There is nothing wrong with you using a Mac computer, Joe. Its ok, you don't have to run Vista just to blog about Microsoft. Sure its nice to have enough experience with Microsoft products, to know how to avoid them. Or is Eweek wanting you to promote Microsoft?

if you have some pull, find out why i can't delete a file from the zune without connecting it to a pc. this is just stupid, to me.

for god's sake, it's the 3rd version already.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929184

I have been using Vista now for over 2 years. I have never had any issues that you are having nor have my customers. I have used OSX, it is a nice looking OS, but I would rather have something that actually works than have something that looks good. I have upgraded several businesses(lawyers, doctors, etc) and every single one has told me they would never go back to XP, and wish they had done it sooner.

I am running Vista 64bit on my Desktop (for Games) Laptop for working mobile and my dekstop @ work. Love the experience, and your right Vista 64 does feel somehow different.

The windowslive mail problem you had is just wierd, I have used the program with Zune 3.0 today no problem... but in any case onto OS X.

OS X what a messy operating system. I friends of mine macbook harddisk died and the mac genius replaced the HD. Once back @ home we conencted her via airport express to the internet but could not browse the XP Desktop sharing a PRinter.

OS X is so wiered on how to access thr system preference menu. I mean in windows you hit the start button or ORB and control panel and application are their.

In OSX to goto the preference menu to access the system panel, you need to click onto the desktop for the menu to appear .... aggg...

I think people who use the MAC to browse the web are verry happy, but what I am finding out that the leap into the OS X world working with other windows machines is such a pain.

And PS , Apple has a great discussion forum... if you log in and create an account...

Anyways... tale it for what is worth, I'll stick with Vista thank you verry much,

JoeM: Thank you for the amusement for the night, your website clearly states this it is in some way incompatible with Firefox.

I quote, "We see you're using FireFox, which is not compatible with this site. We strongly suggest downloading Windows Internet Explorer 7. We think you'll like it better:

· Internet Explorer blocks pop-up windows.
· It's more secure against viruses and spyware.
· It's better for web designers and developers.
· Features like tabbed browsing.
· Another feature includes a phishing filters to protect against Password stealing website."

Excuse, me while I LMAO....

However, I was able to navigate the entire site 100% using Firefox. *grin*

"I would rather have something that actually works than have something that looks good"...Joe you must have read my mind, as that is the very same thing I tell people when I demo Linux to them.

Also, I find it suspect that you recommend the following two programs, to be removed immediately from one's PC:
Firefox
iTunes

Thirdly, to date Microsoft has sold two million Zune units. In contrast, Apple has sold over 150 million iPods.

D.

>It's this kind of productivity drain that has people switching to the Mac.

Nail on the head right there.

Once bitten, twice shy. I lasted two months with Vista before it started deleting my files and locking me out of my hard drive. 21 years hard-core tech experience, and I was spending more time getting Vista running than my day job

On a mac now, and just stare slack-jawed in wonder at the continuing roadkill that is Vista.

Even the frankly surreal Jerry+Bill show couldnt drag me back.

---* Bill

Mr. Hand,
how can you write about Microsoft stuff without using it? That would be like writing about Apple's OS X and other software without using it day to day... There are plenty of those people around on the internet and it shows.

Therefore Joe should be commended for doing his homework.

Windows Live Mail *is* crap. Not only does it take forever to sync with Gmail via IMAP, it randomly disconnects whatever connection you use, messing up other apps trying to connect to the internet.

Joe, I wish you also take on "Linux Watch". We would have more updated information and you can get to try Linux and we would look forward to your blog about Linux...good or bad.

Nevertheless...I enjoy reading Microsoft Watch.

Frankly I don't know how you're screwing up your computer but I've been running Vista for over a year now with only 1 problem, and that was easy enough to fix off the bat.

Maybe you're messing up the machine by installing a bunch of betas?

I shut the machine down over night about 1-2 times a month just to give it a refresh, but I haven't seen that to be necessary. For a while there seemed to be a memory leak that required a once a week reboot just to clean it up, but they appear to have patched it.

In a nut shell, it isn't that bad. And maybe it's because I don't know much about linux, but vista's a heck of a lot easier to use.

You definitely need to run the software you write about. Otherwise you are just being fooled like the poor actors in the Mojave commercials. I think Vista works ok as long as you just use the built in IE7 and maybe Office (just don't strain it). But installing other software is a continuous stream of pain, workarounds and wasted time (and this includes most other MS software). I think Vista was the first operating system designed to NOT run programs. Perhaps this is why MS is now openly working on minimal .Net only versions of Windows to really take this to the limit (won't even run Office).

@DOUGman

"Thirdly, to date Microsoft has sold two million Zune units. In contrast, Apple has sold over 150 million iPods."

the real question on that is, how many of those units sold actually ended up in the hands of end users & aren't simply rotting on retailer's shelves? (remember for MSFT & AAPL, once they ship a unit, it's considered sold, regardless if a consumer buys it or not).

do YOU know anyone with a Zune. Neither does Al.

disclosure: Al doesn't own a Zune or an iPod. IAHO, SanDisk makes the best player on the market. There's something about simply dragging an mp3 to the player rather than relying on some "media center" to transfer content that is the hallmark of intelligent product design.

@Bill Bacouyiannis:
I think you've hit the nail on the head.

Mac (and by association, OS X) is not really better or worse than Windows XP/Vista. It's DIFFERENT. And from our own personal experience, I have seen that people who are familiar and comfortable with Windows almost always find themselves confused and annoyed when using a Mac.

To go from Windows to Mac, or from Mac to Windows, or from Windows to Linux, or from any environment to any other different environment:

1. You have to want to make the move. If you don't want to move, then your mind will be made up already and there's no point to continuing.

2. You have to be technically savvy enough to make the move. You have to know the language and know what it means. Most of the commenters here fall into this category, but it's surprising how many people aren't. For instance, a lot of folks have no idea at all the difference between running a native email client such as Outlook or Thunderbird, and using a web browser to access their email such as Gmail, Yahoo mail, OWA, and so on. This is NOT a condemnation of these people; some of them include people who buy and fly their own turbine aircraft and handle them as good as the best professionals, so lack of skill with computers is NOT a negative reflection on anyone. It's just that some degree of strong technical knowledge helps get past the roadblocks and differences that are encountered.

And if you have ever seen someone who has always used a Mac, you will see that Mac fluency and comfort is possible.

And so, this just doesn't apply to operating systems. It also applies to countries. Is England better than France? It is to most native English, just as France is better to most native French. In this case "better" should be taken to mean "familiar and does everything I want". And relocating from one country to another requires one to (1) want to relocate, and (2) have the ability to learn the language and culture.

This is one area in which the Mac vrs. PC commercials can be a disservice to Apple. Computers are more like countries with their separate languages and cultures than they are like toothpaste or beer. And the ads pre-suppose that people want to accept a very different environment and are able to handle those differences and learn fluency in their new environment.

I think Linux is better because I wanted to move from proprietary environments (not just Windows, but Sun and IBM and Apple and all the rest), and I am able to solve most of the problems I've encountered and become relatively comfortable and fluent. But that doesn't make it better for you or anyone else. My only plea to Microsoft is to leave your hands off that which is not yours and is not unfairly infringing on your monopoly. Live and let live. Hey, I will be the first one to remind folks that Microsoft saved the world from being force-fed some crippled but expensive version of an IBM mainframe horror on their PCs.

And my wife thinks Mac is better than Windows because it handles high-end home video production as good or better than on Windows and for less cost (when you factor in the cost of the video software). But her day job involves support of a network of Windows PCs and she remains fluent in Windows. And sometimes reminds me not to knock Windows, because after all it does help pay the bills.

So it's not about religion, and it's not about what's "better". It's about what does the job, what are you comfortable with, what amount of change can you accept and what amount of change you cannot or will not accept.

And it's also about whether these environments co-exist in peace, or whether they feel the need to send armed thugs to cripple their competition. In this case, warring countries send armies, while warring computer companies send lawyers. But the results are the same: utter waste.

Joe;

Buddy, sorry to hear about your struggles with Vista. I for one will NEVER go back to the band-aid, bailing wire, and patchwork of XP -- Just ain't happening.

Mac? Yeah, got one of those too and as they say, "It just works" but that's about it as it sits gathering dust until my son comes and gets it out of my office for good.

Vista of what it started out to be, and what it is now is two different critters. It is the flagship OS of my business both as an Computer Services owner and as a published writer. I can't imagine leaving the Vista x64 by downgrading to a far lesser operating system such as XP Professional and "Home Editions" just doesn't even register on the radar.

I also noticed that you've stepped up to the plate with the x64 version of Vista -- Kudos Joe!

Cutting edge as far as Microsoft is concerned. Stay after it, Joe!

Really, I think you should just stay at applewatch Mr. Wilcox...you haven't had anything good to say about Microsoft for about 6 months now...it's quite obvious you've jumped on the bandwagon for Apple because it's probably more lucrative for you...
Go be overly negative somewhere else and let's get a new writer that actually understands the business over here...

Farewell Joe.

The Hand wrote: "There is nothing wrong with you using a Mac computer, Joe. Its ok, you don't have to run Vista just to blog about Microsoft...Or is Eweek wanting you to promote Microsoft?"

Nobody has asked me anything. I'm switching because Microsoft has a bunch of new stuff to test and I'm on a quest to see if there is a Microsoft lifestyle and to blog about it. I won't stop using a Mac. I've simply switched around which is my primary PC.

Joe

thatguy wrote: "Really, I think you should just stay at applewatch Mr. Wilcox...you haven't had anything good to say about Microsoft for about 6 months now."

Haha, really? I get the same accusation over there, that I only write negative blogs about Apple.

Joe

The title of this suggests a Vista rant...

but we see it's actually about:

1. Windows Live Mail
2. Zune
3. Office Outlook
4. IE8 (beta)

Yes, Livemail has issues...just like iTunes had issues. The rest are additional apps that don't come with Vista, so how is this related to Vista and why are you blogging about them?

I don't get your point. What is your point to these blogs? Frankly, you seem a bit clueless...why would anyone switch from a working environment they are happy with (Mac) to an environment where you are desperately TRYING to find things wrong with it? Are you just desperate to collect a check from the blogging sites?

Al :wrote

"do YOU know anyone with a Zune. Neither does Al."

--------------------------------------------------

I don't know anyone either who owns a Zune, I own a I Pod, my sister in law owns two I Pods, several people at work have I Pods. I also have two generic "Curtis" MP3 players that play tunes quite good.

One could buy a Zune or a I Pod or just buy a inexpensive generic MP3 player for $20. They all will play MP3s.

Just a thought but maybe you should try Home Premium instead of Ultimate. Alot of the people I hear complain about Vista are using Ultimate Edition. Iv been using Home Premium for a year now on my HP laptop and im loving it. Also I am a proud Zune owner and I will never switch back to an iPod.

I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 on an IBM x41 (1,5 GHz Celeron) with 40GB Hard drive. It just does what I want (office, browsing, mail, and programming, sometimes a movie) and that's enough for me. I do enjoy your blog though reading about how Vista "feels" for which I would have to spend about the equivalent of my hardware, probably to find out that it doesn't even run on my hardware.

@David S. Taylor: looking at your website, I see you write fantasy novels. Perhaps in the future you could keep the fantasy in the novels and out of your blog comments.

Poor Joe, and I don't mean it facetiously! Were it not for you personally I would still be trapped in that vast Windows Vista of Microsoft pain! When I received the MacBook you sent I have not looked back. I've found that my fears of not having adequate, or at the very least, programs that were at least "As Good" as their Microsoft versions to be completely and wonderfully unfounded. As a former Microsoft user, the coming SP's, upgrades, or just a new version were worth weeks if not months of worry over what was going to suddenly not work for no apparent reason! As a Network Engineer for the company that boasts the largest DB in the world, I knew something of worry.
Since the Mac, life has been painless and quite pleasant while doing my daily online chores and responsibilities. My Macbook has never failed me and I don't expect it too anytime soon.
I left the Vista of pain in MS land when the Macbook arrived and can honestly say I've never had second thoughts about it. Thanks for you know what!!!
You have a great blog site going here!!!
Jed