Posted by Rory Brown in
Monday, February 5. 2007
Today, for my job, I had to install two brand new Dell computers at a clients house. Each of these new computers had Windows Vista installed on them, Microsoft's brand-new Operating System to the uninitiated. The goal after configuring these systems was to get them to network with an older Windows XP computer. I also needed to get two printers to print across the network from any computer to any printer. Does that sound complicated? It actually isn't. If you use ANYTHING else besides Vista. Under normal circumstances, you set the computers up, plug in the network cables, plug the printers in to network cables, and on each computer you "Add a Printer" and tell the computer to look on the network for it. That's it. Done. Except Vista.
Vista refused to see the XP computer, network setting were perfect. Trust me, I've installed networks and computers before. The settings were exact. Because of that alone I could not get the computers to see any of the printers. To over complicate things, Vista kept trying to secure the damn network, which means halfway through this ordeal, even the Vista computers stopped talking to each other. Vista has a new security protocol where it asks you if you want to perform a high level operation. Since these computers were for a client, they had no passwords. But, Vista diligently continued to ask me to click the damn OK button to do things. Which in turn, were the incorrect things because I couldn't find the right stuff under any of the "usual spots".
In the end, I got nothing done. Which looks horrible to a client that wants everything to go smoothly. If you are thinking of upgrading, I advise you with all of the knowledge of computers that is in my head, DO NOT UPGRADE. You will find that your usual programs do NOT work, the hardware (even some certified for Vista by Microsoft) will not function properly as some of it is STILL in Beta development. You are better of sticking with Windows XP. If you feel that the OS is outdated or getting too old for you let me suggest a few things. Buy a Mac! Or, try Linux. Believe it or not Linux has gotten amazingly stable and easy to use. Try it on an old computer instead of throwing it out. You may find yourself more productive on the Linux system. It isn't scary, or just for hackers. But, you could always go the Mac route, throw their mouse away, and plug in the mouse from your old system. You can do that! And it will work miracles on your Mac.
Please take my advice. I have experience and expertise in this field. I know you will call me one day and ask way Vista is crap. And I will only shed a tear for you, because I am going to pretend that Vista is not an option. Because it isn't.
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