Windows Vista - Comments from a converted enthusiast
For more information about the Windows Springboard Series visit http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8418918.
Six weeks ago I was sitting at Starbucks (until Java U comes to Oakville...) working on my laptop when the manager started talking to me. It turns out he is a real computer enthusiast, and I was impressed by the specs of the computer he had built for himself... truly top of the line. It was obvious that he had spent a lot of time researching memory specs, video cards, motherboards, and so much more. There were only two things that surprised me... one I expect from time to time, but the other floored me.
- His kick-butt computer was running Windows XP Professional; and
- He was not running any sort of anti-virus on his PC.
'It's okay though, because if you really know how to harden your operating system you don't really need an anti-virus program.'
I am not going to lie: in this day and age there are situations where anti-virus programs are not necessary... but they usually involve disconnected environments ten stories underground on deserted island in the south Pacific where there is no electricity or phones where the computer is guarded by native tribesmen with spears and buried under six inches of peat moss.
I was amazed that he seemed to on the one hand know so much about computers, and on the other hand have such blind faith in his ability to protect them without using some of the most basic tools that are so easy to deploy and maintain. Back to that in a minute.
My next question was of course about his operating system... why is it that he had invested so much in his hardware, without going to the operating system that would take advantage of it all? It all came down to money... it was hard for him to justify spending several hundred dollars on an operating system when in fact the one that he had... worked.
I made him an offer: I was going to bring to him a copy of Windows Vista Business Edition and a license for Live One Care. I would give him my e-mail address and any support he needed with questions or guidance. Run it for thirty days and if you don't like it at the end then reformat with XP and reinstall One Care. Deal? Deal.
The next day I left for Europe and did not hear from him until I got back and went back into the cafe. John Evan looked like he was going to hug me. 'I love it! It is incredible! I love it!' were some of the comments he made. Because he is truly a power user, I asked him to take a few minutes to write a couple of his favorite points. Below is his unedited document to me, good AND bad:
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Advantages at a glance
- Task manager - shows detailed information on programs and processes running and allows you to open parent directory for each executable file so you can easily detect unwanted programs and terminate their use. MSconfig.exe is still integrated into the operating system, a tool many do not know about, but is my favorite for managing my computers performance by disabling startup applications and to ensure unwanted programs do not get reinstalled at startup.
- Integration! Designed very well to work seamless with Microsoft designed applications. No more fooling around, it's about action!
- Ready to go! During initial installation, windows vista installs with security and privacy in mind! Making less frustrations for the average user.
Areas for Improvement
- Superfetch – this should be easily attainable for the average user so that they can choose to enable or disable this feature. Superfetch preloads the most often used applications into memory during startup which can tie up a lot of ram.
- In today's world, the average user needs a wireless network security analyzer! This should be built into the operating system to educate the average user about their wireless network and actions needed to resolve security flaws.
- This is a must for programmers, the ability to open up a directory and send all the file names of a directory or by selection or by file extension to a text document at a touch of a button.
- Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - This should come with it, I love this tool, and this tool should be expanded upon. Offers insight into security flaws and detailed solutions.
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It is always interesting for me to hear what others consider their favorite points about Windows Vista... I have my own favorites but I have been talking about them for too long, and love hearing other points. You should see how excited he is with the new Microsoft Office 2007 that I brought him back from Seattle!
For more information about the Windows Springboard Series visit http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8418918.