JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5643
Loc: Eastern PA
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For over 6 months I have been running Windows Vista Business on my Tablet PC. I have given this software a fairly good work-out. I had gotten most of my Astronomy Software working, but there were still some programs that just wouldn't run.
There are some features that I like, but I have finally had enough of the its stupid quirks. Like it asking me to comfirm almost evrything I needed to do. The final straw was I could not get my USB HD TV tuner stick to work (even with the Vista drivers).
I have replaced it with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and the tuner work perfectly.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11623
Loc: At The Movies
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ok.. 
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
15x70 ETX125AT
FireBall XL5
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12062
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Welcome back! 
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16396
Loc: Brooker, FL
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I haven't given up on Vista...perhaps that's because I've never installed it.  Now if my computer-that's-under-construction-a-piece-at-a-time were to have an Intel Skulltrail mobo with dual Xeons, maybe, but to my way of thinking, resources should be consumed by apps, not the OS...
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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 6777
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Unfortunately for me, my current system had developed intermittent motherboard problems, so the new system is on its way. Fortunately, it will have Windows XP-Pro on it and not Vista (and eventually, it will be dual-boot with Linux). I recall a problem I had with my current laptop (an old Toshiba TE2000). It ran Windows 98SE just fine (and MEGASTAR), but for some as yet unexplainable reason, the built-in wireless modem never worked. I tried and tried and tried, but no matter what I did, while the computer said there was a modem installed, Windows never could connect it to anything. I took that laptop to the Nebraska Star Party, and one of the attendees had a satellite uplink, so he rigged a wireless network for all of us to use at the cabins. Again, I tried and tried, but never got things to connect *until* my roommate John Lammers (Lamb0) put in a "live" Linux CD. TA DA!!: the wireless now worked just fine in Ubantu (and it still does under Mepis). I now have the laptop running a dual boot Mepis/Win98 configuration, although except for Megastar, Mepis gets most of the use. I have no plans for Vista until probably the day that Microsoft announces a date for the discontinuation of support . Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
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basel10
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 805
Loc: TN
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I remember when XP first came out. I was an early adapter of xp. I got a legal final copy 2 weeks before it was released. I installed it and it ran great with 100% compatibility with all my hardware and software. I noticed no performance issues as compared to windows 2000. The user interface was better and easier. It's stability was better then win2000 because of system restore which allowed you to fix many issues without formatting the system.
Well people bashed and bashed and bashed it to no end. It is slower, it is bloated and you need a lot of high end hardware just to run it. My dirt old printer doesn't work with it and only half my programs run in it. Everyone was leaving XP and downgrading to Win2000 or 98. Sound familiar?
Oh don't forget a major complaint with XP we don't hear about with Vista. Many major security vulnerabilities. Don't hear about that with Vista do you? I remember many people saying Windows needs UAC and it is behind Linux and Mac because they have it. Well we did ask for it and now we have it and yet it is bashed. Microsoft can't win for loosing. Unlike Linux and Mac Windows does give you a choice after all there is an off button. If you look at the statistics Windows Vista has fewer security vulnerabilities then Mac and Linux.
When Windows 7 is released people will say it is slow, I have to have a lot of hardware to run it and my printer and software won't work. I am going back to Vista.
I see no purpose to this thread. It does not help us with issues on astronomy software. It just helps to spread to the world Vista sucks. In fact most people replying and agreeing have never run Vista.
Speaking of Vista myths. I was at my girlfriends brother's place. He is a graduate of ITT tech and his living is to fix computers. He was going on and on that Vista sucks, it is garbage and it is no good. He never stated any specific reasons why. He just bashed it for no other reason then it is cool to do so and you are not a respected tech unless you bash Windows. So i pinned him down and ask why does Vista suck. The only answer he could give was that it sent your personal data to halliburton.
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www.knoxvilleobservers.org
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scope dog
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/26/04
Posts: 1173
Loc: USA, NJ
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I have a Vistro 17 2.4x2 8600 and 7200hD. The laptop came with it and seems to be built for vista. I do like it. However the only problem it's a little like a mac os. Things are more hidden and more automatic. My problem is I am trained to do everything from the win98 days. When I mess with a mac it was a hard adjustment for me. Vista w/supported hardware seems good so far. SP1, seems a little tighter and a little faster. The only thing is finding drivers, I was looking and could not find the driver for a installed program. XP took about 1 min on my other laptop.
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Jim Fusco
Astreya 152mm F/7 SAPO
Santel MK91
Astreya-SAPO
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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5643
Loc: Eastern PA
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Base10,
The opinion I have about Vista is my own. It did not come on my system I purchased the OS and installed it. I gave it a long term fair evalutaion on my system. As I said there are some things I like, but for me those features don't over come the software's incompatibilities and the things I don't like about it.
I am not a novice user, after using a piece of software for over 6 months I know which operations I wish to perform without being ask to comfirm it everytime.
As far as this having nothing to due with astromony that is not true. The HDTV stick that I was attemping to use also has a video capture features that I wanted to used with my video cams when in the field. The laptop that Vista was installed on is the laptop I use to control my scopes.
In addition I have a number of Windows scripting files that are astronomy releated that I have not be able to make work correctly under Vista. For most of them I found work arounds but I also lost some functionality in doing so. So for me it is very much astronomy related when astronomy releated software doesn't work correctly under Vista.
I have no trouble giving an OS a fair shake and if you look back you will see in some of my earlier posts that I said some good things about Vista. But in the long run Vista will end up sharing a space on my self next to Windows ME.
I am honestly glad you like Vista and that it is working out for your applications, but it is just not for me. I just hope they (MS) do a beter job with Windows 7 or whatever the next version is.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Marcus, can't you disable the feature that forces the prompt to run something every time. I know that feature is a pain but I remember seeing a way to disable it. I actually like that feature because it keeps my kids from installing something on my system that I don't like or want on there. An extra click on my part is fine and I expect it now.
As for some programs that don't work, that's also a pain and if it won't run in compatibility mode you are kaput. I had to upgrade my not so old Quicken 2005 to 2008 in order to get it to install and load. I wasn't happy about that, let me tell ya!
Basel10, instead of the history lesson, why not help resolve the issues Markus has reported here.
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Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5643
Loc: Eastern PA
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Tom,
I have already uninstalled the software and I would be more trouble for me to go back. I also agree the comfirm feature may be useful for some. I never found a way to disable it. For me the last straw was the latest piece of incompatible software.
I also think I understand the history lesson Base10 was trying to convey. I remember those days and the resistance some versions of Windows received. With the exception of Windows ME I don't all the naw saying was deserved. I also beleive the OS' (again with the expection of ME) continued to get better. I won't say Vista is worse. But I don't think it is better overall.
My post wasn't meant to start a flame session and I respect Base10's option and understand some people still like the software. I as far as I am concerned no harm no foul.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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ace50252
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/10/06
Posts: 1104
Loc: Pleasantville Iowa way out in ...
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Hello, I just wanted to say that I'm not for or against Vista. I have found the system be a very good one with a lot of features that are useful. I will admit that the software I have will not always install into Vista or even run. This is why I run dual boots on my computer so I can have the best of both worlds. Try it you just might like it. I do love how Vista runs with a 2.5 ghz. Quad Core and 4 gigs of ram, very very smooth and very fast.
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Celestron ASGT 9.25"
Celestron 6SE
Orion ST 100
Astro Tech 80 Doublet converted to 80 Triplet
Ultimas 1.25" 5,7.5,10,12.5,18,24,30,35,42
Ultima 2"ers 60 & 80
Axioms 2"ers 19,34,40,50
Vixen LV's 2.5,4,5,6,7,9,10,12,15
TMB Planetary 3.2 and 8
TV plossls 15,20,25,32
Baader Hyperion Zoom 8 - 24
A bunch of filters
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, come inside, come inside. John
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basel10
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 805
Loc: TN
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to turn off UAC you go to control panel, user accounts then click on turn user account on or off. Another way is msconfig then click on tools scroll down till you see disable UAC.
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www.knoxvilleobservers.org
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12062
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
Oh don't forget a major complaint with XP we don't hear about with Vista. Many major security vulnerabilities. Don't hear about that with Vista do you?
You don't? I do...
The MAIN problem is people trying to set up their systems to run the way they like, and in the process must disable parts of Vista's security "Features" just to make things work...
For the Average "Joe" that knows little about computers and does nothing more than keep contact with friends and family, Vista is Fine... For anyone who considers themselves a "Power User" or "Gamer", Vista is nothing but headaches... And Microsoft is well aware of the problems it has with Vista...
Those funny Mac commercials that are always on, they are not too far off from the truth of Vista...
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Pedestal
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 3066
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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Marcus, if I remember correctly, you installed Linux on a USB memory stick? Can you briefly recount that process?
As far as Vista, I run it on a desktop in my observatory. So far, it has run everything I have asked it too, although not always painlessly. I do NOT care for the interface, it appears to be "change for changes sake", and not useful.
Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Quote:
to turn off UAC you go to control panel, user accounts then click on turn user account on or off. Another way is msconfig then click on tools scroll down till you see disable UAC.
Basel10, Thanks! I learned something new. I will continue to leave this "On" since my kids love to get on my system no matter how much grumbling I do.
Guys, let's walk away from the OS bashing line. Each OS has it's pluses and minuses...every one of them. All these conversations do is push us away from each other and I don't think that is our intent here.
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5643
Loc: Eastern PA
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Good advice Tom, and Basel10 thanks for the info. I may reinstall Vista on a removable drive so I can continue to play with it.
Hubert, the installation of Linux on a USB stick was fairly staight forward. I used Ubantu on a CD and just told it install to and format stick (which it saw as a drive). The first time I did it I disconnected the local HD just to make sure I didn't wipe the data.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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Charlie B
super member
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 164
Loc: Virginia
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Also, check your services and disable all you don't need. Vista comes with all services enabled, including those you will never use. You can also customize your interface to look like XP. With explorer up and the enabled services running, I use about 600 MB memory of the 2 GB I have installed. Looking at the interface, you would not immediately guess that its Vista.
Charlie
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Meade SN-8, DS-90, AT-66
DSI Pro II (Schuler Filters), DSI-C, LPI, Canon XTi
AIP4WIN, Nebulosity, DSS, Registrax, GIMP
running on Dell 1420 with Vista
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 6777
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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I recall not very long after XP came out that I needed a new machine, but was still leery of a new operating system. A good friend of mine in Lincoln steered me straight to Windows XP. He said it would be far more stable and reliable than Win98SE was (which it is), and would serve me very well. I trust my friend, as he uses a variety of operating systems and software (tax lawyer/accountant). Well, he was right; it is far better than 98 was. Now, after the year or so since Vista was released, what does my friend now say about it? He stated last week, "Vista is a bad news OS however so something to avoid if at all possible." This is also backed up by the people who have used Vista and then gone back to Win-XP, something I did not hear about much when XP was starting up. While Vista will probably eventually become a decent and reliable operating system, it clearly isn't quite at that point right now. I trust my friend, and I will wait...
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
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Joe Ogiba
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 3358
Loc: NJ USA
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I have been using Vista Ultimate on my home built Core 2 Duo PC since it was in beta with no problems and my new HP laptop has no problems after I deleted the crapware that most PC companies install.
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Pentax PF-80ED
Meade 102ED APO
Orion EON 72
120ST
Apex 127
C6 XLT
CR150
C9.25
XT10
Zeiss 7x42 FL
Canon 10x42L IS WP
15x50 IS
12x36 IS II
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45
Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
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Mattbtn
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/08/06
Posts: 3163
Loc: Chattanooga, TN
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Interesting timing on this thread...
I'm in the process of overhauling my system and can't quite decide whether to jump to Vista or not. I'm sure I could tweak things and make Vista work, but from the sounds of many other folks here, maybe I should ride out XP Pro for another year or two.
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"Computers help us solve the many mysteries of the universe. They also help us make the same mistake many times, really fast."
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