JaysonSchultz.com

My last note for the evening is that as of this morning (or yesterday morning since it is now 12:19 AM CST), Microsoft has officially released Windows Vista to retail stores.  I’ve had the privilege of running the Beta of Vista for the last month so I have some experiences that I plan to share with my faithful viewers.  For now a couple of points that I came across that will prove vary useful.  Firstly, Paul Thurrott of www.winsupersite.com has posted LOTS of content on both Windows Vista and Office 2007.  If you wanted to know what changed in Vista and get some objective feedback whether or not this is worth an upgrade, Paul has all these answers for you.   If you are considering an upgrade, you may want to first check out the different specials going on right now with various retailers.  Best Buy, for example will give you a stick of RAM with purchase of Vista.  Also, you may even want to by OEM.  OEM prices are much cheaper than retail   Example.  A full version of Vista Ultimate at retail is $399.  Through OEM, this is $199.  OEM versions can be purchased at NewEgg.  However, before you decide to buy OEM, you may want to hear what Ars Technica says about it.  With that said, I promise my own writeup about Vista coming soon.  My 2 second opinion is that anyone that can upgrade, should.  There are far more improvements over Windows XP, especially in terms of Security (some thanks to this guy).  Actually, as a matter of fact, it looks like Steve is taking recommendations on improvements to the Windows Firewall and IPSec implementations.  Until then, happy upgrading! 

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Wow Starts Now, OEM, Windows Firewall

File this one under “Bad Idea”.  The great folks in Redmond today have released a new service called “Windows Live One Care” whereby for $50 a month you get the following….

It works quietly in the background on your computer, so you don’t have to worry about nasty interruptions from viruses, spyware, hackers, and other unwanted intruders.

Now I know that many of us already swear by our favorite security vendor (i.e.:  Symantec, McAfee, etc.) to provide very similar services and we pay subscriptions each year also.  But to me there just seems to be something inherently wrong with Micro$oft charging for this service.  Rather, I think they should be more concerned issuing patches for the very vulnerabillities that they are defending against.  I must say that the thought paying MS to protect me against flaws in their code simply offends me.  They should be providing this service as part of the cost of their application.  The next thing you know, we’re going to have to start paying for the monthly security patches.  Am I the only one that feels this way?

Technorati Tags: Windows Live OneCare, Micro$oft

In a follow-up on a recent article posted here on JaysonSchultz.com, we just received word that Tom’s Hardware has releaed their own review of Windows Vista. Unlike other reviewers from Mass Media sites, Tom’s has always provided very detailed technical reviews of product and this is no exception. The folks at THG have spent a very impressive 500 hours combing through the latest Beta of Windows Vista. Among the new features, the dicuss changes to IE, the new Aero interface, and enhanced security settings (including my personal favorite, Bit Locker, and User Access Control). This 40 page article show a LOT of what will be coming soon with Windows Vista. From what I’ve seen, there are several welcome improvements that we have enjoyed with other OS’s but are finally in Windows. Before you totally give up on Redmond, you really should give this a look.

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Tom’s Hardware

An article today at Slashdot talks about Gary Krakow from MSNBC and his experience installing and running Windows Vista. He claims that it was one of the worst operating system experiences he ever had. In Microsoft’s defense, this is BETA 2, but with this close to the official release (beginning of next year) you really have to wonder… Here’s to hoping that Vista doesn’t turn out to be Windows ME 2. And of course if it is, then we can still switch to a Mac.

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Beta 2