I'm in the process of buying a new computer and wondered if anyone is using Windows Vista? If you are or not I'd like to hear the pro's and con's. From what I've heard microsoft isn't going to be supporting XP anymore?

__________________
Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Just my 2cents but,

I have always built my own computer and have dealt with alot of software. My experience with Vista is limited because I refuse to purchase it until all the bugs are worked out although I have dealt with trying to fix others computers with vista installed- NIGHTMARE.

If possible purchase your new computer with vista but keep your copy of XP and then ask a computer geek you have nearby to please set up a dual boot on your computer so you can have both. Alot of programs will not run in Vista so compatibility is a huge problem. With Dual boot you will have to option of starting your computer under either windows version which makes you able to use all of your older software under XP until Vista becomes more compatible.

Good Luck

FYI: My Stepbrother works for Microsoft in Texas, he got to be a tester for Vista when it was stilled called "longhorn", and even he doesn't use Vista yet.

__________________
~Christina-Business Darlings-Magazine for Virtual Business Owners

I have Vista on my new laptop. I use Vista for most of my software/files and have had minimal problems. I set up my Vista in XP mode so the interface is almost identical and less of a learning curve.

QuickBooks 2005 won't run on Vista but, you can download a program from Microsoft called Virtual PC ("software virtualization solution that allows you to run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation." - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...c/default.mspx)

You install Virtual PC on Vista and then install XP as the operating system inside Virtual PC. You can then install software in Virtual PC w/XP as your operating system.

After loading QuickBooks inside VPC, I had to drag the backup file from Vista into the VPC window and then "install from backup" the QB files. It's a royal pain but workable (for now).

I have not been able to get VPC to recognize my internet modem (I'm guessing I will have to install modem software inside VPC) and have not yet tried to install a printer to my laptop inside VPC. In order to print from QB, I print as an Adobe pdf and then drag the file onto Vista and print it from there.

Let me know if you have any other questions...

__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I'm also on Vista (it came with my new laptop) and honestly, I went with it kicking and screaming. I'd been on XP for so long it felt like pulling teeth to switch. I also resisted using Windows Mail (as opposed to Outlook Express which is no longer available) and complained for at least a week that it 'wasn't working properly' It's really fine, and not all that buggy, actually. Now that I'm used to it I don't even notice a difference and actually like Windows Mail just fine.
I navigate my files and folders much easier as well, there are cool little ins and outs on Vista that just make it faster.

When you consider how BIG the software package really is it's understandable that these things are released with the knowledge that there will be bugs and the assumption that patches are coming. There's a big patch meant to come out very soon (I've read).

Note: I'm *not* linked up with any virtual PC programs, just our internal network (we use an external, in-house program for client collaboration and storage of files, etc.)

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Tess, you just explained something that's been bugging me for two months. I had no idea it was Vista's fault that I can't use Outlook. I've been blaming HughesNet, my satellite internet connection. Sheesh, what a nincompoop.
Otherwise, I'll add here, I'm doing fine with Vista. I got a special cable for transferring my old XP files, when I bought the computer ... no problems so far.

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Dual Boot.....how does this work? Is it just a different interface but all our files and programs are still there on either side no matter which way we boot up or is it like having two different computers on one?

How do you choose which one to boot up with?

Curious because I have some software that is not compatible with Vista....Adobe Professional and some other things I can't think of right now...it's too late for me right now.

Monique

mommonique,

with a dual-boot system, you normally install each OS on a separate hard drive or partition. When the PC starts up, you are given the option of booting into either system - XP or Vista in this case.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, this is a good solution if you're not ready to switch completely to Vista, or if the makers of your software haven't kept up with Microsoft. Or perhaps like many people you resent having to buy all your software again!

The 'Virtual PC' method can be a lot easier, as you have access to both systems without a restart. You can work in both, open files from either in most cases, and keep XP for as long as you like. The main thing to be aware of is that running 2 operating systems at the same time is very demanding of your computer's resources - don't try it on too old a machine, and have plenty of RAM installed.

Good luck,

William

I have not seen Vista yet... is it totally different? Is Outlook gone? I'm a little confused!
Could someone please explain?

Thank you so much!

I use Vista Business AND Outlook. Perhaps it is Outlook Express that is no longer available but that's not because of Vista, its an Internet Explorer thing to my understanding. I have been using Vista since about a month after it came out and the only problem I had was that HP didn't offer drivers or software for my All-in-one that were compatible with Vista for about three months. Now everything is great. It did take some getting used to and I like my hubby's home version better. It has cool features that the biz edition did not offer.

__________________
Administrative Support Group
Jenifer D

Good answer, Tess.
My new laptop came with Vista, too. Still have XP on the desktop.
I did the kicking and screaming thing, too. But really, once I decided to make myself use the Vista, I didn't have much trouble with it. But it is still a concentrated effort for me to use the Vista instead of XP when I have the choice. Think is has something to do with the "teaching old dogs new tricks" thingy.

Gladys

__________________
EMERALD VA SERVICES
www.emeraldva.ca

Tess,
What are some of the pro's and con's of Windows Mail? I haven't looked at it yet and was interested in how it compared to Outlook? Thanks.

__________________
LoriLee
Executive Virtual Staffing
(web site to come in near future)

I'm not a huge fan of Vista. I think there's far too much space occupied by it, so it tends to slow down your system. I tried to shut off all of their extras, and it still is slow at times. I'm probably going to invest in more memory by the end of the year, if not sooner.

Ive used both but have to say I dont like Vista. When I bought my new computer recently I got it with XP on as I much prefer that and any equipment I have works with it. Some of the equipment I use will not work with Vista especially Olympus equipment. I was told by the firm I bought my new computer from that they have to sell computers with XP on as no one wants Vista cos of problems. It will be a good program once they have sorted it, unfortunately no one knows how long that will be.

I actually love Vista and have it on 3 machines. I know it uses more space but the newer machines come with more space so to me it is all relevant. I find it more secure and think it just takes some getting used to. I have been working on Vista for over a year now and haven't had any problems at all. *knocks on wood*

__________________
Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I've been using Vista since February 2007 and love it as well.

For those of you new to Vista and Office 2007, you should remember to set your Word, Excel and PowerPoint options to save documents in the 97-2003 versions - not everyone is using '07 and if you send them something saved in that format, they won't be able to open it. A client called me today because someone sent her a file in Word 2007 and she didn't know what it was. I saved it down a version for her and sent it back.

__________________
Julia