So you want to run Vista to get in on all of the hype?
You can do it by running Virtual PC on your XP computer and installing/running Vista in simulation mode. Then when Vista screws up, all you need to do is to drop back to XP.
This assumes the computer can handle it by having about 2 GB of memory and a fairly recent video card. If you don't have the latest video, then one of the minor features will not be able to be used.
Don't forget to shell out $200 for the install kit and license.
This is one realistic way to go while you wait for SP1 of Vista about a year from now. At the rate the patches have been coming out, it appears that SP1 might be hurried along a bit.
The real problem is that Vista still is missing a lot of drivers and ability to run certain programs successfully. Third party software developers are still recoding their products for Vista. Microsoft has released a list of 800 programs that do run properly so your obligation is to find the list and check that all of the drivers and programs are going to work. Is this where you want to spend your time when your objective is to write letters and handle email?
I know that someone will bring in a copy of Vista to the Clinic and I will be expected to handle and correct it. In practice, this is what has already happened with Hank of Datawise wherein he was presented with an installation that crashed and he was expected to fix the mess. The problem was that Microsoft had changed all of the names of the routines to similar but barely recognizable nomenclature and moved all of the locations of the routines to new locations—all for no good reason. So something that had been in the same general location through Win 95, 98, NT, 2000, and XP was now elsewhere. This knowledge can be learned, but it seems unnecessarily difficult. After my ear stopped burning, we were able to discuss the item at hand.
In the meantime I am perfecting my XP skills. One aid to controlling the XP experience is the use of a DeCrapifier that will appear on the SPAUG CD that is actually aimed at the Dell computers but works on all computers.
You will remember that Dell sells a pretty cheap computer because a lot of vendors pay Dell to preinstall their product onto the computer and to set the computer so that all of the software is started at boot time. Makes for a long and interesting boot.
The program is the result of a guy discovering all of the crapware on the computer and making a program that identifies and systematically runs around the computer removing the unwanted programs. Leaves a lean and fast computer.
The program runs on any computer. It may not find all of the crapware, but what it does find will be a great benefit. Generally, anyone who pays Dell to put on their software will go to other vendors and pay them also.
So the cat is out of the bag-the SPAUG CD is coming right along and you just had a little preview of a new feature. Our thanks to Bill Worthington assisted by Ron Nicholas.A company I work with just has moved all of its operations from Earthlink to another supplier. Because we had a domain, we never had to tell any customer of the change, the name remains the same for everybody. Where the email gets directed is handled by the domain supplier. That is why I have a domain. Not only is it sexy, but it also allows me to change ISPs at will and none of my correspondents knows that I might be with a new supplier. I find people have no difficulty with even memorizing the address until they get home. A domain is only about $15 a year. See me for recommendations.
Stoney & Jan Edwards, professional wildlife photographers, delivered a very polished presentation of their photographic work and the preparation they do to create marketable and award-winning photos. Simply put, they start planning and studying long before they start shooting. Their planning includes making sure they have the right equipment and enough consumables (such as batteries). Also, they back up their work, frequently. Although wildlife photography is the Edwards' specialty, and was our meeting's topic, the basic information they imparted can be applied to other similar endeavors. To view a sample of the new images they discussed, visit www.stoneyandjanphotos.com, click on “Gallery” and select “Africa 2006-NEW”. To learn more about the trip click on “News and Events”. The presentation covered basic guidelines for wildlife photography in the wild, mixed with some technical factors that are crucial to good results and simplified workflow in the lab. Photos were used to illustrate the results and tell some good stories.
One of the best and certainly fun to use tools for debugging Operating Systems, is supplied from the link below:
www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
I started snooping around and found that Microsoft has released a new version of VirtualPC. It is now VirtualPC 2007 and it is Free for the download! Check this out. It runs on XP just fine and it is a wonderful tool for those out there that still want to or need to run legacy Operating Systems such as Win98SE, Windows 2000, DOS, or whatever, without trashing your hard drive.
One can become quite brave and blow up an Operating system within VirtualPC. Currently, I have been using VirtualPC to test bootable ISO images of CDs and DVDs of both Windows 2000 Pro and Windows XP Pro. That's right, bootable ISO images, so I don't have to waste a CD/DVD. I can debug the image before I commit it to media.
Anyway, it is free for the download so you might want to snap that up before the crazy folks at Microsoft change their minds and start charging for it again.