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

[Kinetic_lord]

Of course... free=pirated... you can find it anyware you want... especially DC++

[Corfy]

I just got a call earlier this morning from a person representing Microsoft inviting me, as the IT person at my office, to a free event next month, and if I attended this free, four-hour event that is just 20 miles away, I would get a free copy of Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate.

I didn't think it was worth it, so I passed.

The last Microsoft event I attended that I was hoping to learn something turned into a four-hour commercial for how great Microsoft products were. I was ready to gnaw my own arm off. But at least I got a free copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Professional that I have never bothered to install because I can't agree to the terms of this particular version I was given.

[insane_alien]

something i've noticed with vista ultimate is that my laptop makes more noises(various clicks clunks and buzzing) under vista than it does ubuntu. its weird

[tinokuknoi]

In fact, Ubuntu is free, but I don't think this is its most important feature.
In my opinion, what really matters about Ubuntu is in its background philosophy. Its pervasive feature is a profound respect for the users' freedom -- freedom to choose what one's operating system should do, in the first place: open software also means freedom, in a very strong sense. And the procedures for dealing with bugs, making changes and improvements also emphasize freedom, because they are open, they invite cooperation and control at all levels. And also, freedom from the golems of the global market which want to take the decisions which are ours. And the freedom to work for free and to cooperate. This is of special importance. Ubuntu testers, programmers, people who write how-tos or who just try to help someone fix a problem, have an important and meaningful view of what working is, and of what is of value. This view is freely worked out and chosen, against an extremely strong pressure to become cogwheels in an ever more demanding market. I love all this: all the aspects of it, even if my first attraction to Linux was because of its structure, of its more technical aspects.

And so, I do hope that the main strategies in Linux development will not lead to Windows-like modules, I mean to producing systems which progressively get farther from the average user's capability to understand them and to partly customize them. Because the most important feature of Ubuntu is not merely that it's free.

This is important, and very well put. I was considering going back to Windows XP, because of the games and because I have some compatibility issues. But I think I'll give it another try. I spend some more time, I get some more freedom :-)

[Inane_Asylum]

something i've noticed with vista ultimate is that my laptop makes more noises(various clicks clunks and buzzing) under vista than it does ubuntu. its weird

That's the sound of the roaches, flies, and dung beetles attracted to the fecal matter on your hard drive :cool:

[mb-editor]

I can't afford the minimum h/w requirements.

I agree - you can give Vista Ultimate away for free, but I'm certainly not willing to pay the big bucks for upgrading my PC/laptop just so it can (barely) run the OS!

Then there's the headache of having to install, update and scan the PC for a few million malware each week, do disk cleanup and defrag ever so often, and still have the PC slow down, followed by the inevitable reformatting every once in a while.

I also found Vista less intuitive than XP.

Just not worth it...

[mb-editor]

Would that be because of your principals, or do you just not like Microsoft software?

All the Best!

John

Wouldn't that be 'principles'?...

[losbey]

I think that that person either:
- was stupid and paid a lot of money for Ubuntu.
- is being sarcastic, but very cryptically and in a strange way.
- or, they actually would prefer to pay for Windows than be paid to use Ubuntu.


Pretty much sarcastic

But saying that I cant see the value in a system that doesn't do what you want even if you paid zero for it. Actually the cost in my time makes it very expensive

anyway, time to depart this thread

[andras artois]

If I was given it for free I would probably run it in a serperate partition to Ubuntu. I would still use as many open source programs as I could with it though.

[rockface]

I run it out of curiosity. It is no better than XP, but it is worse than Windows 2000 in terms of reliability.

We all need an edification in the ways of Microsoft's latest operating systems, this is part of our craft!

Am I wrong?

[Calmatory]

I would use Vista Ultimate if I had a desktop computer with buffed enough hardware to run games and Vista and all the bloat. But at this situation with this laptop, definite no-no (I still have the Vista Product Key in the bottom of the laptop, but I will rather give it to some relative of mine than use it in this machine.).

[smoker]

something i've noticed with vista ultimate is that my laptop makes more noises(various clicks clunks and buzzing) under vista than it does ubuntu. its weird

the size of the operating system probably means your hard drive is working overtime, either that, or you've upset the ghost in the machine:lolflag:

[rockface]

the size of the operating system probably means your hard drive is working overtime, either that, or you've upset the ghost in the machine:lolflag:

That Ghost being Vista?

[dagoth_pie]

If I were given windows xp for free I'd think about putting it on my computer for lan games, however, I would say I'd sell it if I were given Vista for free, but that would be unethical of me, so I'd probably burn it, shred it, whatever I feel like doing at the time, possible shred it then burn the shreds...

[jerome1232]

That Ghost being Vista?

No I think the Ghost is a former hardcore Linux fan and is upset when he notices that Windows is running and makes things go bump inside the laptop

[Primefalcon]

If I were given windows xp for free I'd think about putting it on my computer for lan games, however, I would say I'd sell it if I were given Vista for free, but that would be unethical of me, so I'd probably burn it, shred it, whatever I feel like doing at the time, possible shred it then burn the shreds...
I wouldn't use any windows for free, they're all clunky compared to Linux

[dagoth_pie]

on second thought, i would conduct experiments running ubuntu and vista on identical machines, with 256mb ram and amd-k6 cpus (just because I have those lying around) then when vista failed to install on my 8gb hard drive I'd call microsoft tech support and complain... then shred and burn the discs, and the pc i tried to install on

[karellen]

on second thought, i would conduct experiments running ubuntu and vista on identical machines, with 256mb ram and amd-k6 cpus (just because I have those lying around) then when vista failed to install on my 8gb hard drive I'd call microsoft tech support and complain... then shred and burn the discs, and the pc i tried to install on

how did you expect to install Vista on a 6 gb hard drive? didn't you read the minimum requirements first? we're in 2008, though

[dagoth_pie]

how did you expect to install Vista on a 6 gb hard drive? didn't you read the minimum requirements first? we're in 2008, though

yes I know that, but if Ubuntu can run on it, being a newer operating system than vista, it stands to reason that Vista should too... I'd honestly just love to hear poor tech support try to explain that though... am I a cruel person? probably?

[fiddledd]

yes I know that, but if Ubuntu can run on it, being a newer operating system than vista, it stands to reason that Vista should too... I'd honestly just love to hear poor tech support try to explain that though... am I a cruel person? probably?

By your reasoning then Ubuntu should run on old hardware and 1gb disk space and 16mb ram like Puppy Linux.

[Canis familiaris]

By your reasoning then Ubuntu should run on old hardware and 1gb disk space and 16mb ram like Puppy Linux.

Actually it can...
The command line installation that is...
:)

[fiddledd]

Actually it can...
The command line installation that is...
:)

OK, I'll give you that.:)

[ukripper]

i didn't vote as there is no option of other reason.

i won't use vista if it is free but if it is open source than yes I would use and customise to my likings as i do with other linux distros.

[da.tiger]

yes, I ll try it, if i got it for free

[Sycron]

Right now i'm at school on a windoze machine. It just sucks. I know it's illegal but I just gained admin acces. I can't install MinGW, notepad++ and other necesary programming tools.

I just runned a MS-DOS prompt (or how it's named) and was too easy to gain access. This is very BAD... on a UNIX shell I can't do that...

[roqwez]

Free?! yes offcourse i'll take it but can i play it with my one and only old computer? not sure . . . virus, spyware, rootkit, ummm . . .what else bsod? os free, how about msoffice? all games also free?):P):P just too good to be true:lolflag:

[karellen]

Right now i'm at school on a windoze machine. It just sucks. I know it's illegal but I just gained admin acces. I can't install MinGW, notepad++ and other necesary programming tools.

I just runned a MS-DOS prompt (or how it's named) and was too easy to gain access. This is very BAD... on a UNIX shell I can't do that...

what do you mean by saying notepad++ can't be installed in Windows? it runs just fine on my rig :)

[ssj4monkey]

i'd use it with, along with ubuntu...what's the problem? you can always switch..leave ur options open..y'know.](*,)=D>=D>

[zoomy942]

I get Windows XP and Vista free from work - and I'll tell you this.. I wouldnt use it. Just knowing that I have to waste resources to keep it safe (spyware, viruses, etc) makes me not want it.

I manage my entire company (120 Windows PC's) and I see everyday how slow they are and how much time I spend keeping them safe. No thanks.

[Sycron]

what do you mean by saying notepad++ can't be installed in Windows? it runs just fine on my rig :)

I was not having the proper admin rights to install it. After changing the admin password and using it everything is fine. OMG i have to go to jail. I just replaced Yahoo!Messenger with pidgin and other freaking softwares... I just made a school infringement.

[jerome1232]

I was not having the proper admin rights to install it. After changing the admin password and using it everything is fine. OMG i have to go to jail. I just replaced Yahoo!Messenger with pidgin and other freaking softwares... I just made a school infringement.

You know most programs can just be installed to your own user folder if you don't have admin rights (on windows)?

Firefox, pidgin, and a few other programs at least don't complain when installed that way

[Sycron]

firefox, chrome, pidgin just works. But mingw didn't work... MinGW was essential. Without it i have to use Borland C++ (Copyright '80 lol) with that slugish blue screen and i don't want that. That's why Ubuntu/Slax Live CD ROCK'S...

[gjoellee]

If Microsoft ever gave out Windows for free I would have been afraid for using it!

[Grams79]

No
It's still hard coded.

[Sycron]

Very hard-coded.

while (user==online) {
check_license();
if (!license()) BSoD();
else BSoD(2min);}

[Ganonspike]

no

on vista ram usage 40%

on ubuntu 14%

this is while doing very little

[Frak]

no

on vista ram usage 40%

on ubuntu 14%

this is while doing very little
It caches the RAM.

Just so you know, that's a good thing since unused ram is wasted ram. From what I've found, Aero is the only thing that makes Vista slow (for me at least).

[Xiong Chiamiov]

Aside from all the fun hardware (in)compatability issues, I just see no reason to use it. There are only a few things that I cannot run natively in Linux, and thankfully, they run fantastically in Wine. And eyecandy? Give me a break - Compiz can be very nice (try out the Sabayon LiveDVD if you don't think so).

Oh, and I absolutely *love* package management.

And it's incredibly hard to program on Windows.

And I can't (natively) have virtual desktops *or* window tabbing, both of which I use all the time to keep my workspace organized.

Besides, the Windows command line sucks, and I don't know PowerShell.

[ameed]

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

After using Linux and especially ubuntu os i will never use any microsoft products even if they pay me , money is not the point the point is we all want a stable OS to get our jobs done with freezing issues and viruses and all that crap , plus you dont have to pay for softwares anymore like screenrecorders or graphic designs or accounting systems if you calculate the saving you get with linux along with stability you won't think about using Microsoft products anymore if you really like liberity :) dont use Windows not just vista but all versions.

Regards,

Ameed

[Frak]

After using Linux and especially ubuntu os i will never use any microsoft products even if they pay me , money is not the point the point is we all want a stable OS to get our jobs done with freezing issues and viruses and all that crap , plus you dont have to pay for softwares anymore like screenrecorders or graphic designs or accounting systems if you calculate the saving you get with linux along with stability you won't think about using Microsoft products anymore if you really like liberity :) dont use Windows not just vista but all versions.

Regards,

Ameed
If MS paid me to use their OS, I'd use it. I'm not stupid, I'll get paid for walking in a special pair of "propriety" shoes. I'm getting paid.

[Primefalcon]

well I actually have a legal version of windows that I uninstalled and literally threw in the trash can after a bit. So no, price has nothing to do with it.

And no I have nothing against Microsoft, if their program did the job better for me I'd use it, so principle isn't really it either.

For starters I typically find Open Source Software, true open source software, not freeware, shareware, or Microsoft's mockery open source, to be better quality software overall.

I'm a web designer/programmer so being able to use such tools as permissions, bash shell scripting to make my work easier. as well as faster when I can cut directly to the command line to remove the extra burden of a GUI.

That being said I really can't see commercial products competing with Open Source in the long run. Microsoft is steadily losing market share, very slowly yes, but steadily. In any kind of really critical enviro such as servers, mainframes and the like, Open source already rules, this is because these people are educated. I don't been a high school degree either, I mean familiar with all the os's on both sides..

And with Linux steadily gaining more market share in the desktop enviro, this also brings more developers and more contributers to open source, which in turn will make open source more expanding as the software keeps getting better exponentially. Combine this with the fact that open source doesn't have to keep reinventing the wheel, So can constantly keep improving and sharing innovated code. Commercial software really can't do this, which is going to be the winner in the long run.

[daUbuQ]

I never bought windows, the windows copy that I have installed in my laptop is from my work, and since i amin the IT department, I have a copy of all the software with the serial numbers. At home, I am using Ubuntu and in the future (say after 6 month) I am not going to use Windows and Office at home even if they paid me to do so. I am using it no becuase of my old files and programs, but now, all my new files and programs are in ubuntu..
Also, becuase of the activiation thing I hated micro$oft and Window$ ...

Thanks and Regards

[xreaper]

Yes! ofcourse I'd use it! My dog loves to play frisbee!

[davidryder]

I like the customization in Linux and the lack of a registry. If MS adopted those two things I would probably be using Windows as my primary OS.

[cometa2k7]

I'd take it and sell it on E-Bay, someone might buy it.:P

At the moment, I use Windows more than Ubuntu, but that's not because I prefer Windows; I prefer my laptop. I did install Ubuntu on this laptop once, but Windows didn't like it, and I need Windows for my schoolwork.

[Liviu-Theodor]

You know, you could have someone else open the box. :lolflag:

But still, they want to see it "un-opened", so... my point remains.

[Liviu-Theodor]

I like the customization in Linux and the lack of a registry. If MS adopted those two things I would probably be using Windows as my primary OS.

There are many things Linux is ahead of Windows, except these ones, and is behind only regarding comercial games. So, even Microsoft solves these two problems, Windows will still be behind Linux overall.

[davidryder]

There are many things Linux is ahead of Windows, except these ones, and is behind only regarding comercial games. So, even Microsoft solves these two problems, Windows will still be behind Linux overall.

I'm sure if I understand this. Are you saying that the registry and customization in Windows is better than that of Linux?

[NoVista]

Well, the Business Edition was free for me, as was XP, and probably will be for any MS OS and/or major product from them in the future, as long as they keep their policy of letting the populace be beta testers.

Vist/XP main use here is simply to be able to use Acronis Imaging software, as I have found nothing Linux based to be quite as good.

[jerome1232]

If windows could adopt the sudo model (were admin users are actually limited users that can use a password to elevate their privilages) I might actually like it. Maybe it does have that ability and I'm not aware of it I really don't boot into vista that much.

I believe it would help alot in terms of security (what desktop user needs to always have access to system files) vista at least seems to be a step towards a better multi-user model than xp was.

[Canis familiaris]

If windows could adopt the sudo model (were admin users are actually limited users that can use a password to elevate their privilages) I might actually like it. Maybe it does have that ability and I'm not aware of it I really don't boot into vista that much.

I believe it would help alot in terms of security (what desktop user needs to always have access to system files) vista at least seems to be a step towards a better multi-user model than xp was.

Here we go:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkay-bruns.de%2Fwp%2Fsoftware%2Fsurun%2F&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=de&safe=active&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

[jerome1232]

Interesting, the translation is a little rough :), Have you used this program does it work well? I think I'm going to try it out.

[Canis familiaris]

Interesting, the translation is a little rough :), Have you used this program does it work well? I think I'm going to try it out.

Yes but not long enough since I don't use Windows much.

[wattaman]

I won't use it because my comp. won't run it.
But, the true is I use windows ONLY because I'm also a gamer and a beta-tester (more like a hobby) and, well, I must play the games on a Win platform.
Otherwise, I'll gladly format it since I'm getting lots and lots of blue screens lately - dunno why

[kc2bxn]

yup thats worth it but only becuase its free

[eschatologicalhumor]

I haven't read all/any of the posts, but since this is an opinion poll there is no need really before posting myself.

I have been using an XP/Ubuntu dualboot for a couple years now, and it's served me quite well. I have both systems set up exactly how I need them to get things done, but alas, I have fallen victim to my program-whore tendencies once again and XP is a clusterfvck of retardation. Ubuntu is a bit clustered, but that doesn't matter because Ubuntu is amazing and I haven't seen a performance hit yet. XP on the other hand is riddled with junk and although I take good care of XP's health, the simple and unfortunate fact is that no matter how well one takes care of an XP install, at least twice a year it needs to be completely wiped and reinstalled.

So, to the question at hand: would I use Vista if MS gave it away for free? (like they haven't already...). The answer is: I am thinking of replacing XP with Vista. I use Ubuntu 99.999999% of the time now anyway, so XP is really only still on my system for a couple games that I play that I don't want to fiddle with on Ubuntu. Vista (as selfish as it is) has dx10 (directx 10). I WANT IT. That's all. I just want dx10. I have the dx10 hack installed in XP, but let's be honest here, it isn't dx10. It doesn't enhance the graphics, it only enhances dx10 compatibility with games and video cards.

So the answer is yes. I would. And I will. Once I find a real tutorial for such.

[Frak]

If windows could adopt the sudo model (were admin users are actually limited users that can use a password to elevate their privilages) I might actually like it. Maybe it does have that ability and I'm not aware of it I really don't boot into vista that much.

I believe it would help alot in terms of security (what desktop user needs to always have access to system files) vista at least seems to be a step towards a better multi-user model than xp was.
http://sudown.sourceforge.net/

[Liviu-Theodor]

I'm sure if I understand this. Are you saying that the registry and customization in Windows is better than that of Linux?

In the forum for my workplace, I wrote that Windows customization and Aero interface is "centuries behind" Linux customization and compiz interface. And of course the Windows registry is better than non-existant and not-needed Linux registry, isn't it ;)? What I wanted to say is the fact that Microsoft programmers has much more work to do, than just resolving these two problems, to get on the market with just a "ready-for-desktop" Windows.

[davidryder]

In the forum for my workplace, I wrote that Windows customization and Aero interface is "centuries behind" Linux customization and compiz interface.

Yes, I 100% agree with this. This is one of the things that is keeping me on Linux. I know it's not important for a lot of people (and in the workplace I couldn't care less) but I absolutely love it. I like having the feeling of total control.

And of course the Windows registry is better than non-existant and not-needed Linux registry, isn't it ;)?

My point was that I don't like the Windows registry. I like that I can simply copy my $HOME folder to a new installation and (provided required programs are installed) everything will look and behave exactly how it did previously. I also like how most config and settings files are human readable. The Windows registry has always been a PITA for me. Backing up my $USER folder in Windows won't necessarily transfer all my settings to a new install as for many programs the settings are scattered across the registry.

[Liviu-Theodor]

Yes, I 100% agree with this. This is one of the things that is keeping me on Linux. I know it's not important for a lot of people (and in the workplace I couldn't care less) but I absolutely love it. I like having the feeling of total control.

Where I work, the user interface has its importance, because part of the network is located in schools and part of it is for public access. And this is one of the reasons I do not understand why these computers came with Windows Vista, except for the servers, as by saving costs for software, we will have ended up with some 25% more workstations, and they are needed.

My point was that I don't like the Windows registry. I like that I can simply copy my $HOME folder to a new installation and (provided required programs are installed) everything will look and behave exactly how it did previously. I also like how most config and settings files are human readable. The Windows registry has always been a PITA for me. Backing up my $USER folder in Windows won't necessarily transfer all my settings to a new install as for many programs the settings are scattered across the registry.

And of course, you remember that every guide for Windows registry will say to you that if you modify anything there, you can end up with a broken Windows installation?

[Sycron]

And of course, you remember that every guide for Windows registry will say to you that if you modify anything there, you can end up with a broken Windows installation?

lol :).

Today at school i just didn't understand one thing. Why people prefer things that don't work out of the box. One mate was giving a CD to another friend with a pirated PC game. I asked him: "What's that rubbish game? Why it says Invalid CD-ROM every time I run it?" . He answered "Because is cracked and I don't have pay it".

And i can't even mention that if I say "Office" I'm being corrected "Microsoft Office, dumb".

[castlefox]

I would if it went to open source.

[Liviu-Theodor]

Today at school i just didn't understand one thing. Why people prefer things that don't work out of the box. One mate was giving a CD to another friend with a pirated PC game. I asked him: "What's that rubbish game? Why it says Invalid CD-ROM every time I run it?" . He answered "Because is cracked and I don't have pay it".
I know two reasons for that:
Because they never heard of KISS (keep it simple, stupid)
Because they do like that: "why should you do things the easy way, when you can do things the hard way?"
And i can't even mention that if I say "Office" I'm being corrected "Microsoft Office, dumb".
Again, they never heard of OpenOffice (which is based on StarOffice, and just opens Microsoft Office files, and it is not a copy of it, and has nothing more to do with it), CorelOffice, Koffice, Gnome Office, and other office suite, just remembered that online from Google. And they think one should know, by example "Microsoft Word", not "a document processing program", no matter what name it has. In fact, I encountered more than one case when the OpenOffice suite was reffered to as "Microsoft Office", such intensive is the damage Microsoft did to some users brain...

[worx101]

Yep, I would take it in a heart beat... and i would use it :P

What, it has DirectX 10 and I play games? ;P

Still would use linux on my other machines tho.

[eppo]

personally i think vista is un-intuitive, bloated and just a pain to run. there is a reason why nobody likes it. i have an drive i run XP on. basically just use it to run ffxi, and any other little programs i like to use while playing the game.

[davidryder]

personally i think vista is un-intuitive, bloated and just a pain to run. there is a reason why nobody likes it. i have an drive i run XP on. basically just use it to run ffxi, and any other little programs i like to use while playing the game.

If nobody liked it it wouldn't occupy the vast majority of desktops.

[ad_267]

If nobody liked it it wouldn't occupy the vast majority of desktops.

Yes it would, people don't know they have any other options.

[estuartie]

Absolutely not -I try and avoid MS products wherever possible and Vista just has too many problems with programme conflicts and such. Also you need a well configured PC to run it anything like decent. Leave it for a coupla years!!!
Stu

[rockface]

If nobody liked it it wouldn't occupy the vast majority of desktops.

And how many people have a choice, a real choice. They have Vista rammed down their throats and don't realise it. Microsoft must be laughing all they way to the bank when people cough up extra for a copy of XP.

If Vista was so good why are they fast-tracking Windows 7? Why have they given OEMs more time to sell XP, just because of the Netbook craze?

I suspect you'll go out and buy every single version of Windows Microsoft releases, on demand and on time whatever the price.

[mp3_freak_721]

If they gave it away for free and my pc could run it, sure, why not. I don't mind Windows at all. I grew up with it. :)

[ebmelle]

I have both 32 and 64 bit versions, but do not use them due to compatibility problems with older, needed windows and DOS based applications, that work with XP Pro.
For all else I prefer Ubuntu 8.04.1 :)

[akamaleldin]

Vista Home Premium was bundled with my notebook. I convinced myself not to be a prejudiced and give it a try. I could not stand it for more than a day.

In short, if Microsoft gave me money to use it, I would never do.

XP is ok though, its dualed with Ubuntu on my machine. I mainly use it when I need to fix a dirty NTFS partition as I failed to do that with Ubuntu.

[davidryder]

And how many people have a choice, a real choice. They have Vista rammed down their throats and don't realise it. Microsoft must be laughing all they way to the bank when people cough up extra for a copy of XP.

If Vista was so good why are they fast-tracking Windows 7? Why have they given OEMs more time to sell XP, just because of the Netbook craze?

I suspect you'll go out and buy every single version of Windows Microsoft releases, on demand and on time whatever the price.

Windows isn't the only major OS that everybody knows about. If people that didn't like Windows wanted they could easily switch to Mac. You also have all the people that go from Windows to another OS and switch because either they are used to it or they just like it better.

To say nobody likes Windows is ludicrous.

[jerome1232]

Windows isn't the only major OS that everybody knows about. If people that didn't like Windows wanted they could easily switch to Mac. You also have all the people that go from Windows to another OS and switch because either they are used to it or they just like it better.

To say nobody likes Windows is ludicrous.

I agree with the 'nobody likes windows is ludicrous'

but I disagree strongly about 'Windows isn't the only major OS that everybody knows about' There are many, many people that think Windows is the one and only OS. Sometimes they have heard about Mac's but wouldn't seriously consider getting one.

Actually if you go by population using the OS, Windows really is the only major OS in the desktop world.

offtopic, I saw a flash drive that had a Windows logo, Mac logo, and a.... wait for it... PENGUIN on it! Someone out there knows we exist!

[roger99]

Vista came pre-installed on my laptop, bah, I thought I had a powerfull machine and it brought it to it's knees at times. It didn't stay on here for long.

I still have a virtual machine with XP for the rare occasion that I need to run bloated software but that hardly ever gets used.

Slightly off-topic but I bet the OP is amazed that his little poll is still going strong 2.5 years later.............

[jerome1232]

Vista came pre-installed on my laptop, bah, I thought I had a powerfull machine and it brought it to it's knees at times. It didn't stay on here for long.

I still have a virtual machine with XP for the rare occasion that I need to run bloated software but that hardly ever gets used.

Slightly off-topic but I bet the OP is amazed that his little poll is still going strong 2.5 years later.............

Especially since the op is still active on these forums ;)

edit:Nevermind I thought I was responding to a 'bye ubuntu thread' that has been active forever too so yeah.

[roger99]

"Don't let your mind wander -- it's too little to be let out alone."

lol, i like that, i might well use it sometime...........

[jerome1232]

Lol, I have the program fortune set to run everytime I open a terminal, so it's spews little spigots of wisdom at me like that before I start borking my system.

I also have sudo set to insult me when I misstype my password, I never seem to feel all that insulted though...

Last login: Wed Oct 8 17:11:19 2008 from 192.168.1.4
So this is it. We're going to die.
crash@deathbane:~$ sudo -i
Password:
You can't come in. Our tiger has got flu
Password:
... and it used to be so popular...
Password:
Have a gorilla...

[AngelX]

My PC came with Vista Home Premium also and it takes for ever to load, and the worst... you get your Desktop window but WAIT! you can't start using it until it loads the mouse task panel, anti virus, firewall, battery, anti virus updater, windows updater, laptop shortcut keys driver, etc etc... then like 10 minutes later (at least it feels like that) the hard drive stops working and you can start working... only problem is by then I forgot what I was going to do... LOL!

Cheers to all that have freed them selves from clunky overweight M$ Vista

[Sycron]

I had a lot of times that sluggish moment? That's why I'm using linux/ubuntu. No more spyware's and anti-viruses sluggish softwares.

[thaikerman]

Actually, no. Truth is, Microsoft is all about making money and putting the competition out. If they ever (which is paramount to the IRS not collecting the tax from the general public. i.e. next to impossible) gave windows away for free, it would be a strategy to crush all other alternatives and to truly complete their monopoly, and I bet there would be strings attached such as "on the next upgrade you get to pay" or "you get this free but you can never use any other OS" or some BS like that. believe me Microsoft would never give anything away for free without getting anything out of it. hell the only reason they don't charge for the Internet Explorer is they know you'd simply turn to Firefox hell they are loosing the battle as it is so why give the enemy more ammo by charging for the internet explorer? but notice that they have tied DX 10 to vista, why? so you don't use XP and trow away their stupid vista. (I am mentioning these specific programs as they are supposedly "free").

That said; no not even if given away for free would I use Vista Ultimate, I have already used it (on my friend's box) and it simply does not work. Microsoft screwed up on this one, why use a piece of junk like that one?

[karellen]

That said; no not even if given away for free would I use Vista Ultimate, I have already used it (on my friend's box) and it simply does not work. Microsoft screwed up on this one, why use a piece of junk like that one?

indeed, conclusive experience. especially if you used it but in the meantime it didn't work :lolflag:

[Liviu-Theodor]

That said; no not even if given away for free would I use Vista Ultimate, I have already used it (on my friend's box) and it simply does not work. Microsoft screwed up on this one, why use a piece of junk like that one?
indeed, conclusive experience. especially if you used it but in the meantime it didn't work :lolflag:

I had exactly the same kind of experience. I needed to use Vista at my workplace, but it turned out to be full of problems. I know you (karellen) read across the forum about my experience with Vista and the fact I dislike it.

[sazan]

i have been using windows from a long time now.. and and most of my time goes to figure out the solutions for the bugs and viruses in the softwares and updates..
there is always the upgrade and configuration problem to face.. as if we are the ppl to fix it.. .and this goes for on and on.. like dx10 for vista..
this was one reason i switched to linux... the best reason for it.. everything is free...

[karellen]

I had exactly the same kind of experience. I needed to use Vista at my workplace, but it turned out to be full of problems. I know you (karellen) read across the forum about my experience with Vista and the fact I dislike it.

as I said in numerous occasions, the mileage may vary. a personal experience it's just that - a personal, individual, experience. nothing more or less. I consider myself a reasonable tech savvy person and I didn't encounter any problems with Vista, except some obscure driver for a network card, which it had to be downloaded from the web. but, just guessing, I think many negative experience with Vista come from the fact that people use an OEM version, without any tweaks or optimizations. I recently bought a laptop, which of course came with Vista Home Premium, and it was painfully slow, bloated with all that shareware, advertising, useless OEM applications and the list could go on. you can imagine I immediately pursued in uninstalling all that crap - and now it runs just fine. it's not perfect - no OS is - but it's far from rubbish either. and I'm not the only one, but I guess those satisfied with something are not as vocal as others ;)

[toupeiro]

There is no concept of value to me by getting Vista Ultimate edition for free...

Fact of the matter is, I certainly didn't think it was ever worth $300 dollars. Now with the scenerio of it being free of charge to use, then its on par from a retail standpoint to Linux, but it doesn't do anything for it as far as the concept of value from an OS standpoint in my opinion. Whether you try to sell me something broken for $300 or choose to give it away, it doesn't change the fact that it is broken with regard to what I need and want out of an Operating system.

Anyway, here is my answer:

When Microsoft decides to write a real operating system that provides real functional value over the competition, I will pay for it!

I thought they did this with XP in its primetime, and I paid for it. I would do it again if they could ever write something that can outdo what modern day linux provides in an OS, and doesn't cost several hundred dollars.

Here is my very surface level comparison of Windows and Linux as I see it:

Linux,

you get a good, solid OS and a virtually unlimited supply of good, free software to go with it,
Linux is free of charge.
As a newer OS, there is more or a learning curve, but once beyond the beginnings of that curve, the experience is phenominal.
Its not the greatest Gaming OS. Because of the nature PC games are written, it cannot be.
(Windows, without direct-X, would not be a great gaming OS either. MS just happened to get companies locked into Direct-X in the mid 90's and its like pulling teeth to develop for windows without it).
Vulnerabilities in the form of trojans, malware, and viruses are a rarity on this OS, and other vulnerabilities are fixed at an unprecedented pace due to the "world developer" model that is FOSS.
Linux can be frustrating to learn depending on who your help is, which leads me to...
Linux is really just a Kernel. With GNU applications and tools combined with the Linux Kernel Linux becomes an OS. This OS has spawned off several different "variants" some with very different default tools, themes, and interfaces, but all fundamentally based on the same evolving framework, making software development for linux one in the same with software development for a variant. A great dispute amongst developers of the GNU tools feel the name "Linux" discredits the work gone into GNU. While this can be seen by most, myself included, as a small semantic, this is simultaneously and controversially one of Linux's strongest, and weakest point.

Windows,

you get a good, familiar look and feel, with familiar software vendors and household application names.
Because of its abundance in Personal Computing space, you are usually required to maintain the OS more to keep it secure, relying on Microsoft and private 3rd party vendors to identify these vulnerabilities before they hit your system.
Most all PC games are designed for MS-Windows. While you get fair to good odds of wine running your games, your best option for PC based gaming is still windows due to the direct-X development.
Windows is inefficient when it comes to self-maintenance and utilizing system resources to their fullest. Because of this, windows systems will require reboots more frequently than Linux systems. If uptime is something important to you, you will not like your experience on Windows.
Windows Stability has much improved from its early days, but because of the nature of its proprietary code, in order to provide backwards compatibility, it often times must sacrifice stability, performance, and efficiency to handle some applications one may be dependent on.
Windows has several versions of its OS, offering subtle differences in features, ranging from 100 dollars to 300 dollars.

To me, Linux is the OS of choice for people who want to use their computer to run programs for various tasks and interests. It is an OS that lets the user enable software to complete tasks by giving you free choice over the design of that software.

Windows is the OS of choice for people who usually have a select one or two proprietary programs they rely on, and are satisfied, indifferent or complacent with regard to the other points about the OS, whether they be positive or negative. It is an OS that lets software enable the user to do specific tasks pre-defined by the software developers. The software does not accommodate the user to have choice over its design, and so features or upgrades can take a considerable amount of time if they happen at all, and can also be very expensive.

Because I am not the second of these examples, I think windows needs quite a lot of work in order to supply the value linux does as an OS, and therefore it cannot be a choice for me in its current state, at any price.

[Chame_Wizard]

Who the heck need Vista Ultimate anyway?

My Kubuntu x86_64 can do a lot of things better than Winblah.

*Can't wait for Intrepid Ibex*:lolflag:

[Liviu-Theodor]

as I said in numerous occasions, the mileage may vary. a personal experience it's just that - a personal, individual, experience. nothing more or less. I consider myself a reasonable tech savvy person and I didn't encounter any problems with Vista, except some obscure driver for a network card, which it had to be downloaded from the web. but, just guessing, I think many negative experience with Vista come from the fact that people use an OEM version, without any tweaks or optimizations. I recently bought a laptop, which of course came with Vista Home Premium, and it was painfully slow, bloated with all that shareware, advertising, useless OEM applications and the list could go on. you can imagine I immediately pursued in uninstalling all that crap - and now it runs just fine. it's not perfect - no OS is - but it's far from rubbish either. and I'm not the only one, but I guess those satisfied with something are not as vocal as others ;)

Here I can say I have a more than personal experience, beeing the network administrator, and many people who use this network complain about what Windows Vista does (or does not). And the computers here did not had any OEM crapware installed, just Vista, drivers, anti-malware programs and OpenOffice. I'm not saying Linux is perfect, but Windows Vista seems to be closest to perfection in "making an imperfect OS". I do not generalize about other versions of Windows, but I didn't liked at all also Windows ME, though other versions seemed to be OK for their time.

And this is the same experience many other network adminstrators I know of had with Windows Vista, and some of them replaced Windows Vista with Windows XP. For now, I try to install also ubuntu and dual-boot.

[fiddledd]

Here I can say I have a more than personal experience, beeing the network administrator, and many people who use this network complain about what Windows Vista does (or does not). And the computers here did not had any OEM crapware installed, just Vista, drivers, anti-malware programs and OpenOffice. I'm not saying Linux is perfect, but Windows Vista seems to be closest to perfection in "making an imperfect OS". I do not generalize about other versions of Windows, but I didn't liked at all also Windows ME, though other versions seemed to be OK for their time.

And this is the same experience many other network adminstrators I know of had with Windows Vista, and some of them replaced Windows Vista with Windows XP. For now, I try to install also ubuntu and dual-boot.

That is still your personal experience, however, it' is not everyone's experience with Vista. People here seem unwilling to accept that Vista works just fine for some people.

My personal experience is as follows:

Vista was pre-installed on the Laptop in my sig. I removed all the OEM bloat, disabled unnecessary services, installed Zonealarm Free, and at present Clamwin. It runs fast, is stable, no BSOD. In fact it runs exactly the same as the day I first set it up.

My son has a better Laptop, but also with Vista pre-installed. I did the same on his Laptop as I did on mine. His experience is the same as mine.

My son's friends, since Vista was released, also have new PCs/Laptops. I have set up their systems as well. They have a similar experience to my son, and myself.

Incidentally, none of us has caught a Virus, or been infected with any Malware or Spyware(I have checked with multiple scanners, all are clean). All use the same security, UAC left enabled, Windows Defender, and Clamwin.

That is my personal experience, but it isn't the same for everybody. That's why it's called personal experience. The only fair statement anyone can make is Vista works fine for some, but not all. If you replace the word "Vista" in my last sentence, with "Linux", that would also be a fair statement.

And before someone asks, I also use Linux. The reason I use Linux is because I want to, in fact the same reason I use Vista. It's called choice.

[Vince4Amy]

If they gave it away for free I would install it on my secondary computer. It works great for me and people need to accept that it is only rubbish if it's not installed and run properly.

Most of the problems with Vista were either in the early days (XP was terrible when it was released too) or because of the OEM bloat which manufacturers put on prebuilt systems. I've been using Vista since February of this year and it's working great for me.

I have also left UAC enabled, it's no different from entering a root password on Linux when I want to do something system wide, I don't understand why some people on this very forum who use Ubuntu or any other distro complain about UAC when it's do different from entering a root password to do administrative tasks.

And before someone asks, I also use Linux. The reason I use Linux is because I want to, in fact the same reason I use Vista. It's called choice.

Exactly. This is why I use both.

[Liviu-Theodor]

That is still your personal experience, however, it' is not everyone's experience with Vista. People here seem unwilling to accept that Vista works just fine for some people.

In the post http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5915988#post5915988 I wrote:
I think anyone can have an opinion, no matter how true or false it is. And as some users like Vista, others don't like it at all. And this is good.

In the post http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5817599#post5817599 I wrote:
No, Vista is not a better OS, it is just better looking than previous variants of Windows. I know, because, as a network administrator, I found out that Windows Vista is not compatible with many Windows programs (even wine runs more).

In the post http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5711908#post5711908 I wrote:
OK, I know someone who have no problems with Vista (in his opinion), but he has quad-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB SATA2 HDD, some crazy (in the good way) video card with 512 MB or 1 GB of video memory. Oh, maybe this is low requirement?

Given all these, I agree that to some people Vista works just fine, and I think I do not qualify for "people unwilling to accept that Vista works just fine for some people", but from what I have seen, they seem to be just a minority (and that is my personal and professional experience).

[Canis familiaris]

Quite an old thread...
I see that I had chosen "No - I dont use Microsoft products out of principal." in poll.

But now my opinion has changed for usage reasons rather than philosophical reasons.

*Nostalgic*

What has not chnaged that I still prefer Linux.

[old_salt]

Unfortunately - Yes.

There are 2 areas that "Force" me to continue this path;
1. Photo Printing/Scanning
2. Video editing

I dumped MS at home almost 6 yr ago because of the ethics issues and crap they do. Unfortunately, I've had to keep a Winblows box for scanning, bordereless photo printing and video editing as these areas are SEVERELY lacking in Linux.

NOTE: Please no flames about photo apps available or whatever. Kino is usable to get stuff off the camcorder but that's it. No polish to getting anything further or to a DVD that doesn't look primary. Printing Borderless photos is non-existent regardless of apps available and it will be about another 1 or 2 years before my Epson scanner will "work".

Linux got the MP3 stuff down pat in a hurry no problem however; desktop publishing still eludes Linux today and until this gets incorporated, I predict that mainstream adoption will always lag, especially for home users. MS won out by gaining the "Home Turf" first, Linux should take a look at how that strategy worked.

Unfortunately when you look at Linux as a whole, there is no central direction, no focus; just the varying distros out accomplishing their own agenda. Mark Shuttleworth is on the right path in attempting to get the entire community together however that will take some time.

I LOVE linux, I use it at home and I've even migrated a state agency to a linux backend usng Ubuntu Server. Unfortunately, I have to say "Yes" to this poll based on my explanation above.

[Liviu-Theodor]

Most of the problems with Vista were either in the early days (XP was terrible when it was released too) or because of the OEM bloat which manufacturers put on prebuilt systems. I've been using Vista since February of this year and it's working great for me.

I have also left UAC enabled, it's no different from entering a root password on Linux when I want to do something system wide, I don't understand why some people on this very forum who use Ubuntu or any other distro complain about UAC when it's do different from entering a root password to do administrative tasks.

In the post http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5711864#post5711864 I wrote:
For me, UAC is the only good thing in Vista. Even the eye-candy is not that good as advertised.

And on a previous post in this thread, I wrote that the computers did not had any OEM crapware. So while I admit that there are many true cases with the expriences you described, I think I do not qualify for them.

[fiddledd]

This whole thread, and others like it, should be moved to the Games sub forum. It's no different to "The Bump Thread", or "Banning Game".

Someone types "Vista works fine for me", then the next post must be "But I know lots of people who say it's crap, and it's like Windows ME". So the next post must be, well, you can work it out.

And so it continues. The thread carries on growing until, now this is where I get a bit lost, what exactly is the object of this game?

[homemadejam]

There is no chance that I would use it!
I can't stand it.

Now if they made it free of charge, and work well.. without all their stupid errors, hours of clicking 'Yes I'm Sure', they got rid of all the viruses, and it didn't crash as often... Then I might re-consider.

Jam

[Canis familiaris]

This whole thread, and others like it, should be moved to the Games sub forum. It's no different to "The Bump Thread", or "Banning Game".

Someone types "Vista works fine for me", then the next post must be "But I know lots of people who say it's crap, and it's like Windows ME". So the next post must be, well, you can work it out.

And so it continues. The thread carries on growing until, now this is where I get a bit lost, what exactly is the object of this game?

Entertainment for spectators? :P

[insane_alien]

vista ultimate is on many torrent sites, for all intents and purposes, it IS being given away free.

as i don't use it, i can conclude that no, i would not use it if offered a free copy.

[rockface]

This whole thread, and others like it, should be moved to the Games sub forum. It's no different to "The Bump Thread", or "Banning Game".

Someone types "Vista works fine for me", then the next post must be "But I know lots of people who say it's crap, and it's like Windows ME". So the next post must be, well, you can work it out.

And so it continues. The thread carries on growing until, now this is where I get a bit lost, what exactly is the object of this game?

'...what exactly is the object of this game?'

It is all part of that great OS (operating system, not Open Source) institution that is 'The Great Pissing Contest In The Sky' (with all due respect to the late great Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, sadly missed).

From the schoolyard to the playground to the workplace, would any of you (myself included) have it any other way?

Would you?

[jimv]

I do get it for free through my school, and I just dumped it a few months ago.

Get this. My photos were randomly getting corrupted....and these are my photos for the last 5 years...my wedding, honeymoon, holidays, etc. I could not figure out what the issue was. I thought it was a dying HD, but I ran Seagate's hd checker and it found no problems with the drive.

So I googled the issue and discovered a lot of other people having the same issue with their photos. And they all were running Vista. So I switched back to XP on that machine, and I haven't had a corrupted photo since.

[Nikolai D.]

Hi guys.

My evening scool gives me access to MSDNA. I can download all student versions of XP, Server, and Vista. But.. I take it as, first portion of drug is free. But after, when you get addicted to it...

So i havent even considered trying Vista out yet. I have Ubuntu if i have to use PC. But still, i havent used it for nearly a year anymore, cuz my mac mini came with Leopard.. :D

I dont even spread any pirated software anymore. Why would i if there are anough free alternatives. :)

Have a nice day!
Nikolai

[Sycron]

Yes... It's ugly to spread pirated software these days. At least its just my opinion and I just hate this.

[thaikerman]

True Karellen, it is my own experience. however your post seem to asume that I know nothing of computing and therefore I got exasperated with some simple thing that just needs some tweaking. Actually I am pretty tech savvy, and I am the systems admin in my office, I myself have a laptop that has Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed. and it too did not work. I can send you copies of my system log with such entries as "The previous shutdown was un-expected" after a crash with no earlier entry of a faulty page or rouge program. or "Windows recovered from a fatal error" again with absolutelly no indication of said fatal error. and blue screens almost every week and sometimes twice a week, as a matter of fact (belive it or not) I had "incompatibility" issues with the very drivers it came installed with. Yes you could say that is just the vendor not making good drivers and it has nothing to do with VISTA. true enough but then why does the very same component run great in Ubuntu without having to install or tweak anything? and the # of unexpected shutdowns in that very same laptop when running Ubuntu 0. number of unexpected shutdowns on the very same laptop when running Widows XP (on partition 3) 0. that is why I said it does not work. and this is a laptop I bought in may 2008 with SP1 so it is not Vista in its early days.

[karellen]

True Karellen, it is my own experience. however your post seem to asume that I know nothing of computing and therefore I got exasperated with some simple thing that just needs some tweaking. Actually I am pretty tech savvy, and I am the systems admin in my office, I myself have a laptop that has Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed. and it too did not work. I can send you copies of my system log with such entries as "The previous shutdown was un-expected" after a crash with no earlier entry of a faulty page or rouge program. or "Windows recovered from a fatal error" again with absolutelly no indication of said fatal error. and blue screens almost every week and sometimes twice a week, as a matter of fact (belive it or not) I had "incompatibility" issues with the very drivers it came installed with. Yes you could say that is just the vendor not making good drivers and it has nothing to do with VISTA. true enough but then why does the very same component run great in Ubuntu without having to install or tweak anything? and the # of unexpected shutdowns in that very same laptop when running Ubuntu 0. number of unexpected shutdowns on the very same laptop when running Widows XP (on partition 3) 0. that is why I said it does not work. and this is a laptop I bought in may 2008 with SP1 so it is not Vista in its early days.

I'm sorry to hear that; maybe it's a hardware related problem? (those unexpected shutdowns...)

[Liviu-Theodor]

True Karellen, it is my own experience. however your post seem to asume that I know nothing of computing and therefore I got exasperated with some simple thing that just needs some tweaking. Actually I am pretty tech savvy, and I am the systems admin in my office, I myself have a laptop that has Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed. and it too did not work. I can send you copies of my system log with such entries as "The previous shutdown was un-expected" after a crash with no earlier entry of a faulty page or rouge program. or "Windows recovered from a fatal error" again with absolutelly no indication of said fatal error. and blue screens almost every week and sometimes twice a week, as a matter of fact (belive it or not) I had "incompatibility" issues with the very drivers it came installed with. Yes you could say that is just the vendor not making good drivers and it has nothing to do with VISTA. true enough but then why does the very same component run great in Ubuntu without having to install or tweak anything? and the # of unexpected shutdowns in that very same laptop when running Ubuntu 0. number of unexpected shutdowns on the very same laptop when running Widows XP (on partition 3) 0. that is why I said it does not work. and this is a laptop I bought in may 2008 with SP1 so it is not Vista in its early days.

This seems to be exactly the same problem we have here: the computers work just fine with any OS tested, but Windows Vista (lots of problems here, epecially with the I/O peripherals, but also with ... Windows programs), be it any Linux distribution or even Windows XP.

I'm sorry to hear that; maybe it's a hardware related problem? (those unexpected shutdowns...)

I don't think is any hardware issue, because it works with Ubuntu and Windows XP. If it was a hardware issue, it will have manifested itself with any OS.

[fiddledd]

True Karellen, it is my own experience. however your post seem to asume that I know nothing of computing and therefore I got exasperated with some simple thing that just needs some tweaking. Actually I am pretty tech savvy, and I am the systems admin in my office, I myself have a laptop that has Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed. and it too did not work. I can send you copies of my system log with such entries as "The previous shutdown was un-expected" after a crash with no earlier entry of a faulty page or rouge program. or "Windows recovered from a fatal error" again with absolutelly no indication of said fatal error. and blue screens almost every week and sometimes twice a week, as a matter of fact (belive it or not) I had "incompatibility" issues with the very drivers it came installed with. Yes you could say that is just the vendor not making good drivers and it has nothing to do with VISTA. true enough but then why does the very same component run great in Ubuntu without having to install or tweak anything? and the # of unexpected shutdowns in that very same laptop when running Ubuntu 0. number of unexpected shutdowns on the very same laptop when running Widows XP (on partition 3) 0. that is why I said it does not work. and this is a laptop I bought in may 2008 with SP1 so it is not Vista in its early days.

I wasn't going to play today, but I'm bored (see my last post).

OK, so Vista isn't working on your hardware, recognise that last phrase? Replace "Vista" with "Ubuntu" and it's a similar phrase used often in these forums, especially in T&E.

I could also send you my event logs and you'd see no BSOD, no unexpected shutdowns. In fact all you'd see is logs of when software was installed. This is my experience for over 8 months of using Vista.

So what does my post prove, well it proves the same as your post, absolutely nothing as far as is Vista crap or not. We just passed on our personal experience. It doesn't matter if you are a Sys Admin in a large corporation or in a small office, or if you are a grandmother, it either works for you, or it doesn't.

Now if this was Ubuntu everyone would be blaming the Hardware manufacturers for rubbish or proprietary drivers. But it's Vista, so it must just be a flaky OS.

OK, that's the end of my turn. Next player please.:)

[Liviu-Theodor]

Yes... It's ugly to spread pirated software these days. At least its just my opinion and I just hate this.

I totally agree with you here: nowaday there is FOSS, freeware, there are even complete (comercially) programs distributed with PC magazines. Why there are still people insisting in using ilegally obtained software (I know the term in legislation is "pirated", but I do not agree with using that term)?

[karellen]

I don't think is any hardware issue, because it works with Ubuntu and Windows XP. If it was a hardware issue, it will have manifested itself with any OS.

drivers ;). or, more precisely, lack of good ones for Vista. OEM's fault. the same goes with Linux and unfortunate experiences with unsupported hardware :). and btw, about being a network manager/sysadmin. Vista is not a server OS. for this, a Linux distro or MS Server 2008 may be better suited

[davidryder]

Here I can say I have a more than personal experience, beeing the network administrator, and many people who use this network complain about what Windows Vista does (or does not). And the computers here did not had any OEM crapware installed, just Vista, drivers, anti-malware programs and OpenOffice. I'm not saying Linux is perfect, but Windows Vista seems to be closest to perfection in "making an imperfect OS". I do not generalize about other versions of Windows, but I didn't liked at all also Windows ME, though other versions seemed to be OK for their time.

And this is the same experience many other network adminstrators I know of had with Windows Vista, and some of them replaced Windows Vista with Windows XP. For now, I try to install also ubuntu and dual-boot.

I'm in school for computer engineering and I don't know anyone in academia or any social circles that would claim that networking in XP is better than that of Vista. MS's recoding of Vistas network from the ground up is one of its strongest points. There were problems pre-SP1 but as far as I know there are little gripes about networking in Vista.

In regards to running a server from Vista: are your servers on Vista? If so that might be your problem. Vista isn't meant to be a server.


Most of the problems with Vista were either in the early days (XP was terrible when it was released too) or because of the OEM bloat which manufacturers put on prebuilt systems. I've been using Vista since February of this year and it's working great for me.


This. When I got my laptop (sub-$500) with 1gb of ram and a 1.8ghz CPU Vista ran horribly slow. The first thing I did was do a clean install with Vista only. It made a world of difference.

All these claims that Linux is better than Vista in every aspect is ludicrous. Personally no OS is perfect for me. I love the power of the CLI and the UNIX environment (file system, user control) of Linux, I love the stability and networking/sharing in Vista, and I love the style of Mac. They all have their own applications that they excel in and it's - and forgive me for saying so - ignorant to say something so definite and vague as
"Linux is better than Vista".

Linux has some major benefits over Windows but also has some major shortfalls. To talk about Vista stability, BSOD, driver support, etc as if none of the same problems - of varying magnitude - exist in Linux is horridly fallacious.

[Canis familiaris]

Yes... It's ugly to spread pirated software these days. At least its just my opinion and I just hate this.

+Infinity

[clothrh]

I'm taking a computer science class and via MSDNA (its a Microsoft program that provides software free of charge to university students) I was able to obtain Vista Business for free, and I did indeed take them up on the offer. How can I pass up on free, especially when everything I do with class is Microsoft based?

[metalgearac!d]

maybe if they vista away with a stripper
I'd at least think about it.

[Frak]

+Infinity
Heh, we used to spread pirated movies and software in my MicroCert class. Even the teacher was involved. Was a great class though...

[Liviu-Theodor]

OK, so Vista isn't working on your hardware, recognise that last phrase? Replace "Vista" with "Ubuntu" and it's a similar phrase used often in these forums, especially in T&E.

I could also send you my event logs and you'd see no BSOD, no unexpected shutdowns. In fact all you'd see is logs of when software was installed. This is my experience for over 8 months of using Vista.

So what does my post prove, well it proves the same as your post, absolutely nothing as far as is Vista crap or not. We just passed on our personal experience. It doesn't matter if you are a Sys Admin in a large corporation or in a small office, or if you are a grandmother, it either works for you, or it doesn't.

Now if this was Ubuntu everyone would be blaming the Hardware manufacturers for rubbish or proprietary drivers. But it's Vista, so it must just be a flaky OS.

drivers ;). or, more precisely, lack of good ones for Vista. OEM's fault. the same goes with Linux and unfortunate experiences with unsupported hardware :). and btw, about being a network manager/sysadmin. Vista is not a server OS. for this, a Linux distro or MS Server 2008 may be better suited

I'm in school for computer engineering and I don't know anyone in academia or any social circles that would claim that networking in XP is better than that of Vista. MS's recoding of Vistas network from the ground up is one of its strongest points. There were problems pre-SP1 but as far as I know there are little gripes about networking in Vista.

In regards to running a server from Vista: are your servers on Vista? If so that might be your problem. Vista isn't meant to be a server.

This. When I got my laptop (sub-$500) with 1gb of ram and a 1.8ghz CPU Vista ran horribly slow. The first thing I did was do a clean install with Vista only. It made a world of difference.

All these claims that Linux is better than Vista in every aspect is ludicrous. Personally no OS is perfect for me. I love the power of the CLI and the UNIX environment (file system, user control) of Linux, I love the stability and networking/sharing in Vista, and I love the style of Mac. They all have their own applications that they excel in and it's - and forgive me for saying so - ignorant to say something so definite and vague as "Linux is better than Vista".

Linux has some major benefits over Windows but also has some major shortfalls. To talk about Vista stability, BSOD, driver support, etc as if none of the same problems - of varying magnitude - exist in Linux is horridly fallacious.

Our servers are three with Fedora Core 6 (don't say: I can't wait the day when the warranty time is over, so I can install a newer server OS (not Windows, of course). I have seen another one with a version of OpenSuse, but it is not under my administration. There is no Windows Server here.

I believe there are cases where Vista works flawlessly, no log needed to prove that. Even myself I have not seen any BSOD in Vista, but I have seen more severe cases: after Windows updates I could not even boot into safe-mode Vista, and even the recovery procedure did not work, so I was forced to reinstall a somewhat working before then operating system. Maybe this is also the fault of a manufacturer, or of Vista and who programmed it?

For OEM drivers: the computers are "Vista certified", the peripherals are also "Vista certified", and came with drivers for Vista (in some cases these were the only drivers), and in some cases the manufacturer was called "Microsoft Corporation, Inc" (webcams, keyboards, mouses). Now, why these peripherals does not work with Windows Vista, but with any other OS, even without installing drivers? And who else to blame than Microsoft, if their products do not work with an OS made by them, with the drivers provided by them? And why Vista does not recognize a mouse or a keyboard (just standard ones, that work perfectly even in BIOS)? I mean, not using at all, as if they were missing completely.

Also I installed clean Vista, but the problems with the peripherals just persisted, the problems to updated seem solved for now, and the problems with some programs also persisted, they do not run at all under Vista, or run with problems. Indeed, the last one could be caused by these programs, not Vista, but why the same programs work under XP? And I know to work programs in "compatibility mode"...

But truth be said, I never had any problem caused by Vista in regard to networking, but I had with it's Internet Explorer, so I have installed other browsers. Now, if Internet Explorer does not work, I don't think I should call the manufacterer of the computer. I always said the UAC in Vista is good for me.

I do not claim that Linux is better than Vista in any aspect, but I claim that is better overall (at least for me and some others I know of). Of course, there is no perfect OS (and never will be one), but Linux seem to try to get close to that ideal, while Microsoft seem to have lost the way to the same ideal.

[CFO]

Yes. My desktop is dual boot Ubuntu and Vista. I also have an Eee PC with Xandros Linux (easy and full modes). I don't like all the hoops Microsoft makes you jump through, but Windows does some things better than Linux and Linux does some things better than Windows. I have a powerful enough desktop so Vista runs quickly, though you can still see how much faster Ubuntu runs on the hardware. So, I'll continue using both.

[crazyfuturamanoob]

I personally hate windows and I think vista is the worst OS ever, I mean EVER made.

But I'd still use vista for gaming.

[rockface]

I personally hate windows and I think vista is the worst OS ever, I mean EVER made.

But I'd still use vista for gaming.

I doubt that this will gain any credibility coming from me, the viewpoint compromised.

'But I'd still use vista for gaming...'

Does Windows stand on it's own merits in any other way, apart from gaming?

[jerome1232]

I'll give it one thing, I like it's file system, ntfs. It has on the fly transparent compression, and on the fly, transparent encryption.

Under Linux this acheived a little differently, arguably better, compFused, it can do on the fly transparent compression to any file system the Linux kernel supports.

encFS same thing but with encryption.

It seems while trying to defend Windows I proved myself wrong, compfused is still in beta though.

[Tom_ZeCat]

I still own a Windows XP PC, but I'm not planning to move on to Vista. Instead, I'm meeting many of my computing needs with Ubuntu. I'm taking care of my photography needs with the XP machine for now, but am considering doing so with a Macintosh in the future.

I don't have enough time to write all my objections to Microsoft. However, key ones are: 1) How Microsoft shafted Visual BASIC programmers by killing the world's most popular programming language. 2) How Microsoft has alienated Office users with their Ribbon GARBAGE. 3) Their years of force feeding vendors their operating systems. 4) Their activation policy that makes an operating system die with its motherboard. 5) Their unethical dealings with Stacker Technologies. 6) Their unethical market destruction of DR DOS. 7) Their bugginess.

[Izek]

3rd option here. I just don't really like windows. However, I need it to run my printer. *sighs*

[inxygnuu]

yes, for free, totally, because I am not really against any OS except for XP, and mac by a little.

I dont know why so many people around here hate windows so much, i think that it is fine.

[war59312]

Never! And I'm not saying that because I never tired it either!! I've run vista for 5+ years (countless alphas and betas).

I use it every day, in my IT job. I hate it! I would never install it (again) on my home PCs.

I tried to live with it for 6+ months and I still hate it, and yes I tried it again for about 2 months with SP1 and still hate it. My PC is only a year old and my laptop is only 6 months old. Runs fine, that's not the problem.

And yes I even got it for free since I'm a Windows MVP and technical beta tester (butterfly too). Though Windows 7 might just change my mind. Early alpha builds are looking good.

[Sycron]

Something I hate a lot at a MS Windows system is that I can't debug some problems with command line. A real life example is that some days ago a friend of my told me that sounds doesn't work.

The driver was ok, and the XP instalation was OK too... I just couldn't solve his problem. I don't have lshw on a windows system and I feel harsh.

[nikRbokR]

Yes... I'd definitely use it.

I actually have it at home. The media's bias toward Apple makes Vista sound like an OS from hell, but it's really not that bad.

I'm new to Ubuntu, and I'm willing to learn using the command-line to do a large number of tasks. But as long as Linux Distros stick to this dependence on the command-line, it's never going to do well w/ the majority of computer users. Yes, Microsoft has 3rd party junk on its OS and it requires a lot of hardware upgrades, but I'm not going to be shelling out $1000+ for an @pple computer. I hate those guys just as much for being hypocritical... complaining about the MS monopoly while holding their own monopoly... forcing ppl to use their hardware.

I really like Linux because of that. But, people need to realize that there is no perfect OS. I'm willing to learn Linux, but it's a learning process for me. I'll get it eventually, but until then, I'm fine with using the more user-friendly Vista Ultimate.

[Liviu-Theodor]

I dont know why so many people around here hate windows so much, i think that it is fine.

I don't hate Windows, just the inability to do productive work with it and the ability to waste preciouse time with it (I think in the terms of a network administrator). And especially with the ME and Vista editions. They qualify proudly for the "one of the worst OS ever made" title. I also hate the fact that Microsoft assumes all users are stupid (or so it seems to be).

Note that I found at their time the 3.1, 95 and 98 verions better then these two at their time. NT and 2000 (for both workstations and servers) were quite good for what they were back then, and from then Microsoft seem to be on a descending quality and ease of use with their software products.

[davidryder]

I don't see how so many people here can be so incapable of solving problems in Windows and at the same time be able to figure everything out required to get Linux completely setup. Oh wait, it's because we actually look for solutions as opposed to just whine about it.

It's as if people are suggesting they didn't run into any problems with Linux. But instead about complaining about it, they just fix it - and happily at that. I can't say too much as I am the same way but I guess at some point I realized that Linux is far from trouble-free and no OS is perfect. The difference between Windows and Linux in that regard though is that practically everybody on Linux experiences the same problems at some point so there is a plethora of information on it. It's gets pretty tiring to hear about driver support and problems in Windows too considering Linux is far from perfect in that category as well.

All this whining about how horrible Windows is and how whatnot is silly when you think about all the crap you have to go through on Linux to get it working. I'm not slamming Linux - I love Linux. But I'm just not foolish enough to delude myself into believing that Linux is so much easier and problem-free compared to windows.

[jerome1232]

Honestly for me personally all of my computers are far easier to setup and maintain with Linux rather than Windows. The most trouble I've had was I had to delete a few lines that the nvidia-xconfig utility threw into my xorg.conf to get the resolutions I wanted. My laptop I used envyng and that was all I had to change.

Every time I try to install Windows XP SP2 on this machine though, after installing nvidia drivers, I get stuck at 640x480@8 bits with no way to change it, and my display starts flicking on and off once I get to the login screen.

[ashmew2]

Well To be Honest , Im in India and its one of the toughest jobs here to get genuine original software because of the rampant piracy. Anyways.. We dont get caught for ULin/DLin copyrighted material over the internet ( As far as i know ) , So every piece of software from Cedega to Vista to MAC OS X is free as in free beer :P So getting Untouched Vista Ultimates is not really a problem ..

I just dont like using Windows anymore...Used to be a fan some time back but since ive been using Ubuntu i dont really want Windows and the problems....

[Novista Forme]

Not for me

I've been using windows from 95 to XP and quite frankly, I'm bored of it.
Problems can be solved but it can be a slog and even then it will do it's own thing.
Or it's another few $$ to get sorted, why would Vista be any different?

I'm new to Linux, as in, only heard about it 2 months ago.
So i may have just as many problems here but I'm looking forward to it again :biggrin:

[birddog165]

Windows Vista is the reason why I began using Ubuntu in the first place. So I guess I owe them a "thank you."

[emshains]

Just because to get things done fast via cmd-line, you have to have windows server 2003 and a hell of a lot packages installed to be able to run the system with a terminal.

[andras artois]

Vista and windows in general is really not as bad as everyone on here seems to make it out to be. If it was so awful would a very very large percentage of the world use it? Would very rich companies only programs for a OS thats falling apart at the seams? It became popular for a reason.

I do have to admit though that Vista is quite nice but it's far to RAM consuming and tries far too hard to try to do everything for you. The download of updates is ridiculous as well. They go unbelievably slowww unlike on Ubuntu where they speed by.

With a few tweaks here and there it would very nice and of course lowering the price to something not so ridiculous.

[dagoth_pie]

Vista and windows in general is really not as bad as everyone on here seems to make it out to be. If it was so awful would a very very large percentage of the world use it? Would very rich companies only programs for a OS thats falling apart at the seams? It became popular for a reason.

I do have to admit though that Vista is quite nice but it's far to RAM consuming and tries far too hard to try to do everything for you. The download of updates is ridiculous as well. They go unbelievably slowww unlike on Ubuntu where they speed by.

With a few tweaks here and there it would very nice and of course lowering the price to something not so ridiculous.

Now this was a non geek who said this, someone who isn't even aware of the existence of Linux:"Microsoft is proof that good marketing works" and to the general puplic, if everything they buy is faster and more secure, then they'll buy it right, but I'll agree with you there. I mean even the Ubuntu standard kernel is bloated so it runs on the most hardware possible, fortunately we have access to the source code, thus making tweaking possible, but I'm fairly confident Vista won't advance much further than it is before being abandoned for support and updates

[ad_267]

You're forgetting about all the DRM crap too. No thanks. Not in a million years.

[Betsybuntu]

There are only two forms of DRM in Vista: WGA and Blu-ray, and I don't think Blu-ray is installed/enabled by default, only if you have a Blu-ray drive. WGA is usually not an issue and Blu-ray just plain doesn't matter if you're not playing Blu-ray movies. If the Blu-ray DRM wasn't around there'd be no legal way to play Blu-ray movies at full resolution within Windows, which would be very lame.

[lisati]

Just picked up a new laptop the other day which had Vista Home Premium on it. It'll take a little getting used to......the jury's still out on whether or not it stays on the machine.

BTW, I took off the demo version of MS Office and replaced it with Open Office 3.0..... now to locate a legal alternative that's compatible with Publisher, preferably Open Source.

[ad_267]

now to locate a legal alternative that's compatible with Publisher, preferably Open Source.

There's plenty superior to, but I don't know about compatible with.

[$up3rSloth]

well, as far as knowledge regarding linux/ubuntu goes, im pretty much a n00b. but I can already see that ubuntu is going a carpload faster, all the services that come with it equal or surpass windows, and just the fact that it and all its software is free really makes it seem like the better alternative. BUT, as a teenager, when it comes to computers, games are fun, and most of them are in formats that only windows can read. So that would be one of my main reasons for using windows. Then again, I never really bought windows, so I haven't ever really needed to pay for it.
If anything I've said is incorrect or can be helped, please correct me. Like I said, I am pretty new to the whole linux thing.

Oh and my answer to the question - yeh I'd take it... coz its free :P

[scragar]

urg, I don't think I'd use it even if they gave me a state of the art computer to run it on and paid me to use it, microsoft products are buggy, restrictive, and there is no chance of me getting the source code if I want to see how something works, and as for crappy documentation...

And the DRM, horrible.

[Liviu-Theodor]

I don't see how so many people here can be so incapable of solving problems in Windows and at the same time be able to figure everything out required to get Linux completely setup. Oh wait, it's because we actually look for solutions as opposed to just whine about it.

It's as if people are suggesting they didn't run into any problems with Linux. But instead about complaining about it, they just fix it - and happily at that. I can't say too much as I am the same way but I guess at some point I realized that Linux is far from trouble-free and no OS is perfect. The difference between Windows and Linux in that regard though is that practically everybody on Linux experiences the same problems at some point so there is a plethora of information on it. It's gets pretty tiring to hear about driver support and problems in Windows too considering Linux is far from perfect in that category as well.

All this whining about how horrible Windows is and how whatnot is silly when you think about all the crap you have to go through on Linux to get it working. I'm not slamming Linux - I love Linux. But I'm just not foolish enough to delude myself into believing that Linux is so much easier and problem-free compared to windows.

Seeing your post right after my post, I probably had at least a tiny influence, as I am quite critical towards Windows Vista and ME (lack of) quality (other versions only for price and non-free distribution, XP also for the activation procedure). Now, I think I can solve at least some of the problems in Windows, as I installed a network with 3 Windows NT 4.0 servers, using domain, in about 8 hours. Also I installed a server with Windows 2000 AS.

I repeat from another post: the problem with Vista, that was unsolvable to me, unless reinstalling the whole OS, was: at Windows updates, the system crashed in a way that even BSOD seem lighter - no more boot even in safe mode, I tried the recovery procedure and it did not work. Now, what if an average user stumbles on this problem? Will he or she be able to solve it?

Linux not having problems? Never said that. But I started Linux with RedHat 4.2 (which was at the same time with Windows 3.1). But compare RedHat 4.2 with a modern Linux distribution, and Windows 3.1 with Vista Ultimate, and see wich one progressed more. I tried over time RedHat 6.0 and 7.0, Mandrake 7.2. Last year I found about ubuntu (late, I know).

Vista and the quality of modern Linux made me to wish to give up Windows overall. I still can't, beeing a system administrator with lots of Windows Vista Ultimate workstations. For me, Linux it is so much problem-free and easier to use than Vista (of course, not completely perfect and error-free, but at least you can do something about them). But maybe this because I did not learned first Windows? Or because I had to learn and work with many operating systems (including Unix and Solaris)?

Now, the more serios problem I had with Linux (not related to drivers) was: one of the servers with Fedora Core 6 just stopped to work on the internal network, and we had to reinstall and the whole OS and than reconfigure the problem (which was a breeze). But still, it could still connect to internet, and do other things, just it did not work anymore as a server, although samba was working and configured exactly in the same way as the other servers, and the network cards were recognized properly.

[Liviu-Theodor]

I don't see how so many people here can be so incapable of solving problems in Windows and at the same time be able to figure everything out required to get Linux completely setup. Oh wait, it's because we actually look for solutions as opposed to just whine about it.

It's as if people are suggesting they didn't run into any problems with Linux. But instead about complaining about it, they just fix it - and happily at that. I can't say too much as I am the same way but I guess at some point I realized that Linux is far from trouble-free and no OS is perfect. The difference between Windows and Linux in that regard though is that practically everybody on Linux experiences the same problems at some point so there is a plethora of information on it. It's gets pretty tiring to hear about driver support and problems in Windows too considering Linux is far from perfect in that category as well.

All this whining about how horrible Windows is and how whatnot is silly when you think about all the crap you have to go through on Linux to get it working. I'm not slamming Linux - I love Linux. But I'm just not foolish enough to delude myself into believing that Linux is so much easier and problem-free compared to windows.

I think I had at least a tiny influence on your post, so I must clarify some things.

The problem I was unable to solve in Vista was (unless doing a complete reinstall): after an update, Vista required a restart (as usual), but encountered an error even more serious than BSOD: it did not boot even in safe mode, I tried the recovery procedure, from the install disk, it did not work. How can an average user find solution to this problem?

Update: one of the suggestion made to me to not see this error again in Vista was (and it was applied by the guy in service): disable all updates (Vista, antivirus, all programs), disable antivirus and firewall (the computers are always connected to internet), disable any graphics effect. Not to say I must reinstall that computer, as it looks worst than Windows 95, and does absolutely nothing (besides collecting malware), not beeing able even to preview a bmp file in explorer. What will be the use today of such Windows configuration? And the update that caused the problem, to avoid any confusion, was called "Service Pack 1", which was supposed to solve many of Vista's problems.

And usually, I am capable of finding solutions to Windows, as I installed a network with 3 Windows NT 4.0 servers, using domain, and also a server with Windows 2000 AS.

At first, I did not learned Windows. But for me learning Windows and Linux began at about the same time (Window 3.1 and RedHat 4.2). See which one progressed more since then.

The difference between Windows and Linux problems, for me, is: in Linux you can do something about them, in Windows you don't know when they will appear again, and is very hard to find the true cause, because Windows is closed-source and non-free software, while Linux is open-source and free software. And this is why Linux users can help, while Windows users just suffer. Don't say: a lot of them (no beginners) call for help everywhere, for even the most simple tasks, such as editing and printing a simple one-page document. Of course, there are also WIndows users who can resolve most of the problems, and are not such slow-learners.

Of course I had my share of Linux problems (at least one caused by myself), but Linux continued to work, just ignoring the problems. With Windows, I will have ended up with a non-working PC.

Edit: just seen my previous post. I had a small problem with the internet connection and I thought it did not posted. This is the reason why this post exists, and I hope is not a duplicate, but in completion with the previous post.

[Flynn555]

i probably wouldnt use it...just because i already have a notebook with vista on it...

[jadedoto]

I actually got Ultimate for free from a Microsoft representative. The box is pretty. But I have no use for it.

In fact, I also get Ultimate and Business for free through my University.

I still wear my Ubuntu gear proudly and avoid the Microsoft products as much as possible (except when I have to check my code against Visual Studio).

[lisati]

Just picked up a new laptop the other day which had Vista Home Premium on it. It'll take a little getting used to......the jury's still out on whether or not it stays on the machine.

BTW, I took off the demo version of MS Office and replaced it with Open Office 3.0..... now to locate a legal alternative that's compatible with Publisher, preferably Open Source.

There's plenty superior to, but I don't know about compatible with.

One I have used with XP and 98SE is a "freebie" from Serif.... but it's not compatible. Must dig out the old copy of Star Office I have and take another look (assuming it's "Vista friendly", it's a few years old....)

[Liviu-Theodor]

BTW, I took off the demo version of MS Office and replaced it with Open Office 3.0..... now to locate a legal alternative that's compatible with Publisher, preferably Open Source.

Try Scribus and/or the OpenOffice.org Drawing programs.

[SyCo123]

I got it free at a conference. Still in the unopened box. lol

[Frak]

urg, I don't think I'd use it even if they gave me a state of the art computer to run it on and paid me to use it, microsoft products are buggy, restrictive, and there is no chance of me getting the source code if I want to see how something works, and as for crappy documentation...

And the DRM, horrible.
Get Microsoft Architect Certification and a year of MSDN membership ($5,469 + $699). You'll have access to Windows XP and Vista source code. Shared Source.

[jprophet420]

I have vista home basic because
1. it was included with my computer free
2. certain games I play wont run in wine.

I prefer Linux about 4:1 over windows for sure but I still use it. When Celetania comes out I may take Windows off my home pc forever. As I do computer repair however I will never be rid of it fully.

[docjerry]

I have just received my Ubuntu CD in the mail, and have not even installed it. It will be my first linux experience.
I would not want Vista, even if it were free, because my experience with XP has been so frustrating. It was preinstalled on my Sony laptop, circa 2000. It has always been slow and prone to freezing and crashing without consistent reason. Hard shutdowns are the norm for me. The majority of my computing experience has involved fixing windows., protecting windows, cleaning windows, debugging windows, etc, and very little about enjoying the computer experience. Related to this is all the software, the scans and updates, etc., that run in the background and slow things
down, because of the need for all the cleaning, protecting, etc.
I am at the point where I need to replace my hard drive, as the current 20 gigs are nearly full. I looked into Linux because many of my documents have either disappeared, or will no longer open (for unknown reasons). I heard through the local computer club that Linux might help to open and restore these files. The more I looked into Linux, the more it made sense to use it as my main OS.

[Nameless Neko]

I have just received my Ubuntu CD in the mail, and have not even installed it. It will be my first linux experience.
I would not want Vista, even if it were free, because my experience with XP has been so frustrating. It was preinstalled on my Sony laptop, circa 2000. It has always been slow and prone to freezing and crashing without consistent reason. Hard shutdowns are the norm for me. The majority of my computing experience has involved fixing windows., protecting windows, cleaning windows, debugging windows, etc, and very little about enjoying the computer experience. Related to this is all the software, the scans and updates, etc., that run in the background and slow things
down, because of the need for all the cleaning, protecting, etc.
I am at the point where I need to replace my hard drive, as the current 20 gigs are nearly full. I looked into Linux because many of my documents have either disappeared, or will no longer open (for unknown reasons). I heard through the local computer club that Linux might help to open and restore these files. The more I looked into Linux, the more it made sense to use it as my main OS.Good to hear! Enjoy your stay, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The community here's great for helping out with problems.

Anyway, yeah, I'd use it. I think I misplaced all of my coasters when I moved recently, so it'd be a free alternative to running to the store to get some more. :D

[ukripper]

I'd like to have MSOFFICE 2007 for free instead and will run through wine

[dburnett77]

If they set up a box, where it was like "Take one...", perhaps.

[bhuvi]

windows makes users dump

[arashiko28]

I've even forgot what is like to use windows. Right now I just bought a new laptop, it comes with windows vista, but fortunately it's all hardware compatible with ubuntu, so, poppin' the box, installing ubuntu. I have used vista at my cousin's computer, way to slow for a dual core, 2 GB memory. And what about having to keep a 40GB backup?!!! NO WAY!!! Besides, PC stands for Personal Computer PERSONAL, not M$ crappy scan every 3 seconds to check if you're using illegal software. Yeap folks! That's what it does all the time in the background and eats the memory away.

[dskyracer]

Anyway, yeah, I'd use it. I think I misplaced all of my coasters when I moved recently, so it'd be a free alternative to running to the store to get some more. :D[/QUOTE]

That just cracked me up.. a perfect use for the free disk.
Yea, I'd use it if I wanted to be constantly frustrated with dealing with all the problems of one malicious software threat after another.. I'd use it if I just wanted to spend hours maintaining my system instead of just using it.. yea, I'd use it just to torture myself with microsofts constant ways of measuring my honesty with "their" software. Yup.. I think a coaster is about the best thing to do with any version of microsoft free or not.. plus there's no Microsoft genuine advantage issues when in coaster mode..

[ghodkiller]

if it was free, linux would not be so advanced right now.

Linux Archive (http://www.******************/)

[buzzmandt]

if it was free, linux would not be so advanced right now.

that's a fact, jack

I'd use it for gaming maybe, my girlfriend would make me install it on her pc.

[dizzy1kenobi]

The yes option is there anyway.

And anybody educated about what vista is trying to do can't possibly want to use it unless they are pro 1984

What's that mean?

[kakalaky]

I got Vista (and a lot of other MS software) free through MSDNAA but I still don't use it. I have a rather large collection of unused keys at this point. I keep them around just in case I find something I can't do in linux. Fortunately this hasn't happened yet.

Note: I am only considering personal/educational use. For my job I have no choice but to use MS software since I am a dba and our main dbs are MS SQL Server.

[dizzy1kenobi]

I recently removed (somewhat by accident) XP from my system.

Thank You Ubuntu Forums for providing a community where we can ask questions and learn.

[ihatetryingtopickaloginna]

No. I booted up my Dell just to make sure it would work, then hosed Vista and installed Ubuntu.

[Nameless Neko]

Anyway, yeah, I'd use it. I think I misplaced all of my coasters when I moved recently, so it'd be a free alternative to running to the store to get some more. :DOn second thought, I might not use it even then. It might somehow install itself into my desk and spy on me while I'm sleeping.

Then again, if I don't install any RAM in my desk, I might be alright... still, better safe than sorry. :popcorn:

[warped0ne]

I did get Vista for free (Vista Enterprise SP1) and I still haven't used it. I have Windows XP SP3 on my Eee PC (waiting for better Ubuntu support) and Hardy Heron on my desktop. Vista is flashy, but the functionality is sub-par unless you've got a brand new, top of the line machine to run it on.

[lykwydchykyn]

Why eat Microsoft's dogfood at any price when Linux gives you steak for free?

[Frak]

Why eat Microsoft's dogfood at any price when Linux gives you steak for free?
It's bird steak

;)

[Armandoban]

Yeah I'd use it, it's not so horrible (aside from the good idea/bad implementation UAC). Mostly the hardware manufacturers' fault it sucked like it did. Older "incompatible with Vista" Photosmart printers can be hacked to fully functional with XP drivers.. DELL disabled the Line-input monitor on all sound cards claiming compatibility problems, also fixable with modded drivers.. They broke things on purpose to sell replacement products or pointlessly hinder total-n00b piracy, and killed the OS. Creative vs Daniel K. anyone? (http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/29/046201&tid=222).

Maybe the question is would I PREFER Vista if it were free?.. ;)

[hyperdude111]

I would use it but as a dual boot. I have nothing against microsoft and i do have copies of XP and vista I just prefer ubuntu. However the reason I dont use microsoft at the moment is that you have to pay for everything!!
If you want good professional software you are charged a premium and many free windows apps are viruses.

So I probably would use it more because if something is free you expect a few problems but at £100 for an os that has KEY mistakes has put me off for the moment.

I also know of EASY ways to download microsoft for free <snip> without viruses. They only do this because microsoft is expensive when i looked for ubuntu there were much less downloads available. **I only provide the link as proof DONT pirate software.**

So if microsoft was free I would expect lees bloat no DRM and more features, so i would use it but not as a primary OS. I love ubuntu.

So it's a bit of a yes/no answer not 100% either way

~Hyper~

[alecjw]

Vista sucks as an operating system. Its slow, its insecure and its over restrictive. And closed source ethically sucks @$$.

[night_fox]

Easy question! I moved to Ubuntu because vista was rubbish and slow not because of any ethical or financial reason! I once counted 15 seconds of my laptop fan noisily blasting heat out between me clicking on the start menu and it actually appearing. With Ubuntu I was amazed at the way everything happened instantly and how good everything should really be given the hardware modern day computers have!

[del_diablo]

Vista is to slow............ and it uses to much space.......
So why even bother? I would do it for the game support............ and thats it.......

[Sycron]

I can confirm that.

[matthewbrave]

i think the reason why people seem to always be on windows, is that it is the most successfull in world domination...

people dont like change and everyone is used to windows. some people dont even know anything about linux!!

if microsoft were giving my vista ultimate for free i would sell it on ebay as soon as i got it.


I HATE WINDOWS!!!

[Ron from MD]

You need a No-Other reasons button.

Vista, more crap than an OS needs to function, resource hog, made for small children easily distracted by fancy graphics. Vista is not an OS, it's an entertainment system control interface.

[spencercarran]

Well, Microsoft did give away Windows Vista Ultimate Edition for free to any student at my uni who wanted it. So, I now have Vista on my MacBook, but I can't currently use it because I messed up the bootloader while trying to set up a triple-boot with Ubuntu. Anyways, Vista Ultimate wasn't too horrible other than the obnoxious security and the lousy performance. If I manage to get it working again I'll need to upgrade my RAM- 1GB simply does not cut it for Vista Ultimate.

[Ron from MD]

Well, Microsoft did give away Windows Vista Ultimate Edition for free to any student at my uni who wanted it. So, I now have Vista on my MacBook, but I can't currently use it because I messed up the bootloader while trying to set up a triple-boot with Ubuntu. Anyways, Vista Ultimate wasn't too horrible other than the obnoxious security and the lousy performance. If I manage to get it working again I'll need to upgrade my RAM- 1GB simply does not cut it for Vista Ultimate.

I forgot the other major problem with Vista.........the draconian DRM kills system performance and productivity when you create the kinds of files the DRM spies on.

[Swenghk]

AHHHHH! It burns! The only thing that CD would be good for is using the back as a mirror. How does Windows think they can secure the computing world if they can't secure themselves?

[Kapitän Rotbart]

Would I use Windows Vista if it were free? No.

Firstly, I do boycott Microsoft because they give money to charities whose objectives don't line up with my moral code.

I do pay the wintax though. It's not too bad for an OEM wintax...when you figure Windows OEM is ~100 bucks, maybe almost fifty bucks for the codecs, and say fifty bucks subsidized by other OEM bloatware such as Adobe and such (I don't financially contribute to Adobe; I only use Flash because Gnash is still tricky to use) so I'm not directly coughing up a lot of money to my mortal enemies. Windows OEMs keep laptop rates competitive, so the hardware manufacturers lose on this one. I have no objection to Microsloth being a monopoly; but if they give money to my mortal enemies, I need an alternative.

Windows Vista in particular is more than useless. Microsloth aimed to provide Windows users with a more secure and Web2.0-ready operating system at the expense of interoperability. Sounds exactly like what Linux achieved. Linux is secure from the ground up and there's nothing better for Web2.0 (torrenting, RSS, powerful web browsing, etc.). The Windows XP perks (being able to run Windows apps natively) are mostly lost.

I suppose if I wanted to use Vista, I'd pirate it, then run it for a while, play around with it and then sac' it, just for the bragging rights of "knowing" how to use it (knowing how to use bloatware somehow makes me more employable).

[MasterNetra]

Bah Microsoft is a corp, but they are going too far. I prefer linux mostly because...

A. Its free...well most of the worth while distros are.

B. No matter how long you use linux its performance doesn't degrade. (Neither does mac..but see letter A.)

C. Linux isn't virus, mal-ware, or spyware prone. (Mac is like that too for the most part...but again see letter A.)

D. Customization options through the roof!

E. Its free.

F. Did i mention free?

But i would use vista for a little bit if paid enough then probably drop it unless a time frame is specified.. If until next release the payment better be monthly and large enough to live off of.

[kulshoks2121]

No!

I will get one just for a collection but will never use it for personal or business use. I will never recommend Vista even for people who use computers for the first time, based on my friends opinions and experiences vista is just full of bugs, errors, large hardware requirements and compatibility problems. Honestly I personally use Ubuntu and XP(I use it to test my Ubuntu Server compatibility on non Linux OS), I find Ubuntu more stable than the others.

[spawn.]

If Ultimate were free, I would use it. WHY? Because if it's open source, there's a good chance that it would enable users to tweak it and possibly improve it's security....

[madverb]

I would use it for gaming.
I just wish gaming companies would make their games to run on Linux. Cedega works well but it is so much easier to just install a game in Windows.
Get your act together gaming companies and make games installable on Linux!
That would probably help make Linux more popular than anything.

[Giant Speck]

I don't know, really.

I mean, I am already happy with Vista Home Premium. There really isn't else Ultimate could give to me that I'd either want or need.

But then again, it's free. If I could buy a second computer and have Vista Ultimate installed on it for free, then yes. I'd do that.

[Jerfo]

I just moved into Ubuntu a few days ago and while it has been certainly tough for someone like me whose areas of knowledge are not very computer-related, it has certainly become quite a nice experience to learn so much and have such a great array of possibilities... quite the contrary can be said about Windows, I've used it since it was 3.1 (technically earlier ones but I was too young to remember and didn't really use it) and sure, I learnt quite a few things but, who doesn't throughout so many years? And the possibilities were very limited, it was a true pain to find help with anything, here I find a great community that just has like an answer for even the most unusual request!

I was never a Microsoft fan, but was sort of afraid of learning to use a new OS and since I'm usually too busy I just procrastinated it for quite a while; now, I couldn't be happier I switched =)

There is one con though, and it is quite an universal one: Games, I'm not giving up my Window partition because of the games, even though I rarely play anything nowadays, it's nice to know I have that possibility!

[Maxxtsch]

It is pretty much the price and the activation code that puts me off with the newer Windows. It's like ok pay a crap load of money, and then you can only put it on one computer. Vista should of had the speed of 2000 Pro, with a Huge a** Nvidia card in there. Also, I hate that after a while, Vista will slow down a bit, that's really uncool. But if MS had it for free, I would totaly us it, I do use it already for gaming and my Zune software.

[letriste]

I just got a new notebook with Vista Ultimate on it. i got a free upgrade from Business. I did use it... to download ubuntu and shrink the NTFS partiton.

I'll keep it, though. I might feel like gaming someday... haven't been back there since I got ubuntu up.

[Magneto]

Well they kinda did give it away free- in the form of Windows Server 2008. I got a free student license and am running WinServer2k8 x64 as my workstation. Its basically the same thing minus the media center. Way faster and nicer than Vista IMO - with aero included. Fonts are total trash on both. For the first time Linux has the best fonts of any of my operating systems- its the larger lcd monitor im using.

I like linux but I just can't use it fulltime because of no good way to sync my smartphone.
If I could get access to my pda through vmware - which I cant - Id use linux 100% of the time.

[ssj4Gogeta]

yes, definitely. I like Vista, I'm using the Ultimate version. If you have good hardware you'll definitely like it.

[AmyRose]

No, I would not. I don't feel safe using Microsoft operating systems anymore. The security sucks and Microsoft is known to spy on the users. Plus I would have to put up with crashing. Not to mention Vista is slow. I just bought a new laptop, but a lot of Vista users think it's slow (it's a Dell Inspiron 1525, and it works great with the pre-installed Ubuntu).

[meistercobbman]

no, windows XP works just fine without all the bloating that comes with vista!

[sayems]

I have a copy of Windows XP and Vista Ultimate 64-bit with Windows Office 2007 Enterprize, Nero 8, and Northan Antivirus but I don't use it anymore. I love my Ubuntu so much that I use it everyday activies and I just upgraded to PS3.

[lakersforce]

Oh, you mean Microsoft are not giving away free edition already?

[spcwingo]

No, I just personally think their products, starting with vista, are EXTREMELY resource hungry and bloated. Not everyone has a bottomless wallet to keep dropping $90 here, $150 there, on hardware just to run something as simple as a web browser. So, no, I would not run vista even if it was free(beer or speech).

[Catboy~]

I'm a power user, so Windows + Me = Bad.
Plus, I have everything I use and need right here; why would I want to get rid of this for a bloated OS?

[syadnom]

I am very excited about the progress of ubuntu. I recently installed 9.04 and it is very very nice.

I keep a seperate machine for gaming which runs a stripped down XP install. There is no good reason to switch to vista or ws2k8 for this as the compelling features of the new windows platform do nothing for gaming and the HUGE deficit in performance deters me.

I do have a machine running ws2k8 essentially as a desktop/testbed as I am a cross platform admin at work. ws2k8 is MUCH better as a desktop than vista. I know that they are so similar that they should perform equally but that is not the case even if you install the user experience pack to get the vista interface.

ubuntu 8.10 has allowed me to convert a number of friends and family off of vista.

because most of these people picked up a vostro 200 or 220 and got vista premium with it, when they switch to ubuntu they are essentially saying "NO, i wont use this free copy of vista, i will use ubuntu instead".

[cygnus-X1]

I'ld love to take the poll, but there needs to be another option.

"NO - I am in the process of dumping M$ products because of principle."

I've almost fully crossed over to Ubuntu. I only use Winderz for a couple of C&C RTS games and a handful of A/V progs which I'm used to. If there's a way to make the games work in Linux, that would be a major plus to dumping XP/2K for good. If it can be done, let me know. BTW - I've been using Firefox and Open Office for years! I just have to remember to save a copy of files I need to disseminate to my colleagues in a M$ compatible format since they still live behind those rose colored stained glass Winderz! :roll:

As for the initial query, keeping in mind those few things listed above, I would say H3LL NO! Here's why.

1) Principle. I don't support his elitist, globalist de-population views. I don't want to fund them, in Africa or here.
Your $$$ -> M$ -> Billy G. -> De-population agenda. (google "Georgia Guide Stones")
Follow the $$$. It's that simple.

2) The cost. In $$$. In privacy. In time. More crashes than a NASCAR event! My buddy found that out the hard way. He bought new laptop with Vista UE on board and it crashed within the first two months he had it!

3) Reliability. See the last half of #2.#-o

The internet was created to be free. Now corporations want to overcharge for it and limit its use as well. Between that and what is listed above, that is what brought me to Ubuntu.

Additions help all, subtractions hurt all. Ubuntu:guitar:

[sloppyc]

I haven't paid for software since 1998 (with the exception of a few games). I've used every Windows version between then and now. I have Vista Ultimate on my machine right now. I think I could go to Ubuntu exclusively at the moment, provided the few games I play would work in Wine. My wife likes something about the Windows UI though, so I dual-boot.

[domokunrox]

Short answer: No
Long answer: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It just simply doesn't do what I want it to do aside from playing video games and itunes.

[travmon69]

no way!! i spend way too much time fixing and reinstalling windows for other people! and why would i want to spend three quarters of my time updating and scanning for crap when i can use linux easily!!! :guitar:

[ShadowXRougeXEver]

Yes I would use it as a OS to do all that Linux can't.

[EV500B]

I'll surely take one copy from them.
But there's no way for me to use it!

[halovivek]

i simply throw that one to dustbin. Now i am using only reason that i could not get trading software in ubuntu to work with.

[mpsii]

I voted Yes, but not because the price is putting me off. If Microsoft gives anything away (rarely), I take it and run like a madman.

Between my hobby and my job, I never know when I will need another OS to test or fiddle with something.

[Rokurosv]

4th option: Yes but cause it's free, not cause it's Vista.

[mikeize]

Vista is awful, and I think XP is not bad. I switched to Ubuntu because I had too much time on my hands, but now I won't go back (tho i have a dusty xp partition). Anytime I come across Vista it makes me want to pull my hair out. You'd have to pay ME quite a sum, to install it on my computer.

[jelle_]

yes, as long as:
1) i may install an xp-gui
2) ubuntu don't support my wireless card

[Maheriano]

I can honestly say I wouldn't. I knew a guy that worked at Microsoft and had access to the generator, he just went crazy with that thing before he left. He gave me a code for Ultimate for free but I haven't installed it on any of my 5 machines simply because I don't want it. I did use it on my dad's computer and brother's computer though, they like it.

[sandip26879]

;)

I can boost my system performance by compiling all my staffs with respect to my target hardware, mainly CPU. It is not possible in Windows. So I do not use it.

\\:D/](*,)

[pmicheal]

Yes, I'll use Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate If Microsoft gimme free license

Linux Archive (http://www.******************/)

[canoemoose]

Well, my option is not on the list. Yes, I'd take a copy if it was given away, although I probably wouldn't use it. I'd chuck it in a cupboard for a rainy day or if it was really needed.

[duds2008]

No. I am not boycotting them. I just hate poorly engineered software. The fact that Ubuntu Linux is free is a bonus!!

[konqueror7]

i would just accept it, its free, why not....after a couple months or days, sell it...:D

[AJExtreme]

I have no plans on ever going back to Windows free or not. I have a seperate computer with Windows, and all I use it for are certain programs for military such as Navfit98, oh and taxcut, and that is about all as soon as I find a work around for those I won't use windows other than if I have to such as work, military.

I truely enjoy linux It has been years since I enjoyed my computer this much!

[Aroll605]

Free Vista? <snip>... Doesn't make a difference, Ubuntu is better.

[sam-c]

MS Steve Balmer more or less admitted that only Windows 7 will be better than Vista.
And Vista is to heavy for Popular Light-Weight Notebooks that just manage with XP.
I prefer linux, Ubuntu.

[daemoncat]

I voted no. Partly because it doesn't matter. It won't run worth crap on any hardware I have, so unless they gave me the new computer along with it, I couldn't use it anyway. If they gave me the computer, they'd also have to make it self-destruct if I installed anything else, because the first thing I'd do with a new computer with Vista is ... install Ubuntu over it! ;-) Or downgrade to XP IF it was a decent gaming rig. Unless Windows 7 is as much a jump over Vista as Windows XP was over Windows 3.11, I don't see that appealing to me either. Seriously, the ONLY thing I use XP for is games.

[37fleetwood]

well now, if you look at it in a certain way, it becomes clear.
I know where to look for illegal copies of vista, and never bothered with it. I decided to download Windows 7 and even a month later got the free activation key which I never bothered keying in. so no It isn't about price, so free wouldn't make much difference.
when it became clear Windows 95c wasn't coming back anytime soon, I moved into XP with an eye on Linux watching and waiting for it to grow up enough for the total novice I knew myself to be.
when upon my 5th or 6th reinstall (ya have to do this every so often with the Doze, as it get's kinda clogged after a while) while waiting the progressively longer and looonger time for my computer to finish booting, and scanning, and looking to see if there were any supposed updates which I never quite knew what they did as my computer never seemed to run any better afterward, I decided the time was ripe to check on Linux again and let me tell you from someone like me, Linux has come a long way in the last year or so.
there has been an explosion in Linux development! why would I use an OS that comes with nothing program wise (the little photo stitch thing?? what a joke!), and the updates are designed to Protect Microsoft rather than me, when I can have Linux free and all the programs free as well! no more waiting for virus scans, no more "we trust you, but let us just check to see if your stealing from us" "Genuine Advantage" frankly I saw no "Advantage" any more!
not even for free!

I'm a PC without Windows!
Scott;)