Visit Lamson Library to experience its newest addition, a computer running Windows Vista. There is currently a heated argument in the computer technology between the two camps, Macintosh and PC. The Macintosh tribe claims that Windows Vista is a Mac Operating System (OS) X rip-off. The PC tribe believes Vista is an improvement on the old system. What follows is a user-level review of the Windows Vista experience.
Upon system startup, the logon screen is very pleasant to see. The Vista interface uses a smooth, blue theme. The menu bar sections of each window are somewhat transparent, giving a distorted effect to the background showing through. However unnecessary this may be, it is a nice touch. Know that the windows interface is not a complete redesign as many have heard. In fact, many windows have the guts of the Windows XP with a Vista-like border. Open the control panel and discover that the all-too-nebulous Device Manager still exists. Any user who has had to deal with force-feeding drivers to the device manager in order to revive a troublesome device should take notice.
According to Alan Baker, Plymouth State’s ITS System Administrator, “Windows Vista is much more secure than Windows XP.” Be aware that Vista does make quite an effort to second-guess every user maneuver with regards to general use and Internet activity. After about five minutes, one may wish to jump out a window just to get away from Vista.
Many may ask the question, “How is Vista similar to the Mac OS?” Vista isn’t all that similar in function [to the Mac OS], but in presentation it tries very hard to look similar. Mac users have, for quite some time, enjoyed the use of a “one-click activated Dashboard” that displays mini applications on the desktop such as: Clock, Stocks, Puzzle, and Weather. These mini-applications are named “Widgets.” Vista has introduced a similar group of mini apps name “Gadgets.” Though these “Gadgets” look similar to “Widgets,” they are not too similar in function. The faces of the Mac’s “Gadgets” are built to let the user drag them anywhere with ease. Vista’s “Widgets” have minuscule floating “close” and “drag” tabs. It is easy to become quickly annoyed with the difficulty of use, especially at higher screen resolutions.
There is much controversy surrounding the new integrated Vista search engine. It is true that it displays results in an almost identical fashion to the Mac OS search engine, but there is one major difference: intuitiveness. Performing a search in Vista is a very simple process. Click on the Windows logo in the corner of the screen, and begin typing what is desired. Vista will search as the characters are typed and will refine the search as the words are completed, a very nice touch. However, typing “Plymouth” into the search box brought up about 200 documents, most of which were not relevant in the slightest. Typing “Plymouth” should not yield the “settings.sol” document in the results. Normally, one would expect relevant saved web pages and documents to appear. This is not the case with Vista.
By clicking on the “Switch Between Windows” button on the taskbar, all open windows move into a very nice “Rolodex” view that can be looked through by simply using the scroll wheel on the mouse. This effect holds a very nice finish and is a nice asset to the ease of use with regards to switching between many windows fairly quickly.
The word “Vista” is defined as: “a pleasing view.” Windows Vista is definitely nice to look at and is definitely an improvement over the aesthetics of Windows XP. If Vista truly were a direct copy of the Mac OS, it would be much easier to use, far more intuitive, and much less annoying. Sadly, Vista only tries to look like a Mac, proving that there is something better out there. After spending time with Windows Vista, it becomes very easy to see why Best Buy has a Geek Squad counter inside. Anyone who purchases a computer with Vista installed should expect to return to the help counter shortly thereafter. For those who just want a computer that is easy to use, and can run Windows as well, get a Mac. For those who are on the fence, try out the Vista computer at Lamson Library and prepare for a startling disappointment.