Comments on: Windows Vista: Lipstick on a Pig

By: Darkstar

Darkstar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:08:00 +0000

Well, I myself do see where Chris is coming from but look at things this way… No operating system is perfect be it Windows, Mac OS or Linux. Everyone here has good points but the bottom line is no matter what you do, each system has pros and cons. Vista though, I can say that after the release of the newest Service Pack, Service Pack 2… it has DRAMATICALLY improved. Think back to Windows XP when it was first released, it too was a disaster and the only reason it is as good as it is now is because its 8 years old and Microsoft has had that much time to improve it to its current state. So to everyone here… Vista is Vista, Windows is Windows, Linux is Linux and Mac OS is Mac OS. Use what you prefer as each has its pros and cons… and KerriMae, good points about Linux , I think some of what you say is right on…

By: Sgt. Firestorm

Sgt. Firestorm — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:18:39 +0000

P.S. This is a cool forum. I like reading everyone’s opinions and whatnot. I hope Vista does get better, I think it has potential :). Tis all this girls gonna say :).

By: Sgt. Firestorm

Sgt. Firestorm — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:06:56 +0000

Persoanally JDX, these are my opinions and I have met many people who have had nothing but problems after SP1 was installed. Performance increases are minimal and all it does is add new features. As for Linux, your partially right… Microsoft is becoming the past of computing and GNU/Linux could possibly be the future. It’s not mainstream… yet because it’s not ready for the general public. Linux is simply a kernel by the way and it will be replaced by the “Hurd” eventually. All I myself have done is state my opinions. I’m very skilled with PCs and do see what your saying but also, saying Linux will never be mainstream is a bit extreme. I am not saying I’m right nor am I saying that what I’m saying is fact, it’s MY personal opinion. I don’t like Vista as it’s been a nuisance since I’ve gotten it and that is after the installation of SP1 as well. Linux is my preference and I’m holding my breathe for that now. Maybe Vista will get better, if so, I’ll be back. I’m running it now but am trying to stay on top of the issues. But you watch my friend, eventually Microsoft will no longer be on top. Things are happening now that are challenging Microsoft on their high horse :).

Kerri-Mae

By: JDX

JDX — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:34:33 +0000

Chris is only human and is entitled to his opinions, however skewed they may be. Once again he makes blanket statements without supporting them. Explain a 10x worse user experience. The new start menu and how it’s more intuitive perhaps? Integrated search to make locating apps easier? Live thumbnail icons? The Aero interface (which looks great IMO). Please explain… (Of course he won’t). Come on… classic mode? As for the little fonts dialog box goes, it is a well know insider joke. Come on who uses it anyway, I have always dragged and dropped fonts – which is the easiest way to do it. This amounts to nit picking, nothing more, and nothing less. I really don’t know what he’s talking about when he uses the word “Frankensteined” (which he misspelled BTW). And what is a Vista app anyway? Notepad? Why would you use XP guidelines for Vista?

It’s funny, I used to watch TechTv back in the day, and Windows was how Chris made his living. Aside from a couple of driver and application compatibility issues, I don’t get his constant griping about Vista.

As for Sgt. Firestorm, Everyone I’ve talked to has had nothing but success and a positive experience after installing SP 1. Uninstall it if it doesn’t work… what’s the big deal? Also keep holding your breath, because Linux will never be Mainstream. Outside of the Tech community, know one has ever heard of Linux.

For Chris Elrod, The Ultimate edition is available all over; I bought mine at MicroCenter when it was first released. Most of your comment is a big rant against MS, and you say nothing about the OS except it’s a dud and you give nothing to back it up besides stating hardware and software which is very vague. IMO, You are truly mistaken in your opinions and that may just be the reason you go out of business.

For Manalishi, It’s funny that no one I know had had your problems. A BSOD doesn’t just happen out of the blue… there is a reason for it – and many more means nothing. What are the “things” that stopped working? I just love it when people make statements and don’t back them up with the slightest detail. I have had Vista running on three different systems with no issues. And you just had to mention a Mac, which pretty much invalidates your entire rant.

By: David Sudry

David Sudry — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:21:12 +0000

I have just “Upgraded” a brand new Compaq Presario F700 – switched from VISTA to XP.

Unfortunately I lost the sound.
Couldn’t find an XP sound driver that will run on the Copmpac F700 H/W.

Will appreciate help in finding an XP sound driver that will run on the
Compaq Presario F700

By: Sgt. Firestorm

Sgt. Firestorm — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:15:48 +0000

You know, I’ve got to get this out there… I just installed Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista. What a JOKE!!! Darn thing made my PC SLOWER!!! Microsoft has messed up yet again. Shows what crap they will release from now on and they just don’t care. My programs start slower, the PC wants to freeze more, and there’s NO performance boosts whatsoever. Do NOT believe Microsoft’s lies and switch to something else.

By: Sgt. Firestorm

Sgt. Firestorm — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:40:54 +0000

I do agree with what you say Martin about Linux does have problems. I NEVER said it was perfect but who can dispute the fact that it has made huge jumps since its introduction and yes, our own federal gov’t is behind it. All operating systems are going to have problems but what I’m talking about here is quality. Linux is a MUCH more stable, efficient, and secure operating system and yes it does have flaws. They all do. I foolishly tried to go back to Vista with a clean boot with all the trial programs and all the crap that came on this computer gone and not being installed. It was a clean install with just Vista and nothing else and I put my programs in afterward. It still ran for about a week until it crashed, again. XP is better than Vista but ultimately, I think I CAN safely bring Linux into this because overall I’ve seen how stable it is and how fast it is. It does not eat system resources and no, you do not have to buy new hardware. There is 1 thing I will say and I may have said it before, it is NOT ready for the mainstream public yet. I’ve found that it is easier than Windows once you learn it but in my opinion, it’s not for the person who’s “afraid to turn on their computer” if you get my meaning behind that. Right now I think Linux is the only thing that we cannot call lousy and expensive. If you really take the time to sit down with it and really learn it’s ins and outs, it actually brings the fun back into owning a PC. I’d actually like some input in here from Chris Pirillo on this… What are YOUR views on Linux. I like what you have to say and read a lot of these articles you write. All I’m stating is 1 thing, my opinion and I honestly in my heart believe Linux has major potential and right now it is far from what the “industry” puts out there.

Kerri-Mae

By: martin

martin — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:36:54 +0000

One can’t stop asking what is the Vista OS doing instead of working
on my application. It is so slow that the only conclusion I have is that it is doing something else that has nothing to do with what I am doing.
The network setup is beyond idiotic.
But the button calling for my permission to change something
beats them all. The screen goes black first then the image is regenereated. Try to do some developmental work dealing with one button all the time. Are people at Microsoft brain dead???
I was runing a simple loop. To see text displayed on the screen
i had to slow down linux by 200 ms on every pass to achieve roughly the same flow of text. I was forced to move to linux ’cause the Vista was so slow that it could not deal with VOIP applications.
Linux has its problems too but it seems that Microsoft left no choice
for developers. Vista is so busy with itself that has no time to process
the user’s application.
Microsoft has officialy joined the rest of US industry of lousy and expensive products.

By: Sgt Firestorm

Sgt Firestorm — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:30:57 +0000

I just wanted to make another comment and ask a question that maybe someone who sees this can answer, someone who really has an idea :). Vista is a big ol’ dud right? So my question first of all is… Does it have potential? Is it thought that with the introduction of Service Packs and whatnot that possibly Vista may become as great as XP or is it just crap from now to the end of it’s life cycle? What else I wanted to say to y’all is that I e-mailed a Microsoft representative and he assured me that they had a team working to “whip Vista into shape.” He stated that there are more devices compatible with Vista know than it’s release, something like 3x more and that goes for applications too. Unfortunately, when I told him of some issues I had with Vista he had no clue as to why they were happening and told me to “Update Windows and your drivers Kerr-Mae as this is usually the cause of bluescreens.” I’m sorry to say it but bull-pucky that is why. I took PC Repair myself and keep my PC’s updated as far as Operating System and drivers as well as maintenance wise. I STILL got bluescreens and whacky stuff happening to my brand new 1500$ laptop. I was upset with this answer and do not trust Microsoft anymore. As I stated above, This laptop CAME with Vista and I found within a week of owning this wonderful machine that Vista was a dud. I go back to my whole thing about Linux, it’s got potential and they are working on porting Windows programs it and game devlopers are even beginning to consider making versions of their games for Linux. I forsee Linux winning in the long run my friends and we all are gonna win with Linux… even those who say “I can’t switch because “Insert program or hardware here” won’t run with Linux.” :D

Kerri-Mae

By: Sgt. Firestorm

Sgt. Firestorm — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:05:51 +0000

I have watched Windows grow, I remember the days of DOS which from what I understand has a history of not crashing. Windows 3.1 came out and it was a cool add-on. Over time, I’ve watched Windows grow into a pitiful excuse for an operating system. Vista is just the latest in Microsoft’s attempt to dominate the market. Many may not agree with me which is fine, but I actually am holding my breath for Linux. The only problem with Linux is that most Windows and Mac programs do not run on it, but it’s being addressed. I’ve seen Linux grow from the little command line driven OS (similar to DOS) to what it is today and it’s only getting BETTER!!! Now here’s where I say the down to it… Linux does have a long way to go and is not ready for the mainstream public. In my mind, Microsoft needs to learn to follow this example and strive to BETTER their operating systems and not go through and mess them up more and more. I myself am using Windows XP right now (this PC came with Vista, but I hated the problems I was having). I myself will hold my breath for Linux as I see potential in it (our own government is behind the development of Linux, you tell me…). Unless Microsoft gets their head screwed on straight, I will become a former Microsoft fan very quickly as I’m broken-hearted at this latest release of Windows and hope Microsoft realizes how many ppl they’ve disappointed… I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Windows but not too much longer.

Kerri-Mae

By: Chris Elrod

Chris Elrod — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:03:45 +0000

“Lipstick on a Pig”? Good quote, but not sure thats an accurate description. I started my OEM business back in the 95 days and once the market moved to 98 and then 98SE I was still satisfied overall with the OS. Sure they all had problems in the beginning. Fact is even with the problems that were eventually fixed, we had one Windows OS that did it’s job. As an IT Tech I was able to manipulate the system and essentially was able to overcome any obstacle that created a problem. An average user may not be able to do this but overall 98 and 98SE along with Windows 2000 gave us choices and most problems with a little research could be overcome. Xp was a nightmare in the beginning, but over time with all of the patching it finally resulted into a great OS. Any OS will have it’s occasional problems but most could be worked out in time. XP SP2 finally became a stable OS with few problems. Vista is a joke. It offers way too many choices for the common user and what most people don’t get is that Vista is just a warmed over XP with added features that simply don’t work. Even with a new computer with the highest end specs, Vista simply will not work with most software and hartdware on the market. Sure you can buy all new software and hardware which most people can’t afford and yet you still have problems. I am a member of the MS Partnership Program and I am supposed to be promoting their new products. On the other hand I have customers who rely on my advise and trust my decisions and suggestions. I do not sell or promote Vista. There are way too many choices and I feel MS is deliberately mis leading the public with them. Number one all of the advertised features of Vista promoting it as the new wave of technology is a load of crap. Only the Ultimate edition which you won’t find any any retail store offers all of the new features. Anything less than Ultimate is a faulty system with a different look than XP. Sure the new look is appealing, but if none of your software or hardware will work with it, what is the point? Even with Ultimate, if you can afford a new system that supports it as well as buying new hardware such as printers, scanners, etc. as well as the newest software that supports it, you still have continuous problems getting anything to run as it should. XP SP2 has finally become about as stable an OS as can be expected. MS should have taken that OS and added all the new features it falsely advertises about Vista and incorporated them into a newer version of XP and they may have created a decent system. To make it worse MS has changed the support cycle of XP in order to force people into Vista knowing full well that Vista is a dud. What the public don’t know is that MS is already working on the next OS to be released in 2010 which is based on XP SP2 or the upcoming SP3. It’s called Windows 7 right now. By 2012 Vista will no longer be supported and they will again force people on to the newer Windows 7 which if truly based on XP and incorporating the good Vista features it may be a truly good OS. Without coming out and admitting it, MS knows Vista is a fluke and are forcing customers into it to try and recover their expense in R&D. They are mis-leading the public with their lies and unfair business practices and hoping to get by with it until they finally are able to create an OS that will truly offer a new age of computing. I am honest with my customers and will not recommend Vista to no one. This may end up shutting my doors as MS has already announced they are pulling XP from OEM vendors by the first of 08 so we have no choice but to mislead consumers into Vista until they can come up with something better. I will turn to Linux and Mac at that time until MS is able to truly offer a good OS that actually works. I could go on and on about the unfair practices of MS as well as the under the table deals they have with the larger manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Compaq, etc. who have no choice but to follow their lead or destroy their business by not doing so. Although I was on MS’s side during their earlier trial of monopolizing the industry, I now fully support that fact and know they are truly a deceptive company that will take advantage of everyone they can and could care less for the people that has supported them for so long. If they were to be charged again for unfair practices and trying to monopolize the industry I would definately be on the opposing side now. I am a fair, honest business man and do my best to make my customers happy, sometimes at my expense, and do not want to deal with any company that doesn’t do the same. You may or may not agree, but don’t judge until you have the facts. The public is totally unaware of the truth behind MS and if they knew, it would ultimately bring them down if the truth was known. They have plenty of money and just like our declining government they can not be trusted yet nothing will change until the truth is out and people realize it.

Concerned Citizen and former Microsoft Fan

By: Manalishi

Manalishi — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:44:11 +0000

Lipstick on a pig is a fair description. It certainly has been my impression of Vista.

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not out to complain or whine about it, just to state some facts.

I recently built myself a new system and figured I’d give Vista a shot. First impressions were good. Nice appearance, several features I like etc..

Then things started to go wrong; after boot up things began to stop working. This led finally to a reinstall and shortly afterwards another reinstall and another….. I have lost count now :)

Two days ago came my first BSOD shortly followed by many more. At this point I decided it was enough and tried to go back to XP. Which as I found out you can’t do with XP home version. My solution was to fit an old hard drive I had lying around install XP on it then format the drive that had Vista on.

Now I’m happily back with XP. Vista was truly a shocking experience, it has lots of issues and is just not stable enough to gain any trust. If only I could bill MS for the time I spent trying to fix stuff I could probably afford to buy a mac :)

Lipstick on a pig.. Hmm. I would go as far to say it’s worse than that; at least you could eat a pig that didn’t work properly :)

By: Lenny

Lenny — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:14:57 +0000

ok… I have …

a mac with OS X
a pentium 4 laptop running xp
and dual core athlon 64 running vista

OS X is good…
XP pretty much sux… I run it on my laptop cause i works

on my 64bit PC i’ve run ubuntu linux, mandriva linux, xp, and vista
the fact of the matter is I could care less about the bells and whistles in vista BUT my 64 bit processor performs WAAAAAY better on vista then any other OS currently out… sure they’re selling it to the masses using the pointless flash crap.. but can u blame them.. people love shiny things… but vista really does run much much stronger on new hardware then XP

and i’m done

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:21:36 +0000

why are people making such a big deal?
go back and look in 2000 and 2001 posts of windows xp, everyone said the same thing, and once sp1a came out most had it and now its 2007 and most people have xp now.
as for me i had vista intsalled on my P4 HT at 2.6 Ghz 1gig and it choked, it froze up with music and the interent on, for everyday needs as of now its not so good for me thats why i have XP pro sp2 back on… at least, for others it might be alright to use, the most cost efficient version would be home premium because i bought ultimate and its mostly the same as home premium except a few minor security apps you can use..
dont try to tell me that you are going to switch to mac/linux, cuz most ppl are the average home user so how many will do the research into buying a mac or installing linux its hardly going to happen, it’d be easier to drive to the store to fork out hundreds then to do the research

By: MacusB

MacusB — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 18:24:25 +0000

MS Windows, still making apple sauce out of apple after all these years;

Still squeezing cider out of apple after a gazillion dollar disingenuios ad compaign;

Geeks may cry, techies may sigh, linux lovers wish it would die;

Still the masses continue to scream…”Long live MS Window and PC as KING!”
**************************

thoughts from a linux on pc loving asshole that abhors apple toadies, apple toadyism and apple sour grapes…or maybe it’s sour apples. LOLOLOLOLOL