Windows Vista

As an update to my previous post regarding my first-hand introduction to Windows Vista, I am now able to use my Microsoft wireless optical mouse. It was just a matter of downloading the appropriate software. Unfortunately, Western Digital doesn’t have a Vista-compatible version of their back-up/restore software so I am stuck with using the Vista back-up program. Wangos.

I’m getting used to the folders, now, and some of the new features definitely make it easier to move back and forth between directories in the same window.

Random thoughts:

1. A program called “mediacenter” or something like that regularly tries to access the internet. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be doing so I’ve been randomly approving or rejecting its access. Annoying.
2. Speaking of annoying, you’d think that with a brand new operating system Microsoft could have provided an actual users manual for Vista. Maybe these days hard copies are too old-school. Wangos.
3. My computer came with two speakers. I was pleasantly surprised and looking forward to using them since they have a lower profile/footprint than my current speakers. Unfortunately, I discovered that the speakers have a single audio jack and one USB (for power, I assume). I decided using a USB port—which is always in limited supply—for speakers is a waste.
4. Every attempt I’ve made to install updated drivers via Microsoft Update for my all-in-one printer has failed. I can still print… but, wangos.
5. It was only after downloading and installing Vista-compatible Nikon Viewer software—for transferring pics from my digital camera—that I discovered that it wasn’t necessary. Vista recognizes my camera and I can copy/paste pics just like I would an external hard-drive. Nice.
6. I have Vista Premium which, as far as I can determine, doesn’t allow you to make a recovery disk. Eh?! Lack of foresight, or Microsoft trying to gouge customers for extra cash for what should be a basic feature?
7. What the bleepin’ heck is Intel Viiv?! The salesman was confusing. Intel’s website was even more so. Is it a technology? Software or hardware? What does it do? It's involved with music and videos, but how? Is it something I should optimize, or is it just there, with no user input allowed?
8. My computer came with AOL and Naptser install/sign-up links—uninstalled ASAP.
9. My computer came with Microsoft Money 2006 installed. Nice! I’d been too cheap to upgrade from my older Money version. My only worry is that should the worst happen I don’t have an install disk for Money 2006.
10. A 3-month trial version of Microsoft Office 2006 (student edition) came installed. I promptly uninstalled it. Trial versions of programs as critical as those in Office are not trials at all. After Office 2006 “updates” all my previous version files, what happens after the trial period? Will I be able to “de-update” all my files without losing formatting/information? I don’t think so. Another sneaky Microsoft technique to get more money.
11. Not all salesmen are created equal. The first salesman I talked to told me my Office XP is compatible with Vista. A second salesman told me that Office only came in 2000 and 2003 versions, and only the 2003 version is Vista-compatible. Apparently my Office XP (2002) doesn’t exist. Luckily, the former was correct.
    
12. This second salesman also couldn’t tell me whether the Nvidia graphics card that came with my computer is DirectX 9 compatible. Wangos.
13. My Nvidia graphics card (GeForce 7650 GS) is not listed on the Nvidia website…. ::sigh::