I installed Windows Vista on 2.3.07 and I love it! I need it! Can't live without it! I decided to share what I've discovered in Vista between the pros and cons, bugs, features, "features", compatibility, non-compatibility, fixes, sneaks, tweaks and peeks. (Sorry, got carried away there for a bit). This a great release of Windows, just like XP was from 2000/98. I anticipate a lot of hot fixes for Vista, surprised there aren't a lot yet.

THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST, I'LL BE UDPATING REGULARLY AS I DISCOVER THEM If you want to contribute, leave a comment and I'll add it in.

Pros, Features, Likes  -  Bugs, Cons, Dislikes  -  Compatibility

Current Laptop Spec running Vista
Lenovo ThinkPad Z61p, Dual Core 2Ghz T2500
2GB RAM; ATI FireGL V5200; 100GB SATA; DVD+-RW DL

Last Updated
07.08.03 - Realized I havent updated this in a while.
07.03.13 - Added blurb about Cisco VPN client. Added info about Visual Studio.Net 2003
07.02.09 - Added note about Virtual Server 2005
07.02.07 - Added note about Visual studio 2005
07.02.06 - Added Quicken Compatibility notes, Pros #2
07.02.05 - Created list

Pros, Features, Likes

  1. Actually this might be a short list. There's a lot of things in Vista I love. Check out Microsoft's site for a real list of new features.
  2. When deleting a long list of files and lets say one or two of them are in use by something else, i.e. cleaning out a temp folder, instead of stopping the deletion stating that a file is in use, it asks you if you want to Skip the file. So you can click yes skip and it will keep on deleting. How sweet is that!
  3. Viewing folders of images is easier as well. With Vista you can select what size the icons can be, as large as almost 400 pixels wide, very nice for a breif overview.
  4. The add-ons to the operating system are nice, like DVD Maker and Movie Maker. Very easy to take a home video and share it out online or to those family members who don't have a computer.

Bugs, Cons, Dislikes

  1. Cisco client had a hiccup. Not sure what caused it but all of a sudden, I was unable to install/uninstall anything, kept getting "another program is being installed. please wait until that installation is complete, and then try installing this software again" Yeah, loads of fun. In a weak attemtp to fix it, I rebooted in diagnostic mode, and uninstalled Cisco client, whch worked, it uninstalled. Then when Windows came back up, its stated it was not a genuine copy of Windows and wanted to reactive itself, which it couldnt for some reason. YEAH real fun. So after a system restore, some prayer, I found a cisco service, something called Cisco VPN Client Installer, which was running. I disabled it, rebooted and blamo everything worked. Weird, I know.
    UPDATE There is now a version 5 of the Cisco VPN Client available for Vista, works much better!
  2. VPN into a non-domain like a VPN device. Windows automatically added the DOMAIN\Username to the username of the VPN client. I think I fixed it by going into the VPN properties, then go to the security tab. Switch to Advanced, Click Settings, Click Cancel, then switch back to Typical. Also make sure that Include Windows logon domain is unchecked on the Options tab. I'm curios if this works for other people. Let me know.
  3. Found a small bug. I was viewing images in a slideshow then I closed the slide show, then doubleclicked a specific image to view it and then the slideshow started up again but without the options to close it. So I had to CTRL+ALT+DEL out and log off.
  4. Have an issue syncing my Windows Mobile 5 device with Vista using bluetooth. It sync'd once then it would never sync again. My PC could see the phone in the BT manager but ActiveSync wouldn't run. Works fine over USB though.

Compatibility List
I suggest reviewing any questionable compatibilty issues with the software developing company.

  1. Visual Studio.Net 2003 is not suppose to work, but go ahead and install it. I think its during the install or I found it on Microsoft's site, that there's a list of items that won't work in Vista, all of which still allow you to develop, build and publish a site. So I'd say it works. if you find this article again, let me know so I can add it here! 
  2. Virtual Server 2005 should work. After much agravating troubleshooting I finally found this helpful article: Ben Armstrong's blog Virtual PC Guy's Weblog.
  3. Visual Studio 2005 will work however there's a service pack and an update to the service pack for Vista. Also, check out this blog by Mike Volodarsky (MS IIS Program Manager).
  4. Intuit Quicken 2007 is fully compatible, however download the latest update. Click Here for updates. There is also a little known issue during installation, if Quicken displays Not Responding during the install, don't end it. Let it finish, may take up to 30 minutes depending on hardware.
  5. Surprisingly, Adobe Photoshop 7. Installed great and opens PSDs fine. I only use it for basic photo manipulation and slicing PSDs for websites.
  6. For antivirus in the workplace, Symantec Corporate Edition 10.2.
  7. Microsoft ISA 2004 Firewall client works great.
  8. Office 2007 of course.
  9. Currently have iTunes 7.0.2 installed. Runs great. Video runs smoother than it did in XP.
  10. Lenovo has released almost all of the drivers needed for the laptop.