Windows Vista: Is it irritating you?
by Virginia DeBolt

Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer appeared at the Gartner Inc. Symposium ITxpo conference in Orlando earlier this week. He was interviewed on stage during a conference forum by Yvonne Genovese and fellow analyst David Smith. Genovese told Ballmer she'd purchased Vista on the recommendation of her 13 year old daughter. She used it for two days and reinstalled Windows XP.

Many male bloggers, like these, had a great time playing this up as an outraged mom laying into the good-natured Steve Ballmer, who took it like a man and pointed out the security features of Vista in rebuttal. It seems to me that Genovese created a storm simply because she had the nerve to mention to Ballmer that many people are not crazy in love with Windows Vista—while being female.

According to the male blogger interpretation of the conversation between Genovese and Ballmer, it was all about Ballmer having his hands full with an attack from outraged mom. No notice was taken of the fact that this was a professional conference where an industry professional, whose job it was to interview Ballmer in a forum, asked a question that has been on the minds of women and men alike since the release of Vista. She framed the question with a refernce to her daughter, so she became nothing more than a mad mom.

According to a report at Computer World, Genovese said,

"What we're seeing and what we're hearing from users is a very similar thing. It's difficult to implement. What should we be seeing that we're not seeing?"

Oddly, Ballmer didn't mention that Microsoft reintroduced Windows XP in stores in September to make it easier for customers who wanted to "downgrade." Seems a whole lot of Vista users want to "downgrade," not just mothers.

Here, for example, is a man's opinion of Vista: the YouTube video "Vista install in 2 minutes."


What are women saying about Vista?

BlogHer Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan told me in an email,

I had to replace my lap top a few weeks ago, and had the unpleasant surprise of Vista being my only option. I HATE IT. I don't have a problem with this operating system being available, I just have a problem with not having a choice of whether or not to use it. If I had a choice it would be XP.

Barbara Darrow, writing at Channel Marker says about Vista,

It . . . shows that despite all the PR and marketing glitz in the world, solution partners are canaries in the coal mine for such launches. They have long maintained that Vista wasn’t ready for prime time. Many have good businesses continuing to sell Windows XP-based systems which are scarce at retail.

Speaking as a resigned-but-not-happy Vista user, Microsoft needs to focus on what it really needs to do and filter out the noise. That means an operating system that works without forced reboots, that boots up and shuts down in less time than it takes to get a cup of coffee, and a browser that doesn’t hang.

At Where's the Mute Button, blogger Kathy T makes no bones about her attitude toward Windows Vista.

I bought this new computer this summer… an HP Pavilion dv6000, complete with Windows Vista. I HATE IT. Not only does it seem to randomly shut down for stupid upgrades and uploads in the middle of important work, but now my mouse is double clicking everything. I just hit publish on my lipstick blog down there and apparently it clicked twice, thereby causing me to have to go in and delete one. I go to click something on my favorites and it double clicks which means I go to TWO sites instead of the ONE I wanted.

To channel some Pink Floyd, is there any body out there? Anyone who can help me figure this damn thing out to keep it from these frickin’ double clicks? I hate Windows Vista. I hate this laptop. I want my IBM Thinkpad back (the motherboard went out on it). Aaargh!

A woman had the guts to ask Steve Ballmer a question in a public forum that a lot of Windows users probably wish they could ask the man. Good for her. The whole angry mom in conflict with a good old boy from the corporation story is just a lot of sound and fury that boils down to gender bias.

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt (view blog) on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 7:24am

Comments

 

I, too, was saddled with

I, too, was saddled with Vista with a new computer recently. I considered upgrading to XP, but then I realized that it wasn't great either. I am considering trying a different OS at this point.

I found this the other day...it's NSFW because of language, but it's really funny.

http://www.theblimp.blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?autostart=true&...

Your Pop Culture Librarian also writes almost daily at I, Asshole.

Submitted by Super Jive on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 07:42
 

Yep. vista sucks rocks!!

I, too, had to replace my laptop this summer (on my 55th birthday!!) got stuck with this idiot OS and think Vista sucks rocks! It's slower than XP, it's more cantacerous than XP, and it won't let me customize my programs to actually work. Can anybody tell me something that better on Vista? Anything?

(OK, could anybody please tell me how to set things so when I click on a "mail to" link in my firefox browser, it open my GMail account not MS Outlook? Is that too much to ask??)

Didn't know they offered a backstep. Now I've got to figure out if I can do that. Think HP tech support will be getting a phone call this week!

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Submitted by debra roby on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 08:11
 

Hey, if you do

figure out how to get a mailto link to open in a browser-based email program, let the world know.

Or are you using a POP mail account for gmail? If you are, you should be able to set a preference to make it your default email. I don't know where to tell you to look, though. Sorry.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 12:23
 

I'm puzzled as to what the fuss is all about

I've seen a few comments about Vista in other places, but I'm puzzled because I recently got a new computer with Vista and truly haven't had any trouble with it. I've only noticed one thing that's a bit annoying, and I truly don't even know if it's due to Vista or something else: when I leave a comment on a typepad blog and try to use the "back" button, I get a popup window saying information will be re-sent, and if I click "ok" it does indeed re-send the comment.

For everything else, I don't notice much of a change with Vista. Occasionally I do have to give permission for programs, but not that often. I'm not fond of the little whirling blue circle, but no biggie. And my new computer is screaming fast, even when I'm using program like Adobe Lightroom and Fireworks which take a lot of juice, so no complaints here.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 08:36
 

This either means

that you are not frightened by change or that Steve Ballmer will love you when he finds out about your opinion.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 12:26
 

Or . . .

Or possibly that I'm a teacher and used to having so many things related to technology be out of my control.

Or maybe I don't know enough to realize what's wrong!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 13:34
 

I can barely get work done from listening to
complaints...

...about Vista, from inside the office, from third-party contractors. I haven't heard anything this loud since people were raving about the iPhone!

I have tried it myself, on a colleagues computer and I confess I found the user interface really confusing (old dog, new tricks). So when my beloved Sony Vaio recently coughed up its fan, two missing keys and was laid to rest, I opted to switch teams. As a result of all the horror stories and my desire for a built-in, easy-to-use video camera, I now own a MacBook. Which presents its own set of problems, just ask my Apple tutor, Elisa ...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Submitted by Lisa Stone on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 08:55
 

switching teams

I've only played with Vista via an in-store display. I didn't really see what all the fuss was about, other than the obvious Mac-like interface. That being said, I've had it with windows and its assorted problems, and am, too, switching teams, probably in the next few weeks. I know Macs aren't totatlly hassle-free -- not as much as they'd like to believe, but after reading about Vista's problems, I'm convinced I want to take the Mac plunge.

I've had the back-button thing someone else mentioned happen too, and I'm still using XP on one computer, and (gasp) WinMe on another.

Available Light & Five Dollar Radio

Submitted by kperfetto on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 09:15
 

Lisa and kperfetto and other switchers,

I secretly think that a lot of people have complained about Vista because it's getting too Mac-like. But then I thought the same thing when XP came out. The blue screen of death and other issues people have raised are definitely not Mac-like. Switching teams is a bold move--have fun with it.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 12:30
 

Forced into Vista

Count me as one of the reluctant Vista users. Much like Lisa, the motherboard fried on my beloved Vaio at perhaps the worst possible time in my life. I had to buy a new computer immediately and so was limited to what was available in store otherwise I would have probably custom ordered a new one with XP on it. Then I could have simply restored my cloned hard drive.

But I didn't want the one laptop in store with XP, I didn't want to install Vista later (in my experience Windows OS's work much better when you buy them pre-installed on the computer) and I didn't have the time to learn Mac since I've been using Windows since it was invented and I don't have enough money to wrest Elisa away from Lisa and BlogHer and hire her to be my full time tutor.

So I'm stuck with Vista which has not been the nightmare horror show I feared but nonetheless annoys me to no end since often it does what it wants to do and will not allow me to tell it to do what I want it to do. I can get my work done but I curse Microsoft every day. It's too bad that Steve Ballmer apparently can't open up, listen to and hear users and that Yvonne Genovese's questions are dismissed in any way because she spoke as a mother as well as an industry professional (and the voice of many of us).

Kleenex® Let It Out™ Blog
Beyond Help

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 09:45
 

You are NOT stuck with Vista

I too hate Vista, but have to use it on occasion for my job. However, noobdy is stuck with Vista. I would strongly recommend becoming an Ubuntu linux user. It is simple to install, does everything you need.

If you want to try it out - there is a demo mode on the install disk. Another option is to make your machine dual boot. That way you can try them both and decide what works best for you.

There are tons of resources online and in book stores.

Submitted by QAmom on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 12:11
 

Unstuck

Also, as I pointed out, Microsoft is making XP available again. Unless, like Maria, this isn't your favorite option.

Most people who use Ubuntu love it. They are as avid about their OS as most Mac users.

We should keep in mind that Microsoft has mentioned the heavy demands of the OS and said it isn't for everyone. (Does that statement take care of fairness doctrine demands?)

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 12:36
 

Not bugging me personally

But there are a whole lot of college students where I work who were quite annoyed for a while. Our wireless network in the library wouldn't recognize computers with Vista. I'm not an IT person, but our techs told me it had to do with the authentication process. This doesn't reflect well on an university that's trying to promote "student-centered service." The last thing you want to have to do is tell a student, "Oh, you're running Vista? Sorry, you're out of luck."

We've since upgraded the network and all of the lab computers, but staff are still using XP. I hear we're upgrading soon, though, and I can't say I'm looking forward to it OR Office 2007.

Disorderly Conduct

Submitted by Valbee on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 14:59
 

My new iMac is a dream...

And so is OS10 - Feel like I've dead and gone to computer heaven.

I'm just saying...

;)

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Submitted by Liz Rizzo on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 06:03
 

Backward comparability? Who needs it.

Being a lifetime Windows user that switched to mac 4 years ago, first just for personal stuff, then as my sole machine I can affirm that switching can be frustrating. "Intuitive" it may be for a new computer user, but if you've been using one system for years and switch, you will find some things confusing. (My favorite tip: you can find most right-click menus with ctrl-click.)

That being said-the most asinine thing I've noticed about the transition to vista and office 2007 is the decision to make office 2007 documents have new extensions that make it backward incompatible not only with non-windows users, but for windows users who haven't upgraded. Every time an Office 2007 user sends around a doc there are a flurry of extra emails asking the sender to save in a backward compatible version and re-send. Most anoting, and most inefficient for all concerned.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Submitted by Elisa Camahort on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 07:38
 

I go back and forth a lot

between Windows and Mac, and while the right-click vs. ctrl-click thing doesn't get me, my fingers absolutely refuse to switch from the command key to the control key for keyboard menu commands for cutting, pasting, printing, etc. But that's just habit. The incompatablility issues are serious. Is Office 2007 available only for Vista users?

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 16:00
 

That Blankety-Blank OS is Bonkers!

This summer I I bought a new laptop with Vista on it. First thing it did was do a black screen of death or non-life. I had to reboot two times before I got any action. Got it up and running but it shouldn't have hung up the first time I plug the sucker in.

I've watching the spastic cursor move places I didn't tell it to, having it crash just as I was finishing a report, or not see the wi-fi at the conference where moments before it had.

There is more but my mind has blank out the horrors. My desktop is XP and staying so. I have a Knoppix CD disk around here someplace that I can use as a substitute OS when I travel.

I've updated the laptop to the latest SP1 update. It is better but I pity the poor chumps who paid extra for the upscale features that M$ has yet to deliver and word is they have no plans to do so.

I know that the first year or so on a new OS from M$ is rocky but they have been working on this for 4 or 5 years before release. It behaved like an Alpha level program that should not have seen the light of day.

Really looking at Ubuntu or some of the other LInux distributions for a transition to a new operating system. I wish I could go Mac (I have an old Mac SE someplace) but I can't do it just yet.) Tux is calling my name and the Penguin is looking better and better.

My problem is that I do need to edit videos and for the moment I'm locked into the Windows OS.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Submitted by Gena Haskett on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 08:26
 

It's tough to change

when you've spent hundreds, maybe thousands, on software for an OS and then wish you could use a different one. We're trapped, I tell you, trapped by our software.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 16:03
 

I'm also having a problem with...

My two main problems with Vista is...my "new" laptop is slower than my old one...it's running very slow. I also can't get my printer to work with this new laptop...I have to go back and forth from my old one (that I gave to my daughter), and the new one, based on what I need to do. It's very frustrating.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and CatherineBlogs.com

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 09:39
 

I'm Still an XP User!

Hi Virginia,

I SAW heard the audio of this interaction on the radio, of all places. It was a classic exchange and I chuckled out loud!

Many of the tech types I speak to don't have many nice things to say about Vista.

I have a lot of legacy software that I have to use for my business and for the classroom, so I simply cannot make the change right now.

As if that's not enough, we also use Macs in the classroom (along with Windows).

Aloha,

Lisa N.
Owner and Founder
Hawaiian Shirts at Beanteacher Hawaiian Style

Submitted by Beanteacher on Mon, 10/15/2007 - 21:36
 

How about the next Mac OS X?

I heard a guy from Apple talking this week at a conference. At the very end of his talk, he mentioned that the next Mac OS X version will have a built in podcast creator. That sounds great for bloggers. I wonder if it will lure more disgruntled Vista users away from Windows.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Tue, 10/16/2007 - 02:10