Linked by Adam S on Tue 26th Aug 2008 14:55 UTC
What makes this Vista article any different? The title provides a clue: it's as much about providing practical working solutions to resolve some of the commonly-quoted Vista annoyances as anything else. That in itself should give all Vista users a reason to read it. However it doesn't matter whether you use Vista or not, because this article does something that most of the others don't: it takes an objective and up-to-date look at the current state of Vista, with a range of facts, clear examples and informed opinions aimed squarely at debunking a lot of the myths and FUD we've been gagging on for the past year. So for those of you still considering whether to make the switch from XP, for those of you who want to abandon Vista and go back to XP, for those of you who used Vista a while ago and who are wondering whether it's worth using again now - this article puts things in perspective with the latest facts.
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Member since:2005-09-21
DRM Issues with unprotected mp3's? I call BS. Explain how that happened a little, and maybe half the people here wont write that block of nonsense out by looking at your name alone. The only time you should have DRM issues is with DRM content. Period. Ive had many issues using my bluetooth headset that were in no way related to a rougue DRM system blocking all of my unprotected mp3's.
And... the bootmanager being knocked out randomly, ive had that happen... but coincidentally, I also happenend to have a Grub update around the same time... wierd, must have been windows.
Edited 2008-08-27 04:47 UTC
Member since:2007-02-17
DRM Issues with unprotected mp3's? I call BS. Explain how that happened a little, and maybe half the people here wont write that block of nonsense out by looking at your name alone. The only time you should have DRM issues is with DRM content. Period. Ive had many issues using my bluetooth headset that were in no way related to a rougue DRM system blocking all of my unprotected mp3's.
AFAIK, anything "ripped" from an ordinary CD or DVD can only be played on the Vista machine that ripped it or a very limited number of other machines, which must only be Windows machines ... this check is DRM enforced and requires obtaining a license key from Microsoft servers, so they track what you do.
In other words, although you can play an unprotected mp3, you can't create one AFAIK.
If you want to get your own legally purchased music off a CD and into mp3 format to play on your own portable generic mp3player (which is perfectly legal in my country) don't do it using Vista.
Caveat: This is only second-hand knowledge, gained by investigating problems someone else was having playing a "ripped" file on their machine.
Edited 2008-08-27 06:50 UTC
Member since:2006-02-05
Not only I agree that the article wastes way too much time on "debunking" the so called Vista FUD. I like how the term FUD has become so popular and used so loosely on the web these days. So now whenever someone posts something you don't like to hear, you just call it FUD.
So basically FUD is anything that denies the perfection of Linux? There is plenty of Vista FUD being spread out there.
http://badvista.fsf.org/
That is a site specifically created to cause Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about Vista. It is written in a dishonest way to push an agenda.
We are the ones who get a new Vista computer and reformat to get a clean install using the OEM key that came with the computer, just to be penalized by having to activate over the phone and having the installation invalidated for no valid reason at any point - something Microsoft has posted a solution for, which involves another painful phone-based re-activatition experience.
I own three laptops that shipped with OEM vista, all came pre activated. I have never had to do any activation of vista whatsoever, and I have been using it since the launch.
And how about when you have a multi-boot setup using a third-party boot manager and Vista randomly decides to knock out your boot manager and instate itself as the one and only OS you can and should boot. Hint, XP and Linux don't have problems with using a 3rd party boot manager. Vista shouldn't either but it does.
One of my machines dual boots Vista and Ubuntu, the other Triple boots Vista, Ubuntu, and OSX. Not only that, but the triple boot machine actually uses the windows bootloader, not grub, just due to the order I did my installs. Vista not only works fine with 3rd party bootloaders, but it is trivial to configure its own bootloader to load 3rd party operating systems.
DRM? I've had DRM issues when trying to play MP3 files (which are supposedly unprotected) via a stereo Bluetooth headset. I've also had regular DVD's (not HD, not BluRay) stopped in the middle of playback and display an error that "Analog copy protection could not be enabled". So, the crap about DRM-protection being only enforced on "premium" content is a blatant lie. None of these issues exist (or ever existed) in Windows XP.
I listen to mp3s all day, every day, and have for the last two years on vista without a single issue. I have probably watched close to a hundred DVDs (yeah, I'm a film buff) at this point, again without issue. Not only that, but DVD playback is smooth as silk no matter what is going on. DVD playback on XP when anything else was going on would result in choppiness.
Yes, Vista will work fine for anyone doing the basics (web browsing, email, word processing), but so does Linux, which is free and won't treat its customers as "guilty until proven innocent" with draconian activation and validation schemes, while the real pirates keep enjoying their cracked copies of the OS.
Linux is many things, but if you think windows is unfriendly to users, just wait for your linux machine.
Member since:2005-09-21
That is a site specifically created to cause Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about Vista. It is written in a dishonest way to push an agenda.
Oh my lord that is the biggest line of s#$t I have ever read, thanks for the link, I will be using it for a good laugh now and again.
amazing!
Member since:2005-07-06
I listen to mp3s all day, every day, and have for the last two years on vista without a single issue.
Where you using a Bluetooth stereo headset? If not what makes you think that your experience is relevant to the other persons problem?
I have probably watched close to a hundred DVDs (yeah, I'm a film buff) at this point, again without issue. Not only that, but DVD playback is smooth as silk no matter what is going on. DVD playback on XP when anything else was going on would result in choppiness.
Why do people always respond to other peoples problems with "I've never had that problem" as if that might prove something? I doubt anyone thought that no one has ever been able to play DVDs on Vista. The very fact that there exists common setups which can cause these issues is a real problem, despite the fact that there exists other configurations where these particular issues don't exist.
Let's face it Vista has issues, the fact that you cannot reproduce them is more or less irrelevant.
Member since:2005-07-06
I own three laptops that shipped with OEM vista, all came pre activated. I have never had to do any activation of vista whatsoever, and I have been using it since the launch.
So, your point is ? I mean you say that if you have a preactivated Vista, then you don't have to activate it. Mmmkay.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2008-08-27
Not only I agree that the article wastes way too much time on "debunking" the so called Vista FUD. I like how the term FUD has become so popular and used so loosely on the web these days. So now whenever someone posts something you don't like to hear, you just call it FUD.
I've been suffering with Windows Vista since mid March 2008. More than a year and a service pack later, I hate Vista just as much as when it first came out. For the Mojave project Microsoft took unsuspecting newbies, because they knew they can't fool us real power users. We know how bloated Vista is compared to XP. We are the ones who get a new Vista computer and reformat to get a clean install using the OEM key that came with the computer, just to be penalized by having to activate over the phone and having the installation invalidated for no valid reason at any point - something Microsoft has posted a solution for, which involves another painful phone-based re-activatition experience. And how about when you have a multi-boot setup using a third-party boot manager and Vista randomly decides to knock out your boot manager and instate itself as the one and only OS you can and should boot. Hint, XP and Linux don't have problems with using a 3rd party boot manager. Vista shouldn't either but it does.
DRM? I've had DRM issues when trying to play MP3 files (which are supposedly unprotected) via a stereo Bluetooth headset. I've also had regular DVD's (not HD, not BluRay) stopped in the middle of playback and display an error that "Analog copy protection could not be enabled". So, the crap about DRM-protection being only enforced on "premium" content is a blatant lie. None of these issues exist (or ever existed) in Windows XP.
I'm looking forward to buying my next computer, a Mac or worst case scenario, a Linux-only PC until Microsoft can get their act together a release an OS that doesn't disrespect the power user.
Yes, Vista will work fine for anyone doing the basics (web browsing, email, word processing), but so does Linux, which is free and won't treat its customers as "guilty until proven innocent" with draconian activation and validation schemes, while the real pirates keep enjoying their cracked copies of the OS.