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Windows Vista Review (pdf)

Computer and Technology
Group Meeting Highlights

 July 19, 2007

By Jack Bevis (Branch 116), CTG Secretary/Web Correspondent 

"Windows Vista -- Some Good News . . .
Some Bad News"

 By Floyd Skelton (Branch 116)

Floyd explained that his intention is for his formal presentation document to serve as a reference document. He encouraged everyone to download it from the website.

He said that he wanted today’s review of Microsoft’s new Operating System, Vista to be an interactive affair. A show of hands revealed that a large number of attendees are already using Vista. They were asked to contribute their experiences to the discussion. Questions were welcomed.

Floyd remarked that even though Windows XP is likely to be around for several more years, the future of personal computing will be dominated by Vista.  Virtually all new PC’s are now shipping with Vista.  So if one is thinking about buying a new computer, or simply wants to upgrade to Vista, this discussion will be very timely.  Floyd has upgraded his laptop from XP Professional to Vista Business Edition, and purchased a new desktop with Vista Ultimate. This discussion will give you some of the good news and the bad news about Vista and what it is.

A good book helps. Floyd likes the” book that should have been in the box”, the 827 page, The Missing Manual. The 316 page Microsoft Product Guide is also recommended. The Guide is a 68 MB download from Microsoft.

There is a “ton” of information on the Welcome Center page; what’s new; getting started, even demos of how it works. Further on there are slides listing the many tools and applications that are available in Vista.

The aero interface is pretty but serves no real function. With the good graphic design, however, come some new tools and features that provide real computing enhancements. Explorer windows can have more information.

One of the most useful new features is the Sleep Button. The machine truly goes to sleep. There is no power consumed. After 15 minutes it automatically goes into hibernation mode.
The presentation has a number of slides devoted to defining the differences between the five available versions of Vista and the different features of each. Floyd said that he purchased the Ultimate edition because he wanted the Media Center with its availability of TV and also the Vista backup program. These combined two features are only available in the Ultimate Edition.

The bad news is mainly that some of your present products and programs may not work with Vista. Floyd found that his HP printer and Partition Magic software would not work.
The bottom line is that there is no need to upgrade unless you are buying a new machine. And, after you have Vista, don’t be overwhelmed by its many features. You don’t have to use them all.

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