS that keeps out of the way, and allows me to easily download the additional tools I need. I one thing that XP doesn't give me is the package manager. The other day I was showing Ubuntu off to my Brother-In-Law. I mentioned the package manager, and he asked " can you edit pdf files?"

I replied that I couldn't but I'd take a look. 3 minutes later we're editing a pdf file. It was a great demonstration of the power of Ubuntu.
Tim

[tech9]

Sincere apologies if this has been posted before, but I was just trying to gague the general "mood" of the community.

Let me explain.....there are 2 reasons why Windows XP Pro and Office 2003 Professional will be my last experience with Microsoft software:

1) Ridiculous Pricing - Who the hell can afford to pay those sort of prices for an OS and an Office Suite? Also, why would you want to? (P.S My current Microsoft software was heavily subsidised as I bought it through my University)

2) Principal - Unethical corporate behaviour, and the fact that my personal freedoms and privacy are being invaded through use of Microsoft software. (Activation, Genuine Windows, Intrusive Windows Updates, DRM etc...)

So.... even if Microsoft payed me say...... £100/$173 to use Windows Vista Ultimate Edition..... I would still say NO THANKS! As, even as the software would be better than free (i'd be paid to use it) my second reason for not using Microsoft software would still stand.

What about the rest of you guys and gals? LOL! :mrgreen:

Are you boycotting Microsoft on price or principal?

I would be interested to see what you all have to say....... :-k

Anyway, all the best!

John

It will be a cold day in hell, before Microsoft gives any of there OS away for free

[tech9]

no.

BOOOOOOOOO Bears!

[Midwest-Linux]

Vista ...in any form...WILL never run on any computer (s) that I own. If I had to buy a new computer, it would be one with no Operating System on it. I am not anti Microsoft, I am anti Vista.

[thagame]

of course people would. As much as i like linux i know for a fact that if linux charged users the way microsoft does, linux would have no userbase. People use it cause its free.

[zyg0t3]

Yup, they have and i did. And now i'm back to Linux. Well mostly.

[Linewbie]

Didn't like XP, HATED Vista. :mad:
Bought a new PC just in time to be bundled with Vista, a crappy money pit. What great luck, because now I use Ubuntu! :)

I think Microsoft has lost its mind with Vista :evil: , but a lot of people put up with it because they don't know any better and they're forced to buy it on their new PC. ](*,)

Would I ever use Vista? No
If I absolutely had to use Windoze, I'd buy a used copy of XP and get vaccinated first.
Me, AND the computer ($$)!

[ger_mulvey]

I participated in the Vista beta testing.
On the whole it looked nice. But it's a resource hog.
Oh and as a reward for the testing M$ did indeed give me a FREE copy. Also I have a laptop that was installed with vista.
I have issues with the EULA and DRM. Vista is restrictive in that respect.
Price wise I think M$ are nuts but then people will buy it regardless just because.
I took Vista off my laptop and replaced it with a stripped down xp for games that just don't run in wine/cedega. Also the internet access is off which means I have no need for the updates constantly flowing from M$ including annoying ones you dont want and tick the box not to load again but do over and over again. This dual boots with Ubuntu 7.10 of which this is used 99.99+% of the time as I rarely play games but the option is there.
So out of the two legal copies of Vista I'm using none. When I use my computer I want it to do what I want not what someone else has said I can use it for.
Ger.

[paintandswim09]

I chose not to use it for the last reason, that I'm not boycotting Microsoft for being Microsoft (not that I don't think there is anything wrong with the way they run their company), but for a few other reasons.

The first thing is that my computer was fast a year or two ago. 2.66 ghz Pentium 4 overclocked to 3 ghz, 1 gig of ram, 2 7200 rpm hd's (one for os's-160 gb and one for storage-200 gb). It's OK now, in XP. If I were to run Vista, it would be a little slower than the bogged down XP i have now. My sister has a new HP laptop running vista business that is a little faster than a slug on the sticky side of a post it note in the dead of winter... it is way faster running gutsy off the livecd than vista off the hd. So if I am happily running zippy little gusty, why would I slow myself down using vista when it has nothing that i need that I don't already have?

The second thing is that, well, it's microsoft, and as such, the majority of the world uses it. I'll sum it up. I stole my sister's laptop the day she got it and installed a firewall, antivirus, and 2 antispywares (plus defender, which has never picked ANYTHING up). They update every day, and I run the scans every couple days. And it still has viruses/spyware. Spyware up the wazoo. Is there anything else you can do (besides isolating yourself from the internet)? Actually now that I think about it, I haven't done those recently, since gutsy came out. I think i have booted windoze once on my computer since i installed gutsy (wifi didn't work in feisty for me), so I've kinda forgotten about virus/spyware scans. I need to scan my sis's laptop tomorrow.

Basically those are my two reasons for declining a free copy of vista ultimate.
It doesn't help either that I'm a cheapskate when it comes to software either. In the 2.5 years i've had this comp, I've spent maybe $110 on software- $80 for the os, the other $30 on games i found later were inferior to free ones available in ubuntu. Btw, to repay the debt owed to the people behind ubuntu, I run deluge bittorrent on startup, sending out ubuntu, xubuntu, edubuntu, and kubuntu on unlimited bandwidth. it makes me feel special.:)

[Stormspace]

I have a weak spot for "free" stuff. I'd prolly use it just to keep up to date on the OS so I can help others.

But with the current pricing and policies Windows Vista Basic will be the last MS OS I buy. The only reason I have that is that it came with the PC and Ubuntu doesn't support my Laptop hardware 100%.

Windows XP will the last OS I keep for gaming. Vista Basic isn't even as good as XP Pro in features and stability and will be my gaming platform of choice until Linux supports my gaming needs. Free and Functional.

[morequarky]

at work...I would take it.

at home...I don't need it or want it...Don't really hate microsoft or their success. i just am annoyed at their lack of innovation. They copy from others and it's full of security holes, so to me it's just a painful anti-virus platform...sure vista is supposed to be better.

[groovinmojoman]

I got my laptop for college a few months ago with xp. I partitioned the drive and added ubuntu, and I have never used xp since :). Even if I got vista for free I would never use it!!! (I'm not a big gamer) :D

[santiagoward2000]

Hmmm, even if it was free, I'd have to upgrade my PC... I'll stay with Xubuntu, thank you! :lolflag:

[ardchoille42]

Garbage at no cost is still garbage :)

[creeco]

I would sell it to someone who would, so yes..

[vishzilla]

Ubuntu has just worked smoothly on my computer. I haven't had such a experience with Windows. Also Vista wont work on my current hardware, so i would have to shell out money to upgrade my hardware

[Colro]

Let's be realistic: Vista is already free to anyone who tries hard enough to obtain it. Piracy is an extremely dominant factor of the internet these days. I don't use it now and probably never will simply because of how bloated it is and how much it phones home about different things by default.

[linux phreak]

My pc is not good enough to run vista so im stuck with xp but i also have gutsy

[ddnev45]

No. My main need for Windows is for work; in addition to some of the annoying aspects of Vista, and MS in general, pointed out in this thread, the applications I need for work are partially or totally incompatible with Vista.

[Linuxratty]

No. Once M$ started with that "activation" and "Genuine Windows" crap for downloading patches, they lost me.

That is also where I drew the line in the sand...Plus the DRM stuff.
I no longer trust them.

[Wroger Wroger]

Hmm I would have liked to have seen say 4 or 5 things to vote about not using MS Fister....

4. I don't use MS products out of principle, I don't use it because of it's poor quality (in parts), it's a rip off, and I am boycotting it.. and I just don't the management of MS or it's policies, business practices and attitudes, and after having been burnt or lost out big time because of the quality of the software, I refuse to allow them to screw me over ever again.

Matter o' fact, if MS Fister was FREE, pirated, completely hacked and updateable and everything...

I still would not have power hungry, processor intensive garbage ware on my system... oh sorry I mean Microsofts DRM and security crippled system...

Ohhh change a DVD drive.. and it's locked up... Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Nooooooooooooooooooo

And the drivers.. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Noooooooo.....

I have to see the administrator??? But I am the administrator....???

Go to the MS site???? But I can only do that if I am retarded enough to use MS's insecure and SLOW Internet Exploder... If their sites are so good, how cum I can't run Firefox for my updates and repairs...........

What? MS is monopolising the browsers market so that you can only access their "actually important sites" with their OWN browser...

Arrgghhhhhhhhhhh No No No No more microsoft..... ever...

[jtslau]

I will install it, but I will not use it as my primary OS. I use Ubuntu 90% of the time (for general use, work related use), the other times I use Windows for things Linux cannot do, such as:

1. the ability to EASILY (did I say easy?) convert any video format to DVD, even Realplayer files. (And no, I don't want a command line program that takes 100 arguments just to "get it right"). Perhaps I haven't stumbled onto the right tools to use yet, and if that is the case, indulge me.

2. the ability to game SERIOUSLY, without even asking beforehand "will this game run on Linux"

Obviously, this all boils down to confidence. Frankly, I am still not confident that my Linux machine can do EVERYTHING that a Windows machine can do. Although I have become more confident with Linux in recent years, there's still that "one" thing I would find unworkable in Linux and that a Linux alternative cannot be found.

Windows can do everything, but I am not confident that it does everything well. Wait, I take that back, I know for certain that Windows don't do things well. But its redeemable points lies in its abundance of 3rd party applications.

[Argling]

If it was free, I would install it as a 3rd boot option, after Ubuntu and XP, and use if for the sole purpose of playing directx10 games until wine can do the job :)

Is there really any reason at all to downgrade to Vista besides the dx10 part?

[3rdalbum]

I simply wouldn't.

[pete.dawgg]

answers 2 AND 3.
i might install it in a vm just for technical experience and to know just HOW BAD it is. and it can never hurt to know what yu're talking about - just don't let it out of the vm.

[shinji257]

I actually picked the first option. The reason is that I did get my copy for free and I have nothing against Microsoft right now. Granted I am running XP instead so I have a relatively unused copy of Vista Ultimate sitting around. I also have an XP license that I got before that is also unused... :p

P.S. - Both license keys are 100% legal. I bought the XP one and the Vista one was a gift from Microsoft.

[Whiffle]

I can go down to the school library anytime I want and get a copy, for free. I haven't yet. Its a piece of crap and it probably would run like crap on my computers.

[xlr8ed]

Lets say that all my hardware has drivers for Vista, and all the software that I work on is fine on Vista, then yes...I would gladly take it off their hands. If it was software then more then likely not, unless it was a cheap upgrade(less then $50), and same goes for hardware but I would be willing to spend a bit more..($100 maybe).

[marco123]

If they gave me loads of games like Bioshock with it then I'd use it, otherwise I'd have no need for it.

[criskat777]

IMO Free is Free. So i don't see why not to use it. Would i change my mind that it Sucks. Not likly but would use it. What realy bothers me is how they steal all the nice fechers of other OS's and then sell them. but if they make it open source then thats another story. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN:lolflag: but the trouth still is that WinBlows whether you pay for it or get it Free.

[NightCrawler03X]

All three apply to my opinion about Microsoft products.

[markp1989]

i wudnt put vista on my computer if microsoft paid me i just dont like it

[MrGnu]

I don't like "The NS A's" Default Back door in windows since Win 3:11.

[vlaklak]

Hmmm! I would like to use WİNDOWS if it did'nt crash all the time.

Also it is very slow, I got 1.256 GB RAM in my computer and Xp is slow and slow again. Why do I have to pay a thing that won't work properly?
Also while using the Xp my best friend is "Ctrl+Alt+Del." So I can't image using VİSTA! It must be much more painful.:)

[SomeGuyDude]

I don't like this poll. I'd say "yes, I'd like to be able to have a copy of Windows handy for games and such," but price isn't the "main reason" I'm not using Windows. As a university student, I get a free copy of Windows as it is.

[enchance]

I probably won't. With all its bugs and the need for several fixes and security apps, who gives a hoot? An OS is supposed to run in the background and not on it. What were you thinking, Bill??

[Takster]

I just booted back into vista from ubuntu and can hardly hear the keystrokes now over the noise of my hard drive being thrashed by MS's latest OS offering. Now i must disable all this useless ******** like shadow volumes, indexing, defender scans and all the rest of the crap MS think needs to be running AT ONCE in the background while i try to edit vectors in photoshop.

My computer is quite powerful and vista makes it run like ****.
I am wiping this crap OS and going for XP again with ubuntu.

If microsoft gave me a vista disc i would frisbee that **** down the backyard and let my dog eat it. FU MS.

[mardawi]

I will always keep looking for non-M$ products even if it costs more. I have nothing against Microsoft, but the IT industry is far more mature to be using a platform controlled/developed by a single company. M$ days are coming to end, there is no way they can keep up with the way they are doing things. Look at Vista, remember what they promised back in 2002/2003 and what they delivered!

I switched to Linux last year (and to java from .net) after realizing the future no longer holds bright days for the "Microsoft Platform". It's no longer a matter of cost or taste, the way I see it, few years from now, Windows will no longer be suitable for my needs (or maybe anyones computing needs). So, it's better to switch now and get over with the learning curve before it becomes too late and suddenly realize you are behind everyone else!

[uwishurockedthishxc]

i would use it in my gaming machine

[roachk71]

I would avoid buying for a few reasons:

Stability: Windows XP may have been less secure than Vista, but the latter is less stable than the former. It uses too much by way of system resources, regardless of the actions taken, causing terrible slowdowns (and crashes);
Price: This is self-explanatory. What justification is there in paying an arm and a leg for bloatware rushed to market without sufficient testing and research; and
Principle: As an Open Source user and technician since late 2000, I'm strongly committed to its principles of openness and freedom. Microsoft's model has always been a closed and anti-competitive one.I'm not trying to bash Microsoft or Windows, however. Windows 2000 Professional and XP both have their share of strengths (such as efficiency and stability, especially in 2000 Pro.)

Microsoft has taken a considerable number of steps back with Vista, though, and this really shows. My new dual-core computer came with Vista preloaded, which crashed irrecoverably, and Dad's new PC still has it installed...It's been one headache after another. Since my PC's crash I've installed Ubuntu; I fully intend to stick with this fine OS. :KS

In other words, no. I wouldn't install Vista Ultimate even if they offered it for free.

[MNICY]

I would not use it becasue i like Ubuntu more.
I might get it... maybe...... to play games.

[wolfvorkian1]

For free sure. Then I'd sell it for a few bucks.

[oomingmak]

No. Once M$ started with that "activation" and "Genuine Windows" crap for downloading patches, they lost me.
Same here (which is why I'm still on Windows 2000, despite having legitimate licenses for XP).

[Frak]

I probably won't. With all its bugs and the need for several fixes and security apps, who gives a hoot? An OS is supposed to run in the background and not on it. What were you thinking, Bill??
I think you mean, "Ballmer??"

[MacDuff]

I have been a business owner for many years and believe in a free market and lots of choice but when it became obvious that Microsoft was effectively controlling almost every aspect of the home computer industry I became uncomfortable. Then when they started treating everyone like a thief and severely restricted re-installations, I got annoyed. When the prices were announced for Vista I felt that their greed was becoming overwhelming.

I and some of my clients have tried Vista and almost all of us find it beautiful to look at but hell to use. Two who actually purchased machines loaded with Vista have returned them and purchased other computers loaded with XP. Another just had me remove Vista from his new computer and replace it with Ubuntu 7.10. After two days of use, he loves Ubuntu.

So my answer is that some of us would not use Vista if we were given it as a gift. I can think of two people who would not use it even if Microsoft paid them to install it.

[getaceres]

My laptop came with Windows XP and I asked for the "free" (20€) Vista upgrade. I have installed it once but as I'm using Windows only for gaming and I get far more performance on XP than on Vista, I removed it. Wasted money for the moment.

[de_valentin]

No. Once M$ started with that "activation" and "Genuine Windows" crap for downloading patches, they lost me.

That is exactly the point where I started to smell a rat, but by that time I couldn't really leave because off some apps that heve no real equivalent. But as soon as I got the chance I left XP, I haven't even seen vista in action live so I can't really tell if it is that bad or it is just wrong in the way that it overpriced and drmmed to the brim etc.

So I might take it just to try it and see if it is that slow. And when it is as crappy as people say I would try to get a refund.

[screaminj3sus]

Hell yes I would :)

The worst thing about windows is it's price/activation policies (Which get more restrictive every damn release)I think vista is a decent os, I am running 64 bit vista FLAWLESSLY on my brand new pc. All my games (CS:S, HL2, Hl2:EP1, Lost Coast, FEAR, Far Cry ect..) and software worked perfectly, drivers all working great for my hardware. But the activation can be a hassle when you change hardware and the price is pretty high (Although I got it for 100$ off newegg, so not so bad) They really need to do something about their activation policies though, having to reactivate for adding ram or something is kind of ridiculousl and often WGA doesn't work right and will deactivate legal copies. I will probably be putting ubuntu on my 160 gig drive soon though, I just wish all my games worked in linux, I would switch in a heart beat.

[webdr]

No, I will never have MS products ever again:

Having been in computers and networks now for 20+ years, I have witnessed first hand a disturbing trend which is very 1984ish. I realized some time ago that even though I enjoyed great $$ and possessed a POWERFUL command of the M$ OS and APPS environment, I would NEVER be truly in control of my machines, ideas, and ultimately, I would be tying my own destiny to that of M$.

Now, there has to be some VERY compelling reasons for someone to abandon a platform which is responsible for lining their pockets with $$, feeding themselves and their family.

Having gotten into programming with Gambas and Python, I have managed to locate ways to do absolutely EVERYTHING I want to in the open source world, and as an added bonus, if I choose to wring every drop of performance possible from the solutions I create from FOSS, the code is all there for myself to do so.

I also find that hd accesses during networking is much lower on NON-Windows platforms... yet no one knows why that is. hhhmmmm and can anyone confirm that BITS functions exactly as per M$'s statement?

Peace out... webdr

[tedk89]

One- the new microsoft software is priced way out of my budget even with school subsidies

Two- The powerful machines you need to run the microsoft products

Three- Extremely intrusive practices with privacy and constantly collecting information from you. Constantly, activation, validation for downloading stuff from them, windows update, and finally I noticed back round transferring of large amounts of data 10mb plus to microsoft that I never authorized

Four- Linux has a wonderful community full of useful people and support.

Five- ALL the amazing free software availble is incredible.

Six- linux gave me useful back to my laptop from useless scrap it would have been with microsot.

[apothecaryaaron]

I guess I have to answer yes, because I paid for it.

It's important to note that I had not been introduced to the Linux world at the time. My experience with FOSS at the time consisted of OpenOffice and FireFox. OpenOffice just didn't (and still doesn't) seem to have the power that Access has in M$ Office, and FF and the memory leak ate me alive. I can "tweak" (hacking M$ is illegal or something) Windows to what I need, and the .NET development stuff was free and easy to grasp. So at the time I had no knowledge of a choice.

Looking back, now that I have Ubuntu on all my computers and DSL on a flash drive for use at work, I guess I would still take a copy of Vista. I do not use it much, but I still use it as a test environment for certain things, I still need Access quite a bit, and sometimes I am in too much of a hurry to find drivers when I know where they are at for Windows.

As time goes on, I'm working my way out of Vista, attempting to learn Python, etc, but for now, if you are just handing out those copies... I guess I'll take one.:oops:

[Mike'sHardLinux]

I answered yes. I did pay for it. But, I mainly use it to keep up with the IT world. For me, reading about it is not enough. I need hands-on. Plus, this way, when I spell out all the negatives about it, I'm not just another one of those people who just read some blog or forum post and then goes and tells everyone as if they have first-hand experience....I actually do.

Also, unfortunately, there are some things that still work better for me in windows. Just today I was scanning (Canon LIDE50) some photos for a friend and they weren't coming out right, mainly, too dark. I didn't have time to figure it out in Linux, so I popped in the Vista drive and Photopaint scanned them just fine. When I have more time (and motivation), I'll look into the problem.

I understand not using M$ products for ethical reasons, but it's not like I am murdering puppies or something by using it when I need to. :(

[supertails]

No way. Vista is bloatware. It's a piece a junk. I'd rather buy a good OS like Ubuntu then get Vista for free. Vista came on my laptop for free and I hate it. Plus with all the stuff I heard about it, it will cost you in the long run with all the upgrades. I could have bought XP but Ubuntu is a great replacement for Vista.

[Waistless]

No, if the security in windows wasn't completely FUBAR, I may have considered it. Any operating system which requires you to run 3rd party utilities (antivirus, fiirewalls etc) in order to safely use it, is, in my opinion, a failure. Microsoft have only succeeded for this long because of agressive marketting and no alternative.

[supertails]

I agree with you except for the no alternatives because there are Mac and Linux but they aren't used as much and basically everyone makes software and hardware to run on Windows making it act more like a monopoly then a oligopoly which Microsoft is because of Mac and Linux but I will agree that in many ways Microsoft acts like a monopoly for their lack of concern to the customer.

[Zyphrexi]

seeing as I still wouldn't be able to use it to connect to the internet.... no

[Tarmael]

Option 3.

I chose option 3, I used to be option 2 and used Linux out of spite of Windows, then came to love it.

I still know most of Windows XP back to front. Haven't used it in a bit.
I still have XP installed on this machine (Tiny partition in case I go LANing and we're playing a non WINE or Cedega friendly game.)

If it weren't for that, I'd have this system purely Linux.

I don't like an OS that needs to be hacked in order to have it's security flaws fixed.
I have installed TinyXP onto a 5gb partition.
It's designed for LANing and It doesn't have a lot of the networking features thus eliminating the large amount of security risks.

Eh, Linux (almost) all the way!!

I don't like how I'll end up fixing computers that will be used 99% of the time on an insecure OS (Windows).

Bas.

[Samhain13]

No, because Vista won't run in my old machine anyway.

[juaka]

When you realize sound or video doent work properly and dont find drivers or have to pay for them, youll turn [back] to another os, one that is free and works out of the box

[ljsmithx]

I had been switching between M$ and Linux for a few years now(Since I was about 12) I had been using XP on this machine for a few months and wanted to switch back to linux. After reading this http://www.vanwensveen.nl/rants/microsoft/IhateMS_5.html
I now remember why I hated M$, I have been using Ubuntu since the new year =D

So the answer is no, I don't use ANY M$ products out of principle.

[ljsmithx]

To get people more angry "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches" Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO

[hellion0]

If it was free? I don't have a machine capable of running it, so even if it were free, it's still not doing me any good.

[supertails]

To get people more angry "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches" Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO

Of course the CEO of Microsoft is going to say that. The CEOs of Microsoft say stupid things. Like this quote "64 bits is all you need" Bill Gates. You can't even install word at 64 bits though that quote was a really long time ago but still. The thing is, is that the CEO will say Linux is bad but he won't say Vista is worst. Which it is. Linux is a great OS. I love it.

[GSF1200S]

Of course the CEO of Microsoft is going to say that. The CEOs of Microsoft say stupid things. Like this quote "64 bits is all you need" Bill Gates. You can't even install word at 64 bits though that quote was a really long time ago but still. The thing is, is that the CEO will say Linux is bad but he won't say Vista is worst. Which it is. Linux is a great OS. I love it.


Im not exactly sure how you are interpreting that quote, but hes basically handing Linux a huge compliment on account of its superior "intellectual property"

[Antman]

Well, I got a free copy of Vista Ultimate from my job and I tried it for awhile on my laptop and deleted it about three days ago. It just doesn't have anything that I need in it. It does do multiple displays very well, but that is not enough to make me want it.

[inversekinetix]

To get people more angry "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches" Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO


To balance the equation,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_and_Melinda_Gates_Foundation

[ljsmithx]

To balance the equation,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_and_Melinda_Gates_Foundation

Good point!

[Wiifreak]

I won't use it because:
1. Windows is an all supporting platform, but al programs are basic, so it won't work for expert tasks.
2. It slows down.
3. It freezes to much.
4. It is virus sensitive.

And I could get it for "free":
Happy Birthday Windows Vista!

As we approach the one year anniversary of launching Windows Vista® we want to remember you as one of the many people who downloaded and tested one of the Windows Vista Beta or Release Candidates through TechNet or MSDN®. YOU were a significant contributor to the development of Windows Vista. Your participation was extremely valuable to Microsoft, and we would like to say, “Thank You!”

To show our appreciation, we have several special offers exclusively available to you.

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Just go to your favorite retail or online store and purchase a standalone, full package Windows Vista Ultimate product, full or upgrade version, and we will match that with a second, complimentary Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade product key. We will honor a copy you purchased, and first activated, after ~Date~. Hurry! This offer expires on ~Date~.

To take advantage of this great offer, simply follow these steps:


Go to ~URL~.
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Follow the instructions to locate the Product ID on the computer running the qualifying copy Windows Vista Ultimate that you recently purchased.
Enter that Product ID into the online form.
We will then provide you with a Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade key, so you can install Windows Vista Ultimate onto a second machine. (The second machine must have Windows XP or a version of Windows Vista already installed in order to upgrade)

Please note that this key is NOT for resale, although you may give it as a gift to a friend or colleague. Limit one complimentary key per person. Windows Vista Ultimate Academic and Student versions are not included in this promotion.

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Take the short survey here: ~URL~ and we will include your name for a chance to win. The survey is anonymous but we need your name for the prize. Of course, we respect your privacy. All entries must be completed by ~Date~.

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Simply come to ~URL~, tell us how you put Windows Vista to work along with your top tips and best practices to get going with Windows Vista today. We’ll select the top ten entries to be published. (Only one story per participant, please.)
All entries must be completed by ~Date~.

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Thanks again for participating in the Windows Vista Beta Program!

Thank you!

Celine Allee
Director, Windows Client

[(((X)))]

microsoft will neve give something for free

[kamaboko]

microsoft will neve give something for free

Not true. I attended a local presentation for Vista and Office 2007 and I got a free fully working copy of 2007 Office, As I recall several hundred peopled that attended the demonstration also got copies.

[Wiifreak]

Yup, if i went to London I could have got also a free copy of Office 2007.
But it costs me more than 50 euro to get there.
Was because of being beta tester

[kamaboko]

1) Ridiculous Pricing - Who the hell can afford to pay those sort of prices for an OS and an Office Suite?

2) Principal - Unethical corporate behaviour, and the fact that my personal freedoms and privacy are being invaded through use of Microsoft software. (Activation, Genuine Windows, Intrusive Windows Updates, DRM etc...)

John

1) Probably the same people that don't think twice about spending $250 on a video card or $2000 for a HDTV.

2) Don't forget about companies like EMI that DRM'ed their entire music catalog. It's not an exclusive MS thing. Windows updates are not intrusive. You can either have them automatically update your system; be notified of updates; or ignore them all together. I find them no more intrusive than Ubuntu updates. According to the MS IE7 blog, MS dropped the Genuine Advantage program several months ago.

[(((X)))]

haha,
say..Iḿ not a developer, not going to spread it and just want to use it for myself
so, if I ask them for office 2007, I can have it for free?

[bufsabre666]

im technically using a free version of vista, and i love it, its not as good as ubuntu but its not bad

[AnonCat]

I'd dual boot Vista with Linux in that case, but I doubt it'd be my primary OS.

[zeller]

I've used it for free. The university I attended and currently work for allows all students and faculty to download Office 2007 and Vista Ultimate for free as long as they use it for work purposes (faculty) or homework or some such (students).

After trying it, I was underwhelmed. I've been a Linux user for about a month now and I have to say, free Windows or not, Linux is better, IMHO of course.

[julian67]

If Vista came on a rewritable DVD then I could see myself lining up for a free copy. Actually I have to occasionally use it as I sell various PC accessories amongst other things and occasionally I get some new item in and I have to know if it works on Vista because customers need to know. I use Clonezilla to clone my (Xubuntu Feisty) Lenovo Core Duo laptop, install Vista, test the new hardware and then restore Xubuntu. Vista is just too damn big to have hanging around taking up HDD space, I once tried to check it out in virtualbox but the install failed because I only had 15GB free space :lolflag: btw on my Lenovo Y400 Core Duo with 1.5GB RAM Vista needs over 500MB RAM and some CPU time to simply idle. Xubuntu Feisty needs about 135 MB (155 with Beryl compositing) and the CPU idles while Xubuntu idles. The only thing Vista did better than XP is it correctly recognised and set up most of my hardware (after updating itself forever). When Vista came out it wasn't even installable on my laptop so I guess there has been a lot of work on drivers over the last year. Distros are still way better in this respect. Vista does look nicer than XP but who needs a giant clock taking up all that space????? And the compositing effects are better in Beryl/Compiz-Fusion.

[xxLONESTARxx]

I would have to say no. I'm forced to use XP at work and thats about all I can stand. The reason I stay away from M$ is mostly because I feel as though I dont own the OS, I'm only leasing it...and so I made the switch.

[Elle Stone]

You upgrade your hardware to run Vista and you don't get more performance. The extra hardware goes to run the DRM stuff. If I spend dollars to upgrade my computer I want faster processing. NOT more hardware to get less performance.

My computer is not a home-entertainment center. I don't even own a single blue-ray disc or hd-dvd, But Vista would force me to pay for the hardware and software to protect Hollywood copyright.

And more than that, I've read that Vista gives MS the ability (via updates shoved down the end-user's throat) to make it very difficult for open source programs to read MS Office documents. That would create a lot of pressure on small businesses around the world that can't afford or don't choose to use MS. Bleh. Sickening.

I wasn't happy with the privacy-invasion aspect of XP. And in point of fact, the first time my shiny new XP install (waaay back when) blue-screened, I went back to Windows 2000. But the performance hit and added privacy-invasion of Vista is the last straw. So instead of 64-bit Vista, I am now happily running 64-bit Ubuntu.

[njKeever]

I would definatley dual boot it for free. I bought my fiancee a laptop preinstalled with Vista home premium and I genuinlly am impressed. Everything just works! It is very pretty and the sidebar is great. The quick launch (press the windows key and start typing) is instant and a clean interface. The redesign of the windows explorer interface is much more intuitive also. Plus the prepackaged media center is alot of fun to play with. I would not give up my linux partition for it but it is definatley fun and nice to have an OS where everything just works!

[MchSeven]

Nope will never use vista again, too many bugs and uses too much resources. Im staying with ubuntu:)

[ryanVickers]

OK that poll makes no sense sorry... didn't vote :p

but... I just try to avoid anything Microsoft at all costs... (literally in this case ;)) but sadly I still use XP - gaming, you know ...

[jflarm]

I would say NO, because their products are just boring to me.
I prefer the chalenge to make your own stuff work and LOOK like you wish, and of course LEARN in the mean time.

[Patto77]

Microsoft didn't actually 'give' me a copy of Ultimate, but I used it nevertheless. After using Gutsy for a week, I'm amazed at what I put with Vista in performance terms.

I love eye candy. Gutsy delivers. I love customization. Gutsy delivers. I love speed, again Gutsy delivers. The list goes on....


I only started with Linux out of curiosity. Now that I'm here, I may just be another convert:)

[reiki]

I actually DID get Vista Ultimate... legitimately... for free. I have the DVD at home somewhere in my desk. Installed it, tested the install, reported back to the folks that wanted to know the user experience here. And then promptly deleted it. I'll hang on to the DVD in case one of my kids wants to try it, but otherwise it'll end up being a coaster at some point.

[jrharvey]

Unfortunately I cannot do alot of my work withought windows and right now i am using vista, XP and Ubuntu. I would say i use ubuntu 90% of the time but when I am using Autocad, Adobe CS3 and Sketchup I cannot simply abandon windows. I wish i could. If only WINE was better and had full support of all programs I would.

[pheryllt]

Nope do not like Windows, left it behind long ago and strictly use Ubuntu. Do not like it and have no use for software that watches what I do. Also do not like that fact that is so easy to pickup a virus, trojan, etc have loved the fact that do not have to spend an hour every week cleaning a machine just to use it. Linux rules :)

[MethosCR]

If it was for free, I still don't want it. It's like drugs: first try is for free. That's the way to make slaves, not clients. Then, they would sell you a whole bunch of expensive applications, which are the ones you actually need to work or use your computer.

And I would have to upgrade my hardware just because some fancy inefficient gadgets that Ubuntu gives me without taking away general performance.

Oh, and remember that Windoze SPIES ON YOU... "Free of charge" would be a way to reach more subjects for study.

Removing the "Free of Charge" premise, Micro$oft prices are just absurd. And remember you don't own the software, you're just paying for being allowed to use it.

[seantm]

The third option of response is the closest i can come to honestly replying... However please allow me to qualify my statement by admitting that though I've never tried Vista Ultimate I am -in principal-- generally willing to try most products at least once...

I have tried Vista home basic. In fact I've a fraction of the drive on the laptop I'm running gutsy on right now partitioned with it but after working with *nix' OSes Windows always seems like a compromised, inconvenience and concession to a (computing) world gone wrong... Vista HB follows suit and is even more horrendous than XPwas before the 8 years of patches and SP's made it tolerably functional...

But I'll be damned, it actually sells... Not that new PC's buyers are given much of a choice... XP is more expensive to custom order than stock Vista! Like so many other users of alternative OS's --I want to announce to the world " WAIT! -you don't have to live, compute this way!"

But the Windows indoctrination begins very early and it's seems almost Borglike in the grip that it has over users... When you speak to them about other options they just don't seem to care...

Alas... Perhaps somethings are not worth trying even once...

[seantm]

If the first thing Bill Gates did in his new role as global philanthropist was renounce the use of MS products in favor of open source alternatives that would be a truly ethical statement don't you think?

Everyone has start to somewhere... http://www.chefelf.com/images/gates1.jpg

[karellen]

If the first thing Bill Gates did in his new role as global philanthropist was renounce the use of MS products in favor of open source alternatives that would be a truly ethical statement don't you think?

Everyone has start to somewhere... http://www.chefelf.com/images/gates1.jpg

I don't think one needs to give up an OS (or other computer program) to be a philanthropist and in the meantime using open source apps doesn't make someone a philanthropist either

[Midwest-Linux]

MS should have given away vouchers for free Ram for those who decided to buy Vista ... that would have been the ethical thing to do. Also giving away Vista Basic for free would have done much to promote Vista in the long run and keep down all the negative comments.

For me personally it doesn't matter, I have Linux on several on my machines. Machines that Windows will never see the light of day again. And for the projects that I need windows for, I have Windows 2000 and several variants of XP. People expected MS to release a real worthwhile OS after the good successes of Windows 2000 and XP. (IMO) MS let everyone down with the release of Vista, including themselves.


I will make a prediction here, expect more discounts of Vista ...as it is ... I have seen Vista Basic Upgrade selling for $36 "BUY IT NOW" on E-bay. If Vista were a hot seller like MS claims...there would not be these discounts and $20 and $30 off sales that I have seen in the local paper. I do not recall XP Basic/Home upgrades ever selling legit for $36 new...anywhere. Somehow, I do not believe the discounts and incentives are going to help all that much.

For the corporate crowd, from what I read...that not every IT department will eagerly upgrade to Vista and the resulting hardware upgrades needed to run the OS. Companies are holding onto their XP machines, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

The risk here for MS is that if it waits too long until the release of Windows 7 (and few will be upgrading to Vista) ...by that time it might be too late for MS as more and more businesses are turning to alternatives like Linux instead.

The profit is the bottom line for any company, why should a company pay thousands upon thousands for new operating systems, hardware upgrades, client access licenses, when Linux can do it fairly good with no added cost? Thats what some IT departments are pondering over.

As they say stay tuned...

[mb125]

Id use it to produce some pretty blue flames in my firepit

[Comm]

I can't say I'd make it my primary OS....

But if it would be free, what the hell, why not?!

[Lux9698]

This time I was saying "Yes - I'd use it! Its mainly the price thats putting me off Microsoft software."

Because, Im really frustrated, that nobody really goes and tackles the gaming part for Linux, integrating, for example Wine, in the distribution.

For some really nice games, its a hastle to get them to run under any Linux Distribution.
I know, I know, there are going a lot of excuses around for it, but this community has so many smart peaople smelted togheter, and I just can't belief that there isn't a way to implement it right away in the Distro.



Greetings

JAK

[BLTicklemonster]

I'd use it because I know that people are going to be wanting me to work on their computers, so I need to be more knowledgeable about vista.

[seantm]

Interesting to see such strong reactions from people...

[seantm]

Hmmmm....