I recently told a tech friend of mine I was about to upgrade to Windows Vista - he promptly referred to a number of really bad reviews Microsoft's new operating system has got:
- "An Open Letter to Bill Gates" from BBC Business Editor Robert Peston
- "A Windows expert opts for a Mac life" by Scott Finnie published at Computerworld
- "Dim Vista" by Stephan Manes at Forbes Magazine



This video review by BBC Click Online Presenter Spencer Kelly provides a useful overview of how the user interface has changed.

I did think that a 5 year gestation period for this new operating system would be sufficient to actually build-in real innovation whilst ensuring clean, bug-free code - I could be wrong. Many of the reviews from aren't good, but what annoys me is that many of the reviews seem to overinflate the importance of small quirks (like not being able to open an MS Word document in Notepad, or renaming things) and most of them complain about not being able to use their peripherals or ipaq pocket pc's - but is this Microsoft's fault? After all a beta-version of the software has been available since September 2005!

For the first point Yes (but that may not be a big deal), for the second point (which is a big deal) I don't think so. It is up to the Manufacturers of devices (printers, scanners, sound cards, etc) which interface with Vista to actually provide the new drivers. Microsoft cannot surely be expected to go around and do it for them. In addition, I think many of the reviewers haven't actually checked to see if the new drivers are available. I checked with ATI and Creative, they have new drivers for both my graphics card and sound card respectively and the new driver for my HP printer comes with Vista anyway.

So what do the techies say? Well Rupert Goodwins, Technology Editor of ZDNet told BBC Click Online:
"the good thing is that they have re-written large chuncks of code so it should be much more secure, its much harder for bad software to get in... the bad side is that this comes at the cost of some bad compatibility.....Windows Vista 64-bit is about as secure as anything on the planet."

Tom Merrit, Executive Editor at Cnet provides his top 5 reasons to buy Vista (not my top 5 I can assure you):
1. Aero Graphic system
2. Built-in Search
3. Windows Media Center
4. New File system
5. Integrated Widgets

Microsoft Founder and Chairman Bill Gates has said:
"if you take parental controls, peer-to-peer meetings, take the way we do groupings....we have always had ten times as many applications....what we are doing with RSS no on has done that before....but..Windows people like Windows and if you like pen and paper go for it!"

So why should I upgrade? Well supposedly for improved security and a better user interface. In addition, you will get; Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. Windows Vista Business and Ultimate edition including business networking and centralized management tools. There are also better mobility features such as: Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, Windows SideShow and Windows Mobility Center. But here are two other features (Vista Ultimate edition only) relating to that important issue of backup which haven't been mentioned in the vast majority of reviews:

• Secure Online Key Backup, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace’s Digital Locker website for access to the key anytime, anyplace, and from any computer that has an Internet connection
• BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, an automated tool which removes the complexity of setting up your PC to use this exclusive data security feature.
  

Sounds good to me and I might add perhaps better stability (when was the last time your PC crashed, stalled or unexpectedly starting closing programs??). A colleague who has already installed it on a Pentium 4, 3.2 GHz with 3Gig of RAM (scoring 4.3 out of 5 on Microsoft Vista tests) said his PC slowed down when compared with XP. The processor and graphics card heavy nature of Vista may mean that a new PC with Vista already installed may be the best course of action for some.

I am always being asked to use a Mac instead of PC (especially since they can now use intel processesors and run windows in any case) but lets give Microsoft a chance here before we pass judgement. So having bought Windows Vista Ultimate I will now upgrade my PC and thoroughly test-drive this new OS over the next few days.

I will post a summary of my experiences soon - wish me luck!