[OT] Anyone know anything about Windows Vista?

I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.

I had to talk to my parent's neighbor last night - I used her computer to
book my flight back home. Asked her how she connects to the internet on an
island and she said um, well, ask your parents what they have for the phone
service or for their cable service. Looks like I'll have to get a hook-up
with one of those. When my brother was there in the summer he was trying to
rely on wifi and couldn't always catch a signal.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which would
require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job requirements was
knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we used in the 1980's
working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely remember that stuff. I
think I have a book around here someplace but I really don't want to revert
back to that. (Unix is more fun and much older, anyway.)

Jill

Jill

"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one
of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with
XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come
with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.

Vista is not that much different than XP - aside from the 'fancier' look
(and name). You can turn off some of the new fangled graphic 'extras' and
can even get into setup/appearance features and make it look like XP does.
Best bet for you would be to go to an electronics 'superstor' like Best Buy
or Circuit City (or similar in your area) and ask questions of the staff -
as well as play with some of the displays to see if you like what they have
to offer. Then do your ordering online from Dell, and get what YOU want
(not what the salespeople say you should want).


I had to talk to my parent's neighbor last night - I used her computer to
book my flight back home. Asked her how she connects to the internet on
an
island and she said um, well, ask your parents what they have for the
phone
service or for their cable service. Looks like I'll have to get a hook-up
with one of those. When my brother was there in the summer he was trying
to
rely on wifi and couldn't always catch a signal.

You may have to "go dailup" shudder or find a resteraunt/cafe/library that
offers free wifi.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which would
require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job requirements
was
knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we used in the 1980's
working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely remember that stuff. I
think I have a book around here someplace but I really don't want to
revert
back to that. (Unix is more fun and much older, anyway.)

DOS????? I can barely remember what that is!!!!!


Jill

Jill





--
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

Magic Mood Jeep wrote:
You may have to "go dailup" shudder or find a
resteraunt/cafe/library that offers free wifi.

We're talking an island at the end of South Carolina. A place in the middle
of nowhere. Wifi is barely a blip on their radar. Internet cafes? Don't
think so, not even in Beaufort. The nearest airport is 100 miles and that's
in Savannah, GA. Or you can go to Charleston, 125 miles away. Where my
parents live they have signs telling you beware and don't feed the
alligators. Hmm, not to worry.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which
would require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job
requirements was
knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we used in the
1980's working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely remember
that stuff. I think I have a book around here someplace but I
really don't want to revert
back to that. (Unix is more fun and much older, anyway.)

DOS????? I can barely remember what that is!!!!!

Yeah. Weird, no?

Jill and Persia

"jmcquown" wrote in
:

I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the
outside world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out
to be one of the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm
perfectly happy with XP but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell,
sorry) that doesn't come with Vista. I don't really know anything
about Vista. I'm always behind the times when it comes to this stuff.

I had to talk to my parent's neighbor last night - I used her computer
to book my flight back home. Asked her how she connects to the
internet on an island and she said um, well, ask your parents what
they have for the phone service or for their cable service. Looks
like I'll have to get a hook-up with one of those. When my brother
was there in the summer he was trying to rely on wifi and couldn't
always catch a signal.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which
would require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job
requirements was knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we
used in the 1980's working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely
remember that stuff. I think I have a book around here someplace but
I really don't want to revert back to that. (Unix is more fun and
much older, anyway.)

Jill

I've been reading the Vista newsgroups lately and a lot of times people
have compatability problems. They say Vista is ok if the computer was
built from scratch for Vista, but if you're upgrading from XP, that's
when you run into problems. As with everything else, some people love
it and some hate it.

Bobble

On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:12:08 -0600, jmcquown wrote:
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.

The main thing about vista is that is is an incredible resource hog. It
needs about double what XP needs on just about every resource, especially memory.

Don't even bother trying to run it with 512M of ram. It require 1G as a
minimum, and 2G if you run any large applications.

It nags more for the user to verify operations with security issues, yet
doesn't provide any more security at the operating system level. As before,
the default user is an administrator, and any process can overwrite any part
of the system at any time. Some things are just weird, like an inability to
connect to printers hosted on XP systems: you need to find the port on the
remote system and manually install the printer driver.

I haven't seen anything vista does in a positive sense that XP can't. Vista
provides more capability to refuse to operate -- I heard cases of vista
refusing legitimiate video playback because it assumed the user was a thief.
And of course, it is a lumbering pig.

jmcquown wrote:
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.



(out of lurking mode)

My hubby (a somewhat computer nerd, unlike me) ordered my college
student daughter a Dell Vostro 1500, as he also has concerns about
Vista.... well, microsoft in general.

It has a smaller screen (15.4 inch), which is what she wanted, as she
carries it around a lot. Right now she is in the mountains of Ecuador
studying abroad, and has good internet access. I'm not sure what will
happen when she leaves Quito though.

If you enter a search in Dell under Vostro 1500, you will see
"customize" at the bottom, and the 1500 is the only one I saw where you
are allowed to choose XP rather than Vista, but maybe there are more.

She's had the computer for about 5-6 months without complaint. We just
priced it with the stuff he added (for insurance purposes in Ecuador)
and it was $774... If that makes or breaks a decision....

(back to lurking mode)

shel

AZ Nomad wrote:
On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:12:08 -0600, jmcquown wrote:
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.

The main thing about vista is that is is an incredible resource hog. It
needs about double what XP needs on just about every resource, especially memory.

Don't even bother trying to run it with 512M of ram. It require 1G as a
minimum, and 2G if you run any large applications.

About the only thing you said with a grain of truth to it. Vista does
want more memory, but with 2GB upgrades for laptops costing aporund
$30-50 it's not a big deal on new hardware.


It nags more for the user to verify operations with security issues, yet
doesn't provide any more security at the operating system level. As before,
the default user is an administrator, and any process can overwrite any part
of the system at any time.


Without turning this into a OS advocacy discussion, this is just plain
wrong, users do not run as local administrator, and you really have to
try hard to overwrite any OS component.


I haven't seen anything vista does in a positive sense that XP can't. Vista
provides more capability to refuse to operate -- I heard cases of vista
refusing legitimiate video playback because it assumed the user was a thief.
And of course, it is a lumbering pig.

Again, more ill-informed FUD. Perhaps you should confine yourself to
discussing cats ;-)


--
Nik Simpson

To get the laptop I wanted, I had to get Vista and, have not had any trouble
with it. Heard all sorts of nightmares but haven't had any trouble.
appearance is different but basics are the same.

Someone still runs DOS? I can't believe they are able to run any programs!!
It is mentioned on down in this post.
"Magic Mood Jeep" wrote in message
m...
"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one
of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with
XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come
with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.

Vista is not that much different than XP - aside from the 'fancier' look
(and name). You can turn off some of the new fangled graphic 'extras' and
can even get into setup/appearance features and make it look like XP does.
Best bet for you would be to go to an electronics 'superstor' like Best
Buy or Circuit City (or similar in your area) and ask questions of the
staff - as well as play with some of the displays to see if you like what
they have to offer. Then do your ordering online from Dell, and get what
YOU want (not what the salespeople say you should want).


I had to talk to my parent's neighbor last night - I used her computer to
book my flight back home. Asked her how she connects to the internet on
an
island and she said um, well, ask your parents what they have for the
phone
service or for their cable service. Looks like I'll have to get a
hook-up
with one of those. When my brother was there in the summer he was trying
to
rely on wifi and couldn't always catch a signal.

You may have to "go dailup" shudder or find a resteraunt/cafe/library
that offers free wifi.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which would
require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job requirements
was
knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we used in the 1980's
working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely remember that stuff. I
think I have a book around here someplace but I really don't want to
revert
back to that. (Unix is more fun and much older, anyway.)

DOS????? I can barely remember what that is!!!!!


Jill

Jill





--
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

Granby wrote:
To get the laptop I wanted, I had to get Vista and, have not had any
trouble with it. Heard all sorts of nightmares but haven't had any
trouble. appearance is different but basics are the same.

Someone still runs DOS? I can't believe they are able to run any
programs!! It is mentioned on down in this post.

Yeah, this recruiter contacted me about a 6 month job in another city.
First of all, I don't plan to move someplace else just to work at a place
for 6 months. Secondly, who on earth requires knowledge of DOS as the first
thing listed in "experience required"?

Jill



"Magic Mood Jeep" wrote in message
m...
"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the
outside world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned
out to be one of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly
happy with XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't
come with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always
behind the times when it comes to this stuff.

Vista is not that much different than XP - aside from the 'fancier'
look (and name). You can turn off some of the new fangled graphic
'extras' and can even get into setup/appearance features and make it
look like XP does. Best bet for you would be to go to an electronics
'superstor' like Best Buy or Circuit City (or similar in your area)
and ask questions of the staff - as well as play with some of the
displays to see if you like what they have to offer. Then do your
ordering online from Dell, and get what YOU want (not what the
salespeople say you should want).


I had to talk to my parent's neighbor last night - I used her
computer to book my flight back home. Asked her how she connects
to the internet on an
island and she said um, well, ask your parents what they have for
the phone
service or for their cable service. Looks like I'll have to get a
hook-up
with one of those. When my brother was there in the summer he was
trying to
rely on wifi and couldn't always catch a signal.

You may have to "go dailup" shudder or find a
resteraunt/cafe/library that offers free wifi.

I got a job offer yesterday - a 6 month temporary assignment which
would require me to temporarily move, no, thanks! One of the job
requirements was
knowledge of DOS. Excuse me? You mean that thing we used in the
1980's working from the C: prompt DOS? Sorry, I barely remember
that stuff. I think I have a book around here someplace but I
really don't want to revert
back to that. (Unix is more fun and much older, anyway.)

DOS????? I can barely remember what that is!!!!!


Jill

Jill





--
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at ordering a laptop so I won't lose touch with the outside
world when I go to South Carolina. I thought Vista turned out to be one
of
the worst of the Windows Opsys's on the planet. I'm perfectly happy with
XP
but I can't seem to find a Dell (I love Dell, sorry) that doesn't come
with
Vista. I don't really know anything about Vista. I'm always behind the
times when it comes to this stuff.


I'm pretty sure, when I was looking at laptops with my grandson, that Dell
came with your choice of XP or VISTA. That was ordering it online.

But as much as vista gets slammed, I'm afraid its here to stay.

Jo