What operating system do you use?

Actually, now that I think about it, non-admin accounts in Vista prompt for a password, I don't know if admin ones do (or can). Never bothered to try and change it, if they can.

Not that I can contribute to the tech-filled discussion, but I use Windows XP on pretty much every working computer in my house.

I hate hate hate hate hate hate using Macs.
And I'm an art student, too.
Ugh, Mac OSX is visually too much of a mess for me to put it to any use.

I've been using the Release Candidate of Windows 7 since it came out, no complaints here.

Originally Posted by The Farmboy

You know if you actually read through the user guide for vista, it's actually better than XP *gasp*. It's called this great new thing called UPGRDE! Damn, I hate anti-vista people because they have this hole they sit in called 2003. Wake up people, and learn how to use new software. When the new version of Linux drops , people learn how to use it, but they won't learn to use Microsoft. Oh, and XP support will be dropped by Microsoft in... April 21 of next year. So all of those who chose to stay away from vista just because of what they heard, are going to be sol. I run Windows 7, which by the way, has been out of beta for about a month.

So ****ing what? I can do so much more on an XP computer so much easier. Trust me, I have very good reasons to use XP, but you probably wouldn't understand them.

If you hate vista that much, all I can say is buy a Mac and f*** off.

As long as you pay for half of it so it costs as much as a PC does, kid.

Originally Posted by John

Then switch the colour scheme. Mine's a nice subdued black.

They all look the same - nothing for artsy types.

Originally Posted by John

Eh, I'll have to check again, but last time I looked Ubuntu had a similar memory footprint to Vista.

Maybe with 300 compiz plugins on.

Originally Posted by John

Some examples would be nice, 'cause I've not noticed this at all.

"ohi imma change your team to windows vista basic and btw you cannot access windows folders and imma hide lots of files from you even though you put on 'show hidden folders' lololol"

Originally Posted by John

On what hardware?

Obviously it won't be a performance hit on a quad core with 4 gigs of DDR2/DDR3 RAM. On my computer and the school computers (which are like the lower mid end but still new), it really gets a performance hit.

Originally Posted by John

It is. Seriously. It hides substantially less than XP

"super hidden folders", nuff said.

Originally Posted by John

and doesn't outright lie (which XP does. You're far more likely to end up with corrupted files on XP due to the way it presents information about file transfers, say)

No file transfer corruptions ever since Win98, except when I disconnected the device or when I last formatted and for some reason it touched my files on another hard drive (which doesn't have to do with XP, really).

Originally Posted by John

Much better audio setup, for one.

The only plus is being able to set volume for individual programs. The mixing options are much sexier over here.

Originally Posted by John

You'd prefer to have to right-click and select properties to find out anything about any file? Or Hard Disk?

Not really. My XP gui shows what I need (name, type, total size, available size, file system, comments...) without right clicking.

Originally Posted by John

and groups things together logically

Nice white spaces - really logical grouping here.

Originally Posted by John

Prison cells are, by definition, secure.

They also lock you in.
plus this:

Ubuntu is both more secure than Vista, and less restrictive. It's far more secure in user mode, and far less restrictive in root mode, and sudo allows the user to easily gain access to root mode if they have access to the root password.

Originally Posted by John

And it's far less of a cell than Ubuntu, say, is.

Not really, as I can basically do anything on an ubuntu setup. I can't say the same with a Vista setup.

Originally Posted by John

I just went Start > Computer > C: > Windows >System32

Took me about two seconds. Not one dialogue box or warning.

Lucky you.

Originally Posted by John

First time I did than in XP I had to ask it to show me the contents of the folders at least twice.

Never got that.

Originally Posted by John

Plus, Vista's prompts don't make the entire screen unresponsive

and

I had to create this image myself, though, because my screenshot grabber won't work when Vista is giving me a security alert of this type. In fact, NOTHING will work until you resolve this security issue. It does give you a pop-up about whatever the issue is, after a moment, but that is ALL YOU CAN DO. You can cancel or accept the action.

"Can I just check online really fast to see if this progra--"
"NEIN! Anzwer ze question! Or ve vill SHOOT ZIS PUPPY!"

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

Not that I can contribute to the tech-filled discussion, but I use Windows XP on pretty much every working computer in my house.

I hate hate hate hate hate hate using Macs.
And I'm an art student, too.
Ugh, Mac OSX is visually too much of a mess for me to put it to any use.

Something like this, except that I don't dislike the OS, but dislike the community and the cost of the hardware. Plus, I like using 3D in my artwork, which Macs can't handle unless I'd buy an overpriced Mac pro.

Originally Posted by John

Actually, now that I think about it, non-admin accounts in Vista prompt for a password, I don't know if admin ones do (or can). Never bothered to try and change it, if they can.

That explains it then, as I don't believe I've ever used Vista as a non-admin.

Also, I just realized that Keyring doesn't freeze up the whole GUI. Perhaps Ubuntu doesn't use Keyring afterall? I guess that's another reason to switch to Mint.

Are you using Ubuntu or Kubuntu? The KDE equivalent to Keyring is KWallet, and it might freeze the entire GUI.

I use Vista at home, and Linux at uni.

Originally Posted by fratey

"ohi imma change your team to windows vista basic

Again, not Vista's fault.

and btw you cannot access windows folders

I can, clearly there's a setting you haven't toggled.

and imma hide lots of files from you even though you put on 'show hidden folders' lololol"

I also don't have that problem.

Tell me, you positive you're running an admin account in the latest service pack of Vista? 'Cuase I honestly don't get any of the problems that you do.

Obviously it won't be a performance hit on a quad core with 4 gigs of DDR2/DDR3 RAM. On my computer and the school computers (which are like the lower mid end but still new), it really gets a performance hit.

I've got a low-mid computer. No performance hit to speak of.

(Core 2 Duo E8400, 4 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM (Used to be 2, no slowdown then), Geforce 8800GT.)

No file transfer corruptions ever since Win98, except when I disconnected the device or when I last formatted and for some reason it touched my files on another hard drive (which doesn't have to do with XP, really).

Ah, but you're much more likely to have such a problem on XP, because it says it's completed a file transfer as soon as it's done the read operation, not the write.

The only plus is being able to set volume for individual programs. The mixing options are much sexier over here.

It takes 10 times as long to set up a microphone in XP as it does in Vista. Mostly because XP has about five different menus that you have to go into to get it to set the volume properly for a mic. Vista just has one, in a logical location.

Nice white spaces - really logical grouping here.

Not an issue I have, and not what I'm talking about, either.

[quote]Never got that.


and[quote]
That first one is if you try to shut it down while programs are still running. XP, 2000, and all NT-based versions do the same thing.

That second one is just a black screen, so I can hardly comment on it, but I've yet to get a security popup that locks down my computer. Neither the "ask for admin privledges" nor "UAC" popups do so.

Originally Posted by 8bit

Are you using Ubuntu or Kubuntu? The KDE equivalent to Keyring is KWallet, and it might freeze the entire GUI.

I use Ubuntu. I've no idea what program it's using, but the entire GUI greys out save for the password box.

Originally Posted by fratey

So ****ing what? I can do so much more on an XP computer so much easier. Trust me, I have very good reasons to use XP, but you probably wouldn't understand them.

Hang on, I didn't say that XP is a worthless piece of sh**. I have to run XP on my current compiler so that I can maximize the amount of memory to Visual Studio. See, studio is about, I think it was 4.3 GB on my hardrive just as the file and requires 3GB of memory to run it as fast as I use it. I have 7 sitting on my PC. I know that people don't use Vista because they read the negative things from people who "bought it and hate it" Yea, most of these people don't even know what .String query is. See, there are three types of people that Vista was intended for: businesses, government, and developers. It was never intended to be "user friendly" Microsoft could give a sh** if the average person likes it, they built so that businesses could optimize their higher end machines. I build these machines for people and they perfer Vista Business since it will see all the memory in the computer. The government perfers Vista (in fact, I believe the only reason they haven't upgraded is because it will take longer to upgrade the military, but with the RC of 7, they have decided to move up to 7 since it will be the latest thing. Developers use it mainly for the same reasons as businesses, to optimize higher end machines.

I have to end abrubtly since I have to take exam finals today, but I will return.

Originally Posted by John

Again, not Vista's fault.

XP never switches me to the classic theme.

Originally Posted by John

I can, clearly there's a setting you haven't toggled.

Yeah, very user friendly.

Originally Posted by John

I also don't have that problem.

Because you aren't aware of it.

Even if you turn on show hidden files in Windows Explorer some files will remain hidden. These files are super hidden.

Originally Posted by John

Tell me, you positive you're running an admin account in the latest service pack of Vista? 'Cuase I honestly don't get any of the problems that you do.

I'm not running Vista anymore, but I sure did.

Originally Posted by John

I've got a low-mid computer. No performance hit to speak of.

(Core 2 Duo E8400, 4 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM (Used to be 2, no slowdown then), Geforce 8800GT.)

E2200 with 2 gigs of RAM is over the requirements. And you claimed it to be faster. It won't be faster on my Pentium IV. Therefore, a huge performance hit unless you can pay for it.

Originally Posted by John

Ah, but you're much more likely to have such a problem on XP, because it says it's completed a file transfer as soon as it's done the read operation, not the write.

The 'most likely' doesn't bother me since it never happened.

Originally Posted by John

It takes 10 times as long to set up a microphone in XP as it does in Vista.

Wait what? I just plug it in and it just works. The only problems I had with a microphone ever was because I didn't realize that I plugged it into "Line In/Mic 2", and that's not XP's fault.

Originally Posted by John

Mostly because XP has about five different menus that you have to go into to get it to set the volume properly for a mic.

I click the volume thing in my lower right hand corner, select "input", and I'm done. If that isn't logical, then I really wonder...

Originally Posted by John

Not an issue I have, and not what I'm talking about, either.

Still not logical, boy.

Originally Posted by John

That first one is if you try to shut it down while programs are still running.

I want it to shut down all programs without *****ing.

Originally Posted by John

XP, 2000, and all NT-based versions do the same thing.

No, they really don't. They just shut down like I want them to. They just work.

Originally Posted by The Farmboy

See, there are three types of people that Vista was intended for: businesses, government, and developers.

LOL, in the sense that they need Vista to troubleshoot the programs that don't work in Vista?

Originally Posted by The Farmboy

It was never intended to be "user friendly"

hi there John says otherwise etc etc

I didn't want vista, but I guess its not so bad. I had to buy a new computer.

So far only one blue screen of death.

So far only one blue screen of death.

^Never understood that. I've never had a computer crash on me, abrubtly shut down, freeze, lock up, or come up wiht a blue screen. I've overclocked an older computer, but it slowed down because of advance cooling installed on it.

Well, I tri-boot on a Mac.
I also run Ubuntu, used to run XP, but now its Win7.
macfag alert

Originally Posted by fratey

XP never switches me to the classic theme.

And Vista only does it if you've got really poorly coded software running, and switches back as soon as you exit.

And the difference is how shiny a couple of buttons are.

Yeah, very user friendly.

I found it to be, yes.

E2200 with 2 gigs of RAM is over the requirements. And you claimed it to be faster. It won't be faster on my Pentium IV. Therefore, a huge performance hit unless you can pay for it.

I don't think I did claim it to be faster, I just said that I didn't take a performance hit.

The 'most likely' doesn't bother me since it never happened.

Just like most of the issues you're reporting here about Vista, then?

Wait what? I just plug it in and it just works. The only problems I had with a microphone ever was because I didn't realize that I plugged it into "Line In/Mic 2", and that's not XP's fault.

Last time I tried to set up a microphone in XP I had to use the main mixer, some option or other in the control panel, and the soundcard's driver mixer.

I've never, not once, across three PCs running XP had a microphone work when I plugged it in without a massive headache of tracking down exactly which toggle was set wrong.

In Vista? Just works.

Still not logical, boy.

It's also clearly a glitch. Once again, I've never had it.

You're getting some damn odd problems.

I want it to shut down all programs without *****ing.

Then hit the little button that says that.

No, they really don't. They just shut down like I want them to. They just work.

Have you ever tried to shut down XP with programs running the background? A message pops up telling you that there are programs still running, and asking if you want to force them to quit.

It's the same thing Vista does.

Originally Posted by John

Have you ever tried to shut down XP with programs running the background? A message pops up telling you that there are programs still running, and asking if you want to force them to quit.

It's the same thing Vista does.

Since I got burned before for not googling enough, you can change that. At least in XP, so that programs close immediately.

Originally Posted by John

And Vista only does it if you've got really poorly coded software running

Adobe Fireworks? =/

Originally Posted by John

And the difference is how shiny a couple of buttons are.

And the sexy, sexy blur. Still, it changes.

Originally Posted by John

I found it to be, yes.

There's a user setting somewhere that allows me to take control over my computer.

Originally Posted by John

I don't think I did claim it to be faster, I just said that I didn't take a performance hit.

No, you probably won't, as you are above recommended, especially when it comes to RAM.

Originally Posted by John

Just like most of the issues you're reporting here about Vista, then?

Except that those issues seem to happen to most. Most don't get file errors.

Originally Posted by John

Last time I tried to set up a microphone in XP I had to use the main mixer, some option or other in the control panel, and the soundcard's driver mixer.

Again, it's just changing to "Input" in the master volume panel. I can't see that on Vista. =/

Originally Posted by John

I've never, not once, across three PCs running XP had a microphone work when I plugged it in without a massive headache of tracking down exactly which toggle was set wrong.

Four steps: Double click volume, click Properties, click Input, and select the correct microphone. That is if it isn't working from the beginning, which it does with all microphones that don't use an alternate sound port, or USB, or such. It's soooo simple. =/

Originally Posted by John

In Vista? Just works.

Again, same with XP - it's piss easy.

Originally Posted by John

It's also clearly a glitch. Once again, I've never had it.

Happens.

Originally Posted by John

You're getting some damn odd problems.

Me and millions of other users.

Originally Posted by John

Then hit the little button that says that.

No, it has to ***** first.

Originally Posted by John

Have you ever tried to shut down XP with programs running the background? A message pops up telling you that there are programs still running, and asking if you want to force them to quit.

No, that really doesn't happen. The only pop up I get is from MSN if I have conversations up, and that hasn't to do with the OS. Are you sure you are using XP?

Originally Posted by John

It's the same thing Vista does.

Not really.

Originally Posted by Nictel

Since I got burned before for not googling enough, you can change that. At least in XP, so that programs close immediately.

I think what you are talking about is forcing them to close if they hang. :p

Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope 9.04 and nothing more. It just does everything I need and is more customizable and fast than windows - altough I think I would use Vista if my laptop were more powerfull =P

Originally Posted by fratey

I think what you are talking about is forcing them to close if they hang. :p

Could be, all I know is my computer shuts it self down in 3 seconds. Now if it only would boot in 3 seconds.


Also when inserting a usb stick in a vista computer:

A suitable driver could not be found.
Fine I'll enter the cd.
WARNING this driver does not have a valid security certificate.
Yeah whatever.
WARNING this driver is not vista compatible.
CONTINUE
usb stick doesn't work :S

Granted it is an old one but still with XP I can use it in a matter of seconds.
I don't want to be forced to throw away half of my peripherals just for a shiny GUI.

I think that with Vista, it works really well when you buy a new computer now with new software recently created. Anything made pre-XP you can pretty much forget about in my experience.

Originally Posted by fratey

Adobe Fireworks? =/

Yeah, I could see Adobe messing up there.

Except that those issues seem to happen to most. Most don't get file errors.

The thing is that they don't happen to most. You've had a very odd, and very poor, experience with Vista. Most people have no trouble. You just don't hear about them because "computer works fine" is not really news.

Again, it's just changing to "Input" in the master volume panel. I can't see that on Vista. =/

In Vista you pull up the master volume panel, or the sound and audio properties and set it there with one click.

In XP? Doing what you say never works. I've not once been able to set up a microphone that way.

Four steps: Double click volume, click Properties, click Input, and select the correct microphone. That is if it isn't working from the beginning, which it does with all microphones that don't use an alternate sound port, or USB, or such. It's soooo simple. =/

Doesn't work.
Has never worked for me across, as I said, three different computers with different sound cards. (Heck, five different sound cards across three computers, two of them onboard, never worked.)

And these are standard mics, they plug into the little pink port. No USB.

No, that really doesn't happen. The only pop up I get is from MSN if I have conversations up, and that hasn't to do with the OS. Are you sure you are using XP?

Yep. If I try to shut down XP with any windows open then it will pop up asking me if I want to force those programs to quit or not.

Vista does exactly the same thing in exactly the same circumstances.

I think what you are talking about is forcing them to close if they hang. :p

The dialogues are similar, but not identical.

Originally Posted by Nictel

Could be, all I know is my computer shuts it self down in 3 seconds. Now if it only would boot in 3 seconds.

Mine boots in about ten with Hibernation ;3

Originally Posted by John

Yeah, I could see Adobe messing up there.

I doubt it if it's a big market. And again, it works perfectly on XP and OS X; ergo there's something with Vista. :p

Originally Posted by John

The thing is that they don't happen to most. You've had a very odd, and very poor, experience with Vista.

No, not at all, I enjoy using it.

Originally Posted by John

In XP? Doing what you say never works. I've not once been able to set up a microphone that way.

Then you must have a horrible microphone. Every time, it's been working perfectly with this method.

Originally Posted by John

Doesn't work.
Has never worked for me across, as I said, three different computers with different sound cards. (Heck, five different sound cards across three computers, two of them onboard, never worked.)

And these are standard mics, they plug into the little pink port. No USB.

And as I said, a simple 3.5 mm jacket microphone always works. Shouldn't matter about OS. Sure it works.
It's like, fully hardware. Nothing should be installed. It's like when plugging in speakers.

Originally Posted by John

Yep. If I try to shut down XP with any windows open then it will pop up asking me if I want to force those programs to quit or not.

Vista does exactly the same thing in exactly the same circumstances.

No, it really doesn't. In fact, Vista always *****es at me if I have programs running. XP never does unless a program hangs. So no, I think you've been messing a bit too much with XP if it does that. :p

Originally Posted by The Farmboy

^Never understood that. I've never had a computer crash on me, abrubtly shut down, freeze, lock up, or come up wiht a blue screen. I've overclocked an older computer, but it slowed down because of advance cooling installed on it.

This computer I bought has a great fan and everything. I don't think it was the tower, just the OP. I was closing Firefox and I saw it.

Also, whats with line by line debate? *head desk*