Why I Abandoned Windows Vista
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
March 20, 2007: As some of you may know, I’m a big Windows evangelist and was eagerly looking forward to using Windows Vista.
So, when my laptop broke (who knew that dropping it from six feet would be bad?) and I had to get a new one, I was only too happy to order Vista as the operating system.
Big mistake.
The computer was pretty powerful for a laptop, and I had all of Vista’s advanced graphics features turned off. But Vista still ran slower than molasses in January. In fact, I’d often mouse click twice thinking the first one hadn’t taken, then have to deal with the fact that I was now one click further along than I wanted to be.
But the worst problem was how much hardware and software still isn’t compatible with the system. Now, you could say that this isn’t Microsoft’s problem, but how do you explain this: On their homepage for Vista, Microsoft touts its integration with Foldershare – a program made by, you guessed it, Microsoft.
Now, Foldershare is a program I depend on for my work in producing The Digital Photography Show. It keeps my laptops synchronized with my desktop, and it’s a must have. In fact, I checked that it worked with Vista prior to my purchasing the system.
Yet, despite Microsoft’s claim, I couldn’t get Foldershare to work. I wrote Microsoft’s technical support staff about the problem. I tweaked and tinkered with the system, read the online help files, uninstalled and reinstalled. Finally, I got this response from Microsoft:
Since Windows Vista has been broadly available on January 30, 2007, the FolderShare client for this version of Windows is not developed as of this time. We received a feedback (sic) that the current client version works flawlessly with Windows Vista, however we cannot assure you that the result will be the same for all users. The FolderShare client available for download is not tested to work properly with Windows Vista and it may or may not work with the software. This is one of the possible reasons why you are having this issue.
What a great example of Microsoft-speak. When they say “works flawlessly,†they mean, of course, “may or may not work.â€
Now, would you say that’s consistent with Microsoft’s assertions on its Vista product page?
I wouldn’t. To my mind, it’s blatantly false advertising.
Is it legally actionable? Can I sue? (I’m actually a Microsoft shareholder, so maybe that wouldn’t be in my best interests.) Can I now get Microsoft products and “may or may not” pay for them?
This is Microsoft’s own software and it doesn’t work with their operating system. Helloooooooo! What’s wrong with this picture?
In the end, I’ve been forced to exchange my new laptop with one running trusty old Windows XP. It’s the only time in my life I can remember not having the latest operating system and the only time I’ve ever had to pay extra to downgrade!
Thanks, Microsoft. And when I say “thanks,†I mean, of course “screw you.â€
Scott
March 21st, 2007 at 2:19 am
One word — Apple.
March 21st, 2007 at 5:01 am
Scott, Scott:
Sad story… My guess is that you cannot take legal actions for you have accepted the EULA (End User License Agreement)… Which bascially says that you cannot sue them if the software does not deliver on what it is supposed to do. Read that thing and you will understand how screwed up the software business is :(… And is not only Microsoft (and I hate them).
There is only onw known software product that does not have any bugs at all:
http://www.bernardbelanger.com/computing/NaDa/
March 21st, 2007 at 5:02 am
Scott,
I’m in the market myself for a new laptop and found that through some handy web surfing that VISTA is a bad solution for photographers. Most current software is not compatible and The Evil Galactic Empire (Microsoft) launced this OS with more bugs than a roach motel. Stick with XP it is going to be better overall for what you do.
Regards
Richard
March 21st, 2007 at 6:06 am
I’m with you Scott.
I have to run Windows at work to run my CAD software so I can open customer supplied 2D and 3D CAD files.
I bought Windows Vista Ultimate about a week ago and have tried about 20 times to install it … EVERY SINGLE TIME the install gets to the same point, goes to a black screen and reboots back into Windows XP. I think my computer is trying to tell me that it prefers XP … and I’ve finally decided to listed to it.
Now I have a computer that is running XP and a $237.88 coaster to set my coffee on. (OS’s are not returnable once opened).
OSX RULES !!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2007 at 6:07 am
I feel your pain Scott. I too have abandoned Vista. I am in the process of listening to as many Linux podcasts as I can to see if that would be the answer for me. I don’t think Linux is quite there yet for photographers but maybe in a few years. The only way we’ll ever get MS to fix their software before releasing it is by abandoning them.
We’ll see….
March 21st, 2007 at 8:54 am
I don’t mean to irritate Microsoft/PC fanboys or girls, but it’s beyond me why anybody would buy a PC unless a gun was being held to their head. Mac now runs OSX and windows xp or vista. You aren’t forced to be OC about worms and viruses and other nasties. And on top of all that, I know at least a dozen people who have put Vista on their Macs without problem using either Parallel or Bootcamp. Add to this that Mac is definately the photographer’s operating system.
And I continue to predict that Apple will produce a Mac tablet in the not too distant future.
Scott, come over to the light side.
March 21st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
We have been saying on our show for some time now that upgrading to Vista is not that good an idea. Us and most of our listeners agree that service pack one will most likely be the ideal entry point at the earliest.
Welcome to the “true” beta test. Compatibility I think is a big issue. We covered a site that is being updated with the latest information about Vista compatible software. Here:
http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 am
How did I know that very soon after I posted this, I’d get at least one suggestion that I switch to a Mac? Poor Bill Gates.
Unfortunately, I have thousands of dollars of Windows based software and hardware I’d like to use. Also, the laptop I replaced was a Tablet PC, my platform of choice. If Steve Jobs really wants my money, he better come out with one of those.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I’m glad my Vista upgrade did not work … I use FolderShare constantly to sync documents between my CA and NY shops, if that stopped working I’d be a little annoyed.
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I think the best thing a window user can do at this point is to either stay with XP (they just now got it running decent) or go to mac.
vista uses a TON of your machines resources. I could imagine, running vista and PS or any other type of program, would be alittle disastrous, maybe a little funny, but mostly an unpleasant experience.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Apple is definitely coming out with a tablet pc (I saw an add for the beauty in a recent MacWorld magazine). Bu it is expensive!
I am a long-time Windows person who recently (2 weeks ago) made the switch to Apple. I have yet to try parellels, but everyone raves about it, Scott. You can run your pet windows programs on an intel Mac without a hitch.
My main windows program that I am missing right now is Qimage! Mike Chaney’s spectacular printing program. You would not believe the number of new Mac users who bemoan the loss of that software on various forums! Steve Jobs ought to hire Mike Chaney to develop all printing software for the Mac! Or, better still, Mike Chaney should hire Steve Jobs to design a computer just for Qimage!
In any event, as new Mac folks like me are mourning the loss of Qimage on various forums (e.g., dpreview printing forum), others are hopping on to the threads and saying, “Stop crying! You can get Qimage with parallels. Works seamlessly on the Mac.”
So, I say make the switch, Scott! And buy parellels as part of your package. You can use your licensed copy of Windows XP (if you have one). If not, well, you would have to buy it. If I had a copy, you know I would send it to you!
The podcasting software available for the Mac is incredible, so I have read. Imagine, you and Michael both working on Macs! You will be SO glad you did! I will never go back. Never. And this is only after 2 weeks with my new iMac.
March 25th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Anyone that wants to buy a Mac but needs to run Windows software please have a look at this:
http://www.allenrockwellphoto.com/site/images/VistaInOSX.jpg
Note the Mac AND Vista bars across the bottom and the app running in a window is MS Word 2007. Parallels is the coolest thing EVER!!!!!
March 25th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I reluctantly switched to Mac about two years ago because of the thought of the cost of changing software. Although I did have good success at getting Photoshop & Dream Weaver to give me a onetime platform change at absolutely no cost to me. The other software companies I did not bother asking because I needed to update anyway.
I made the change and now all I can say is that I will never go back . It has actually saved me money as I have not spent one minute or dollar on spy-wear or antivirus programs. It has actually made me money on the time that it saves me on my workflow process. I have also been able to impress people with things that I have made with the programs that the Mac came with.
Now my only weak link is Microsoft Office, Once I replace Office with I Life I will be totally Free of Bill Gates.
It was a hard change for me at first due to using a PC Since it’s beginning. But now I am so happy for changing. My life is now not spent trying to figure out how to tweak my PC and fixing it all of the time. I am truly amazed at the things that I can do on a Mac that I never even thought of doing with a PC. Life is Good 
March 25th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Cool Allen! I would do it in a heartbeat if I could find a cheap copy of Windows XP. Too expensive to buy the Windows license and a copy of Parallels (just to run my beloved Qimage — which is the only thing I am missing right now).
Despite the raves, I am also hesitant to put anything Windows on my pristine new iMac!
March 29th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Note: I have used and supported both Mac and PC for 15 years and switching to a Mac would not solve anything. Apple has crap for support and if something goes wrong with the hardware you are screwed, especially up here in Canada. It would be better to go to a Linux OS product. In addition, some not all Mac users live in the real world where collaboration between others is mandatory. Sorry for my rant.
On a positive note I am glad that Jobs is back at the helm of Apple, he has rescued it from death and I look forward to seeing the future set by some apple products.
I have purchased Vista because I am an IT support person and I have been running it in a dual boot with XP on the other partition. I agree that the Folder Share is a great disappointment but if you
Here is something (speculate) that I think is going on with FolderShare (FS) not working. When I was Beta and RC Testing Vista, FS worked, and now in the release it does not. I think that this problem has to do with security and the p2p issue of movie and music sharing. I think someone or some think told MS to shutdown p2p in the FS product or else. Again the FS worked in the Beta and RC????
Slowness of VISTA, MS has been forced to put in to the OS security software to discourage:
1. Pirating of Music, TV and Movies.
2. Sharing of those files.
3. And of OS pirating but that is MS doing.
It would be interesting to get a copy of Vista slated for Africa and see what the difference is.
I am testing software compatibility with positive results on software that ran on XP. Where Vista falls short is CAD, Video Editing software and 3D programs that rely on specific video drivers and the software will need to be updated by the vendors, sad but realistic.
Until FS is fixed I will still be mostly using XP.
My 2 cents… take care all.
Michael