Gideon MacLeish

Vista Hating Shows Strength of XP

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Vista Hating Shows Strength of XP

from JoeUser Forums

As I watch the back and forth between people who like Windows Vista and those who, umm, don't, a thought occurred to me.

More than underscoring a weakness in Windows Vista, the opposition proves a point that unfortunately Microsoft's PR department is slow to pick up on:

People LIKE XP.

I saw the same thing after Windows 98 came out. A lot of users were reluctant to change, not so much because 98 was bad, but because they were content from what they were getting out of their Windows 95 machines and had a hard time understanding how the experience could be improved upon.

In the case of XP, it delivered everything the unsophisticated end user could ask for: stability, security, and an intuitive, user friendly interface. Those who had lived through the BSOD era brought about in the 98 days (and continued through the ME days, when the blue screen seemed more common than a clean boot), were ecstatic to see what XP brought about, and the system brought about the long awaited merging of personal computers with multimedia.

I can't argue about the advantages of Vista, especially as it is built for advanced systems and optimizes 64 bit architecture. But the fact is, to many end users, XP is adequate for their needs.

Microsoft built a great product in XP, one that a lot of people are sorry to see go. And there's a lot of public relations potential in that fact. It's just too bad Microsoft does not seem to realize it.

55,222 views 159 replies
Reply #76 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kona, I'm curious..
How much actual time have you sat in front of Vista and actually used it on a machine which is designed for Vista?


Everytime I go over to my friends house. I have plenty of Vista hours beneath the belt.
Reply #77 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No offense here, but using a friends system is not at all similar to using your own system. Changing it the way YOU want it, arranging things the way YOU want it, etc...
It's not really a solid basis for reliable critique.  
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #78 from WinCustomize Forums Top
On the contrary from what I've seen on my friends system - And I used it straight out of the box - I don't want nor need Vista.

Reply #79 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Phoon, thanks for the link. Darn, go to MS for the answer, how interesting. Seems to me that folks with XP just might be able to wait and see.   
Reply #80 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh and by the way Phoon - since I was the one who set up my friends Vista computer I removed some apps then installed the ones I use at home. So I guess you could say it was customized to the way I like it. And yes I still didn't care for the OS although parts of Vista are pretty slick and helpful.

Yes if I buy a new PC in January I will keep and use Vista.
Reply #81 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have five systems running at home. Four running Vista (2 Ultimate, 2 Home Premium), and one running XP. The XP system is nothing but a headache. BSOD's all over the place. All the Vista systems have been up and running since the official release with absolutely no problems. Two of the systems are strictly for home use, (Media Center, gaming, general messing around) and 2 of the systems are for home business applications.

I kept the XP system going thinking that I might need to go back to it in emergencies just after I did the initial Vista setups on the other 4 systems. What a joke that was. The XP system is the real crap out with one problem after another. Now, after using Vista exclusively for the past 10 months going back to XP would seem a huge step backwards.  
Reply #82 from WinCustomize Forums Top
how interesting. Seems to me that folks with XP just might be able to wait and see.


I'll be clutching hold real tight to my copy of Vista Ultimate while I'm waiting for Windows 7 (or whatever the next Windows incarnation is called)....oh, and I'll grab hold firmly on to XP Pro as well...just so the other hand don't get jealous/lonely while I'm busy caressing Aero.

On the contrary from what I've seen on my friends system - And I used it straight out of the box - I don't want nor need Vista.


Still, using a friends Vista PC is not quite the real McCoy when thoroughly giving a new (to you) OS a test drive. How about we rephrase the question! So Kona, what truly terrible Vista experiences/calamities have you suffered first-hand? Being able to play with a friend's Vista box may be all well and good, but you're not getting a true indicator of what it's like to customise the OS to your personal likes, wants, needs and requirements...knowing you can install/uninstall whatever programs and/or games you like.

Also, having a few short bursts on a friend's machine doesn't give a true indication of how much trouble free up-time Vista actually gives to a wise and cautious user...that should anything go wrong, just how much easier in Vista it is to resolve than XP. I'm by no means a power user, but I'm able to resolve more issues in Vista than I ever could in XP.

Reply #83 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Still, using a friends Vista PC is not quite the real McCoy when thoroughly giving a new (to you) OS a test drive. How about we rephrase the question! So Kona, what truly terrible Vista experiences/calamities have you suffered first-hand? Being able to play with a friend's Vista box may be all well and good, but you're not getting a true indicator of what it's like to customise the OS to your personal likes, wants, needs and requirements...knowing you can install/uninstall whatever programs and/or games you like.


Yeah what part of what I wrote did you not understand? That Vista box is set up exactly like it would be if it was mine. I uninstalled some apps and installed some apps. The box was customized to my personal likes, wants and requirements.

I just don't like the way Vista looks and acts OK? And then we here stories about all the other issues with Vista. No thanks. I guess it's hard to explain.
Reply #84 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Honestly, I think the love/hate is too much. I suppose it is true... wars originate as the result of economics.

It is economics here... right?

Reply #85 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yeah what part of what I wrote did you not understand? That Vista box is set up exactly like it would be if it was mine. I uninstalled some apps and installed some apps. The box was customized to my personal likes, wants and requirements.


I guess my difficulty with understanding it is 'your total control' of somebody else's machine...setting up to your standards rather than his/hers. If it were my PC, I'd want it set up my way and my way alone, not someone else idea of what I would like/want/need.

I mean, would you want somebody coming into your home to set up your PC they way they wanted it? I guess not...which is why I found it difficult to grasp that you could get a true (24 - 7) Vista experience on someone else's computer in someone else's home.

What I'm saying here is that if you spent the time it takes to truly evaluate Vista in my home, I'd be charging you rent and utilities in quarterly increments.
Reply #87 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like i'll be needing these today.


To wade thru all the bullshit, yes?
Reply #88 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Everytime I boot into Vista im completely insulted.


      
Reply #89 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The XP system is nothing but a headache. BSOD's all over the place.


I've have yet to see a BSOD in XP. I built this machine about 6 months ago, and have had no problems out of it.
Reply #90 from WinCustomize Forums Top
've have yet to see a BSOD in XP. I built this machine about 6 months ago, and have had no problems out of it.


One would presume that you have XP SP2 installed, given the age of your machine, and that is considerably more stable than XP - NO SP's....which brings me to the point that Vista at the same stage of development/release is more stable than XP ever was.

Funny thing that: all those who grizzled about XP back then are now the ones who refuse to let it go/give Vista a realistic try/fair go.

I guess some ain't happy unless they're complaining about something. Heaven forbid that MS ever puts out a near perfect OS, there'd be bugger all entertainment here and I'd probably get an irresistible urge to impose on an Apple forum and denigrate Macs just to get a bite.
Reply #91 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like i'll be needing these today.


Did those once belong to Nancy Sinatra?   
Reply #92 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have seen XP machines blue screen during a presentation.

My vista machine only blue screened after opening 80 apps, crashing the DWM because my graphics card doesnt have enough memory, then closing all the apps, and trying to restart the DWM.
Reply #93 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have seen XP machines blue screen during a presentation.


Here's one for you. Open up a Hyperterminal session, and then cut and paste a large block of data. You do not get the BSOD, but Windows goes catatonic. Basically you cannot do anything, and have to restart.
Reply #94 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a question - how many Vista users have had Vista totally crash requiring a reboot?

I have had the usual suspects in Vista - Windows Explorer and Dreamscapes crash but always have recovered without total system failure.

Windows XP on the other hand - and I have a great deal of experience with XP as I administer a 600 machine network all running XP Pro - when it crashes it is a full shutdown issue.

Not advocating either here - don't want my birthday taken away - just curious to know.
Reply #95 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a question - how many Vista users have had Vista totally crash requiring a reboot?


Only when my graphics card went guts up a while back and wouldn't support Aero, etc. Happened a couple of times but I just booted into XP until I got my new 8600GT card...now Vista runs great and is quite stable.

Not advocating either here


Neither am I, but with so many extolling the virtues of XP and giving Vista the thumbs down/a bum rap, somebody's gotta support the underdog.
Reply #96 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Ranger,

Yea, I did forget that point. Vista hardly ever crashes requiring a re-boot. It usually sorts itself out and restarts the graphics driver or just continues after a short pause. Dreamscape/Deskscape is one of those that will re-start the driver. Seems a bit more stable now though since the latest updates. I am impressed at how Vista holds itself together in these cases, remembering the awful nightmares of graphics lock-ups in XP, 2K etc.

Someone mentioned they didnt like the interface changes but to me the interface is practically secondary due to the new start menu which is so much more powerful.

I do use Object Dock in Vista though. Dont know why MS didnt buy Stardock and get a decent Icon docking system. This is where it lets itself down a bit, the Icon system is still antiquated. But as you can get Object Dock basic version for free then it's an easy choice. Perhaps Stardock can let us know why MS didnt buy them?

Regards
Dane
Reply #97 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dane - it is the one thing that has surprised me with Vista - it is very hard to break. I always try to break new operating systems as soon as possible to see how user defensive they are. Vista does hold its own. Now just get a couple of nagging issues resolved and I think in the end it will be solid.

It does have a lot of bells and whistles that aren't business required by any means but as far as stability on a foundation basis it is good so far.
Reply #98 from Stardock Forums Top
Testing Vista Ultimate 64 has been an ongoing project on my Game/Test Machine. I am
getting ready to switch from Dual Boot to Vista Ultimate Alone. Will be doing so on my primary machine after the first of the year. At this point very stable, and runs the software and games which I use.
Reply #99 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Starkers - I was asked by my friend to set it up that way because these friends of mine know almost nothing about using a computer. So I set it up along those lines. I still have to go over there once in awhile and do spyware and adware scans.

Anyhow...
Reply #100 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You know I have only been working with a computer for 5 years... NEVER NEVER TOUCHED A COMPUTER BEFORE THEN. The first one didn't even have sound... But I worked hard to learn how to use it... Then I got my first real computer.. A Gateway Laptop... Ofcourse it was a XP OS and Internet 6.0... Ok, so I had it for about 4 years... I learned a lot from it and I never had much problems with it. Now I know you guys are thinking, " Some old women playing with a computer , sure, whats that about." But I did learn a lot , especially from trial and error and with a lot of reading and learning from YOU ALL ON this site.

So last March I got a new desktop computer. I love it.. Ofcourse it came with Windows Vista Premium Home addition.. I had to invest in some new software, nothing much, but I find it to be a wonderful system.. I don't understand what the big deal is all about.
It is all a learning process no matter what you do.. I enjoy both computers but honestly I like the Vista much better. I find it much more stable and NEVER(knock on wood) has given me any problems. I am learning everyday more about the computer and how it is capiable of helping me with my work and entertainment, and organizing my days.

I have just started learning about Voice Recognition and training the computer to understand what I say and I find it all very exciting..

If this old broad can venture into the world of Vista, I don't see why anyone, WHO HAS TO KNOW MUCH MORE THEN I --- has a problem dealing with this OS.... Just my thoughts.