The More I Use Vista the More I Dislike It

Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:14AM EST

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I was about to sit down to write a post about all the things that bug me about Windows Vista... but Steve Wiseman beat me to it. His "Five Sins of Vista" is essential reading... but I'm going to add my commentary to his penance.

My biggest complaint with Vista is Steve's #3: Windows Networking is a mess. Mess is putting it lightly, and while Wiseman points out that the Windows "Network and Sharing Center" is one of the OS's most confusing features, he didn't mention the nightmare that is attempting to network a Vista computer to a network containing XP or Windows 2000 PCs. Frankly, I've been trying to figure this out for a week and still can't get what ought to be a simple printer share working.

Wiseman's #4 involves Windows Search, which is a complete joke. Remember how Vista was supposed to take those cool desktop search apps like Yahoo! Desktop and Google Desktop and integrate them seamlessly into the OS. Well, guess what, searching is faster with Vista... but you can't search inside a file using Vista's so-called "advanced" search system (which comes up when you hit F3). Oddly, the search system integrated into the Start Menu appears to be completely different and works much better, at least for data files. You can't easily search for system files and non-document files with it.

My other big agreement with Wiseman is his #1 complaint about the file browsing system. Windows is trying to move away from the C:\folder\folder\folder... heirarchy, I suppose because less savvy users were confused by it. I find the Vista method much more confusing, mainly because you have to end up delving into that directory structure frequently in order to get anything but very basic file operations done. Wiseman has other complaints about the way it works (and fails to work), too.

I've found other nagging problems in Vista—like help files that were obviously imported from Windows XP and never updated with Vista's changes—and I'm sure I'll be complaining about them on this blog in the weeks that come. Hopefully those complaints will be followed by thoughtful explanations on how to fix those problems... but for the issues listed above, there's not much you can do aside from learning to live with it.

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  • 26 Posted by pomotunde on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sorry! MAC man or Linux, you will never have me! Windows Vista is a great OS. Superb and not difficult to use. One thing you need to realize is that your level of knowledge in Windows will determine how well it works for you. I started with Windows 3.0. Gone are those days. But many folks just jumped in with Windows XP. MAC and LINUX have no game to play with Windows. So, take your time with Windows Vista. Later on you will see that it's yet the BEST. Have you forgotten Windows XP?

  • 27 Posted by jonesland4sale on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why, Why must you learn to live with it ? Why must any of us learn to live with it for that matter. If what we has isn't broken; is there really a need to have this ? I am not of the hi-tech world, and so I guess I just don't quite "get" this. From my limited experience I have found instances where I needed certain updates to perform a task on my computer, sought them out and loaded her up, few problems. As a stark contrast to that statement: early on when my computer was a novelty, and I was fascinated with all of the seemingly amazing softwares there were that could be added, I got trouble. Curiosity, greed, ignorance or want-itis these were the motives that got me in trouble everytime I ventured into the land of "pimp my computer" for no real reason. I think in the next few years to come psychiatrist are going to be specializing in a whole new arena catering to tech saavy pros and amateurs alike. Back to my point: why would you even want to go there and then spend the next year of your life explaining to others how to fix where they have gone rather than not go, and say : go fishing instead ? Lori Gomez,Hot Springs ARKANSAS www.JonesLandSales.com a great site for Arkansas land sites .....GET UP FROM THAT COMPUTER AND GO HOOK A FISH WITH THE FAMILY !!!!

  • 28 Posted by rjw_mpwr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    first of all, i don't have vista. i have used all flavors of unix, from linux to aix. i am in IT field. i have used windows from the dos days to the current XP. For those people who say "i will stay with XP, or I am glad to have a MAC", you should go to a store to try it yourself. the original post is only one guy's opinion. you cannot base your purchase decision on one person's opinion. why do you consider him as an authority? how do you know he is an expert? speaking of mac, i hate mac. i've been to the mac store and tried them out. i just don't like the interface. maybe i am used to windows. i play games, i like counter strike, need for speed. can i run them on mac? NO!!! If there is nothing to run in the OS, of course, it is stable. Os does not crash by itself. it is the applications that crash OS. I run windows 2000/2003 at work, along with unix machines. windows are rock solid. i never reboot them. Also think about the number of windows pc running in the world, and how many manufacturers there are, it is a tough task to make windows to run on all of them perfectly. look how many MAC manufacturers are there? hardware compatibility is a major issue for stability. So, give microsoft a break. give them some credit for making PCs so easy to use. sure it is not perfect. consider what it has done for the general public, i give them credits. remember you can never please everyone. there are always whiners and complainers. As for Linux, forget about it for desktop use. I have tried it also. I bet my dad will like windows any day than a linux desktop. for servers, sure, i will run linux. so, go to a store yourself and try yourself and see if you like vista and decide yourself if it is worth your $$. don't base your decision on someone's opinion, as a reference at max. jw

  • 29 Posted by holgerenge@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't want more bells and whistles, I want a more powerful faster locomotive! I'm voting with my wallet and sticking with XP.

  • 30 Posted by birds_in_hell on Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:39PM EST Report Abuse

    Its funny how many are critics and have never even tried the new os.They read someones supposedly "Unbiased" review and take there opinion as the only truth.Others are still rather hold onto Dos or win 3.1 because they dont want to have to learn new os or leave programs/hardware behind, because newer O/S dont run them. Other people just say things because they are apple/linux fans and jump on the MS bashing bandwagon.As for me I have been using Vista on a amd 3500 with 1 gig for two months on a dual boot with xp. It had a small learning curve.Some aspects were different, but after using it for awhile became very intuitive. Now i hardly ever boot into XP side. Vista feels and works better for me .Not a single security issue. I have not had a the system hang(not yet) . I am yet to have driver or program issue. 99% of my games work fine. Thats not to say you wont have some hiccups/issues , but at least try it then decide.And before knocking Vista or anything new actually use it read the manual then make up your own mind.

  • 31 Posted by vanesarose on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just hope that existing programs are able to run on vista. From a software tech point of view, it sucks to get a new OS and microsoft doesn't let existing programs be compatible with their newer systems. It sounds like a giant money making scam and the buyers are getting ripped off. We get a new OS, and then have to buy all new programs. Just like some of the game systems that they bring out causing you to buy all new games for that new system. Big corporations are probaly getting together finding new ways to screw the little people and it's working. I hope everyone goes MAC.

  • 32 Posted by srharashack on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I will wait until I need a new PC. It's way too expensive to upgrade an older PC.

  • 33 Posted by hrubens@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    My basic rule -- Unless you have a separate machine dedicated to jacking around with experimental systems that probably will not run all of your current applications or handle all of your files, never install a new Microsoft OS or program version until it's been out for at least a year, preferably two. Let those who don't mind the crashes play with it. My life is on my computer. I can't afford the down time for a meaningless science project.

  • 34 Posted by itcanhappentoyou on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't tried Vista, so I wont pass judgement on the new OS.But I've heard there is a retail of $400 !! That's really sticking it to their customer base.Microsoft has also always created compatibility issues also with each new OS w/divers.They continue to hit you with high prices on their Office program, when you can get almost all the same features with the free Open Office 2.0. In fact, most of their licensed programs have free open source clones for windows or linux.I haven't tried a MAC but I have tried Linux & didn't find it user friendly. I wish someone would release a OS that was user friendly & didn't have the license/registry restrictions of windows.I also don't get how Microsoft charges for "upgraded" os' when Linux upgrades for free.

  • 35 Posted by ladysarajoan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I use a Mac at work and a Windows PC at home -- when folks ask which I prefer, I say I like being bi-lingual. And I'll say this upfront: I never upgrade to a new OS, Mac or Windows, in the first wave. I find that both companies push out products that aren't ready for the average user, and I resent being a beta tester if I didn't choose to be one. Id been thinking for over a year that I was ready to buy a laptop computer, but I just couldn't decide whether I wanted Mac or Windows. I love the stability of the Mac but needed to use software only available for Windows -- and the cost difference was no small thing, either. I did consider Parallels, but in the end I bought a Windows laptop. And I made sure to buy it before they started coming pre-loaded with Vista. I'm sure I will switch to Vista eventually. But I think I'll wait until some of the major bugs are fixed -- and keep reading all I can find from those who are using Vista now. Knowledge is power, right?

  • 36 Posted by priswell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    If only Linux were easier to use...

  • 37 Posted by scarletngreyman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Again I read another thread that doesn't address the DRM issue in vista. Do your homework folks!!! read read read and then read some more before you even consider buying! Now I a not saying that this OS will not be a good one, several years down the road. However I have been doing my homework and I think I will be going to...M$ GASP... Linux. It will take a little learning to do so but there's plenty of help out there for it AND....anotherM$ GASP costs up to $400 dollars less to aquire. Disclaimer-This post is just one persons two cents worth!

  • 38 Posted by rangerbob_bbs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    IN RESPONSE TO COMMENT #10: - I will try to explain why this is "somehow worth $400". You see, Bill Gates is the most wonderful philantropist on earth. He earns this title by 'giving' away billions of dollars he 'earns' by overcharging precipitiously for all of his software. So, we fools who stupidly pay these exorbitant prices, should get the major part of the kudos for his largesse. My own personal experience with Dell Computers is much the same.

  • 39 Posted by french12@pacbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    I leanrned the hardway about upgrading Windows to a so-called new version of Windows "If it works don't upgrade untill you have have to" I won't be upgrading to Vista any time soon.

  • 40 Posted by rkblaquetalon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    My brother bought Vista and has been trying and FAILING to get it to install,flat wont work.Hes in the IT field and has been running MS OS since DOS was 1st launched and has NEVER been unable to upgrade his OS,that is,until now.

  • 41 Posted by lauritais on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Does the one guy who extols Vistas virtues work for MS? I am a novice and I just bought my very 1st computer in late October 06'. It's a Toshiba Satellite laptop and my MS word trial just ran out. I didn't know what to do. I was thinking of getting Vista but now am concerned. Thanks for the honest feedback from everyone, it's very helpful I'm a student so don't need fancy stuff, just need to write my papers so I'll just wait it out with openoffice until there is better overall concensus. Thanks to all

  • 42 Posted by priustideland on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    As usual with Microsoft, wait 5 years for them to work the bugs out.

  • 43 Posted by no_compromise_no on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    All you people have nothing better than to complain and you prolly all have bought the system already and are happily working away on it. I got a new computer with vista on and have absolutely no problem with it. It is the computer GEEKS who think it is so awful who don't ever wannt to step out the box and try something new. Get a life, get a grip and cheer up Vista is here to stay and you can stay with your old stupid Linux and Windows 95 how absurd, Get vista is is great and flashy and great and easy to use, I don't know what all these people are complaining about they sure must be GEEKS. Now I have my husband using a PC from a Mac he is so happy that it doesn't crash on him any more, don't get a MAC you all better get a LIFE and something else to complain about. Vista is great and fun to use, no one like to try and look for anything new in this world. That is what life is about being creative, stop being NERDS and smile and use VISTA CA

  • 44 Posted by jimmyfrominwood on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    i was about to swtich, i didnt want to because its a wasted of money and i just brought my computer on january of 2006 and windows vista came out like 2007 and its a wasted of money to switch over to vista's. ill stick wit my xp sp2 its tight even windows vista look better but i heard all of this bad news about vista so ill stick with xp, the other reason i dont want to switch is like when u switch you have to update all of these files like some of the players on my computer it make me update all of them and that will take for ever. i think vista is just a waste

  • 45 Posted by pimal3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I ran Vista in a dual-boot configuration with XP since October 2006. It looked great, but I had to search for drivers for my ATI X300 graphics card, Soundblaster Live sound card, Nokia PC suite for my cell phone, bluetooth drivers etc. Most games did not like it one bit. It made my 3.6GHz Intel PC with 1GB memory crawl as well. Eventually I decided to get rid of it. Surprise, surprise. Despite the fact that it was on a separate hard disk, I had to reformat and re-install XP on my C-drive to get rid of it entirely. I think it is high time for Linux to get a decent desktop and some kind of Direct-X clone to make games work for us to have a real alternative to sock it to Microsoft. PS Office 2007 sucks as well.

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