I've been using Vista (business) for almost a year with no significant problems. I can't think of any conspicuous advantages so I see the clamor over pros and cons as a bit excessive.
It may be that Vista is much more secure than XP. It oughta be, but I don't know for a fact that it is, so I don't count that as a conspicuous benefit. However, if my computer was compromised and I was still running XP, the benefit of risk reduction would suddenly become conspicuous. While this claim is often made by Mac/Linux users, I've been running Windows since it came out and have never been taken out by a virus. I've intercepted a few nasties, but being careful and proactive has been an effective countermeasure for me.
Since the cost/benefit analysis picture changes dramatically with the size and requirements of the organization, I don't think there is much of a case to be made generally for one platform over another. On the contrary, I think there is a case to be made for a "don't care" strategy. Why should anyone invest in anything that is not open source and standards-based? That said, I don't consider buying Vista an "investment" as long as I am not making my data (and business) platform dependent. I'm a user, not a "partner."
Lastly, I've been off the upgrade wagon for many years. Upgrading the OS on a box is often more trouble than it's worth and that has as much to do with the increasing performance-cost ratio and MTBF (mean time between failure) as it has to do with artificial bloat. This is probably affecting upgrade statistics. Why invest in old hardware? I'd rather plan my next migration.
I second this. "Start with an idea you have for something that you have a passion for". I'm 10+ years into software, know a lot of languages and have endured many a fad and religious debate. If you have a passion for something, trust it, begin there and keep it alive.
My passion back in mid 90's was C/C++ and Windows API programming and I wound up working for McAfee. Now, my passion is Perl because it lets me focus on the problems I am interested in. Different platform, different application, different tool. I am also getting into Java lightweight frameworks, not because it's a marketable skill or because it's a great technology, but because it is close enough to the ideal technology for a specific application.
Where to begin? How about Javascript? All you need is a text editor and a browser. Javascript is useful, object-oriented technology. I agree with an earlier remark that starting with command-line is helpful for a couple fo reasons. First, it forces you to focus on the essentials and second, it serves as an example of a working program with no bells and whistles.
As soon as you get interested in knowing how something works or fixing a bug, you will want to know how to "divide and conquer". Command-line programs can be tremendous time-savers, yours and your customers/users/employers.
I also think you have to be very practical if you want to pursue your passion. I loved the book 'Code Complete' because it helped me quickly benefit from other people's vast experiences.
Read stuff that interests you. Write stuff that interests you and try to keep an open mind.
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I've been using Vista (business) for almost a year with no significant problems. I can't think of any conspicuous advantages so I see the clamor over pros and cons as a bit excessive.
It may be that Vista is much more secure than XP. It oughta be, but I don't know for a fact that it is, so I don't count that as a conspicuous benefit. However, if my computer was compromised and I was still running XP, the benefit of risk reduction would suddenly become conspicuous. While this claim is often made by Mac/Linux users, I've been running Windows since it came out and have never been taken out by a virus. I've intercepted a few nasties, but being careful and proactive has been an effective countermeasure for me.
Since the cost/benefit analysis picture changes dramatically with the size and requirements of the organization, I don't think there is much of a case to be made generally for one platform over another. On the contrary, I think there is a case to be made for a "don't care" strategy. Why should anyone invest in anything that is not open source and standards-based? That said, I don't consider buying Vista an "investment" as long as I am not making my data (and business) platform dependent. I'm a user, not a "partner."
Lastly, I've been off the upgrade wagon for many years. Upgrading the OS on a box is often more trouble than it's worth and that has as much to do with the increasing performance-cost ratio and MTBF (mean time between failure) as it has to do with artificial bloat. This is probably affecting upgrade statistics. Why invest in old hardware? I'd rather plan my next migration.
I second this. "Start with an idea you have for something that you have a passion for". I'm 10+ years into software, know a lot of languages and have endured many a fad and religious debate. If you have a passion for something, trust it, begin there and keep it alive.
My passion back in mid 90's was C/C++ and Windows API programming and I wound up working for McAfee. Now, my passion is Perl because it lets me focus on the problems I am interested in. Different platform, different application, different tool. I am also getting into Java lightweight frameworks, not because it's a marketable skill or because it's a great technology, but because it is close enough to the ideal technology for a specific application.
Where to begin? How about Javascript? All you need is a text editor and a browser. Javascript is useful, object-oriented technology. I agree with an earlier remark that starting with command-line is helpful for a couple fo reasons. First, it forces you to focus on the essentials and second, it serves as an example of a working program with no bells and whistles.
As soon as you get interested in knowing how something works or fixing a bug, you will want to know how to "divide and conquer". Command-line programs can be tremendous time-savers, yours and your customers/users/employers.
I also think you have to be very practical if you want to pursue your passion. I loved the book 'Code Complete' because it helped me quickly benefit from other people's vast experiences.
Read stuff that interests you. Write stuff that interests you and try to keep an open mind.