When will it be a good time to upgrade to Windows Vista?

Question

People tell me I should wait till all the bugs are worked out. But when will that be? I am really anxious.

Answer 1

when all the computers at skools change and libraries then that means jump on the bandwagon

Answer 2

If you're anxious to try it out then go ahead and give'r now. IMO it's stable enough to run unless you play a lot of high-end games or run servers, and they keep releasing updates regularly enough.

The things I don't like about it aren't going to be fixed with updates (like the horrible legal shackles they have you put on when you install), so I'm putting it off for as long as possible. Another full year at least, and then only if I can't get off my butt and finally switch to Linux.

[edit] That post above reminded me of a few other things I'm going to hate in Vista: that new account security stuff, more built in virus protection, and to top it off the parental controls is a little insulting. Too much bloat; too much stuff that will only suck up memory and get in the way of things I do want to run. Microsoft's just buying in to the culture of fear; a firewall and a little common sense is really all you need. Although it sure has a pretty new UI...

Answer 3

I don't think Vista will offer anything very useful that isn't in 2000 or XP. You should wait about a year for the major security problems to be fixed first.

Answer 4

First, figure out whether or not you need it or if you want to "keep up with the Jones."

Microsoft has just extended support for XP for another 5 years. The reason they gave was that most computers over 1 1/2 years old will not run it. That makes me very happy. I don't intend to go Vista until support for XP has expired. I don't care to replace my 3 computers at this time.

Information on Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/enterprise/default.mspx

Considering an Upgrade to Windows Vista
Adapted From: Windows Vista For Dummies, Special Preview Edition
You'll see Windows Vista in the headlines quite a bit this year. The buzz starts in the technology section, ambles over to business columns, and eventually turns into news headlines. But amid all the buzz about Vista, there's one nagging question: Do you really need this thing?
Here are a few of the most tempting features Microsoft has worked into Vista, and what you'll find in them.
Improved search
Windows XP really drags its feet when searching for files. Searching for a filename takes several minutes on a crowded hard drive, and if you're searching your files for a particular word or phrase, you're in for a long weekend. Vista, by contrast, spends its idle time fine-tuning an index of every word on your hard drive.
To keep that work handy, Vista places a Search box on the Start menu, atop every folder, and in a few other areas. The handy Search box and the up-to-date index make it faster than ever to find the files and programs you want.
Vista even updates its index with words on Web sites you've visited recently, letting you quickly call up that headline you remember reading last week.
Trying to find the right setting in the Control Panel's vast array of switches and options? As you type words describing that setting into the Control Panel's Search box — display, for example — Vista filters out every item that doesn't pertain to the display. Eventually, you'll only spot a few icons left, and they'll all pertain to your computer's display.
Security
Some may call it a nuisance, others call it User Account Protection, but Microsoft prefers to call it advanced security. Vista's built-in User Account Protection security not only keeps unwanted creatures from crawling into your PC, but it also stops the ones already inside your PC from calling home to their creators through the Internet. Whenever something in your PC tries to do something that could change Vista's settings, Vista asks for your permission.
Although all this security is indeed a bother, it's the only way to keep your PC and your files safe.
Even if you turn off the security features for your own account, leave them turned on for your kids' accounts or the account you create for your babysitter or housesitter. Vista security will keep them from mucking up your PC while you're away.
Windows defender
Just about everybody's heard something about spyware — unwanted software that sneaks onto your PC. It then spies on your Web-browsing habits and sends the results to sneaky companies who fill your PC with ads targeted toward your interests.
When something's wrong with your PC, spyware's the most likely suspect. Spyware-infested PCs experience slowdowns, conflicts with other software, and even crashes. Vista's new Windows Defender seeks out and destroys spyware before it takes hold. Because companies constantly create new breeds of spyware, Microsoft automatically trains Windows Defender with Windows Update to recognize the latest spyware strains and pry them off your PC.
Parental controls
Most parents don't let their children travel unknown neighborhoods without supervision. But what about the PC and its ticket to the Internet's chat rooms and adult Web sites? Vista's strict parental controls let parents control their kids' computer workouts by adding the following controls:
·Blocking specific Web sites and programs or blocking all but a few hand-picked Web sites and programs
·Filtering Web sites by their content
·Blocking file downloads
·Controlling the days or hours the PC is available
·Collecting detailed activity reports showing Web sites blocked/visited, programs run, games played, and instant messaging conversations held
Although Vista calls them Parental Controls, they let any administrator account holder control the activities of any standard account holder. That means you can finally control exactly how your roommates use your PC — if you let them use it at all.
And your boss can see exactly how much time you spend playing solitaire when you should be working. Be forewarned.
DVD burning
Windows XP couldn't write to DVDs without the help of a third-party program. Vista can finally write to blank DVDs by itself, making DVDs an easy way to back up all those digital photos. Combine Vista's DVD Maker program with Vista's improved Movie Maker program, and you'll finally be able to burn your vacation videos to DVD and watch them in the living room.
Vista's built-in Backup program lets you automatically store your backed-up files to CDs or DVDs.
Runs on an average PC
You may have heard how Vista won't run on older PCs, or it needs an expensive video card. But if your PC's running Windows XP, it will probably run Vista just fine.
As for the video card, Vista certainly looks its best when run on a PC with a high-powered video card. But it also looks fine on most PCs today. The differences really aren't that obvious.
In fact, some people will turn off Vista's glass tabletop because all those reflections can be distracting.
News: Revision to Windows Vista retail licensing terms

Windows Vista – Pros and Cons
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127629-page,1-c,vistalonghorn/article.html?CMP=KNC-SEM&HBX_PK=pcw_01-UPGRADE-VISTA&HBX_OU=50&tk=pcw_01-UPGRADE-VISTA&gclid=CMLzhbGMo4oCFQ6kWAodgmo4uQ