Vista Help
Welcome to my Vista Help Blog
On this site you'll find help and informaton on Vista.
The aim of this site is to help you upgrade you computer from XP to VIsta
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Tom Synder Ph.D. wrote:
It’s been months since Windows Vista and Office 2007 hit the market. With the hoopla behind us, and after a period of observing both products in the marketplace, it looks like Office 2007, especially in conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007, seems to have a lot of value for larger companies interested in workflow automation and electronic content management. There doesn’t seem to be much advantage in upgrading to Vista anytime soon. In fact, it looks like organizations should wait at least until service Pack 1 is released in early 2008.
Issues with Vista
Vista has its short comings, including missing drivers for printers and other peripheral devices. There is also a lack of application support from independent software vendors. For example, Adobe won’t issue updates to Dreamweaver, InDesign and Photoshop until this summer. A number of antivirus products and VoIP technologies don’t work with Vista yet either.
Vista also requires pretty beefy hardware, especially if you want to take advantage of the slick Aero Glass user interface. Even minimum system requirements are more demanding than any previous Windows operating system.
But the biggest problem with Vista is there’s no compelling business case for upgrading. The previous operating system, Windows XP, works perfectly well for most organizations and will continue to be supported for another 2 years. Unlike earlier generations of Windows where upgrading a few desktops caused network disruptions, Vista seems to work well within networks of XP computers. Vista introduces some major interface changes and new ways of doing things that will take some getting used to. As a result, the costs of upgrading – such as hardware upgrades, user training and compatibility testing – aren’t outweighed by new features and functionality.
Wait to Upgrade to Vista until Early 2008
It sounds like most prominent third party software vendors are shooting to issue updates by the time Service Pack 1 (SP1) arrives. In addition, it sounds like SP1 will resolve most driver issues. Since SP1 is slated to be released in early 2008, we recommend waiting to upgrade to Windows Vista at least until then. Frankly, if you can wait longer, it makes even more sense to hold off on upgrading your operating system until you have to upgrade your computer.
Issues with Office 2007
The biggest issue with Office 2007 is the new application interface. It is quite different from Office 2003 and it typically takes several days for users to adjust to the changes. For example, it took me five minutes to discover how to save and print a Word document the first time I tried.
Office 2007 is valuable, especially in Conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007
Office 2007, especially in conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007, is making a splash in the market place. With this new release, SharePoint Server has evolved into the integration technology for portal, collaboration, work flow, Web-content and document management applications. As a result, SharePoint in conjunction with Office 2007 is providing many larger organizations with an alternative to more complex and expensive custom developed portals and work flow automation applications, as well as content management applications such as Documentum and FileNet.
The new version of Small Business Server, which bundles SharePoint, Windows, Exchange and SQL Servers into a package for small businesses, won’t be available until after the release of the new Longhorn version of Windows Server, which is expected in late 2007. As a result, we won’t know how SharePoint and Office 2007 applications for small business will pan out until early 2008.
So don’t jump on the bandwagon just yet, especially if you are a smaller organization. You’ll have an easier time and get more bang for you buck once Vista is more compatible and SharePoint is proven for small businesses.
About Xantrion
Xantrion – offering gold-certified Microsoft support – continues to revolutionize computer network support by providing systems that work, along with seasoned consultants at a fixed price. Xantrion allows growing businesses to do more with fewer resources and focus on what they do best.
It’s been months since Windows Vista and Office 2007 hit the market. With the hoopla behind us, and after a period of observing both products in the marketplace, it looks like Office 2007, especially in conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007, seems to have a lot of value for larger companies interested in workflow automation and electronic content management. There doesn’t seem to be much advantage in upgrading to Vista anytime soon. In fact, it looks like organizations should wait at least until service Pack 1 is released in early 2008.
Issues with Vista
Vista has its short comings, including missing drivers for printers and other peripheral devices. There is also a lack of application support from independent software vendors. For example, Adobe won’t issue updates to Dreamweaver, InDesign and Photoshop until this summer. A number of antivirus products and VoIP technologies don’t work with Vista yet either.
Vista also requires pretty beefy hardware, especially if you want to take advantage of the slick Aero Glass user interface. Even minimum system requirements are more demanding than any previous Windows operating system.
But the biggest problem with Vista is there’s no compelling business case for upgrading. The previous operating system, Windows XP, works perfectly well for most organizations and will continue to be supported for another 2 years. Unlike earlier generations of Windows where upgrading a few desktops caused network disruptions, Vista seems to work well within networks of XP computers. Vista introduces some major interface changes and new ways of doing things that will take some getting used to. As a result, the costs of upgrading – such as hardware upgrades, user training and compatibility testing – aren’t outweighed by new features and functionality.
Wait to Upgrade to Vista until Early 2008
It sounds like most prominent third party software vendors are shooting to issue updates by the time Service Pack 1 (SP1) arrives. In addition, it sounds like SP1 will resolve most driver issues. Since SP1 is slated to be released in early 2008, we recommend waiting to upgrade to Windows Vista at least until then. Frankly, if you can wait longer, it makes even more sense to hold off on upgrading your operating system until you have to upgrade your computer.
Issues with Office 2007
The biggest issue with Office 2007 is the new application interface. It is quite different from Office 2003 and it typically takes several days for users to adjust to the changes. For example, it took me five minutes to discover how to save and print a Word document the first time I tried.
Office 2007 is valuable, especially in Conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007
Office 2007, especially in conjunction with SharePoint Server 2007, is making a splash in the market place. With this new release, SharePoint Server has evolved into the integration technology for portal, collaboration, work flow, Web-content and document management applications. As a result, SharePoint in conjunction with Office 2007 is providing many larger organizations with an alternative to more complex and expensive custom developed portals and work flow automation applications, as well as content management applications such as Documentum and FileNet.
The new version of Small Business Server, which bundles SharePoint, Windows, Exchange and SQL Servers into a package for small businesses, won’t be available until after the release of the new Longhorn version of Windows Server, which is expected in late 2007. As a result, we won’t know how SharePoint and Office 2007 applications for small business will pan out until early 2008.
So don’t jump on the bandwagon just yet, especially if you are a smaller organization. You’ll have an easier time and get more bang for you buck once Vista is more compatible and SharePoint is proven for small businesses.
About Xantrion
Xantrion – offering gold-certified Microsoft support – continues to revolutionize computer network support by providing systems that work, along with seasoned consultants at a fixed price. Xantrion allows growing businesses to do more with fewer resources and focus on what they do best.
M. Aslam wrote:
Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest workstation version of the Windows operating system and is designed for both home and business users. MSN Encarta describes a vista as a scenic or panoramic view, and that’s exactly what Windows Vista provides. Not only does Windows Vista have an all-new look, complete with stylish graphical visualizations, easier-to-navigate menus, and enhanced personalization capabilities, but the operating system is also the first version of Windows in which the user experience scales to the hardware capabilities of the computer on which Windows Vista is installed. Although the graphical bells and whistles are excellent, many of the most powerful features in Windows Vista are those that you won’t see at first glance, including the many enhancements for reliability, security, usability, and mobility.
Microsoft provides multiple versions of Windows Vista. There are two versions for home users and two versions for business users as well as an all-encompassing version for users who want all available features. Unlike its predecessors, Windows Vista allows you to upgrade between versions.
Regardless of which Windows Vista version you are using, the core features and the way you work with the operating system are the same. Because of this consistency, this book points out the differences between Windows Vista versions only where necessary.
Upgrading the Windows Vista Versions
Unlike its predecessors, you can easily upgrade Windows Vista versions by using the Windows Anytime Upgrade utility or a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc. You can:
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate.
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Enterprise or Windows Vista Ultimate.
Upgrade from Windows Vista Enterprise to Windows Vista Ultimate.
Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest workstation version of the Windows operating system and is designed for both home and business users. MSN Encarta describes a vista as a scenic or panoramic view, and that’s exactly what Windows Vista provides. Not only does Windows Vista have an all-new look, complete with stylish graphical visualizations, easier-to-navigate menus, and enhanced personalization capabilities, but the operating system is also the first version of Windows in which the user experience scales to the hardware capabilities of the computer on which Windows Vista is installed. Although the graphical bells and whistles are excellent, many of the most powerful features in Windows Vista are those that you won’t see at first glance, including the many enhancements for reliability, security, usability, and mobility.
Microsoft provides multiple versions of Windows Vista. There are two versions for home users and two versions for business users as well as an all-encompassing version for users who want all available features. Unlike its predecessors, Windows Vista allows you to upgrade between versions.
Regardless of which Windows Vista version you are using, the core features and the way you work with the operating system are the same. Because of this consistency, this book points out the differences between Windows Vista versions only where necessary.
Upgrading the Windows Vista Versions
Unlike its predecessors, you can easily upgrade Windows Vista versions by using the Windows Anytime Upgrade utility or a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc. You can:
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate.
· Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Enterprise or Windows Vista Ultimate.
Upgrade from Windows Vista Enterprise to Windows Vista Ultimate.
M. Aslam wrote:
Microsoft has tried to put “active” items on the Windows desktop for nearly
a decade. Finally, with Vista’s Sidebar success seems within grasp. Stability problems that dogged previous versions aren’t as readily apparent — which is to say, Sidebar doesn’t crash nearly as often as, say, Active Desktop in Windows XP — and the items it offers actually help.
The items in the Sidebar, termed Gadgets, can interact with you, with Windows,
with files and folders, with your network, and with other Gadgets. Vista ships with a handful of moderately interesting Gadgets — a clock (you can put more than one clock on your desktop, each set to a different time zone).
Many other features — Put Vista head and shoulders above XP. The standout features include the following:
Improved backup (although no backup exists in the Home Basic Edition).
Photo management (via Photo Gallery, not in Home Basic).
Second monitor support
Easy wireless networking.
Vista also helps you burn DVDs, but watch out for the digital rights
Microsoft Windows Vista provides several accessories for Tablet PCs, including Input Panel, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal. All of these accessories use Tablet PC pens, which improve accessibility by making it easier to work with computers. Additionally, people who might not be able to use a computer keyboard and mouse might be able to use a Tablet PC pen as an alternative input device.
As in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista includes many other features that improve accessibility, including the Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and High Contrast functions and the Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard utilities. In Windows Vista, these features have all been enhanced, and most have completely redesigned interfaces. Windows Vista also includes speech recognition software. Using speech recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mail messages, and you can use your voice to control programs and browse the Web.
Tags: Windows Sidebar, Windows Vista Sidebar, Vista Gadgets, Windows Vista, Vista, Microsoft Windows vista features
Microsoft has tried to put “active” items on the Windows desktop for nearly
a decade. Finally, with Vista’s Sidebar success seems within grasp. Stability problems that dogged previous versions aren’t as readily apparent — which is to say, Sidebar doesn’t crash nearly as often as, say, Active Desktop in Windows XP — and the items it offers actually help.
The items in the Sidebar, termed Gadgets, can interact with you, with Windows,
with files and folders, with your network, and with other Gadgets. Vista ships with a handful of moderately interesting Gadgets — a clock (you can put more than one clock on your desktop, each set to a different time zone).
Many other features — Put Vista head and shoulders above XP. The standout features include the following:
Improved backup (although no backup exists in the Home Basic Edition).
Photo management (via Photo Gallery, not in Home Basic).
Second monitor support
Easy wireless networking.
Vista also helps you burn DVDs, but watch out for the digital rights
Microsoft Windows Vista provides several accessories for Tablet PCs, including Input Panel, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal. All of these accessories use Tablet PC pens, which improve accessibility by making it easier to work with computers. Additionally, people who might not be able to use a computer keyboard and mouse might be able to use a Tablet PC pen as an alternative input device.
As in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista includes many other features that improve accessibility, including the Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and High Contrast functions and the Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard utilities. In Windows Vista, these features have all been enhanced, and most have completely redesigned interfaces. Windows Vista also includes speech recognition software. Using speech recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mail messages, and you can use your voice to control programs and browse the Web.
Tags: Windows Sidebar, Windows Vista Sidebar, Vista Gadgets, Windows Vista, Vista, Microsoft Windows vista features
M. Aslam wrote:
Windows Vista appears in different versions. Fortunately, most people only need to concern themselves with four, and you can probably winnow the list down to two or three pretty quickly.
Microsoft chose the feature sets assigned to specific Vista versions with one specific goal in mind: maximizing Microsoft profits. That’s why you’ll find plenty of upgrade routes and plenty of opportunity to spend more money through the Windows Anytime Upgrade program, which lets you upgrade from Home Basic Edition to Home Premium, Home Basic to Ultimate, Home Premium to Ultimate, or Business Edition to Ultimate.
That’s also why it’s important for your financial health to get the right version the first time.
Windows Anytime Upgrades count as pure gravy for Microsoft: Log on to the
Internet or call a Microsoft “partner,” hand over your credit card number, and upgrade on the spot. You don’t get a new box or a new CD. All you get is a new product key and the instruction for installing the software from media that’s already in your possession.
Vista Home Basic Edition: directed at first-time home computer users who are looking for a bargain. Cheap, in all senses of the word.
Vista Home Premium Edition: has all the features home users want and need, as well as many features that appeal to folks with small businesses.
Vista Business Edition: aims for small-business users — those who work for companies without computer departments — who have no interest in the fun side of PCs. Really.
Vista Enterprise Edition: has all the extra bells and whistles needed to attach the PC to a large corporate network, plus several enhanced security features.
Vista Ultimate: includes everything in the Home Premium and Enterprise Editions, plus extra goodies that may change from time to time.
Windows Vista appears in different versions. Fortunately, most people only need to concern themselves with four, and you can probably winnow the list down to two or three pretty quickly.
Microsoft chose the feature sets assigned to specific Vista versions with one specific goal in mind: maximizing Microsoft profits. That’s why you’ll find plenty of upgrade routes and plenty of opportunity to spend more money through the Windows Anytime Upgrade program, which lets you upgrade from Home Basic Edition to Home Premium, Home Basic to Ultimate, Home Premium to Ultimate, or Business Edition to Ultimate.
That’s also why it’s important for your financial health to get the right version the first time.
Windows Anytime Upgrades count as pure gravy for Microsoft: Log on to the
Internet or call a Microsoft “partner,” hand over your credit card number, and upgrade on the spot. You don’t get a new box or a new CD. All you get is a new product key and the instruction for installing the software from media that’s already in your possession.
Vista Home Basic Edition: directed at first-time home computer users who are looking for a bargain. Cheap, in all senses of the word.
Vista Home Premium Edition: has all the features home users want and need, as well as many features that appeal to folks with small businesses.
Vista Business Edition: aims for small-business users — those who work for companies without computer departments — who have no interest in the fun side of PCs. Really.
Vista Enterprise Edition: has all the extra bells and whistles needed to attach the PC to a large corporate network, plus several enhanced security features.
Vista Ultimate: includes everything in the Home Premium and Enterprise Editions, plus extra goodies that may change from time to time.
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