If..Else is the personal site of Phu Ly, a developer living in London. Pull up a seat, take a look around, check out the archives, find out more about me or even get in touch.
Little snippets of interest
Derek writes about JPG magazine and his sad departure.
Michael writes on making typographic decisions. A wonderful read as always.
If you thinking of going to Wagamama’s this month, then here’s a nice little 2 for 1 voucher for you.
The British Mediterranean Airways flights between Heathrow and Cardiff have been taking off six days a week since October despite having no passengers.
No phone line == no net == no updates.
Here’s a new year gift for all you Yo Sushi lovers. A 50% off voucher for use at Yo Sushi between the 15th and 31st of January.
…police are looking into it. Joke becomes reality as Southampton police investigate the theft of a pub urinal.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Nothing more need be said. I’ll write more on this later.
Links to various areas
Please please please - show us what happens if you click on the “How can I avoid this problem?” line?
Buy a Mac?
Yes, it’s funny, but it’s probably just because the computer in question is running Vista without extra software. When one installs more software, it will no longer be the Windows components that slows the system down.
Laugh it up Mac users :)
These two videos still look damned cool to me:
http://news.com.com/1606-2_3-6018907.html?tag=ne.vid
and
http://news.com.com/1606-2_3-6019862.html
And I don’t care what’s original and what isn’t.
You should care, because only one of two companies is innovating. Plain and simple.
Innovation has limits. Apple can release OS versions much sooner, look at #lines written, compatibility, and technology scope, thus Apple can innovate first on the UI side, they are a product company, and UI is not hard to do if you try. Innovation is not unique, the techology and the times dictate inventions, this is what “i don’t care whats original” means to me. Think before you post one line smart ass remarks.
it is pretty!
“You should care, because only one of two companies is innovating. Plain and simple.” - that’s really funny Andy..consider this - Vista and all these new features (and some which never made it) were announced a few months PRIOR to OS X 10. One has to wonder how many features were added into Mac at the last minute as a response!
Truth is, the whole industry swaps ideas around (yes including Linux) to the point where it can often be difficult to say who first thought of what, all biases aside. It’s human nature to adapt good ideas and make them our own - God, the Roman empire made that tactic famous 2000+ yrs ago!
The only reason why people say Windows or Mac sucks is because they don’t have it. All my friend tell me Mac sucks, just because they have windows. But I think Mac is a much better operating system then Windows Vista, however I’m still using Vista because I want to use programs who only run on Windows. And a Max is a little more expensive then a PC, I just don’t have enough money for a Mac that is as fast as my PC.
I have a mac osx, and vista, and to be honest vista is one big slow incompatiable dissapointment, a poor rip off of a brilliant OS That is OSX!!! Dont do it people….. get mac, im now selling my pc in favour of the intel based imac.
Luke
Defragment your hard drive. If that won’t work, I am assuming its a slow hard drive. Its a bottleneck somewhere. I have a 2.2 gig processor, and 512mb ram with a thumb drive boost installed. The only thing i can think of that would make it slow would be the hard drive.
poo
It is slow because of all the spyware.
yes spyware slows pc’s to a crawl
I have just tested my new Vista ultimate that I got from company.
I have a reasonable machine.
Intel Duo 2
1G RAM
SATA xxxGigs
nvidia Quado 550 256m
Under 1280X1024
it took the pc 5-6 minutes to completely load up the clean OS using ~500MB RAM (My working XP uses 2-3 minutes and ~300MB RAM with IIS, SQL etc running). I turned the side bar off, switched style back to “classic” w2k look and feel and kicked off the “system defender” Still didn’t seem to cut down the start up time. After start up, the hard drive keeps running for another 5 mins in idle until the pc quiet down.
Now, when you are using the OS, instead of having a clear list of what you can do, now they use links after links switching you to different dialogs. Buttons and functionalities are so not consistant.
My testing conclusion so far is sadly that Vista is SLOW and BLOAT. I am not a newbie to OS. I am a techie myself having over 18 years in IT & 12 years of programming exp in windows. I am not one of those anti-M$ Unixers/Linuxers. In fact, I wish M$ well because my job counts on it >_
Every business, whether you’re in Technology or not, will borrow, copy, you name it. So why are we stuck on this point? It’s a given, even before Bill Gates was born.
Fact is, at the end of the day, I am limited with a Mac. I cannot install .NET on it, something that will surely take over Java very soon. In this day in age, people look for the tools to get things done across all platforms…not just a single OS like the Mac.
If Apple is so innovative, why not open their API to .NET and more? Why not show us a profit on PCs? Why? because Mac is still turning into a nitch market, not a necessity among the entire PC user base. Lets face it, Apple is no longer an OS company in regards to reaching all users out there. People are going to go with what’s familiar, what’s easier, and what is most compatible with software these days.
Apple users, just face it. Your days are dwindling down. Soon, you will only be a media company. That is not all a bad thing once Microsoft increases the speed in the next release ;)
What I think is Sad, is that We keep talking about Apple and PCs, when Apple really doesn’t give a damn about PCs, they are making their money elsewhere. So is it really a loss if graphic designers (and I know a few) who have switched to Windows now and who really dislike Apple PCs nowdays? Think about it, a company must run to where the profits are being made and for Apple, it’s Ipod, Iphone, and the next I
So, don’t fight the wave too hard Apple, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that you’re losing the PC business. Lets face it, Microsoft has a problem with Google. Once google has an OS, the same cycle will occur in terms of this stupid debating back and fourth.
>>>I have just tested my new Vista ultimate that I got from company.
>>I have a reasonable machine.
Intel Duo 2
1G RAM
SATA xxxGigs
nvidia Quado 550 256m
Under 1280X1024
———————————-
Let me ask you one question: WHEN IS 1 GB RAM THE STANDARD! I don’t even allow my PCs in XP less than 2 GB even when running Microsoft Word! Therein lies your problem. Get more RAM, it’s simple, cheap, and constantly overlooked by even the best of Network Admins who continually think a user only needs a) a fast hard drive b) a good processor. what about RAM!
>>>Let me ask you one question: WHEN IS 1 GB RAM THE STANDARD! I >>don’t even allow my PCs in XP less than 2 GB even when running Microsoft Word! Therein lies your problem.
What the hell are you smoking ? I have Windows XP Pro & Linux systems running really well with 256, 512, & 1GB of RAM. None of them are slow, you must not know how to configure a computer! I’ve used all the flavors of Windows Vista, and let me tell you “Windows Vista is bloatware”.
I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy, I’m a professional computer consultant. It’s my job to know what’s best & most stable. And believe you me, it’s NOT Windows Vista!
I agree with you Vistacrusher! I am no techie, but I know a thing or two and let me tell you, I figured Microsoft had enough time to work on the bugs in Vista when I decided to have it on my brand new Dell, well I think my old Dell running XP with 512 on a celeron processor is faster than my 2GB, Vista, Intel Duo 2 is! Uggghhhh I want XP back! I think with every new version of windows comes new BIGGER programs running in the background that monitor every thing you do and cause you nothing but headaches! (Sorry for the ramble) Anyway, VISTA SUCKS!!!
I think they used the Win ME guys on the development of Vista.
If patience isn’t your thing, then steer clear until MS get it sorted.
I am glad it is not just me! I recently was forced to go buy a new laptop (sony SZ series that’s loaded). This machine should just scream and to may dismay it fells like used $400 kids toy. I have had nothing but error after error, no reponses, and delayed typing in just about every microsoft program. I have now spend hours trying to figure out if thier is a fix or something, but the more I read I think the only fix is to stay clear of aything that came out of Redmond in the last year.
I am glad it is not just me! I recently was forced to go buy a new laptop (sony SZ series that’s loaded). This machine should just scream and to may dismay it feels like used $400 kids toy. I have had nothing but error after error, no reponses, and delayed typing in just about every microsoft program. I have now spend hours trying to figure out if thier is a fix or something, but the more I read I think the only fix is to stay clear of aything that came out of Redmond in the last year.
On 14 May 2007 I purchased a Eur1579 Sony Vaio VGN-FE41S with Intel Core 2 Duo procesor, 1.66GHZ, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD etc etc so fairly high spec. However, I’ve never been able to see it in full flight thanks to coming pre-installed with VISTA. Compared to my old XP machine (from 2005) all programs take longer to load, and run, with lots of delays in between mouse clicks, file loads etc. Total PAIN in the BUTT. My advise is to get the Vista install discs if your new PC comes loaded with it, but get XP installed as the OS until MS sort out this dog Vista they have unleashed.
After receiving my new Toshiba Satellite laptop, Dual Core 1.7sghz, 512mb…after adding another 1gb ram…..And having worked in IT to what I regard to be a high level for the last 17 years, may i say…Vista is without doubt the worst OS ive had the displeasure of working with.
After taking off every breathing extra…taking it down to zero, the performance is shocking.
So im now off to download the drivers for XP….thank God.
Theres supposed to be a bet sp1 out soon from todays reports, and then goes live in November.
Maybe MS have had time to completely recode it ? I doubt it !
Vista is M.E revisited….but worse.
I agree - this Vista is a dog. And Im on with Dell support right now and they are not real helpful. They also said “be careful what you hear in the forums”
Wish I had read this Vista thread before. Got a new Dell laptop with Vista. 1.8 mhz, and 512 mb ram. Know it will hum with XP or linux, but it crawls with Vista and I guess I can’t do anything about it.
I also purchased at Sony Vaio VGN-FE41S with Intel Core 2 Duo procesor, 1.66GHZ, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD running Vista…. Its a complete waste of time.
How can MS justify Vista? and Sony justifty putting Vista on this Laptop? It simply does not perform.
I have Pentium Core2 4GB ram and i feel like I am on Pentium II. Everything is crawling and in slow motion on every click. Man I am going back to Windows XP .. What is the point of nice loking and slow down everything
I have thrown my Acrel laptop on the ground twice today. Yes im happy with Acer, but if i saw Mr GateInFrontOfSpeed i would most likely attempt to throttle him.
After many advertisements of how good (And fast) Vista is, i not only fell for their marketing, i went and bought Ultimate.
Biggest mistake of my life. I called my solicitor this morning to ask if he know how easy it would be to sue Microsoft for selling a product it knew was faulty. I am now stuck, the more programs i install (I should have more than enough memory on the PC, and the hard disk isnt even half full) the slower it gets, in fact it wont even launch some programs now, and compatability is still a joke.
MICROSOFT SHOULD ::NEVER:: HAVE MADE PEOPLE PAY FOR THIS CR@P UNTIL THEY KNEW IT WAS A WORTHY PRODUCT. Its not an easy move back to XP as i (Sensibly?) formatted my hard disk before installing Vista, so have to get licence keys, programs etc sorted out and backups of files, before migrating back to the better XP pro.
For ref, im a bit of a tech head, so i dont have spyware on my computer, have made the UI simple and minimise on startup/running programs, so dont tell me i have spyware or viruses on my computer.
Can i ask, is there anyone who moved from XP to Vista happy?
Bill Gates, i hate you, i hate you for forcing a product that didnt work, a product that is inferior to your last one, you should have perfected the last one before bringing out a new one, you always bring out a new one to avoid being tarnished, but thats backfired because every new version of windows you bring out has problems, sort existing, dont create more.
Hi Guys,
I purchased a new dell machine with intel core 2 duo 2ghz and 2 Gb RAM, 256 MB Video mem. and this freaking Vista has crushed all my expectations. This is DAMN SLOW I would never expect with such a good configuration.
I am very very frustrated with this OS, sometimes It is so much frustrating that I tend to hit my laptop.
Does anyone know why all the laptop companies accepting this freaking OS and wasting people’s money???
My feelings on Vista is that Microsoft is trying to take technology another step forward. For about the last 4 years hardware has not evolved that much or as fast as many people have thought that it should. People stopped buying new computers every 3 years and Vista is supposed to be part of the solution.
This if off topic but I want to touch on video memory:
This O.S was made to run on a machine with 256megs of video RAM alone, without that word will be slow. Movies that ran well on your old 32Meg video card with XP will be choppy etc… This is not a VISTA bug and this will not be fixed. This has to do with the underlying video sub-system in Vista not the speed of the CPU or how much system RAM you have. Although memory is very very important, you should have at least 1 Gb of Ram to use Vista, and 2Gb preferably. Also, 256 Megs of Video is a requirement if you want things to be responsive. (By design)
If you don’t want to upgrade and want to use old hardware, then that’s fine don’t upgrade. But you shouldn’t be dissapointed with Vista because your using old hardware.
I think Microsoft doesn’t really promote the idea that there OS doesn’t work well on low end systems, but you can you blame them?
This wasn’t by accident.
What more is there to add? Vista (even with non-essential services disabled) hobbles newly-minted laptops (regardless of manufacturer) and charley-horses desktops with powerful hardware installed. There is little to argue in favor of this three-legged dog of an OS. And, when I hear the rare comments by folks who praise Vista, I usually wonder what they’ve been drinking or ’smoking’. Enough already!
I bought a new HP Dual Core 2.8g with 4 gig ram, GEForce 7600LE and I have to say that Vista is the worst OS I’ve ever come across. I’m not an IT, but a professional Admin Temp. I was advised that Win XP Pro, wouldn’t be able to work properly on this machine which is such a bit of bull.
After spending a few grand on a computer only to find an OS that is suposidly the best on the market I have to say What a Pot of Crap. After four days of arguing with the machine, I reformated the hard ddrives and put win xp pro on and haven’t looked back since.
XP Pro works just fine and is miles ahead of bloody Vista.
Oh I’m Sorry!
Is this a serious room?
I thought that this was a Joke site, given that it’s Vista your all moaning about.
Oh What the Heck!
Vista’s a Joke.
You Know it, Microsoft Knows it. Hell my two year old knows it.
So why are people still buying it?
Because some Joe Blow down at the local media kick start store advertises it as a revolutionary new operating tool thats why.
So, if there’s anyone out there thats reading this and thinking hmmm… I need to get myself a new machine… Do yourself a favour and find yourself an old copy of Windows XP Home or Pro and reformat your hard drive/s before attempting to use the system or you’ll be stepping back into the stone ages at the push of a button.
Cheers
GOOD POINT SB!
“…256 MB Video mem…” - When I heard Vista was offloading GUI work onto the GPU, I thought ‘Good idea, that’ll free up system RAM and its one less thing for the CPU to do’ - Instead, expect the opposite behaviour!
I’m not sure what the root cause(s) for the lacklustre performance is, but even on brand-spanking new hardware - Core 2 duo, 2GB RAM, Radeon 2900XT it’s less responsive than my laptop - 2GHz Pentium Mobile (Dothan) with 1.5Gb RAM and 64MB radeon x600.
Vista Ultimate (well, it sounds better than ‘Vista Tortoise-edition’)
;)
arghh….vista juz sucks…its a whole shit of worthless script tat makes computer crawl.Microsoft is juz a branding…but vista duznt fit into that image…cant Bill Gates do something,…to make our computer world betta….vista goin down d ravine