Random Thoughts Part I
Posted by Kirk M on 08 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Just Thinkin
Just a few things that have been meandering about my head of late:
Upgrade to Vista?
I think not actually. With all I’ve read on the subject since the first article Paul Thurrot ever wrote on the subject up to the most recent, not-so-shining articles from various tech sites to blog posts, I find myself asking the same type of questions I asked in my post about whether I’d switch to a MAC or not. I even mentioned Vista way back then also. It really doesn’t seem that Vista is shaping up to be all that great. I realize that using and experiencing has to happen before rendering an honest opinion here, but that would require purchasing a whole new computer (never, ever upgrade–clean install only) and then a long period of testing and migrating. And that’s a big chunk of money and time that I’m not willing or able to spend right now. We’ll give it a year and then we’ll see where it stands. Until then, I’ve got my trusty old, fully updated XP Pro which works just dandy.
Why My PC Works For Me:
I’ve spent probably the better part of 30 years in computers. From main frames to PC’s and over 15 of those years owning my own PC and it’s always been DOS and then Windows all the way. This doesn’t mean I haven’t tried out and worked with other OS’s–I have, but I have always kept Windows as my home OS. My reasons are my own and people argue about which OS is better without end. It’s simply my choice. So while I was repairing yet another wheelchair at work, I began thinking about what I had been reading of late about the so-called “required minimum” type hardware one should have in one’s home computer. At least that which is accepted by the general PC-using public at large it seems.
For instance:
“Ya just gotta have 1gb of memory these days…
…and anyone who doesn’t is living in the stone age.”
Well–I only have 512mb installed right now and I’ll increase it soon enough but no hurry here. My machine scoots right along just great but then again, I know how to keep the back end of things clean and tidy like no junk files, keeping the registry clean, defragging, things of that nature and no…it doesn’t take me all day to do it either. Maybe 15 minutes all told.
“Ah, but what about dual core or at least the fastest P4 3.whatever gig, 64 bit processor fer chrissake. Ya’ got that don’t ya’?”
Well…no. I have a three year old AMD 3400+ processor that is the equal to any P4 3.0 gig out there and I don’t really care for running video games anywhere beyond Ricochet Extreme and I’m still trying to get through all 150 levels in “normal” mode. No problems there anyway.
“Don’t tell me. You run in Windows Classic mode right?”
Wrong. I run the “Royal theme” (modified to my taste), have all the .net frameworks installed up to and including version 3, Windows Presentation Foundation runtime stuff, all the Flash, Shockwave (etc) and Java that’s out there plugged into my OS as well and with all my blogging tools up, Open Office Writer, Windows Live Writer, Filezilla, Firefox 2, Thunderbird and a WMP 11 playing a nice little jig, I still have 200mb’s of memory free and my fans are at still whirling along in low gear and my PC is running just above idle.
I’d say more about this but it’s getting late and I do have to go to work tomorrow. Besides, this is just “Random Thoughts Part I” so I can quit anytime I want right?
Stay tuned for Part II. Coming whenever.
Possibly Related Matter
4 Comments »
on 09 Feb 2007 at 6:14 pm 1.becky said …
vista is great, don’t listen to the naysayers
on 09 Feb 2007 at 7:49 pm 2.Elaine said …
I’m one of those who want it. My desktop with XP runs great though so in no hurry. Thinking of getting a new laptop though which would come with Vista. Will wait a bit longer till all the bugs are worked out though.
Have a great weekend Kirk, stay warm!
on 09 Feb 2007 at 9:02 pm 3.KirkM said …
Aye! The naysayers be dammed and all that. Becky…did you update an existing machine, do a clean install or get a whole new PC? I’d be interested to know for future reference if you will. Especially the hardware specs. I saw the picture of the box your Vista DVD came in. Unbelievable the waste of it.
Elaine…I’m in no hurry either. I believe I’ll wait until the first service pack for Vista hits the streets (somewhere in the middle of this year I understand). I hear MS is already working on it. Then it will definitely be a new machine with Vista already installed. Then I can take my time transferring all my stuff over. After that I’ll most likely give this machine to my honey to put into her store.
on 10 Feb 2007 at 6:55 am 4.becky said …
I bought Home Premium (cheap oem) and put it on my existing laptop and did a clean install. I had been rnning dual boot XP with vista beta for months so I was used to how it was anyway.
Then when I bought it the other week I decided to wipe everything, including XP and start afresh.
I have to say this Vista launch is exactly the way the XP launch was if you recall. There were people saying its rubbish, people saying its excellent, problems with 3rd party companies and those people wanting to wait.
If anyone is unsure then they should wait until they feel more comfortable with changing. Best thing I have done in a long time though.