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FACTS ABOUT SWITCHING TO VISTA!

There have been a lot of blogs surfacing recently about making the switch to Windows Vista, or Windows VISTA OR XP, or Will XP Still Be Around....and comments surfacing like: Xp isn't going to be supported...you have to go to Vista...

Well I'm gonna lay out the facts regarding Vista, XP, and some other pertinent info!

Quick Facts:

Windows XP was released in October of 2001, since then it has undergone 2 service packs, and hundreds of patches, making it the most widely used Microsoft Operating System to date. The majority of software works with windows XP (except for some really old software, that was designed for DOS or 95....even then some of it works in XP)
Windows XP is STILL available in stores for purchase until JUNE 2008 (and who knows, that date could be extended)
Windows XP is STILL available on new DESKTOPS and LAPTOPS which are available ONLINE (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) or through Independent computer shops whom build computers... They will continue to be available for quite some time.

Now onto a big issue on many peoples minds...I might also add that retail store employees have been known to falsify this information (saying XP is already unsupported and such):

Windows XP Support will be available to HOME USERS until 2010, and Enterprise and Business Users through April 2014. Now these are the dates that are being circulated. I might also add, that history shows that Microsoft OFTEN extends these dates. One example: Windows 98. Windows 98 was released June of 1998 and was supposed to have support end in JULY 2004, HOWEVER this date was then expanded to JULY 2006, due to such heavy useage of the Operating System. (Mind you, XP has a stronger usage than 98, so we are more than likely going to see an extension of support for XP)

Why would you choose XP (released almost 7 years ago) versus Vista (released 1 year ago)?

There are many reasons why, but here are the main reasons:

XP is widely supported in the IT industry (software and hardware manufacturers) It is still hard to find Vista Experts
Users prefer the XP Operating System. It's what they have used for years, and have grown comfortable to it
SOFTWARE INCOMPATIBILITY WITH VISTA...yes this is still a HUGE issue, and the main reason why I just ordered my new laptop with XP. There are still TONS of software that cannot run on Windows Vista.
XP is still the industry standard for Operating Systems.

Things to Consider when buying a new computer with Vista:

Does my OFFICE fully support VISTA?
Will the printers/scanners/accessories that I use on my XP machine work in VISTA?
Will ALL of my software work correctly in VISTA?
Does my VPN Software (software used to remotely connect to your office) work correctly in Vista (alot of vpn software currently doesn't work in VISTA)
Will all of the OFFICE EQUIPMENT work in VISTA? (Just because the office supports it, doesnt mean that your favorite printer in YOUR private office will work with VISTA!)

These are all major items that need to be looked at!

I personally feel that VISTA is GREAT for the home user, but currently is not up to par with business users yet. Give it some time, and it will be there! Remember: XP IS STILL BEING SUPPORTED, and WILL BE SUPPORTED FOR YEARS TO COME, and that you can still BUY a computer with XP on it, if need be.

Should you have any questions regarding making the switch to windows Vista, or need support with your computer, feel free to contact us at "The Real Estate Tech Desk"

This Blog will also be updated on my website www.defpc.net! Go directly to the Windows Vista Page.

Posted by David Fox, Real Estate Technology Specialist on 04/17/2008 10:57 AM

Comments (22)

windows xp, windows vista, switch to vista, real estate technology, technology, marketing, real estate marketing

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22 Comments on FACTS ABOUT SWITCHING TO VISTA!

APR

2008

I haven't made the switch to Vista either because of software incompatibility. Besides, XP works, and works well. I'd be afraid to switch my laptop to Vista even though it's pretty powerful since I've heard horror stories about "Vista Compatible" laptops SOLD with Vista basic that cannot run the latest service pack.

Good info, I haven't bought a Vista machine and am unlikely to do so until forced to.

David, Very thorough evaluation of Vista and XP. Thank you for the effort and the post,

I have XP on my desk top and Vista on my laptop and honestly I don't know the difference, I am not all that tech savvy. I guess I have to look into it more, thank you for the article.

Thank you David, One of the other problems pertaining to XP vs. Vista is that sometimes the regional MLS system may not be totally compatible with Vista. We run into this here in the NW. They are still working on correcting things....

Joe, Your correct...XP works...and it works WELL! I'll give another year before I switch to Vista. Vista isn't all bad, BUT it is like how XP was in its first year or so....inconsistancies, and problems. You give software over a year or two to mature and the bugs and kinks to be worked out, and you usually have great software. It's like a new car....you shouldn't buy a car in its first year of production (or if its been overhauled/redesigned) you should give it a year or two for them to work out the problems.

In a year, the OS should handle everything that I require of it, and of what most users require of it...until then stick with XP, unless you know that everything you do and use is compatible with Vista.

Also, Joe you made a point about vista not running well on laptops....vista requires a MINIMUM of 1Gig of memory to run....I tell people don't order a PC with Vista unless you get 2 gig's of memory (minimum)...or you will be waiting around all day for the computer to do simple tasks.....1 gig of memory is like an xp machine running on 256 or even 512 mb of memory.

Lorinda, alot of users may not have problems with vista, but it can be nightmare for it departments.

Thank you for your insightful post! I have been researching the issue for myself, and find this a most timely post!

Kim, I've noticed several MLS systems not totally compatible with vista....Photo upload features etc, have issues, depending on the mls.

If only the real estate world were Mac friendly!!!

APR

2008

Jim, Thanks for your response, I noticed the amount of questions being asked about vista here on AR, and figured it would be a good time to lay down the facts!

Have a great weekend!

APR

2008

Alex,

yea if we could take the security & stability features from MAC'S and LINUX, and the software compatibility & mainstream users of the PC's and combine the two....it would be a perfect world.....but that's not gonna happen unfortunately!

APR

2008

Try the new compatiblity wizard in visa and "use the settings for xp sp2"

I have a Vista on my laptop and I like the way it works. I haven't had any serious compatibility issues at home or at the office.

I just read a story on this a couple of days ago:

Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer offered a glimmer of hope on Thursday to fans of the company's Windows XP operating system, saying the company may reconsider its decision to stop selling it soon.

But Ballmer was adamant that most people who buy PCs today buy them with XP's successor, Vista.

"That's the statistical truth," he told reporters at a news conference at Louvain-La-Neuve University. "If customer feedback varies, we can always wake up smarter."

Fans of XP - the 6-year-old operating system set to be pulled off store shelves by June 30 - have plastered the Internet with blog posts, cartoons and petitions. They trumpet its superiority to Vista, whose consumer launch in January was greeted with lukewarm reviews.

Ballmer said the customers buying PCs with XP are corporate information technology departments that are having trouble shifting old machines to newer technology.

I've been using Vista since its beta days. There were numerous incompatibilities when it first launched. Over time, many of these issues have disappeared. If someone is moving to Vista they should also make sure that they are using the latest version of any other software. Most software companies, that still exist, have released updated versions that run on Vista.

Many users do not know that Microsoft has a downgrade option that allows you to use XP without buying a license for it, if you own Vista. You can find out more at: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9040318.

The issue with compatibility is not always Microsoft's fault. Many times the issues lies with the software developer that wrote the 3^rd party application. Programmers will often take steps around the preferred Microsoft way to get their application to run faster or to decrease development time. With newer upgrades to Windows these workarounds no longer function.

APR

2008

Anthony, the compatibility wizard is nice for helping novices/intermediate users to transfer data from one machine to the next. Unfortunately for alot of business users compatibilty mode doesn't let all software work.... such as VPN software....they are slowing but surely getting releases/patches for windows and software to work together.

JUN

2008

How did I miss this, David? Great post - I coulda used it when I bought my first Vista computer. Little did I know it wasn't compatible with my printers at the time. Thank goodness drivers are available now because I didn't want new printers!

JUN

2008

Just bought a new Lenovo with XP Pro. I still prefer Pro of home XP. by the way, service pack 3 is out now. If you're still looking, go with XP Pro over Vista or XP home. Much cleaner, more stable, easier to network

I'm not quite ready for Vista. I just bought a new Dell about 6 weeks ago with XP and am perfectly happy. By the time this one outlives it's usefulness Vista will be better (I hope)

JUL

2008

I know what you mean. I purchased a new laptop back in December, and they were offering a special on Vista (i.e. get a flash drive, a t-shirt, and a carrying case included with purchase) for less than XP. I still choose to stick with XP, and I have no regrets. Great post.

AUG

2008

Congratulations!! You must be proud of your local hero - The Amazing Michael Phelps.

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