Today I was commissioned, if you like, to write up an article on my thoughts (and lack of feelings) on Microsoft Windows Vista. Actually, I mentioned to Simon that I'd finally be installing it tonight and he asked me to do a write up on my blog, but commissioned sounds better...
So, here I am, with a few hours ahead of me free. I've been toying with the idea of installing Vista for a good 6 months or more now. In fact, I signed up for the Beta testing and downloaded Beta 2 back in July 2006. But being the busy ICT Technician that I am, I put it to one side.
Within those 6 months a lot has happened in terms of Vista. For a start, the final code has been released to the corporate market and will be available to the average Jo at the end of January. Secondly, after Beta 2 came RC1 and RC2 (RC being Release Candidate). What to use for this article? Well, unfortunately I missed the opportunity to legally download RC2, so I'm stuck with RC1 from my Dad - but, before you go accusing me of breaking any laws, apparently you can install each version onto a maximum of 10 PCs. Perfect.
In my left hand I have a copy of RC1 and in my right, I have Microsoft Office 2007 Beta 2, from a Magazine coverdisc. Afterall, what good is installing Vista when I could be checking out the latest Office? Microsoft have been very generous to us, as it's the first time since Windows 95, that they released Office alongside Windows.
I've partitioned my Hard Drive successfully. In actual fact, I prepared for Vista back in August as I setup Red19. I've got an external caddy for copying over my XP Ghost Images in case everything goes tits-up. I have a USB stick to hand in case I need to quickly download and transfer some important drivers across. There's a second PC in the room along with a laptop in case Vista totally fucks up my main rig, and I'm forced to post using an alternative machine.
So, if you don't hear from me within the next 4 hours, expect the worst - Vista installed successfully, but then proceeded to draw all 530W from the PSU and some more - wiping out the power for the whole of Lincoln. Fingers crossed...