Vista is leaked

[shrike]

WORD FROM the badlands of the Internet concerns Microsoft's new Windows Vista. It appears to have been leaked ahead of the downloadable MSDN release and can be found on various torrent sites and the FTPs of unscrupulous individuals. Vista is leaked

So anyone going to upgrade?

[Jack]

After using the betas, no. XP Pro will be my last version of Windows. All the GUI and security enhancements are just poor imitations of what Mac and Linux users have been enjoying for years. I don't need Windows much anymore except for using ACT at work. And by next year I hope to see an Open Source replacement for that program as well.

[shrike]

After using the betas, no. XP Pro will be my last version of Windows. All the GUI and security enhancements are just poor imitations of what Mac and Linux users have been enjoying for years.

But It still better than XP so why not?

[Jack]

It is better than XP in many ways. But the cost of upgrading (Ultimate would be the logical replacement for the 6 XP Pro machines I either own or am responsible for) is currently $259. That means to license each of my computers for Vista will cost me $1554 before tax. That's not just insane, it's well beyond my budgetary allowances. I'll stick with my no-cost Linux. If they ever port OSX to the PC, I may buy a copy of that, though it's doubtful.

Since I'm active in the Windows community and contribute to Windows forums, I feel a certain obligation to keep up on their OS. But unless Microsoft offers me a free copy of Vista, like they did with XP Pro, I may be scaling back my involvement in that community by late next year. Or I may break down and upgrade one computer to Vista so I can keep up. But Windows is becoming too feature poor and cost prohibitive to warrant its presence on all my computers.

[Pooeypants]

I will be forced into buying Vista when they make more and more games exclusive for it. I can't believe they've snapped up Crysis...grrrr

[shrike]

Quote by: Isherwood It is better than XP in many ways. But the cost of upgrading (Ultimate would be the logical replacement for the 6 XP Pro machines I either own or am responsible for) is currently $259. That means to license each of my computers for Vista will cost me $1554 before tax. That's not just insane, it's well beyond my budgetary allowances. I'll stick with my no-cost Linux. If they ever port OSX to the PC, I may buy a copy of that, though it's doubtful. .

Quote by: Pooeypants I will be forced into buying Vista when they make more and more games exclusive for it. I can't believe they've snapped up Crysis...grrrr

Pirated copy is not an option at least at home computer?

[Pooeypants]

No, I prefer not to break the law.

[Jack]

There's that, and the fact that Vista will include Genuine Windows Advantage (WGA) that checks your version of Vista for proper licensing. If your version of Windows is pirated, WGA may just block your access to patches and updates, or it may be able to actually cripple functionality.

[shrike]

fact that Vista will include Genuine Windows Advantage (WGA) that checks your version of Vista for proper licensing. If your version of Windows is pirated, WGA may just block your access to patches and updates, or it may be able to actually cripple functionality.

There always be a crack out there.There is one now...

[Jack]

Why bother? The alternatives are better, more stable and less expensive/free.

[shrike]

Why bother? The alternatives are better, more stable and less expensive/free

Maybe and I hope there will be real alternative but I think at least till last few years Microsoft didn't care much about pirated software because it helped to get her large share of the market. Only when they secured their position they started to make some problems.
Also the absorption of new software like Linux/Open Office is pretty painful in large organization.
So as I see it until Windows has a large share in Soft market there will be those who can afford to buy it to save all the troubles but there will be those who don't have enough funds so they will pirate it.

[kubedawg]

After reading the EULA, I will not be upgrading. I'll probably eventually switch to a Mac or get Linux.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: Isherwood Why bother? The alternatives are better, more stable and less expensive/free.

Until those alternatives are catered to by PC games designers, I have little choice...

[Jack]

Linux is making strides to get up to speed with gaming. Doom is now on Linux machines, other games are being ported almost daily. Granted, the drivers for the latest video cards will be slower arriving on Linux computers than Windows machines until the OEMs start writing them for all platforms at rollout.

Meanwhile, considering piracy and Windows, my buddy Scot Finnie (online editorial director for ComputerWorld magazine) just had this in his latest newsletter in his review of Vista;

I'm talking about aspects like the new upgrade to Microsoft's anti-piracy measures known as Software Protection Platform (which includes a "reduced functionality mode"), the little-detailed digital rights management (DRM) features (if any), and the repetitious frustration of User Account Control (UAC), a security feature that takes an extreme approach to protecting you from potential threats — which probably aren't even there 99.9% of the time. My assessment of UAC is that it's a good idea that is badly implemented, even after recent refinements. I think it will have the opposite effect on many Vista desktops; it may deaden users to security risks by asking them too frequently whether they're sure an activity is something they really want to allow or do. UAC will protect Microsoft's image as a purveyor of secure software (or, at least, it might do so). But if it adds any real protection, it will do so at the expense of the user experience. My sentiment about the Software Protection Platform anti-piracy measure is that it only serves one entity: Microsoft. For users, it has no advantage, and for some individuals and enterprises, it could be a ticking time bomb waiting to unleash frustration.

[Osborn F Enready]

I won't be buying Vista, and I probably won't buy another machine once they stop supporting XP.

The only reason I use windows now, is because of game compatibility and the variety that write for it.

Games have been getting progressively suckier for years, as has windows. About time to drop them both once the support for XP stops.

[kubedawg]

Ok, well Vista will have less support for games than a lot of current versions of Linux, even the 32 bit version. So, in my opinion, free is better than buying something, so I'd go with linux.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: kubedawg Ok, well Vista will have less support for games than a lot of current versions of Linux, even the 32 bit version. So, in my opinion, free is better than buying something, so I'd go with linux.

Erm, it's not even been released yet so your point on support is moot.

[Scribbler1]

I'll use XP Home until I can't use it anymore. I'm trying out Ubuntu Linux and I'm feeling I won't NEED Windows once the support is gone. I don't tax my machines and so far almost everything I do on XP I can do on Linux, except the Hauppage video capture card.
If they could develop drivers for Linux to use all the stuff I have now I'd be one happy mammajamma.

[Jack]

Don't lose hope. I too have a Hauppage card and PCLos recognized it.

[kubedawg]

Quote by: Pooeypants Erm, it's not even been released yet so your point on support is moot.

I know some people who know some people who work for Microsoft and or other companies. And I stay up to date as possible on technology news and that's what I've heard. My point on support is not moot, as it will raise the question for when it DOES come out... I cannot see how you didn't get that.