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Zed
30th September 2006, 17:12
This is the next generation operating system to be released by Microsoft in the near future. They have made the final major pre-release version RC1 Update available for download through their Windows Vista Customer Preview Program, you fill in an online form providing your email address and they mail you a product key. I downloaded and installed it today. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

The .iso file download is huge (3gb for the 32-bit version) so takes a number of hours through broadband, dial-up you can forget it! It pays to ensure your system is capable of running it before downloading and attempting to install because this OS really sucks memory, requiring a minimum of 512megs of ram and at least 15gigs of free space on your HDD. I have 512meg of ram, an 80gig HDD, a 2.0Ghz processor and it runs slow.

I've been a fan of Windows since it's 95 version and have always upgraded to the new OS when released, often obtaining a copy of the Beta pre-release version first if I can. Microsoft claims that Vista is it's most secure operating system yet, and with the many new exciting GUI changes and behind the scenes technology I think it will do well.

Some screenshots attached. :spudwow:

Zed
30th September 2006, 17:13
Couple more sshots...

Zed
30th September 2006, 17:15
Lucky last...

bane
30th September 2006, 18:06
The .iso file download is huge (3gb for the 32-bit version) so takes a number of hours through broadband

you must be a fan Zed!


Microsoft claims that Vista is it's most secure operating system yet

how long before it needs 600 security updates to match the claim...

nice GUI though - thanks for the screen shots Zed.

John Banks
30th September 2006, 18:09
It certainly is pretty, and the security fixes are just what the doctor ordered (15 years ago). Don't get me wrong, I plan to try it and like it, I just get the feeling that somehow Microsoft could do better.

MattRSK
30th September 2006, 18:09
I'm tempted to download it, but cant see the point really. XP is good enough. How will vista improve my KB performance?

hXc
30th September 2006, 18:10
Haha, looks like a Mac had sex with Windows.

NordieBoy
30th September 2006, 18:31
Looking more like KDE every day :D

Nice icons but.

Ixion
30th September 2006, 18:33
And this man claims to be a Christian!

bugjuice
30th September 2006, 19:11
isn't that dead yet?

"the near future" means sometime before 2020, just before people loose interest..

now, how's mac doin..??
oh yeah, at least 2 or 3 major revisions of OS, each one better than the last..? :spanking:
lol..

limbimtimwim
30th September 2006, 19:13
I thought Windows was dead..?

Zed
30th September 2006, 19:45
you must be a fan Zed!



how long before it needs 600 security updates to match the claim...

nice GUI though - thanks for the screen shots Zed.3gigs downloaded on broadband took around 4 1/2 hours on my Ihug connection, i just went out and left it going. Lol i remember 8 years ago downloading Internet Explorer (120mb file) through a dial-up modem which took about 20 hours, and consistent disconnections!!

Security updates are just a part of life with them, i don't download them all, usually have windows update turned off, hey that must be why i've had some serious virus attacks over the last few years??

GUI is nice, enhances the whole pc experience for me! :yeah:

Zed
30th September 2006, 19:55
"the near future" means sometime before 2020, just before people loose interest...Not sure what u meant by that buggy but 'the word' is that Vista (Longhorn) will be released late 2006 (http://software.silicon.com/os/0,39024651,39151834,00.htm). Interestingly the article also says that an earlier version of the os first appeared in 2003.

Zed
30th September 2006, 20:20
And this man claims to be a Christian!Another reply I couldn't quite fathom? You're not a member of that sect that believes Bill Gates is the anti-christ and Windows is his deception upon mankind to program humanity into the dark side, are you Ixion?

MOTOXXX
30th September 2006, 20:40
I work with windows as a systems engineer.

i dont mind it.

Vista looks a bit too pretty for my liking and starting to look like a mac :sick:

Xp is still pretty good for me. Plays all the games i have.


I find windows nicer to use than the fucking Rinux server i helped install today. What a pain in the arse


:calm:

Badcat
30th September 2006, 20:42
Microsoft claims that Vista is it's most secure operating system yet ....

aren't malware and viruses PART of windows?

oh, sorry, my mistake.


K

Zed
30th September 2006, 20:53
aren't malware and viruses PART of windows?Could be! If you could prove that you might become a rich man. Out of court settlement with Microsoft perhaps?

SuperDave
30th September 2006, 20:56
Looks a lot like a mac now.
I don't think a bit of extra visual stimulation is really worth extra system resources it leeches.

Badcat
30th September 2006, 21:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n74mktpenx8&mode=related&search=

Zed
30th September 2006, 21:03
I don't think a bit of extra visual stimulation is really worth extra system resources it leeches.And what is the operating system of your choice young fella?

Zed
30th September 2006, 21:14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n74mktpenx8&mode=related&search= Twas good. I'm currently unable to use some of Vista's features because my pc simply isn't powerful enough. Thankfully I installed it on a separate drive so I can easily chop and change between XP & Vista for a play.

erik
30th September 2006, 21:42
...I have 512meg of ram, an 80gig HDD, a 2.0Ghz processor and it runs slow...

That's f***'n crazy!
How are you supposed to run any programs if the OS takes up so much resources just to run itself?

Harry33
30th September 2006, 21:49
Heres a thought, why can't they make a good operating system which doesn't require a hardware upgrade?

Surely Linux has shown the way that you can run a fast operating system on old hardware.

Ixion
30th September 2006, 22:00
Another reply I couldn't quite fathom? You're not a member of that sect that believes Bill Gates is the anti-christ and Windows is his deception upon mankind to program humanity into the dark side, are you Ixion?

What, the Unix programmers sect ?

Nobody but Satan, the Arch-fiend himself could have dreamt up the incarnation of horror and evil that is vmm32.vxd.

Don't mind me I'm having a bad day. I always have a bad day when I have to install a "Windows" operating system (it's not really a Microsoft OS, y'know, Microsoft have never written an OS, they don't have the skills. The Windows kernal is still the same one they pinched from IBM when they sabotaged the OS/3 project. NT 3.56 -> NT4 -> NT5 (aka Windows 2000) ->NT5a (aka XP)

But if you want a decent operating system, go for AIX.

SwanTiger
30th September 2006, 22:03
But if you want a decent operating system, go for AIX.

AIX :love:

Fub@r
30th September 2006, 22:25
I have 512meg of ram, an 80gig HDD, a 2.0Ghz processor and it runs slow.


My missus Windows XP had a meltdown the other day so installed Vista (32 bit) on it. Looks pretty mint, runs fine for me and seems more stable than what XP was running like previously. PC spec is an AMD 2600XP with 768mb ram.

Was going to download Vista 64bit for my PC until I read more about it and decided I would rather eat a bullet! Dont run 64bit Vista. If a driver etc is not signed by Microsoft you will not be allowed to install it, whereas the 32 bit version will still give you the ability to continue anyway.

Also Vista is the first true new version of Windows since Windows 3.1........this is because unlike previous versions they have removed the legacy code. Therfore with Vista you wont have any old 3.1 Windows files making up your operating system :)

limbimtimwim
30th September 2006, 22:32
But if you want a decent operating system, go for AIX.GAHHhhh!!

You jest?

limbimtimwim
30th September 2006, 22:39
Also Vista is the first true new version of Windows since Windows 3.1........this is because unlike previous versions they have removed the legacy code. Therfore with Vista you wont have any old 3.1 Windows files making up your operating system :):rofl: :rofl:

Microsoft were telling us back in late '95 that Windows 95 didn't have DOS underneath.

Uh. Whatever.

The first versions of Windows 95 you could type in 'mode co80' at the "It is now safe to turn off your computer" screen.. And 'lo, behold, a C:\> prompt.

Conversely, Micrsosoft have also said that have thrown the IP networking code in the bin and started again with Vista. NICE ONE MICROSOFT :clap: :clap: A new raft a of bugs your stupid poopie heads. The BSD derived code was good enough. Cept for the damn DNS caching, you poopie heads. Remove that.

Anyways, no point in getting all wound up about windows anymore, it's dead anyway so it doesn't really matter.

phaedrus
30th September 2006, 23:21
If I could justify the additional overheads i'd be running this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lawkc3jH3ws
not vista

Mr. Peanut
1st October 2006, 00:41
Gah! More fancy, stupid, memory-sucking GUI for me to disable... :Pokey:

Gremlin
1st October 2006, 00:56
Dont run 64bit Vista. If a driver etc is not signed by Microsoft you will not be allowed to install it, whereas the 32 bit version will still give you the ability to continue anyway.
Some might not realise the impact of this... but it could be potentially huuuuuge. Totally legit software like Logitech's setpoint for mouse and keyboard is unsigned... simply because Microsoft have not got around to signing it off... I have plenty of stuff like that, which the reps for Vista looked all surprised at me for... :lol:

Regarding Zed's comment on ram... yeah... that'll be like XP on 256... throw the word "recommended" in the bin and double it to get a better idea... ie, XP was good on 512 (sure, could survive on less, but for a normal user, with a bit of stuff running). ie... think 1 gig for proper running on XP, not to mention stuff like directx10, which no graphics card really provides support for yet (although my 7950gt says it does).

vista ready... the 64 bit, at the moment is only really available through amd. Expect release in January for consumers, but OEM will be november I believe... They will be offering a free upgrade sort of thing for those system builders for clients etc thing yada yada.

Personally, I'll make sure I have my xp pro stuff set and continue to use it... I don't think vista is that great, I like the 2000 look, and I'm very suspicious of what it will do behind the scenes without telling you. I did manage to get out of one microsoft person that yes, it will do more without letting you know. Since microsoft and my views tend to vary in most situations, I don't like the thought of that.

Client wise... yes, I will have to have a hdd with vista, and learn it, with the aim of eventually putting it in clients, but I hate how they have moved everything around, so the advanced tools look like they will be in different places...

Brian d marge
1st October 2006, 01:04
Looking more like KDE every day :D

Nice icons but.

aggreed ,,,, I use Xface , but tried freespire, 15 min to download 10 min to install ,,looks the same as vista ..

oh and was free

Sorry zed ,, but I was a ms user ,,till I saw the light

Stephen

Drunken Monkey
1st October 2006, 01:39
Gah! More fancy, stupid, memory-sucking GUI for me to disable... :Pokey:

Reckon, command line R0X0Rz ur SoXoRz. If you can't express it with switches, why bother!? I just don't know what the computer world is coming too, all this fancy guff just so idiots don't feel overwhelmed...pah!

Zed
1st October 2006, 16:56
Well i've been doing some testing this afternoon and have managed to speed the operating system up substantially on my dog of a pc, by simply customising the performance options (see 1st screenshot, all are ticked as default), but now much of the neat graphic user interface is sacrificed unfortunately.

Edit: Turned on the visual styles without too much performance reduction, so much more pleasant graphics now.

This OS is very 'intelligent' and I appreciate it's programmers foresight. I've had no major difficulties as yet, just minor glitches, install was smooth and it has started up problem-free every time since installation. I just had large 5 programs starting up at once and they didn't miss a beat, whereas before the performance change 4 out of 5 programs were not responding.

Ps. Has anyone else here downloaded/installed it yet?

skelstar
1st October 2006, 18:05
Its a pity that a faulty product is held in such high regard (refering to previous versions). If Windows XP was a motorcycle it would be SPB's GSXR1000K4 (no offence buddy).

I guess Im saying that I hope the developers have spent more time on creating something that 'just works', not features.

disclaimer: I do own and run two macs and concede they arent perfect, just farking easy to use.

kro
1st October 2006, 19:11
I'm a dinosaur, and won't concede that anything good has come from MS since Win2k, which I still love.

Fub@r
2nd October 2006, 09:36
The other problem with Vista is they have swung the security pendulum right to the other extreme. With constant requests for admin permission on software even though you have an admin profile.

With regards to signed drivers Microsoft is blaming non-approved drivers as the reason for the Windows Blue Screen of Death hence why they are going to be strict on Windows Signed Drivers. If your a gamer or graphics based there will be major issues for example windows update for Nvidia drivers is 18 months behind, and due to their slow pace in signing you will never be able to get the best performance out of your graphics card.

The_Dover
2nd October 2006, 09:41
sweet, something else to "steal" from Microshaft.

Zed
2nd October 2006, 09:56
With regards to signed drivers Microsoft is blaming non-approved drivers as the reason for the Windows Blue Screen of Death hence why they are going to be strict on Windows Signed Drivers. If your a gamer or graphics based there will be major issues for example windows update for Nvidia drivers is 18 months behind, and due to their slow pace in signing you will never be able to get the best performance out of your graphics card.One thing that did impress me was that when installing Vista it automatically installed ALL drivers for my hardware without requiring me to insert specific CD's. With Win98/2000/XP in the past i've ALWAYS had to install the motherboard audio driver and printer driver from the manufacturers disk, but this time the OS searched the Net and found the appropriate software! :D

Smokin
2nd October 2006, 10:29
I think you may have talked me into giving it a shot Zed but your download links a bit dodgy, you wouldnt happen to have a working link by any chance?

Zed
2nd October 2006, 10:40
I think you may have talked me into giving it a shot Zed but your download links a bit dodgy, you wouldnt happen to have a working link by any chance?Hmmm waz workin when I first posted it? Have edited original post.

Ixion
2nd October 2006, 10:55
One thing that did impress me was that when installing Vista it automatically installed ALL drivers for my hardware without requiring me to insert specific CD's. With Win98/2000/XP in the past i've ALWAYS had to install the motherboard audio driver and printer driver from the manufacturers disk, but this time the OS searched the Net and found the appropriate software! :D

*cringe* *Shudder*. Which is one reason why I HATE MS systems. DON'T DO THAT SORT OF SHIT, BILL.

If something's going to be installed *I'LL* install it.

I do NOT want some automated whatnot installing stuff without me checking it out. I've seen that go horribly pear shaped all too often. MS dumb things down far too much.

Fub@r
2nd October 2006, 11:01
Some know software that wont work with Vista currently:

Nero - burning software
3Dmax - graphics software
AVG Beta
Teamspeak - voice comm software
Daemon tools - for virtual drives (this one really annoys me)

Bound to be heaps more. Basically if it doesn't conform to Microsoft rules for Vista it will never work.

If you are having problems getting software running don't forget to use the "programe compatibility wizard" on the desktop........first time ever a Windows Wizard has ever worked for me :)

limbimtimwim
2nd October 2006, 11:11
One thing that did impress me was that when installing Vista it automatically installed ALL drivers for my hardware without requiring me to insert specific CD's. With Win98/2000/XP in the past i've ALWAYS had to install the motherboard audio driver and printer driver from the manufacturers disk, but this time the OS searched the Net and found the appropriate software! :DLast time I installed Windows (Server 2003) I was screaming because I had to shuffle CDs and install drivers and crap like that. Most noticible was that the network card didn't work (A frickin Broadcom TG3, hardly an exotic device) without shuffling cds.

I had been coddled by that 'L' word and not having such trivial matters to deal with.

Welcome Zed, to the future! 3 years too late!

limbimtimwim
2nd October 2006, 11:21
With regards to signed drivers Microsoft is blaming non-approved drivers as the reason for the Windows Blue Screen of Death hence why they are going to be strict on Windows Signed Drivers.Those twits shouldn't have moved the video drives deeper into kernel space anyway. NT4 had it the right way around, video drivers were closer to userspace.

Zed
2nd October 2006, 11:26
*cringe* *Shudder*. Which is one reason why I HATE MS systems. DON'T DO THAT SORT OF SHIT, BILL.

If something's going to be installed *I'LL* install it.

I do NOT want some automated whatnot installing stuff without me checking it out. I've seen that go horribly pear shaped all too often. MS dumb things down far too much.Fair enuf, but it will benefit the average home user who knows next to nothing about installing new hardware, so instead of paying an IT specialist oodles of money to do it they can simply plug and play without having the know-how to install hardware specific drivers from a separate disk.

There have been numerous occasions in the past where I've helped friends and family with their computer problems & maintenance and when I go to install their modem for instance I ask them "have you got the driver disk" and they reply "doh, what's that?" :pinch:

Marmoot
2nd October 2006, 12:04
Zed, one quick question.

How's the backward compatibility issue so far?

Smokin
2nd October 2006, 12:07
At 90k/sec this is going to take a while :lol: , Thanks for the link Zed :2thumbsup

Zed
2nd October 2006, 12:12
Zed, one quick question.

How's the backward compatibility issue so far?Had no issues thus far, and like i've said my pc is an old dog yet all my hardware installed first time and all software (some 3+ years old) is running stable. Will post up here if I come across any major probs with compatibility.

Hillbilly
2nd October 2006, 12:17
That interface looks like the current Media Player, or the "Live" search engine. I'll wait till service pack 2 comes out, and keep using XP.

ZeroIndex
2nd October 2006, 12:31
..most secure OS till somebody starts handing out pirate copies: "Hey Microsoft, hows this for secure!! :p"

MrMelon
2nd October 2006, 12:33
You guys installing a beta microsoft operating system on your main pc and expecting it to work without problems are pretty keen. I'd be preparing for headaches...

Big Dave
2nd October 2006, 13:00
GUI is nice, enhances the whole pc experience for me! :yeah:

Yeah - we've had similar on macs for a while now. Looks nice.

skelstar
2nd October 2006, 13:04
Now now BD....lets not be too smug :).

Finn
2nd October 2006, 13:18
Hey Zed, you should be more careful posting pics up of your computer files.

Big Dave
2nd October 2006, 13:35
Now now BD....lets not be too smug :).

I wasn't - I think it looks good. When I first started using macs they were compared to a 386 running dos and the GUI was no contest. Particulary for design work. Now it looks like line ball.

the expendidture in software over the last 20years and the current batch of Mac extras (iLife - .mac) are what give the platform the edge for me now - but I'm happy to use either.

Zed
2nd October 2006, 14:18
You guys installing a beta microsoft operating system on your main pc and expecting it to work without problems are pretty keen. I'd be preparing for headaches...Who said they were doing that?

Note the following highlighted in red on the download link I provided:

Windows Vista Customer Preview Program—RC1 Update

The final major pre-release of Windows Vista—Release Candidate 1 (RC1)—is now available through the Customer Preview Program (CPP). Customer participation and feedback are integral parts of our development process. If you decide to install and test RC1, thank you for being part of the Windows Vista team!

Note: This is beta code and should not be used in a production environment or on a primary computer in the home. RC1 is intended for developers, IT professionals, and technology experts to continue or begin their testing of Windows Vista. Before you decide to use RC1, you should feel comfortable with installing operating systems, updating drivers, and general PC troubleshooting. Some risks of using beta operating systems include hardware and software incompatibility and system instability. If you have concerns about installing this beta software on your computer, we encourage you to obtain the final release version of Windows Vista when it is available in 2007.

Access to the Customer Preview Program is limited. Once the program capacity has been reached, the program will be closed and no new orders will be accepted.

Zed
2nd October 2006, 14:21
Hey Zed, you should be more careful posting pics up of your computer files.ANYONE guilty of that crime should be shot! :ar15:

Care to make your home pc available for inspection Finn??

Finn
2nd October 2006, 14:24
ANYONE guilty of that crime should be shot! :ar15:

Care to make your home pc available for inspection Finn??

Sure, but if you could tell me exactly what you're after, I'll save you some time and burn a DVD for you.

Badcat
2nd October 2006, 14:36
Twas good. I'm currently unable to use some of Vista's features because my pc simply isn't powerful enough. Thankfully I installed it on a separate drive so I can easily chop and change between XP & Vista for a play.

watch the video again zed.
the joke is that the video is a mac - while the audio is the vista demo.
i kinda thought someone would notice.

heh.

Zed
2nd October 2006, 14:55
watch the video again zed.
the joke is that the video is a mac - while the audio is the vista demo.
i kinda thought someone would notice.

heh.Haha you're right! Bit naughty innit?

SuperDave
3rd October 2006, 18:33
And what is the operating system of your choice young fella?

Windows XP Professional. Legit haha.
Got Norton Internet Security as well and never had any problems with virus or security. Then again I'm no expert but all seems quite secure from what I can tell.

Brian d marge
4th October 2006, 01:37
Hey thanks Zed for posting this thread , It was good to hear your thoughts

I have JUST installed freespire to test , and am sitting here with your vista thread in front of me and freespire on the laptop ..( was Xfce)

to be honest , the freespire was quicker to install, 20 min max , and come with all codecs ,,commonly used and runs like a scallded cat on 250 meg ram

( except cnr ,,their software down load place )

THE ONLY 2 things why I would install windows is to uses a web site that play brit TV ,,and for some reason only works with hinternet explorer

and Acad ..i am comfortable with Acad ,,and it pays money ...

I will change those 2 reasons when I can

The final nail in the coffin was ..freespire is free...as in free

So that sort of cemented the whole thing for me

Stephen

Drunken Monkey
31st October 2006, 22:13
Well the base OS doesn't crash, but just about everything you run on it can generate a "Not responding" message, especially the Windows Explorer for some reason.

Actually this test install BSODs at the very end of shutdown every time.

Looks flashy though. I can have my porn randomly cycling through the gadget bar. Windows Switcher looks funky, kinda entertainment in itself, actually.

Doesn't like some old USB stuff either, especially cheap printers.

Oh, I see I can crash Windows Explorer by right-clicking on my .mp3 files. How ghey is that?

Nope, it's right-clicking anything...time for "shellexview" methinks...

xwhatsit
1st November 2006, 12:40
People still use Windows these days? Lol. That must suck, with the antivirus and the anti-adware stuff and all that. I thought people had given up on it years ago.

Macs are nice, I love my iPod and Macs seem to be in the same vein. However, it's all about Ubuntu ^_^. Fancier visual effects than Vista's Aero, but on an integrated Intel i855 laptop graphics card and 512MB of RAM.

Plus, it's open source. I know what's going on in my computer because I can just look at the source code. There's no bullshit Windows Genuine Advantage or Product Activation disabling your computer because you upgraded your RAM and Microsoft therefore believes that you've pirated Windows (wtf?!).

I think Vista is unlikely to do very well. There's simply too much competition from Apple these days (especially now the iPod is so popular, it's very good for marketing of Macs), and so many techier users are going for Linux or other UNIX variants. Plus, Vista is very very late -- originally it was supposed to be out in 2004, now it won't be out until 2007 -- and it's nearly all of the features that made it a worthwhile upgrade (WinFS, kernel and API rewrite, lots of other stuff). Add on top of that that most Windows users are not very knowledgeable about computers and only tend to upgrade their OS when they buy a new computer, most OS purchases are from big corporations and companies (somewhere where Linux seems to be making huge inroads, if you read the news). Big deployments of Win2K or WinXP are unlikely to be upgraded for some time to come, at least until Windows Vista has been out for a while and people have an idea of how secure it is (and a service pack or two has come around).

I wouldn't be investing in Microsoft right now.

NordieBoy
5th November 2006, 20:55
I know plenty of people who are going to be getting Vista the day it's released :(

sAsLEX
5th November 2006, 21:01
I know plenty of people who are going to be getting Vista the day it's released :(

hopefully through a torrent or similar!

I run unbuntu at present alongside XP, but the lack of inbuilt media is annoying ( yeah I know i can DL the thinigs needed rather easily) plus KB looks funny in Mozilla in Linux for some reason, the font type appears different and annoys me ....... that is really the main reason I stay away from it, and Auto cad dont run in unbuntu

Badcat
5th November 2006, 21:30
I know plenty of people who are going to be getting Vista the day it's released :(

well - for me, windows is like anal sex.
a lot of people are into it, and all power to them.
it just isn't for me.

ken

NordieBoy
6th November 2006, 08:15
hopefully through a torrent or similar!

I run unbuntu at present alongside XP, but the lack of inbuilt media is annoying ( yeah I know i can DL the thinigs needed rather easily) plus KB looks funny in Mozilla in Linux for some reason, the font type appears different and annoys me ....... that is really the main reason I stay away from it, and Auto cad dont run in unbuntu

Tried Opera?

sAsLEX
6th November 2006, 16:51
Tried Opera?

Yeah but years of drunken yelling has played havoc on my vocal chords...... :gob: