Windows Vista is now officially released to the public and I’m bored already.
Once upon a time it was a really exciting event when Microsoft rolled out a new version of Windows. Remember the hoopla and anticipation surrounding the release of Windows 95? I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and play with all the new toys. It was as if the future was arriving on a computer near you!
So why does it seem like the release of Windows Vista (and pretty much all other Microsoft products – Zune?) is now such a non-event? It’s not as if Microsoft hasn’t splashed the cash on promoting the release of Vista.
I think that a lot of us in the IT world are taking a “wait and see” approach with Vista. Mainly we’re waiting to see if Vista is as secure as promised. In my mind, that is the major perceived benefit of Vista: security. Whether it comes true or not is another story.
The fact is, there isn’t much I can’t do with Mac OS X and a copy of Windows XP running (when ABSOLUTELY necessary) in Parallels. If I need a Linux application then that can also run in a Parallels VM. I don’t have to run anti-virus software on my Macs or Linux machines. I also don’t hold my breath when I connect them to the internet. Can’t say that about Windows XP.
Will one of my computers ever run Vista? Probably. But not anytime soon and only if there is a compelling reason to do so. Am I the only one who is almost completely indifferent to the release of Vista?
On a funny side note, I just got a call from a local radio station asking for my take on the release of Windows Vista. Add “media celebrity” to my growing list of accomplishments. Not.
Stop hating, Vista rocks ^.^. Check out there Wiki for changed features – there are a ton. Plus the interface is refreshing. Despite what people say, it also uses memory better than XP.
I’m not a hater. I use XP all day long (in a Parallels window) and it is very stable and does its (boring) job. A little Dreamweaver, my stock trading platform, Quickbooks (Canadian version) and the Sonicwall netextender plugin for one of my clients.
XP and Vista have their place in the world. I never said that I hate Microsoft. However, after 12 years in IT, much of it supporting and using Microsoft products, I’ve found a better, more stable, and secure way to go about my daily computing existence.
Gone are the blue screens of death, driver gong shows, daily reboots, virues, malware, quirky error messages, and security nightmares. Mac OS X just works. Its that simple. I now spend far more time doing billable work and far less time supporting my infrastructure. The difference for me has been night and day since migrating to the Mac platform.
I’ve played with Vista a bit. I admit that its pretty cool. But so is Mac OS X. And, in order for me to enjoy Vista I would have to invest A LOT of money in new PC hardware. I really can’t foresee a circumstance in which I will be excited about or even own a PC that runs Vista any time soon.