I think this is the perfect time to go on the offensive for Linux/FOSS solutions in the media. All of us should try to feed the tech/ICT columnists and other opinion-makers in media and government information why this is the right time to switch to FOSS.
May I ask all who have access to Vista to exercise its capabilities (e.g., how compatible is it with old networking protocols, including Windows-based ones) and verify the points raised in this article. By highlighting the differences between Vista and earlier Windows, this means staff would have to undergo retraining anyway for Vista. Why not retrain for FOSS solutions instead? As Microsoft goes on its media blitz for Vista, let us keep feeding media about how different / incompatible it is from older Windows, and then make the pitch for a shift to Linux/FOSS. As a first step, let's circulate this piece widely... Obet Verzola On Monday 18 December 2006 8:37 pm, manny wrote: > 25 Shortcomings Of Vista > > By Frank J. Ohlhorst, CRN > > >From the December 04, 2006 CRN > > http://www.crn.com/sections/coverstory/coverstory.jhtml?articleId=196600975 > > At this point, solution providers have heard plenty from Microsoft and > others about all the benefits that the Windows Vista operating system will > bring businesses and other users. > > But what are some things to watch out for with the new OS? The CRN Test > Center compiled a list of 25 items that VARs should bear in mind when > using and deploying Vista. > > 1. SMB2 > > Vista introduces a new variant of the SMB protocol called SMB2, which may > pose problems for those connecting to non-Microsoft networks, such as > Samba on Linux. > > 2. Hardware > > For Vista to perform adequately, PCs may need significant hardware > upgrades. > > 3. Antivirus > > Vista does not bundle an antivirus application, and most third party > antivirus applications are not yet compatible with Vista. > > 4. Driver Support > > Vista includes thousands of drivers, but most have been created directly > by Microsoft. Many hardware manufacturers do not yet have drivers > available for Vista. > > 5. Compatibility > > Vista does a good job of running most common applications, but many > third-party applications are not yet fully supported. > > 6. Memory > > Vista loves RAM, but more is better. Plan on 2 Gbytes to meet real-world > needs. > > 7. Five Versions > > The array of Vista editions could prove to be three too many, and upgrades > between versions remain an unknown. > > 8. Activation > > The need to activate the product via the Web could prove to be a > time-waster during mass deployments. > > 9. Storage Space > > With Vista taking as much as 10 Gbytes of hard drive space, big and fast > hard drives will be a must. > > 10. Backup > > See No. 9. Backing up desktops will take a great deal of space. > > 11. Urgency > > Unlike Windows XP and Windows 95, there seems to be no must-have reasons > behind Vista. > > 12. Learning Curve > > Vista is just different enough from XP that technicians and users will > need training. > > 13. Cost > > Moving to Vista can prove to be expensive when one considers the price of > the OS, the cost of hardware upgrades and the cost of migration. > > 14. Hardware Vendor Support > > Tier-one and tier-two hardware vendors seem to be taking a slow approach > to offering "Windows Vista Capable" systems. > > 15. Windows Backup > > Vista's backup application is even more limited than XP's, forcing users > to select third-party backup applications. > > 16. Windows Meeting Space > > Lacks so many features that it's all but useless. No VoIP capabilities or > shared whiteboard. > > 17. User Access Control Center > > Lacks intelligence and forces users to approve the use of many native > applications, such as a task scheduler or disk defragmenter. > > 18. Buried Controls > > Many options and controls are further buried, requiring a half-dozen mouse > clicks or more to get to. Network settings and display settings are > offenders here. > > 19. Installation > > Can take hours on some systems. Upgrades are even slower. > > 20. HHD > > Hybrid Hard Drives. These are potentially a huge performance booster, but > there's little information and support is available (even though should be > available). > > 21. 50 Million Lines Of Code > > Even with the five years of development and long beta test period that > went into Vista, undiscovered bugs are sure to turn up. > > 22. Volume Activation 2.0 (VA2) > > New volume-licensing technology limits installations or requires dedicated > key-management servers to keep systems activated. > > 23. Missing Features > > When first envisioned, Vista promised a new file system (WinFS), virtual > folders and many other features that have just plain disappeared. > > 24. Some Protocols Eliminated > > Vista does not include support for IPX, Gopher, WebDAV, NetDDE and > AppleTalk. > > 25. WordPad > > Ability to open .doc files has been removed. > > --[Manny [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Member: Philippine League for Democratic Telecommunications > Alternative Information and Opinion at http://www.phnix.net > Pro-Life Philippines website -- http://www.prolife.org.ph > --[Open Minds Philippines]--------------------[openminds.linux.org.ph]-- > _________________________________________________ > Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List > [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) > Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists > Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
