I’ve done it. I’ve completed my switchover to Windows Vista RC1 on my primary desktop computer at work. I can’t say that the transition wasn’t without its fair share of bumps, but over all I’ve noticed significant improvements in both program compatibility and operating system stability with this build. Many of the programs that I use in day to day activities at my job install and function just fine in this build. There are a few things that just aren’t there yet (like Windows 2003 Active Directory tools), so I’m hoping that RC2 (if there is an RC2) addresses some of these issues.
From the laundry list of software I have to install on my machine, there were only a few programs that I couldn’t get installed and going. WS_FTP Pro installed ok but won’t launch ever claiming some sort of error in the secure loader that loads the program (whatever that means). Many programs won’t install until you enter their properties page and enable Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode for that install program and then run it as an administrator. This was true for many programs like our Remedy call tracking software, Eudora email client, SSH Secure Shell, and a few others. Many programs like Dreamweaver 8, Virtual PC 2004, Gaim, and Acrobat Professional install and run without a hitch.
After installing Vista RC1, I chose to install the Office 2007 Beta 2 in place of Office 2003 Professional. I really like the new Office system. I have found working in Microsoft Word 2007 to be much more intuitive than previous versions. That’s not to say that there is some re-learning involved, because there is, but overall the workflow has improved. I’m very impressed with Oulook 2007’s ability to handle my Exchange email and my numerous rules without errors. If I had one gripe with Outlook 2003 it was about it’s apparent inability to handle all of my rules in a consistent manner. Those gripes are a thing of the past. I don’t want to get too deep into a review of Microsoft Office 2007 as I plan on reviewing it more indepth at a later time.
Adding Vista RC1 to my work’s domain was a pretty simple process. I’ve been unable to test how Group Policy is functioning on the system, but I hope to be looking at that soon. Overall, I believe I’m most excited about the organizational features Vista offers - saved searches, tagging of photos and music, and an improved user folder (none of these “My …” folders).
What do I not like so far? Well here is a short list of things I’ve found this weeK:
- User Account Control is annoying.
- No active directory tools for a domain networked environment.
- The Windows Side bar - everything about this “feature” just falls short of expectations.
- Antivirus options are limited at best - Symantec’s Vista product won’t liveupdate or let you start a manual scan.
- I use dual monitors, but when I lock my workstation or logoff, Vista blacks out the second monitor.
- My drive mappings don’t work the same as they did in Windows XP. I only get a few of the drives to actually map.
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Here is an idea. Would MS dare open up an old version of Windows, perhaps Win 2000, to the open source community? I want to see what a community of developers could make of inheriting a pre-existing standard (rather than having to try to build one from scratch). It would help bring MS products to developing countries legally…and encourage the sale of other MS software (such as office, etc).
Alternately, with Mac OS coming to life on Intel processors, they should consider offering the OS for free as a MS alternative, and concentrate of selling additional hardware (ipods, etc) and software to a suddenly much wider array of Mac users. The possibilities down that road are amazing - exciting.
I am looking forward to the next two years of OS developments. A critical time for all players and I am waiting for someone to do something extraordinary.
Might be worth mentioning that McAfee’s beta of Viruscan 8.5i runs quite happily under Vista RC1, as does the Anti Spyware Enterprise beta product.