Don't Fear The Vista From Your Windows

Larry Magid Reviews Window's New Operating System As XP Goes The Way Of The Dodo

(CBS)  Today, June 30, Microsoft stops selling Windows XP at retail and major PC vendors, and will stop offering it as an option for consumers who buy new PCs.

By coincidence, this change came three days after Microsoft founder Bill gates retired from his job as Chief Software Architect, but neither Gates nor XP are completely removed from the scene.

Gates will stay on as Microsoft Chairman and - even though it will no longer be sold at retail - large companies can still get Windows XP, and Microsoft will continue to offer XP tech support through April 2014. Vendors of some low power laptops, such as the Asus Eee PC will be able to continue to offer XP for the next two years.

By dropping XP from mainstream PCs, Microsoft is pretty much forcing most consumers who need a new PC to migrate to Windows Vista, and there are some people who simply don't want to make the switch.

Standing in the computer aisle at an electronics store this weekend, I overheard a woman asking the salesperson if she could buy a PC with XP. He said no. I then asked the woman why she wanted XP rather than Vista and she expressed two concerns. The first was that she was already acquainted with XP and didn't want to learn a new operating system. The second was her worry that some of her software or devices wouldn't work with Vista.

Another common concern is that Vista takes up too much computing power and might not work as well or as fast as XP.

Personally, I'm not particularly concerned about any of these issues, and I recommend most people just go with Vista. I've been using it since before it came out and I'm pretty happy with it.

As for the would-be XP-buyer's first concern; I feel her pain. Learning anything new can always be challenging and once someone has gone through the trouble of learning an operating system, I can understand a reluctance to make a change. But, I have good news for XP users thinking about Vista - the user interface is not all that different.

The main difference is a slight re-organization to the Start menu, which actually makes it easier to find the programs you want to run. Just as before, you can find all your software by clicking on "All Programs," but instead of cascading menus you now have a full list of all your programs.

The best change to the user interface is that you no longer have to hunt around to find a program. You can just type its name in the search box and Windows will find it and launch it for you. Search also allows you to find documents by typing in any word likely to be in the document. The same is true for email messages and words in other documents. And because Vista now "indexes" the contents of your drive, search is virtually instantaneous.

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Podcast: To weigh the ups and downs of Vista, CBS News technology analyst Larry Magid spoke with Ed Bott, a Windows author, blogger and technical expert.

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There are other visual changes, such as the aero interface that makes Windows translucent and more attractive, but it doesn't really affect the way you use the computer.

There are plenty of books out there (including Microsoft Windows Vista: Peachpit Learning Series, which I co-wrote with Dwight Silverman), but the main advantage to the books is that they help you discover new features. Most people won't need a book just to transition from XP to Vista.

The second concern, about compatibility, was a real issue when Vista first came out. But today there are very few programs and devices that won't work with the new operating system. If you have any doubts, check the websites or technical support phone lines of your software vendors, but unless you have some pretty obscure programs, chances are they will work. Anyone who uses software or a virtual private network from their employer or other organization should definitely check with your IT department before migrating.

Finally, there is the issue of performance. It is true that Vista requires a bit more horsepower than Windows XP, which is one of the reasons I urge caution before upgrading an old PC to Vista, but if you're getting it on a new machine, then the PC maker has already determined that it will work. Fact is, just about any new hardware - at almost any price - is powerful enough to run Vista.

For the home premium edition, Microsoft recommends at least a 1 GHz processor, a gigabyte of memory and at least a 40 gigabyte or larger hard drive. You also need at least 128 MB of graphics memory with hardware that includes "pixel shader 2.0." So, if you want to be sure, make sure your hardware has these requirements. Some of the least expensive systems may come with Windows Home Basic, which has lower requirements, but I still recommend at least a gigabyte of memory - two is better.

There are plenty of things to like about Vista, including that great search feature, much better security and a new and improved photo management program called Windows Photo Gallery. There is also integrated speech recognition software.

There is one company based in Cupertino, California that loves to make fun of Vista. Apple, of course, doesn't want you to abandon XP for Vista, but in favor of its own Macintosh system. The commercials (http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/) are hilarious and - based on Apple's growing market share - apparently somewhat successful, but don't take them too literally.

Yes, Vista users have had their share of problems, but so have some people who use Macintosh's new Leopard operating system (try Googling "problems with Leopard").

In the meantime, Microsoft is working on the next version of Windows, which should be out by the end of next year or early 2010. If you really want to skip Vista, you could try keeping your old XP machine running until then and be on the "bleeding edge" of that new operating system.

Or, you can go with the flow and upgrade. Trust me, it's not that hard and the benefits of Vista, in my opinion, outweigh the hassles.

[andor3]

Vista is not an upgrade from XP... it is a terrible mistake

[yongamerica]

VISTA is pretty: pretty expensive, pretty processor intensive and pretty memory hungry. In order to get the full benefit of this OS a person needs a quad core processor, at least 3 gig of Ram and a gaming quality video card with preferably 512 MB of memory. With this system configuration applications will run as fast as if it was on an XP machine. VISTA is fat and bloated, like its pricing structure. It is not near as stable as XP, yet. Microsoft had a vision when they created this OS, but it was grossly out of focus.

There is a good reason large corporations are hesitant to migrate to VISTA, and it isn''t peripheral compatibility; its the overall cost of ownership and sometime flakey operation.

[cyberus-2009]

Note to self ... purchase a couple copies of XP for future use.

[cyberus-2009]

Oh yeah .. another thing ... of course Microborg is dropping XP while Vista is still buggy .. then need the income from the "pay per minute" Vista help lines

[vsolanoy]

To the comments - Come on... Vista isn''t that bad. And on corporate updates -- it takes large corporations a few years to migrate to new OS''s. I was running Windows 2000 for 3 years before my former company switched to XP... and there were a lot of problems initially... that''s after 3 years!

For consumers, there''s no excuse for not having Vista on a new PC... and I''m also a Mac user! However, I do agree that if you''re on an older PC, stick with XP...

In a household of 2 Mac laptops and 2 Vista laptops, I''ve never had problems with either! Being the lead tech head in my household, the Macs have never given me problems. The 2 Vista laptops haven''t had a single problem either! Reliability Mac vs Vista -- it''s a tie!

The real problem Microsoft is in the variety of system providers out there. Apple doesn''t have as many problems because they control the hardware. Microsoft has hardware standards that need to be followed, but there are so many variations in the way hardware is configured that control is near impossible.

[dredre2k]

I''ll switch to a mac before I switch to VISTA. Vista will go the way of the DoDo once Windows 7 is released. My brother has vista and hates it... it slows down his computer and locks from time-to-time. Its time for Microsoft to step up its game and do something new. Apple''s leaving it in the dust!

[nativewoman]

Sorry, Larry. I cannot agree with your cheery assessment of Vista. Perhaps for the casual home user your observations might be true (not for me) but Vista offers its share of problems in an Enterprise situation.

The "much better security" you mentioned is proving to be a headache for our IS Department and they are busily searching for workarounds before Vista is deployed throughout the Company. With any luck at all, that won''t be until 2014. :)

Vista has a couple of annoying little "features" or "enhancements" that I detest but they can be disabled if you can find them.

As you obliquely mentioned in your story, Vista does NOT play well with some applications. My Company recently pushed out a remote connectivity application that immediately upon download trashed Vista so badly that Vista had to be completely re-installed from CD on several computers.

This weekend, I''ve been trying to install an Adobe Reader upgrade on my home computer. I am the Administrator but Vista keeps telling me I cannot write to the directory and to contact my Administrator.

I don''t have this problem with just Adobe Reader but on the other hand I don''t have this problem with everything I try to install either. What''s up with that?

[nativewoman]

For those users who would like a more 2000-like or XP-like feel to the programs displayed when you click on Start:

1) Right-click the Taskbar (usually on the bottom of the screen by default)
2) Click Properties & a box labeled Taskbar and Start Menu Properties will open
3) Click the tab in the box labeled Start Menu
4) Click next to the words Classic Start Menu
5) Click OK and the box will close and you will go back to whatever you had open on your screen when you started with Step 1 above.

Now when you click the Start button, generally in the lower left corner of your screen, it will look more like what you are used to.

[floydzepp2]

Vista is yet another piece of MicroJunk.

[cfazzari]

Vista (incredibly) doesn''t run Canon Photo software well and somehow a screensaver rom AstroGemini doesn''t run either. I still don''t run AOL IM properly on this laptop (although be fair I haven''t tried very hard on this one).

My Dell Laptop has a 2.0 dual-core processor 2.0 GHz with 4 GB (you read that right) of RAM and a 120 GB HDD...it runs on Verizon FIOS high-speed fiber network. This machine downloads music and video files pretty quickly. Overall, I would say the responsiveness of Visa is Ok but is probably a cycle-hog.

[tootall10142]

micro soft has already got a bite out the American peoples wallet once and now his kids need to be gazillionaires,bill gates is a giant philanthropic citizen and in my opinion not a greedy man ,but sometimes enough is enough.ttthe hours our children have spent on learning xp is wasted and the salaries of the already under paid teachers and proffessors

[brianbwb-2009]

Any musician, or recording studio, video production house, or any other such high-end audio/video facility knows to stay well clear of Vista. It will not run your investment of the thousands of dollars'' worth of software, and has too many bugs for mission critical projects. Google "Vista DAW" and you will find an amazing unanimity about how it is absolutely the wrong choice for a serious audio/video workstation.

Vista is already famous as MS''s biggest bomb, and it''s failures will be taught in universities in the future. This OS will never see the inside of my computers, even if I have to keep a copy of XP for the next ten years. It is limited to 4GB, but at least it works.

[pepperwood2]

What seems to be the big PR with Vista? All they want you to do is JUST BUY ONE. Then if it is SLOW JUST PURCHASE more DDR Memory and PAY to have it installed. You can also JUST purchase the additional software that works with Vista. This is JUST the American Way of doing business.

Even if XP, 2000, 98SE were satisfactory. We American Buyers must have something JUST because we''re bored and the time is right to chance.

JUST BUY VISTA - They''re already thinking of another Windows release in a few years that is guaranteed to be better. You can Trust Microsoft on that. Then we can rewrite this same story using a different OS. But remember it will be JUST for one home PC. You can purchase additional Vista for every PC you have. Microsoft will not complain.

Check out Linux OS or some of the other lesser advertised Operating Systems. Bigger is not always better. Another trick is to eliminate competition. Force the consumer to JUST BUY what they offer at the price they dictate.

Sort of like Big Oil and JUST remember to contribute big bucks to your Congressman''s re-election campaign. Works every time.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Personally, I''m not particularly concerned about any of these issues, and I recommend most people just go with Vista. I''ve been using it since before it came out and I''m pretty happy with it."

That is because all you ever do with it is typing adverts for products for a living. Those of us who use computers for more than that are pretty much resigned to staying with the limits of XP, because Vista simply does not work for what we do.

Try this, there are virtual instruments that emulate classic keyboards by a company called Native Instruments, prices range up to $700 and processor suites from Waves that cost upwards of $2,500. Slap Vista on your PC, and you can no longer use them, and the companies feel it is not in their interest to rewrite code for Vista, which will change before they are finished.

Can I have Larry Magid''s job?

[voices1776]

Microsoft makes their money from OEM. This means that when you buy a new PC Windows is installed already. This is why they keep making operating systems that take more and more resources. So you will have to buy a new PC. The same with the new Windows 7, this time it is touch screen so you will have to buy a new monitor. This is how Microsoft drives the new PC market and scams the public. Mac is starting to sound like the lesser of 2 evils.

[nativewoman]

Posted by sidvicious89 at 06:45 AM : Jun 30, 2008

Thanks, sid! I''ll check it out.

How''s Nancy?

[halftrack5]

I can''t believe people are still afraid of change. Can''t you learn something new now and then? Progress requires change. We have XP and Vista around this place and move between them seamlessly. No hardware or software issues (yet). And we''re 60. It appears mostly tech types are having problems because they have exposure to more hard/software, and probably do have some irritating issues. It''s always been the case and likely always will. For the average Joe and Jane, quit fussing and go for it. If it''s on a new machine, it''ll work for you.

[jrefo]

For people new to computers I say take the dive into Windows Vista. Although I don''t personally use Vista, I like XP but I do use it at work. If you''re experienced with Windows and prefer to stick with what works then use your preferred OS. There''s no longer an initiative to upgrade Windows like there was in the past when it was Windows 95 or 98. Ever since Windows 2000 (exception of WinMe that came out after 2k), Microsoft''s operating systems have been pretty solid. What I''ve noticed is that its got to the point now that Microsoft have to force its users off their older OSes to buy the new releases. They froze mostly all updating support on Windows 2000 a few years ago, 1st was the browser no updates after IE6, then the Windows Media Player at WM9, then the service packs at SP4. I predict the same will happen to XP soon enough which is already at SP3 now. IE8 that there working on might by Vista only, and if they do a WMP12 I am almost certain that will Vista only.

Off topic slighty. Does anybody realize you can still setup a PC today with Windows 95 or 98 and get online with it, and practically do every function you can do on today''s operating systems (most of functions)?

[brianbwb-2009]

"I heard that vista was limited to 3." Posted by sidvicious89

Technically, any 32-bit operating system maxes out at 4GB, this the highest number represented in binary at that level. WinXP eats a chunk for your system, as do any other considerations, like for example shared video memory, so your reported usable memory will be closer to 3GB, say, 3.2 (on mine)

The only reason I would use a 64-bit OS is to use more than 4GB memory, (useful for large multitrack audio/video projests) as Vista64 does, but if my considerable investment in software is incompatible, then Vista is a no go, to put it mildly.

[j_flood]

Larry - you''re a ''company'' man - no doubt about it. I don''t mean to imply you work for Microsoft but I''d be hard pressed to recall any real criticism you''ve ever made against MS.

Early sales of Vista were on machines still having only 512RAM - and it was like a donkey pulling a tank - didn''t work. And it doesn''t work on all the software associated with Windows.

You''re very American-centric, they call this internet the Worldwide web - few people switch machines and OS like in the USA. I''ve a new machine with XP/Pro - and I''m likely not switch to Vista before 2010 - what''s another 2 years? My Office 2007 does just fine. I''ll be good.

[nativewoman]

Posted by sidvicious89 at 07:35 AM : Jun 30, 2008

Nancy Spungen was Sid Vicious'' girlfriend.

[jesterbelle]

I find XP too restrictive for some of the things I like to do,and I''m certain Vista is even worse,not to mention all of the patches and fixes for their ***,overpriced,operating systems.They seem to want the public to pay for the privelege of doing their R and D.Their "Windows Genuine Advantage" is more about their wallet than your security.If you want high security,Linux is the way to go.If you really think about it,Windows isn''t even a complete operating system with all of the ccrap you have to add just to avoid problems on the "Information pothole filled alley".I''m running XP now,but my next OS will be some version of Linux.

[jesterbelle]

If microsoft manufactured cars they''''d drive themselves for the consumers safety.. into walls.


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Posted by sidvicious89 at 07:48 AM : Jun 30, 2008

If Microsoft manufactured cars,they wouldn''t be in business,since people would have stopped buying their overpriced lemons after hearing about the transmissions falling out while driving it off the lot.

[speets-2009]

Vista is one of the worst OS''es every brought onto the market, it gave Apple an easy opening to gain a large portion of the marketshare.
Now I overhear most people prefering OSX Leopard over "annoying vista".

[cnjcc]

Vista comes in only behind Windows ME as the most problematic Microsost O/S ever released. Don''t be lulled into trying it because of it''s new features. Those can easily be done without for the majority of PC''s that are typically used for e-mail, Word processing, and internet. It''s not only that some applications either won''t work or won''t work properly, or that drivers for certain devices are buggy or not available, or that everything runs slower, or that on even 3 year old machines, it taxes your system memory or capacity, it''s that certain compatibility problems can prevent certain devices from working at all. That''s why Vista is offered with a "downgrade license" that allows you to downgrade to XP after you find some of these problems. The bottom line is that Vista, like ME, was released too early before proper testing and before makers of application software and device drivers had time to develop compatible components, in what has been for them a moving target. While it will lileky continue to improve, for myself, I wouldn''t take today''s incarnation of Vista if it were free.

[jesterbelle]

I read an article in the Times where Microsoft and Intel are getting together to help poor people with affordable computers.Microsoft is revamping Windows 95,and Intel is bringing back the original renamed Pentium processors.For about $150.00,you get a system with the new Intel Peon processor,and Windows XP Homeless edition.Should be available to the public on Feb 30th,---------;)

[omega39-2009]

Vista is loaded with digital rights management. My next upgrade will be to Suse Linux.

[alien_view]

I have had Vista installed on my new machines, just to take it off because of the grief it caused in having to upgade most of my other software. I can''t afford to buy 2007 then 2010 and then what ever software just to keep using MS operating systems. I am going to stay with XP Pro until the Cows come home. My sons employer stripped Vista off all of their new machines because of the problems they were having. That in itself says somethng.

[jesterbelle]

Vista is loaded with digital rights management. My next upgrade will be to Suse Linux.


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Posted by omega39 at 08:55 AM : Jun 30, 2008

I''ve got SuSE Linux 7.0.I think I gave a couple of bucks for it at a yard sale.Haven''t tried it yet,have you?

[alien_view]

IF we switch to Suse Linux, will most of our MS compatible software still run on the Linux OP system?

[jesterbelle]

IF we switch to Suse Linux, will most of our MS compatible software still run on the Linux OP system?


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Posted by alien_view at 09:03 AM : Jun 30, 2008

No.The nice thing about Linux is that it comes with all of the programs you need,not to mention that there are all kinds of free downloads for Linux on the internet.If you''re still wanting to use your MS stuff,you can set up your hard drive with both operating systems.

[irliberal]

I''ve been using Vista with only minor issues with a couple of drivers since January of ''07. Runs like a top, granted I have a state of the art machine. Some guys like cars, I like PCs, and I keep mine updated with the latest in processors, drives, etc. But regarding the stability of vista, it appears to be rock solid to me and I have a very wide array of devices, software and connections.

I don''t know how well it performs in an office type environment network, since my home network consists of only two machines. But for my purposes, vista has a been a nice, clean, and compatible upgrade from Windows XP.

I know that''s not the politically correct thing to say but it is my experience with the product.

[tootall10142]

THE NEED TO FEED THE GREED THE NEED TO FEED THE GREED . THE WHITE HOUSE GOT IT FIRST AND THEN REARRANGED TO FIT THIER SPECIFCATIONS OF NATIONAL SECURITY .THE PUBLIC WILL NEVER SEE THE TRUE VISTA BUT I BELIEVE THE ONES WHO DO HAVE IT ARE WATCHING.IF FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE GOT ON THE PHONE AND SAID THREE WORD FIVE TIMES, OSAMA BIN LADEN IT THROW BIG BROTHER INTO CAHOS.STRANGE ITS HARD TO HACK BUT SO EASY TO CONFUSE.

[irliberal]

Posted by tootall10142 at 09:33

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when you miss a dosage of your medication.

[walt1944-2009]

I am one of those many PC users who are still living in the "stone age" and running the non-supported Windows 98, mostly because I cannot afford a new machine with Vista. So, unless "UNCLE GEORGE" comes up with another stimulus check, which is highly unlikely, I am stuck with unsupported ancient technology.

At work, the IT department REFUSES to run Windows Vista, running only XP, until Vista becomes a more reliable platform, on which the jury is still out. I know my company isn''t the only one refusing to go along with Vista, but is at the "mercy" of the mega-monopoly Microsoft, which is using Vista as a "testing ground" for its new platform supposedly coming out in 2009 or 2010!

All this is, is another attempt by Microsoft to FORCE everyone to get on THEIR PAGE, just because they are a monopoly and theirs is the only ball park in the country!

Thank you very much Great Emperor George Bush II and all neocon Fascist Nazi Republicans everywhere!!!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!

[ridos-2009]

Dell still offers XP installed on new computers; they''ll give you a Vista DVD with your purchase so that you can switch (or not) on your own schedule.

[irliberal]

Yet Gates is the devil and Jobs is a saint.



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Posted by rafterman1 at 09:39 AM

I''ve used Vista (and everything previous), Leopard (and two mac op sys previous) and several flavors of Linux. They all have their uses and strengths. The only time you see the polarization is when you have a person who has an agenda, or you have a person who has only used one and is basically unfamiliar with the others. Pretty typical, and easy to spot.

Get the operating system you like most. And please, please, shut up.

[omega39-2009]

I''''ve got SuSE Linux 7.0.I think I gave a couple of bucks for it at a yard sale.Haven''''t tried it yet,have you?

Posted by jesterbelle

Not Suse 7 but I use Suse 9 at work and am impressed with it. It has a nice GUI and has automated a lot of the tasks that used to be command line driven. Still, it helps to have an understanding of Unix. I have many friends that swear by it and use it exclusively, I game though so will always have a dual boot system.

[irliberal]

Rafter - By the way I wasn''t saying shut up to you - I meant it for all the whiners in the forum. 8-) This thing needs an edit function!!

[docpeter-2009]

From the article: "The main difference is a slight re-organization to the Start menu, which actually makes it easier to find the programs you want to run."

I''m glad someone else can. I can''t find S*** now. I find this "new" feature really awkward and cumberson. Give me back the old, I wasn''t having any problems finding my program(s) before. Not to mention, most of my favs are located as icons on my desktop already.

"Search also allows you to find documents by typing in any word likely to be in the document."

So if I type in the word "the" or "a" it will only pull up documents with those words in it? That would include ALL of my documents. Most people who type a lot of documents use favorite words frequently in all/most of their documents. This "search feature" is fairly useless to me.

"Finally, there is the issue of performance. It is true that Vista requires a bit more horsepower ... but if you''re getting it on a new machine... it will work...any new hardware - at almost any price - is powerful enough to run Vista."

And here we finally have the real crux of the matter and reason to upgrade. Now let EVERYONE go out and buy that new hardware, use your Stimulus Rebate, so we can ALL make Microsoft and HP, Cannon, Epison, etc. more $$. Heck let us all go out and buy a new computer. I am going Apple!

The above ad/story was brought to you in favor of the people who will benefit most from your Vista upgrade.

[omega39-2009]

At work, the IT department REFUSES to run Windows Vista, running only XP, until Vista becomes a more reliable platform, on which the jury is still out. I know my company isn''''t the only one refusing to go along with Vista, but is at the "mercy" of the mega-monopoly Microsoft, which is using Vista as a "testing ground" for its new platform supposedly coming out in 2009 or 2010!

Posted by walt1944

The company I work for has scrapped Windows Vista plans as well and is now going to deploy Windows 10 when it is released.

[aggiekat2004]

XP was at least usable, and Vista is ***.

I guess it''s time for everyone to switch to the Mac. It WORKS, and works BEAUTIFULLY.

No viruses, and yes, it DOES run all the software you need to run. Including Windows XP.

[rocketjl]

Never tried Vista - yet. Probably gonna be a good OS. However, like a lot of folks I have a low powered machine and don''t do a super lot with it. I boosted it up with as much as I could, but it may be a little short for Vista''s power needs. I''m nearly 70, PC poor, got an upgrade/new PC whenever the wind would blow. Keep talking - hope I can get a new PC w/Vista before - - - -

[inventagod2]

Microsoft is facing the end of their dominance in the PC market.

At this moment, you can purchase a stripped-down PC for around $200, and load it with free, public-domain software. Google offers the wave of the future: cloud computing - docs and spreadsheets on the web.

Bill got out at the top of his game, bravo!

There are inexpensive, great alternatives to bloated Vista!

[tootall10142]

Does your boss know that your playing today irliberal?i need some other medications and would appreciate it if you would get to paying those taxes.because this sick decrepid 15 year retired d.o.d employee needs your money to take to our casinos and buy our tobacco with roll money from the nation wont be here until the fifth. thank you for your concern. I truly hope you make a million next month and the month after and the one after that and well i think you get the idea?

[godseyesore-2009]

XP users should just go OSX. No problemo.

[mediamomma]

i have a friend who has a mac and he says it bites. he said that it is not compatible w/a lot of programs that run on pc. he also can''t use it for his online college courses. and if he uses it too long, the computer crashes and becomes way too hot. i also find mac difficult to figure out. i''ll stick w/my xp and pc until a new os comes out from windows. i can get more mileage out of my pc until then.

[shanev137]

I''ve run both Vista-32 bit and Vista-64 bit for over a year now and haven''t had any problems.

The 64-bit version is faster and will recognize all the RAM you can stuff into your machine, but not many applications are 64-bit yet....which is a major drag.

[sirrichard42]

If you''re going to take the time to learn how to use a new OS, it is to your benefit to choose one which gives you full authority over your data and your hardware. Not Windows, with its Genuine Advantage mechanisms and Digital Rights Management software (which uses your own CPU against you).

Choosing something like Ubuntu or SUSE is much more rational, if you have to learn a new OS anyway. The linux-based systems provide software which is certainly no more buggy than the Windows software (some people would argue that it''s much less buggy), but with Linux it''s all free and much easier to install and uninstall. The only way to even approach the level of productivity that one can achieve with a common Linux installation is to spend several thousand dollars on commercial software, or break the law and pirate it.

[sirrichard42]

If you''re going to take the time to learn how to use a new OS, it is to your benefit to choose one which gives you full authority over your data and your hardware. Not Windows, with its Genuine Advantage mechanisms and Digital Rights Management software (which uses your own CPU against you).

Choosing something like Ubuntu or SUSE is much more rational, if you have to learn a new OS anyway. The linux-based systems provide software which is certainly no more buggy than the Windows software (some people would argue that it''s much less buggy), but with Linux it''s all free and much easier to install and uninstall. The only way to even approach the level of productivity that one can achieve with a common Linux installation is to spend several thousand dollars on commercial software, or break the law and pirate it.