Way back in the fall I switched my desktop machine to Windows Vista. Of course that was the first release candidate and, in Microsoft terms, that means beta software. The system is just above bargain basement purchases, so I knew I wasn’t going to get the greatest WOW! experience out there. However, I did like the feel of the new environment, and that was good enough to let me push through the various bugs and glitches.
A few months later I found myself ready to redo the system with an actual, honest-to-goodness legitimate, final release copy of Windows Vista (of the Home Premium persuasion). No, I didn’t pay for it, but I’m an IT guy and I have my ways. Regardless, the system is back up and running with corrected video and sound cards that magically make the system run as it should. Suddenly getting things done at home is no longer a chore (well, at least computer things).
I’m not sold on this being a permanent switch, mind you. There are issues regarding the inherent DRM of this new OS that may lead me toward the inevitable. But at least for now I can enjoy my pretty desktop with the confidence that the screensaver will no longer kill it.
Interestingly, I just re-installed Windows XP on my work laptop. Too many trial software versions and various hacks and left me with enough wonkiness that I was set for a cleansing – as an IT guy a complete re-install of a desktop machine is easy enough that I can do it at a moments notice. Especially at work where everything is backed up to the server anyway. But cleaning off the system and getting it running properly again reminded me that a few good tools (such as Google Desktop) can make the environment friendly enough that there is no need for an upgrade right now.
What am I babbling about all of this for? I don’t know, I’m just a geek and needed to get some of that out – now where’s my sushi…