The Road to Know Where: Opinion

My Advice? Still Don't Upgrade to Windows Vista, Get a New Computer! – Part II

Mon, 19 May 2008 12:17:16 GMT

Keith Combs politely replied to my email to say he wasn't happy for putting words in his mouth, and taking him out of context.

Keith does not have a monopoly on being passionate about Windows Vista -- I steadily blog and speak about adopting Windows Vista on new computers. When Windows Vista was released over a year ago, I had to give my clients choices that were fiscally sound:

UPGRADE XP TO VISTA: Purchase Windows Vista Upgrade, Deactivate a Windows XP license, possibly purchase memory etc, and spend I.T. labor.
PURCHASE NEW VISTA PC: Spend labor on I.T., but my client would still have a (second) working Windows XP computer! All of my clients (and other consultants I speak with) have opted for Option #2!

So to be fair to Keith: Nobody at Microsoft ever stated “Microsoft tends to think the only costs associated with upgrading to Windows Vista . . . is Windows Vista.” That was MY opinion . . . so now let's ONLY look at Keith's actual comments.

KEITH'S PREMISE - QUOTE FROM BLOG: Most of the customers he has talked to aren't upgrading existing Windows XP machines to Windows Vista. Instead, they are just buying new machines with Windows Vista as the old XP machines roll off the books and are re-purposed, or die.

KEITH'S QUESTIONS: Is that accurate? Is that what you are doing?

BLAKE'S OPINION: These questions were asked a year ago, and the answer then was "Yes, this is true. We're not upgrading, we're purchasing new computers!"

So it's been a year later, these computers did not get upgraded at that time, and are now a year older! It is MY opinion, that Keith (or anyone at Microsoft) should NOT still be asking these same questions -- they should be addressing the "answer"!

I detailed what “I” thought were the hidden costs in upgrading Windows XP computers to Windows Vista. If Microsoft has a ROI Report that compares “Upgrade VS. Purchase New” it should be released.

KEITH ALSO "WONDERED" OUT LOUD: None of the security, network, search, etc. improvements warrant an upgrade of an existing machine, even with Aero glass turned off so that it performs on par or better than Windows XP?

BLAKE'S OPINION: When Windows Vista was released over a year ago, I.T. Professionals weighed the new features against the long list of "hidden" costs. These professionals were vocal they felt it made fiscal sense to wait and purchase a new computer rather than upgrade an existing Windows XP computer.

Again, it's MY opinion, that Keith (or anyone at Microsoft) should NOT still be asking these questions. It's been over a year, and nothing has changed! While we appreciate the wonderful new Windows Vista features on NEW computers -- they still do not overcome the costs associated with upgrading an existing Windows XP computer.

This didn't make sense a year ago -- and I'm (obviously) frustrated that ANYONE at Microsoft could still be asking these questions over a year later!

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller

My Advice? Still Don't Upgrade to Windows Vista, Get a New Computer!

Sat, 17 May 2008 19:30:19 GMT

One of my favorite Microsoft Bloggers is Keith Combs. He’s bright, speaks his mind, and doesn’t wear Microsoft Tinted Glasses.

Keith recently blogged that he’s confused:

Why aren't people upgrading existing Windows XP machines to Windows Vista?

Don’t people know about the great new Windows Vista features?

Why wait to purchase a new computer with Windows Vista?

Wow, I’m amazed these questions are still being asked at Microsoft!

Over a year ago, I.T. Professionals stated they were NOT going to upgrade to Windows Vista. Why? Because most office applications simply do not work with Windows Vista's User Account Control (UAC). Microsoft’s response? “Yep, many third-party applications are written wrong – and vendors should rewrite their software to comply with UAC!”

But I digress – Keith is talking about the SMALL PERCENTAGE of companies that actually could upgrade to 100% Windows Vista Compatible software. This required purchasing updated software – and in some cases, the need to change software vendors (which requires additional staff training).

YEAR AGO RECAP: There were a variety of good reasons to NOT upgrade:

Cost of purchasing Windows Vista

Cost of losing the old (non-transferable) Windows XP License

The Time & Cost to determine if a comptuer(s) could be upgraded.

The Time & Cost to (possibly) purchase & install memory upgrades.

The Time & Cost to (possibly) purchase & install additional computer hardware.

The Time & Cost to (possibly) purchase & install peripherals.

The Time & Cost to research & download drivers

The Time & Cost to migrate user settings

The Time & Cost to deploy upgraded applications

The Time & Cost to deploy upgraded utilities & tools

The Time & Cost to actually upgrade to Windows Vista

The Time & Cost of troubleshooting (possible) “bad” upgrades

The Time & Cost due to the disruption of work

The Time & Cost to I.T. Department for NOT doing something more productive

Possible rejection of Windows Vista by end-user, due to “less-than-ideal” Vista hardware

So now it’s a year later – and these are still valid reasons. Besides, these are the same computers that didn’t get upgraded . . . and they look even slower after another year's time has passed!

Microsoft tends to think the only costs associated with upgrading to Windows Vista . . . is Windows Vista. But there are too many (“hidden”) costs – which still leads me to the same recommendation I made well over a year ago.

Do not upgrade your Windows XP computers ,
wait for new replacement computers
that come “with" Windows Vista.

WTF? Sun Java Update Installs "Puzzle Pirates" Game as Default!

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:33:09 GMT

I'm already upset that Apple attempts to install their Safari browser because of a QuickTime or iTunes upgrade.

And I'm not pleased that Adobe always wants to install the Google Toolbar or Google Desktop when installing or upgrading their Adobe software.

So -- NOW . . . Sun wants to install as default a fricken' game called "Puzzle Pirates" when installing Java!

If Microsoft did these types of sneaky things people would be outraged -- so why is this OK for other companies?

Thanks Google: The End of Spyware!

Wed, 02 May 2007 03:01:47 GMT

I was commenting on CBS Radio’s KNX 1070 regarding the “new” problems with spyware. I wanted to elaborate on my comment about “Thanks to Google, Spyware as we knew it is dead”

When the Internet was young, companies attempted to gather people’s names and email addresses, along with questions to gather demographic information. Because most people did not answer questions “truthfully,” programmers decided to stealthily track people’s Internet habits.

The original reason for Spyware was to monitor our web habits. Knowing how people spend time on the Internet is of great interest to marketing and sales companies.

Crafty programmers designed enticing games, weather and stock monitoring applets – as well as clever websites and emails tempting and tricking people into installing their “spyware” programs.

Today we openly share information with Amazon regarding our purchases and recommendations. EBay’s’ reputation system provides confidence when purchasing from a stranger. Blogs share more than most people's resumes.

Google not only knows WHAT we’re searching; but WHERE we clicked . . . and how quickly we clicked! Google’s online maps know WHERE we are traveling, shopping and dining.

Now that Google has purchased Double-Click (Internet Advertising) there is no disguising that Google’s search results are driven by advertisements. Google’s search results, email and Instant Messaging all contain paid advertisements based upon what being searched, the emailing being read, or monitoring a live chat online!

Advertisers no longer need to ask us questions, nor install Spyware – we gladly click-away telling Google our likes and dislikes, all without answering a single question. Our actions speak louder than our words.

Today’s Spyware is malicious. Spyware attempts to steal passwords & credit card numbers or turn our computer into attack zombies. (Which is why we've renamed it Malware)

But thanks to Google, Spyware will never simply track our web surfing habits! (^_^)

Don't Confuse Windows Vista Ultimate’s DreamScene with StarDock's DreamScape

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:13:26 GMT

There was a great deal of buzz yesterday regarding the release of Microsoft's DreamScene add-on for Windows Vista Ultimate. Simultaneously, StarDock released their free "DreamScape" software with moving-wallpapers designed for "DreamScene" (Confusing eh?)

I'm not a big fan of adding 3rd party utilities, when free Microsoft software is already available. I'm definitely not a big fan of 3rd part utilities to customize Windows's "looks".

So pah-lease do NOT install StarDock's DreamScape software (no matter how cool it looks) -- your Windows Vista Ultimate can display "simple" videos as a wallpaper. Just wait, and people will being to produce breathtaking video loops like THESE!

Note: StarDock's DreamScape turned my very fast Acer Ferrari 5000 to molasses!

Hacker "DVD Jon" Rebuts Steve Job's Anti-DRM Rant

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:48:01 GMT

I quietly voiced my opinion regarding Apple's Steve Job's disingenuously stating that Apple wants an open system.

Here’s a more detailed look at Steve’s public posting by Jon Lech Johansen (aka “DVD Jon” known for cracking the CSS encryption).

Steve’s Thoughts on Music - Steve claims Apple wants to sell DRM-free music but the labels won’t let them, contrary to an article in the NYTimes last month.
Steve’s misleading statistics - only 22 songs purchased per iPod on average?
Steve on licensing FairPlay - they simply don't want to do this. And when they do, it's a headache

Thanks DailyTech!

Portable Computer Names: Ferrari, Lamborghini What's Next?

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:38:31 GMT

When I received my Acer Ferrari, I thought it was clever that Acer's high-end portable computer was co-branded with Ferrari (known for high-performance automobiles).

Now . . . we have ASUS's new high-performance portable computer called the Lamborghini!

SPECIFICATIONS

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7400 2.166GHz 667 MHz, 4MB/2MB L2 cache
DDRII667MHz, up to 2 GB
2.5" 9.5mm IDE HDD /w Ultra DMA 100 / S.M.A.R.T. supported 160 GB supported
DVD Super Multi Double Layer
15" SXGA + Color Shine(optional) LCD Zero Bright Dot
NVidia GeForce Go7400 VX 512MB with TurboCache

I hope this trend of naming computers after race cars does not continue. But then again -- I would love to see a Rolls Royce or BMW co-branded computer! (^_^)

Apple's New iPhone is Perfect Except For . . .

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:09:04 GMT

Apple's new iPHONE (an iPod _ Phone) is truly cool! This new phone has some breathtaking new features, but there are some limitations.

CINGULAR: Mobile phone service is ONLY provided by Cingular and requires a two year service agreement. Because Cingular had to modify their entire network to support Apple's voice-mail, the phone will NEVER work with any other carrier.
NOT A SMARTPHONE: No software can be installed on the phone.
WRONG! (See Below) NO CORPORATE EMAIL: This can NOT replace a Blackberry / Palm type devices used by professionals.
GOOGLE MAPS: Apple's exclusive agreement with Google means NO other mapping service will be built-in.
QUICKTIME ONLY: Does not play Real Audio or Windows Media Format.
iTUNES: Strange that it doesn't connect to Apple's iTunes directly.
NOT EXPANDABLE: No additional memory can be added.

But other than that -- Apple's iPhone is perfect! (^_^)

WOW I love being wrong! "It connects to any POP3 or IMAP email -- Yahoo Mail, MS Exchange, Mac Mail... POP3: Gmail, AOL mail, and most ISPs... let's highlight one, Yahoo mail. Today we are announcing Yahoo will offer free push-IMAP email to iPhone customers. This isn't just IMAP, this is push-email, same as a BlackBerry."

Adobe Releases $449 Acrobat 8 Professional - Huh?

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:48:02 GMT

Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional software enables business professionals to reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, more secure distribution, collaboration, and data collection.

You can pre-order Acrobat 8 Professional at $449.00 -- and the Standard Edition for $299.00

But with SO many Acrobat alternatives - Adobe's prices seem a tad too high! (^_^)

PDF Alternatives:

Free! Microsoft Office 2007 Add-in: Save as PDF / XPS allows you to export and save to the PDF and XPS formats in eight 2007 Microsoft Office programs. It also allows you to send as e-mail attachment in the PDF and XPS formats in a subset of these programs
Free! PDFill PDF Tools allow you to Merge, Split, Reorder, Encrypt, Decrypt, Rotate, Crop, Reformat, Header, Footer, Watermark, Images to PDF, PDF to Images, Form Fields Delete/Flatten/List, and PostScript to PDF.
Free! PDFCreator easily creates PDFs from any Windows program.
Free! PrimoPDF Convert to PDF from any application by simply 'printing' to the PrimoPDF printer - this free program couldn't be easier!
Free! PDF Online file conversion
Free! PDF Converter Online file conversion

Tired of using Adobe's Reader? Try Free Foxit Reader - a PDF document viewer and printer, with incredible small size (only 1.5 M download size), breezing-fast launch speed and amazingly rich feature set is compatible with PDF Standard 1.6.

How Microsoft Handles "The Middle East & Other Geopolitical Problems"

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:30:24 GMT

Microsoft Windows is truly a worldwide product supporting 261 GEOIDs (Geographic Identifications)

City
Country (“friendly” name & ISO country code)
Language
Local Time Zones
Local Time Zone distinctions
Postal Code distinction
Region Country
Region Time Zones distinctions
Region Type
US ZIP Code

Keeping everyone, and every country happy . . . is not always an easy task for Microsoft!

PAST LESSONS: Time Zones and Border Disputes

In Windows 95, you changed time zones by clicking on the map. The time zone selected would be highlighted. Or . . . you could change Region Settings by simply clicking on the world map.

But both of these “benign” features had to be removed because of border disputes between Peru & Ecuador and India & Pakistan.

Time zones are still not highlighted on the world map.

TODAY’S LESSON: The Middle East and Phoning Call Centers

To activate Windows without Internet access, you need to phone a Call Center. Windows Activation gives call center information based upon your closest location.

However, some citizens in the Middle East may not wish to contact a Cell Center in Jerusalem (or the other way around).

Regardless if some end-users feel about a country’s “right to exist” – Microsoft has boldly listed these two Call Center selections on all versions of Windows:

Israel
Palestinian Authority

*sigh* you think someone’s gonna complain about the “alphabetic” ordering?

When Zdnet's Ed Bott Gives a Bad Editorial, Who Pays?

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 05:15:59 GMT

Ed Bott from Zdnet recently wrote an article berating Microsoft Blogger Stephen Anacker for "Bad Advice" because a friend of Ed’s had a problem with the BETA version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7

Ed disingenuously states "Now, I really don’t mean to pick on the author of this post . . ." -- but then proceeds to pick him apart!

Ed is worried that Stephens's readers won't know about Registry “key names” or how to expand a registry tree -- but for Stephen's intended TECHNICAL audience this is all we need. The criticism that it's not adequate for an amateur -- is true, but misplaced.

Ed mentions that his friend needed to call HIM for help with his Internet Explorer 7 problem -- yet Microsoft has Free Phone Support at 1-866-876-4926 (Maybe Ed thinks he's more quailfied to support his friend than Microsoft).

Ed also argues that every blog article about registry changes, include a "Registry Editor" warning -- well Ed, that's not the way blogs work. There IS a "warning" (disclaimer) on the main blog page. There are NOT individual warnings on each blog entry.

Ed is also worried that the "average" user can locate this article on Google – and that "average" users should be able to follow ANY set of instructions – even if intended for a technical audience – and even if they don't understand them!

Ed feels he must mention some minor typographical & editing problems in his article -- hey, Ed if you can't be right on the big facts - be petty!

Ed also felt it was necessary to write an article instead of actually posting a comment on Stephen's blog. Guess Ed’s above participating in other people’s blogs!

NOTE: A Beta version of software means it is still in testing -- Microsoft and all companies warn that you should NEVER install Beta software on a production computer. Period. I have a test computer for this purpose – don’t you?

OK, I feel better now (^_^)