So...Vista - Yay or Nay

[screwballl]

Aero for XP = SphereXP
Search feature = WDS (Windows Desktop Search)

[Capper]

This is a procedure that sounds like it should work OK for those who have bought a upgrade version of Vista and who wish to do a clean install. I haven’t personally tried it since I don’t have a upgrade version to test with.
1. Boot your computer system using the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD. You may have to set your BIOS to boot from DVD first, as the 1st boot device if it hasn’t been setup before.
2. Then click on the “Install Now” button.
3. You will be prompted to enter a Product Key. Do not enter one - leave it blank.
4. You will be prompted to select the Vista product version you wish to install. Do so now.
6. The installation should proceed normally for Vista. Installation time is quicker then previous versions of Windows.
7. Upon completion of the installation process, you must restart the installation once again from within Vista. And you must select to do a in-place upgrade. This time you will enter your Product Key when asked.

Vista Upgrade - Workaround Install Procedure « The Blade by Ron Schenone, MVP

Techno Blogo - Windows Vista Upgrade Version Workaround

Microsoft Confirms Vista Upgrade Limitations (Updated with Workaround)

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

Are you speaking of out-of-the-box functionality, or things that XP can do with add-ons? Because XP can do basically everything Vista can with add-ons except Aero and DirectX 10.

There's a reason they began development on XP before Me was released. Vista's not as bad as Me, but Vienna is rumored to be a revolutionary upgrade.

Yes, I suppose I was talking about "out-of-the-box" functionality. For instance, if I were to get all new up-to-date hardware (all Vista ready) for a new system and do a clean install of Vista, what could I expect performance and functionality wise?
Are the add-ons you're referring to things you can get off of the XP-to-Vista upgrade discs? Also, what is Aero all about? Is that just the cool graphics?

As far as Vienna being the revolutionary upgrade from what we all know and love, :adore: I had heard that about Vista - that IT was going to be something completely different from what we all know and love. :joyman:
I had heard that with Vista (or at the time, when it was codenamed Longhorn) it was going to be something totally different from the familiar Windows type of format. Now, I found myself wondering what they could possibly do that was different from the whole Windows thing, and still let people do whatever they need to do. But then when I saw that first article about Vista, it didn't look much different from XP but for a few exceptions and cool graphics. Maybe you're right, and Vienna will be the different one.

[Capper]

Anyway, you won't see Vienna for 2-2 1/2 yrs at least

[Jokerswild]

Originally Posted by Capper

Anyway, you won't see Vienna for 2-2 1/2 yrs at least

Just about the time Vista becomes a workable OS.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

Just about the time Vista becomes a workable OS.

Why do I have the feeling you could be right on that?

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Yes, I suppose I was talking about "out-of-the-box" functionality. For instance, if I were to get all new up-to-date hardware (all Vista ready) for a new system and do a clean install of Vista, what could I expect performance and functionality wise?

Out of the box, the main functionality that you would be using is indexed searching and some decent bundled applications, like Windows Calendar and the Windows Photo Gallery. But, again, all of these features have been provided by 3rd party applications (debatably better, actually) for XP, so there's really no reason to rush out and buy this OS unless you're building a new system.

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Are the add-ons you're referring to things you can get off of the XP-to-Vista upgrade discs?

No. The executables on the Vista disk are not compatible with XP. They have very different dependencies.

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Also, what is Aero all about? Is that just the cool graphics?

Practically, it has very little use, just like Beryl and Aqua. But it looks nice. That's basically what Microsoft is selling this time around.

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

As far as Vienna being the revolutionary upgrade from what we all know and love, :adore: I had heard that about Vista - that IT was going to be something completely different from what we all know and love. :joyman:
I had heard that with Vista (or at the time, when it was codenamed Longhorn) it was going to be something totally different from the familiar Windows type of format. Now, I found myself wondering what they could possibly do that was different from the whole Windows thing, and still let people do whatever they need to do. But then when I saw that first article about Vista, it didn't look much different from XP but for a few exceptions and cool graphics. Maybe you're right, and Vienna will be the different one.

Well, Windows Vista was planned as an in-between-stage OS since its initial development. Microsoft has been planning Vienna for many years. Vista's their response to the competition from Linux and OS X.

Vienna is a completely new concept for Microsoft. It's the sort of quantum leap that they took from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95. They're saying goodbye to the Start menu, once and for all, and bringing out a new interface, which they have said very little about publicly.

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

Just about the time Vista becomes a workable OS.

I disagree. As it is now, (as far as Windows systems go) Vista is already a workable OS. This "wait for the first service pack" talk was spread about before the final release. The drivers could use a little help, but the system itself is better than XP to be honest.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

Out of the box, the main functionality that you would be using is indexed searching and some decent bundled applications, like Windows Calendar and the Windows Photo Gallery. But, again, all of these features have been provided by 3rd party applications (debatably better, actually) for XP, so there's really no reason to rush out and buy this OS unless you're building a new system.

Unless Windows Calendar has something really special to it, I'm not sure I'd even use it. AOL has a calendar thing, and I never look at it. From an XP standpoint, Windows Photo Gallery seems redundant, since you can basically use a windows folder as a gallery or use Windows Picture/Fax Viewer...or any other photo program.

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

Practically, it has very little use, just like Beryl and Aqua. But it looks nice. That's basically what Microsoft is selling this time around.

I think it should be cheaper, then - if all they're going for is looks. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

Well, Windows Vista was planned as an in-between-stage OS since its initial development. Microsoft has been planning Vienna for many years. Vista's their response to the competition from Linux and OS X.

Vienna is a completely new concept for Microsoft. It's the sort of quantum leap that they took from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95. They're saying goodbye to the Start menu, once and for all, and bringing out a new interface, which they have said very little about publicly.

Yeah...the Really-Cool-Looking-In-Between-Stage OS, LOL! Getting rid of the Start Menu? Well, that'll be different. I wonder what the new interface will look like? Has there been any conjecture on it's appearance or functionality?

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Yeah...the Really-Cool-Looking-In-Between-Stage OS, LOL! Getting rid of the Start Menu? Well, that'll be different. I wonder what the new interface will look like? Has there been any conjecture on it's appearance or functionality?

No, nothing has been said officially, so all we have to go by are rumors and the material that Microsoft's research lab has put out. I won't repeat any rumors, but I do know that their lab has developed an alternative to the virtual desktop. Each open program minimizes into a small live thumbnail on the side of the screen, and programs can be grouped together. To be honest, it wasn't an enjoyable experience, but you can try it for yourself. (Scalable Fabric)

Another project they've worked on is the GroupBar, though it's not likely that's the Start menu-less desktop they've referred to, since it's just a more advanced taskbar with a Start menu.

[screwballl]

WinVista = WinME (one sucks due to lack of security, the other sucks due to too much security)