The latest beta of Microsoft’s next operating system, Vista, is available for previewing from here – Windows Vista: Customer Preview Program.
You have two options, order a DVD ($6 for the disc + $4 for shipping) or you can download the DVD iso. I was going to just buy the DVD, six bucks didn’t seem too bad, but the shipping put it over a threshold that I didn’t want to cross. I tried downloading it at work, but I could never connect to the download site. Downloaded it from home, 3-1/4 Gig in about 2 hours. Trouble is I don’t have a DVD burner at home, They do have a portable at which which I borrowed tonight. Burned a disc for me and another for the DVD burner lender. Seeing as the laptop really has nothing on it but XP and some programs I decided to install it on there.
Started the install and went out for dinner. When we got back all that I needed to do was set the usual language and time zone stuff and Vista was up. Runs pretty slow, but that is because they recommend the minimum system RAM be 512M with 1G being better and the $500 laptop only has 256M (shared). It found the wireless router fine and connected to the net no problem. IE7 has tabs on the browser, what a concept. I’ve got to get it connected to the desktop for file sharing yet….
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/06: 203
Oh yay a new windows operating system! That means new and interesting viruses when I buy my new computer next year!
Got it hooked to the home network this evening, forgot to make the workgroup the same on both machines. Its kind of like going from Windows2000 to XP, newer more modern theme and look with all the same old stuff, but just hidden in different spots. Took me 15 minutes to find a file explorer…