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Revisiting the Original Reviews of Windows Vista

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the take-with-a-grain-of-salt dept.

harrymcc writes 'We now know that a remarkable percentage of consumers and businesses decided to spurn Windows Vista and stay with XP. But did the reviews of Vista serve as an early warning that it had major problems? I looked back at the evaluations in nine major publications and found that they expressed some caution--but on the whole, they were far from scathing. Some were downright enthusiastic.'

13 of 414 comments (clear)

  1. Original slashdot readers review by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's sucks, it's terrible, I've never used it...

    1. Re:Original slashdot readers review by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You forgot "Linux is so much better ... although I never managed to install anything other than Ubuntu"

  2. OS Change by Nerdfest · · Score: 4, Funny

    Vista pushed me to Linux, so it's not all bad.

    1. Re:OS Change by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Funny

      Talking with some friends the other day, after trying to resolve some very annoying Windows configuration issues, we came to the realization that Windows is just not ready for the desktop.

    2. Re:OS Change by UberLaff · · Score: 4, Funny

      XP pushed me to Linux. Strangely, Vista brought me back. I think I'm the only person on the Internet who made that switch...

    3. Re:OS Change by piripiri · · Score: 2, Funny

      What are you trying to say, that mothers are less technically competent?

      Oblig. xkcd: http://xkcd.com/341/

    4. Re:OS Change by 2.7182 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Dude, go easy on Malc. Did you see his user ID? He must be like 60 years old. Don't forget, he probably finds computers confusing, and has his some explain email to him. And he thinks that the "internet" is inside his computer. So be nice to the old folks. Seriously though, I think you missed his point, namely the line "to each his own."

    5. Re:OS Change by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1, Funny

      no, just women in general

    6. Re:OS Change by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 1, Funny

      You should try having them use Linux. Then, not only do you get "My computer is slow" but you also get "why can't I install ..." or "why doesn't the printer work correctly all the time?" or "Why doesn't flash video work well" ....

      Linux is a tradeoff, in my experience with "older" or non-computer-oriented people, between usability and stability. Stable - yes... no problems with viruses right now, pretty stable as far as the OS goes, etc. Usability? There were issues there. Yes, maybe it's because it's not what they are used to... but I hate to break it to you: most people are happily using what they are used to and don't see the reason they need to spend a week trying to figure out something new just so they can watch a youtube video. It worked before, why do they need to suddenly put so much work into it?

      (can't say I blame them :) My time is of interest to me, too.)

      Hate to break it? No you don't. Why must you turn this discussion into a house of lies? Break it down, baby, break it down! Sounds perfect to me. Them: "Why can't I do that?" Me: "Because you kept getting viruses in windows. No happy smiley toolbar for you now. Happy smiley toolbar virus incompatible." And as to more work on their part? Why the hell would I care? They're the ones screwing up their machines in the first place and making work for me.

      You think they can't kill their ability to use Youtube in windows? So fucking what? Can't watch youtube for a few weeks until new flash comes out for Linux? Me no care. They're gonna be down for at least that long from some dumb shit they did every so often anyway. Break it, baby, break it. Don't hate, just break it. Locking that puppy down is sounding better and better. And don't even get me started with "where did I put those pictures I took?" Aint' no OS born that can fix the insistence of the casual user to store things where he can't find em. Windows search? Sure. If they even know what they called it. Break it to me pal, break it real good. Cause I'm sick of dealing with "my windowses is broke again and I didn't do anything to cause it actually I was fixing it by clicking the "your computer is at risk" link." Ya, break away. Break away. Sorry, do I sound pissed to be unpaid "un-fuck my windows guy? you touched it last!" Why yes, yes I am. Charge 'em you say? Right. Do I blame them for being upset at their lost, shall we say, productivity? Hells ya.

      Would it be better to just get 'em a Mac? Probably, but installing Linux is just my time, not my time plus my money. You didn't think they'd buy one for themselves?

      --
      I am not a crackpot.
  3. Re:Slashdot is gay for Vista by NoYob · · Score: 2, Funny

    Gay? No. I don't think we were happy about it, either. For one thing, when trying to connect to a wireless network via the wireless controls, the "Connect" button stays grayed out. WTF?!?! You have to connect via the regular networking software to get it to connect. There are some good things here and there but not gay about it.

    --
    It's NOT me! It's the meds! I'm on 1000mg of Fukitol.
  4. The Real Cause of Failure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Deep down, I think that the real reason that Vista flopped was the absence of "Windows Vista Parties".

  5. Windows $NEXT_VERSION will pwn all by David+Gerard · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every review of Windows since 1994 has been the exact same. Just fill in the variables:

    " I have seen the future: Windows $NEXT_VERSION Milestone $MOCKUP.

    "I am so excited about $NEXT_VERSION of Windows. It will go beyond just solving all of the problems with $CURRENT_VERSION, it will be an entirely new paradigm. Forget about security problems, those are all fixed in $NEXT_VERSION. And they’re finally ridding themselves of $ANCIENT_LEGACY_STUFF.

    "Also, there’ll be $DATABASE_FILESYSTEM. It’ll be awesome!

    "I wonder how $NEXT_VERSION will compare to $NEXT_NEXT_VERSION.

    --
    http://rocknerd.co.uk
  6. As a Ubuntu fanboy... by vorlich · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have a grudging respect for XP professional edition that grew on me as I managed to turn off all of the rubbish and secure the system. I have not used it on since the Zone Alarm screw up, by which time I had migrated all my systems to Ubuntu. I just got completely fed up with the obscure methods of networking or anything to do with servers, apache and mysql - all much easier in the big U. I still use XP in a VM for my employers access database which really can't be migrated and since they are using Vista (comes with the new PCs) conversations about what to click on over the phone rapidly descend into farce.. (with apologies to Vista professionals, which I imagine, there must be.)
    "Ok click on Tools"
    "Where's that?"
    "It's in the menu bar,oh wait a minute you don't have that. Can you see it on the left hand panel?"
    "I can see the list of tables..."
    "No that's the wrong view. Is it in the blobby display along the top of the screen?"
    "What's the blobby display?"
    "All those sort of chunky yellow icons at the top of the access window."
    "Are they yellow?"
    "I'm not sure, I thought they were sort of yellow the last time I looked at your GUI."
    "My gooey? Where's that?"
    "It's okay, it's your screen, along the top of the window, they're about a centimetre tall and chunky."
    "No, I can't see anything called tools."
    "Try clicking on the big MS circle in the top left-hand corner of the screen."
    "A circle? I don't have a circle."
    "It's a 3D ball, in blue with the Microsoft logo."
    "What's a logo?"
    "Hello, are you from the past?"

    --
    Posts, MyBio or Sig, may contain satire, sarcasm, bolded nouns be sardonic or even witty & be Church of SD