chillzatl

I certainly respect your opinion but I disagree that those are the only categorized users of Vista. I have used Vista quite extensively and I greatly prefer Windows Media Center Edition 2005. It has all of the media functions of Vista but runs much more efficiently like XP. I think there is a 4th category of people that just don't like it and that's where I fit in.

Also, if Vista was such a success they wouldn't be working double time on Windows Seven trying to replace it.

I guess it depends on what you run it on for personal experience. On the systems I run it on, it performs wonderfully and is every bit comparable to XP from a performance standopint. Though I had many of the issues that other people have had when I was installing beta releases. I just knew what to expect and didn't blame Microsoft for going out on my own to install an unfinished product. I've also elected to use it on my MC's (two) as mc05 is no longer supported or being updated. MC05 is a dead end to me. Few people are even making plugins for it or updating old plugins. Though to be honest, I'm working on dumping Media Center entirely and moving to SageTV. Media Center is never going to get the support it needs to compete with a dedicated media center product. Though once the Directv/Dish HD tuners for media center come out, I may have to rethink that decision. Then again, Sage will likely have support as well!

Most people said the same thing about XP when it came out (vs. 98SE). Some people just don't like change and rather than form succinct reasons for disliking something they just say "it sucks". I'm not saying that's you, by any stretch, but when it comes to the computing world, I know how the "average user" responds to certain things and how fickle they are when they have problems, even when those problems are by their own doing.

The only reason Vista isn't a "success" is because the average person doesn't think for themselves and isn't interested in forming their own opinions. This is true in every aspect of life, be it computers or politics. They hear reports from people who shouldn't be giving them, people who tried to install it on systems that shouldn't have it or people who simply expected every old piece of hardware they had to work flawlessly, despite being told for a year that it might not work. Once the negative image is planted, it's there to stay. The latest round of Vista advertisements only highlight this. They pull people in and ask them for their opinions on Vista. Naturally they're all mostly negative. Then they have them try their "new" operating system, Windows Zephyr. THey ooh and ahh at the interface updates, the graphical enhacements and how well everything works. Naturally they're shocked when they're told that it's just Vista. I think they're perfect commercials because that's the exact same experiences I've had with clients and customers that I purchase systems for. I no longer let them have XP. After a couple of weeks of use, most of them come back and say they really like it. Of the few that say they still prefer XP, none of them have been able to actually tell me why. It's always "I just like XP better". In those cases I just have to smile and shrug. Again, I'm not saying that applies to you, but when ran on a system designed for it it's hard to see how anyone can have valid complaints about the OS. Other than performance issues it's still so similar to XP that after a few hours of use most people don't even notice anymore.

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service tag is on the underside I believe?

hmm not sure what that was. Yes you can usually find the service tag on the bottom of the system. It'll be a 8 character or so tag. Just go to the link I posted and put that in and it'll take you where you need to go.

Chilz I respect your idea that Vista is just new and has to have the kinks worked out, but I do have to say that after about 7 months of Vista vs. XP, I like XP better. Vista has a strange problem of not recovering properly from sleep mode. I never experienced that with XP. I believe that my current Inspiron is more than enough computer for Vista. I have 3 gigs of ram, dual-core processors (2.2 gig hrtz? can't rememmber right now). However, I have to constantly recorver the computer from an "unexpected" shutdown after it goes into sleep mode. Its really frustrating.

It's not a "vista problem", it's that your hardware doesn't have drivers that will allow some part of it to recover gracefully. Update your drivers (motherboard/chipset and video most likely, could also be wireless network card related, which happens often) and the issue will likely be fixed. Being that it's a Dell, if you go to support.dell.com and put in your service tag, it will take you to the correct download location for all the drivers your system needs.

The

It's ok. I certainly don't hear any classic metallica in it though, but I don't really expect to. They're not the same people they were back then. It does sound like they care now though, or they at least got a producer who knew how to get something a little different out of them. I can't say I'll buy it, but I expect it to have a few songs I like.

as mentioned, it depends on what you want it for. If you're just looking for "a laptop" pick up your local sale circulars (bestbuy, circuit city, etc) and find a good deal. They are ALL basically the same and you'll get a great price on an HP/Compaq, gateway, acer, etc. You can find something that will be comparably spec'd with anything else (dell, apple) for much less. There may be mail in rebates, but as long as you actually do them, you'll get a better deal that way than anything else. I've been an IT consultant for going on 20 years and this is all I have ever done.

The next step up with either be a Dell or Mac. You're going to pay more for either, but you end up getting more in terms of components. If you're familiar with Windows and have no complaints (not other peoples misguided, misinformed complaints) then you probably want to stick with it. Vista is a fine operating system, in fact it's the best operating sytsem they've ever made and is comparable with anything else you're going to get, including the latest release of leopard. Most people who run around dogging Vista have never used it! The few who dog it and have either:

1. Installed betatest releases and expected them to work like full, retail releases

2. Installed it on a system that was not capable of running it effectively or didn't have the proper hardware drivers

3. Bought a system that came with it and simply didn't have the specs to run it properly. Early on lots of manufacturers were putting it on systems that simply shouldn't have had it installed.

If you buy a system today, out of the box, with Vista, you will not have any problems. What many forget or refuse to consider is that it is a completely new operating system. Many of the same issues that came about when XP was introduced are being experienced again. It's what happens when you make such major changes and redesigns. Apple has had similar problems with their OS when doing the same. It's just reality in the modern computing world.

As for a Mac, they make wonderfully designed and engineered hardware, but in the end, what's inside a mac is the exact same things you'll find in every other top rated system on the market. They just do a much better job than most at packaging it and you do pay a premium for that. On the operating system side, it's not Windows. Don't expect it to be. It's going to be completely different than anything you've used (unless you've used a mac before!). If you want it for basic web functions (browsing, email, music, etc) and to use the software that comes with it (they give you a lot of free stuff!), you'll have a wonderful experience. If you have pre-existing Windows apps that you want to use, you may well be out of luck. Ignore comments from people who say "you can install windows on a mac!". Unless you're a techie type guy, don't bother. That's like having someone tell you you can buy a Honda civic and make it perform like a Porsche. Sure you can, but unless you know more than the average car owner, it's never going to be the same.

Otherwise just make sure you get good specs. You need at least 2gb of ram, don't go with just one 1gb. Also make sure you go with a core2duo processor (not a pentium D, or any of the celeron derivitives).

One last alternative I'll mention. If you just want something small, compact to use for web surfing around the house or on small distance trips, consider a UMPC (ultra-mobile pc). These are notebooks that are smaller than (about half the size) of a traditional laptop. THey have 8"-10" screens, no harddrive, no cd drive, etc etc. They usually come with 8-12gb of integrated solid state storage (no moving parts to break if dropped) and are made for light, on the go connectivity. Companies like Asus (EEEpc), MSI (wind) etc are all making these and Dell also has one in the works. I think Compaq and others are making them a well. You can usually find one of these starting at $299.

haha did someone say the jets might give the pats a run for their money? I laughed up soda! I applaud the Packers for refusing to be held hostage by the guy any longer.

very nice, looks great. I can appreciate hand cranked sausages. We do about 50lbs every year to split amongst the family. Good stuff!

Did Newt die? If so...God bless the racist old fool....and Zell and the rest of them.... I'm sure the racist SOB did the best he could to keep his political coffers full.

OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!phuckem.

idiotic [censored] like this is why political discussion is not allowed here.

send it back in and get it replaced. It's still under warranty. It's nothing to cry over, just do it and be done with it and get back to playing games.

Yeah, you have to spend more money for your expensive console to work. Fark that, get the PS3 and be done with it. After 3 RRODs I did and it is a much more reliable machine, has blue-ray (which is basically free) much better graphics (if you haven't seen the new Metal Gear you're missing out) and it is now getting the game support. Once these programmers totaly figure out it's engine look out.

If the 2k9 plays like it does on the XBox I will sell my Xbox and go back to being a fanboy. Microsoft is ripping everyone off and doesn't really care.

I've been using the same 360, almost daily, since it was released and I've yet to have RRoD or any failure.

The ps3 has blu-ray, so if that has value to you, great. I'm not interested in spending $30 for movies that I already own on DVD.

As for the ps3 having better graphics, that's a farce. The 360 versions of cross-platform games are consistently rated as better. Some more recent games have reached parity between the two systems, so that you're at least getting the same experience, but don't stretch the truth and say that the ps3 has better graphics, it doesn't. In many cases it still lags behind the 360.

Also, I know of several people who have had ps3's die on them. It's not a bullet proof system either.

haha, yah I saw that. I got the tracks the day I read that and I like them. Obviously not finished works but once they kick in almost all of them have a GnR feel to them. I'm interested in the finished product!

haha I saw that album a year or so ago. Some great pics in there, well, great for still pics. At this point I'd get as much out of watching a shark attack video as I would looking at still pics!

clothed women, bikini's, thongs, lingerie etc etc. = ok.

any nudity, nip shots, etc etc = not ok.

have fun.

If that's what's most important to you, that's fine, but that doesn't alter the truth behind what I said. If you think getting out of Iraq is some miracle cure for anything, you're out of touch.

Also, learn to put your reply BELOW the quoted portion of the quote, not inside of it.

The only change that Obama is about is changing the look and sound of the presidency. Apart from that he offers no policy changes from any other democrat to run for office in the last century. He's for raising taxes on businesses (this isn't just the corporate fat cats). He's for giving more tax cuts to the people who pay the fewest taxes. He's for giving the government more power to make decisions for us and he's for increased government spending (more wasteful programs).

What irks me is the way he talks about the economy and gas prices. He stumps like it's the governments fault and he's the guy to fix it, but when discussing both issues intelligently (say in an interview) he readily admits that the majority of our economic problems are the result of bad decisions by a few key industries (mortgage, housing) and that oil companies and the government aren't to blame for gas prices because they don't have much control over them.

sequels usually suck, remakes almost always suck.

You actually think lebron is quicker and has better hops than Kobe??

You've got it right, hands down. He's the best player in the league, best athlete, period. I can't believe some of the names i'm seeing on this list, much less some people trying to justify some of those names over Kobe..... insanity.

I've been a huge horror movie fan since I was about 6 years old. My list is vast.

The Exorcist (also enjoyed 3, but it's a different type of movie)

Halloween

Friday the 13th 1-2

Hellraiser 1-2

The Thing

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (70s version).

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1-2

The Ring (US version)

American Werewolf in London

Evil Dead 1-2 (though 2 is just a remake of 1, it's the better of the two)

Dawn of the Dead (original)

Nightbreed

Alien

The Howling

The Descent

The Reanimator

Phantasm

Blair Witch Project (great the first time at least)

The Shining

The Omen

The Amityville Horror

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Rosemary's Baby

28 Days Later

Hell Night

Boogins

There's probably 25 more I missed but that's what popped up off the top of my head.

eh, I never play it and I don't really see a whole lot coming out for it that interests me.

no tanks, but there are helicopters and it's more realistic because you can escape the cops, up to a point. If your wanted level gets too high, there is no getting away.

The fact that the game is practically a scale model of NY is amazing. You can literally drive around sight seeing. You will enjoy it. IMO it's the best they've ever done.

My Wii for sale on craigslist.

I'll accept reasonable offers from any interested HS'ers!

Gas prices are what they are, everyone needs to adjust their lifestyles. They're NEVER going to drop to what they were again. Oil companies have wanted to get us on parity with the rest of the world for over a decade and with China's increased usage they finally got a way to make that happen. Everyone just needs to adjust. The days of a single mother or single person driving a V8 Suburban are over, as they should be. Oh and stop blaming the government for gas prices (not you, just in general).

As for oil companies "record profits" people need to gain perspective. Their %'s are no different than they've ever been. They're selling more and making more, but the % that is profit is unchanged. It costs them about 1 bil per day to do business. I'm not going to complain because they're increased business means increased profits as well as increased cost of DOING business. The amount of money they invest in new fuels and new ways to get fuel for us is huge. It's not like they're just sitting around smoking cigars and swimming in their giant vault of money like Scrooge McDuck!

The cost of grain is directly related to this pipe dream that is E85. If it weren't for that, grain costs would be only slightly higher than they are traditionally.

good deal. Gears is still like $30 alone and it is a must have.

buy GTA4, it's the best game of the series and one of the best of the last year, easily. You worry about some silly stuff.