So if not Vista what can I do?

If you have been following this blog from the beginning you understand my loathing for the Vista operating system. Buy hey it's not just me. Almost every independent (read not in Microsoft's pocket) PC journalist has called it a bloated disaster. My favorite technology pundit John Dvorak called the Vista project a "botch". The king of PC alliteration, Sascha Segan called Vista a "bulging bag of bloatware" Well you know that story. What you may not know is what are your choices in 2008?

Windows XP will be around, at least until June 2008. I question whether Microsoft will pull the plug on XP then, it will almost be like corporate Hari Kari. XP, though superior to Vista in so many ways, is not a real answer. It picks up viruses and spyware like black velvet pants in a pet shop picks up hair. It will run the software you have and it will run the hardware you have. If you never went to the Internet, it would be a fine operating system. Unfortunately we all go to the Internet.

Mac's are all the rage and we have had a Mac Mini for about 3 years. No complaints, no slowdowns, almost no issues. It doesn't run alot of software and it is more expensive then almost any PC on a comparison basis. You can come to the PCSS training center to take a peak or go to the Covington Library and take a spin on their fabulous iMac. They both have Microsoft Office 2004{Word, Excel, Powerpoint} (compatible with all Office versions but Office 2007). It doesn't have Access or Outlook. It won't work with all hardware and I recommend adding Firefox for Mac as your Internet Browser. The Safari browser that comes with Macs is just OK in my opinion. Firefox is a much more robust and feature laden browser. Macs also run iTunes and iPods better.

The last and cheapest alternative is to go to Linix. We will be setting up a PC at our Training Center that will run the free Ubuntu version of Linix. It comes with Office compatible Word Processor, spreadsheet, and presentation programs. It also has Firefox as a browser and several other programs to do calendars, email, music, burning CDs/DVDs and other necessary PC tasks. It doesn't run Quickbooks, iTunes or Peachtree. It may not run your printer. It is different and takes some time to get used to. But if you are a wee bit tight, this is the operating system for you, cuz its free.

It really depends on what you do with your PC. Many home users can changed to Macs or Linix with little problem. Others are stuck at the Microsoft trough and will have to tough it out.

Happy New Year!

#111 - This isn't your fathers Library!

The Covington Library recently received a grant from the Alleghany Foundation to upgrade its adult public access computers. The library working with its IT consultant (you may know him!, he posts here!) decided to provide new computers that would be useful as well as educational.

There are 6 Adult computers running Windows 2000 presently at the C.P. Jones Memorial library. When they were first installed, they were the first public access computers in the Alleghany Highlands. They had the MS Office suite of programs, typing tutor software AND the Internet! They receive extensive use and are certainly one of the main draws for many people that use the library. Shortly after the adult computers were installed, free wireless Internet access was provided by placing 3 wireless access points through out the library. Visitors to the Highlands can stop at the library and get on the Internet with their wireless laptop, PDA or phone!

The new effort will provide new Adult PCS of different flavors to enhance the computing experience. Four of the desktop PCS will be Windows XP models. They will have the complete Microsoft Office 2003 suite of programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook, OneNote and Publisher). They have DVD burners with appropriate DVD burning software. The computer will be using the latest Microsoft public access control software that will protect the PCs from unwanted changes, viruses, malware, spyware and other nasties. The software essentially cleans itself back to the original set up state after every reboot. The 5th computer will be one equipped with MS Vista operating system. It will have the MS Office 2007 suite and will appeal to those who want to see what Vista is like or need to be compatible with the latest from Microsoft. All the Microsoft based PCs will come with new 17" LCD thin screen monitors.

The 6th and last PC will be an Apple iMac. This is will be the library's first Mac PC and will introduce the customers to the Mac world. The iMac chosen is an all in one design with the hardware, DVD burner and screen in one box. Its a gorgeous box with a 20" LCD screen! It will have MS Office 2004 for the MAC on it as well as the normal complement of MAC supplied software (With new versions of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand included, you can create a photo book, make a movie, build a blog, compose a song, and much more). The iMac also has a built in camera for photos or live video.

All the new computers should be installed this week. So drop by the library and see what's new!

#110 - Microsoft rethinks its Vista

Last week Microsoft announced that they will continue to sell Windows XP through June of 2008. This is good news for most PC customers. The former deadline of January was forcing many to buy PCs with XP early.

Now Microsoft isn't scrapping Vista they just gave their customers more time to deal with Vista. By June the first update release should be out and many corporate customers won't migrate to a new operating system until the first update is out.

So why has there been so much resistance to Vista? The reasons are many but here are some of mine:

1. Vista requires PCs with fast processors and minimum 1GB memory with 2GB more desirable. Even with the best hardware, I've never seen Vista run fast. You have to turn off many of the features to get to move so-so. I don't have the Gadgets on or the User Account Controls, because they just slow down my Vista PC too much. I guess the bottom line on this is Vista is a bloated memory hog that gives you not much in return. Its so bad I strongly suggest that if you have to have Vista buy a new PC with it installed. DO NOT UPGRADE to Vista!

2. Confusion: I'm not sure why Microsoft decided to issue 4 different versions of the operating system. XP had Home and Professional. More must be better. So we get Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. I guess we'll get 8 versions of Vista's successor. The differences between the 4 isn't well thought out. For instance I think every operating system should have a DVD/CD burner software build in. Surprise you only get it in Home Premium and Ultimate. Actually I don't know a reason why anyone would buy Home Basic other then the cheapest PC. There are so few features in that version that it's not worth the difference in cost versus Home Premium.

3. Incompatibility: This is the big reason corporate America hasn't embraced Vista. Vendors have been slow to come up with drivers for older hardware. Software people have just not made their software to run under Vista. Special software just doesn't work on Vista without an upgrade. So not only do you have to spend money on new PCs and Printers, you have pay for a new version of your software (if it is available).

Three strikes and your out. No wonder they can't make enough Macs. Sounds like a formula for disaster? We'll see how it plays out in 2008.