The question to ask yourself is: Should I invest in Windows Vista or wait?

If you are going to buy a new computer after January 30th then you won't have much choice. You will also be bombarded with the new multi-million dollar ad campaign, from Microsoft, on TV, in the papers, through email, etc. until you feel that you will be the last one to buy it.

Should you bow to the media hype and buy Windows Vista? No. Probably not. Windows XP is still a stable good operating system. Microsoft will provide XP extended support until Apr 2014, because of the heavy use of XP world wide.

Windows 98/ME users, go out and get yourself a copy of Windows XP while you still can. They should be cheaper now that Windows Vista is here. You cannot upgrade from 98/ME to Windows Vista, but you can upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

Let me go through some of my (and others) thoughts on Windows Vista.

Click Here to read Footnote: 31st January 2007 3:00 PM

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Microsoft, in all their collected wisdom, have decided that this new version will be long on security and short on new, innovative features. This new security comes a cost in functionality and user control. If you are among the unique users who actually read end user license agreements(EULAs), you will find that during installation, when you have to click on agreement, that there are a lot of granting of rights to Microsoft regarding your future use of Windows Vista. I suggest reading this completely with attention to validation and the dictatorial power of Windows Defender which is incorporated into Windows Vista. While Defender's main role is as an Anti-virus program, it also searches for spyware, malware, adware, and other potentially unwanted software. What exactly does "unwanted" mean? Is Microsoft using this authorized legal document to rid your computer of competition software? Who knows! There is no explanation of this in the EULA.

I found out something in the Toronto Star recently that consumers will pay more for less with poorer picture quality. This involves high-definition (HD) on the up-coming BluRay and HD-DVDs (Premium Content). Windows Vista will intentionally degrade the picture quality of "Premium Content" when played on most computer monitors. Microsft responded by saying that content owners demanded the Premium Content restrictions. Now there is a cave-in to Hollywood at the expense of the users.

Another example: The Windows Vista EULA grants Microsoft the right to validate Windows Vista based on certain hardware items installed on your computer and if you replace any of these items, you must revalidate. It also restricts making backup copies. There is nothing new about this, I was just pointing this out to everyone that Windows Vista will be examining your complete compute system - including software installed.

Charlie Le Ber and I have a copy of the RTM (Final) version of Windows Vista Home Premium. And we've been using it for some time now. As you have seen from Charlie's presentation on Windows Vista it looks beautiful. But why Microsoft moved things from where they've been since Windows 95 seems that they want to confuse their long-term users intentionally. Why they did that is anyone's guess. The learning curve of Windows Vista will be more extreme than those of you who used Windows 3.1 and moved to Windows 95 or 98.

Before you even consider buying Windows Vista make sure your computer can run Windows Vista. Remember: Microsoft always understates. They say if you have a 800MHz Pentium IV processor or better, 512MB of RAM and at least a 128MB dedicated (not shared) video card you can run Windows Vista Ultimate with Aero Glass. However, I wouldn't even attempt to run Windows Vista Ultimate on such a lame machine. My recommendation? Pentium 1GHz or better, 2GB of RAM, and 256MB dedicated video card. Keep in mind that's for Windows Vista Ultimate. You can probably run the Windows Vista Home versions on at least a 80GB Hard Drive or you will be dealing with "low disk space" errors. Because Microsoft will allow you to purchase upgrade versions on-line, ensure that you purchase an upgraded or upgradable computer to the requirements of the end Windows Vista version you envision for your futute needs.

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Microsoft makes it a little easier on you by providing a tool you can use to check out your PC to see if it's compatible with Windows Vista and what versions of Windows Vista your computer is capable of running. We urge you to run this tool before you run out and buy Windows Vista (any version) or you could be shelling out mucho dinero for mucho disappointment. (The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with Windows XP. It will not work with Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000).

• You can install and use Windows Vista for 30 days without a key. But, be forewarned, after 30 days, you won't be able to access your computer (except to enter the Windows key) - so don't install Windows Vista from someone else's Windows Vista CD just to take it for a test drive, unless you're willing to:
  1. buy a licensed copy of Windows Vista or
  2. do a complete format and reinstall Windows XP.
  Don't say I didn't warn you.

• All versions of Windows Vista are on your installation disk. This means that Windows Vista Basic is on the same DVD as Windows Vista Ultimate. You use the key that you purchased to unlock the version.

• Windows Vista (all versions) come on DVD not CD-ROM. It is too big for a CD-ROM and barely fits on a DVD. If your computer does not have a DVD drive, you can't install Windows Vista. If you're computer doesn't have a DVD drive, it is probably too ancient, too under-powered or both to run Windows Vista. Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor before you make any decision.

  CAUTION: You will have to have a prerequisite installed, Microsoft.NET framework, before using Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. It is almost 30MB. I opted not to use this tool because I am not a user of Microsoft.NET, yet!
  Download Upgrade Advisor from Here:

• You cannot put Windows Vista on a machine that doesn't have some sort of connection to the Internet. Dialup or high-speed will work.

• Microsoft has been working on a Service Pack (SP1) for Windows Vista and it is probably in "Beta Test" because they expect to release Windows Vista SP1 this fall. So, for that reason alone, I would wait. Unless you have some particular strange urge to be on the cutting edge, I would suggest staying with Windows XP for awhile longer. e. There's nothing really extra-special about Windows Vista.

Sources:
• CloudEight
• Google Canada
• The Toronto Star