[Sparhawk]

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Well actually Sparhawk, it puts me in an awkward situation ...............
I'm in the middle of choosing a new pc system to replace my apparently-old one. Among those who've been sharing their help + advice is Steve, who strongly advises against Vista. Well, it's pretty hard to resist going the Vista route, because virtually all new pc's are coming out with Vista, + all the pc mag's are spouting nothing but Vista I honestly think that Vista is the most talked about, controversial pc product out this decade It seems to be good, bad + ugly all rolled into one mother of a pc-cyclone, leaving us poor souls who just want a pc system to do our things on, in a state of total confusion as to which way to turn. As I say, when you look to buy a new pc, everything points to Vista, but you listen to this forum + everyone's saying "nooooooooo" I can't help wondering if the "no-ers" are just plain prejudiced against MS BUT if my existing software prog's are just plain not gonna work on Vista, now that's a different kettle of fish ... THAT I can go along with as a negative for Vista. Thing is, how do you know if your prog's are or are not gonna work on Vista? Every previous upgrade of Windows OS has been backward complaint for prog's, i.e. it would run them, although not as efficiently perhaps. Now ppl are saying that non-Vista compatible prog's just plain won't work?? Sounds hard to believe to me ...

So, Sparhawk, perhaps you could elaborate on your plight + say exactly WHY your prog's won't work on your new pc?

Hi Charlotte
I am sorry to have put you in such a position but rather than let you go down the route that I did {looking at Vista and thinking that software programs would be quickly upgraded to allow them to run with Vista} and find that a fair few are having problems which {IMO} Microsoft are not willing to address with the speed that we woukd like.
There does seem to be a dirth of information as to upgrade or the need for a total replacement from MP3 converters through to the main photographic software for both camera drivers to photo software.
I would say {as others have done} stick with XP for now, perhaps {in a couple of years or so} when some of these problems have been ironed out then you could look to upgrade to Vista but {as someone who has Vista with all the inherent problems}I would NOT advise anyone to go down the Vista track.
I belive that the cost of upgarading {if you can} the software you have is NOT worth it stick with what you know and feel at ease with
Regards
Sparhawk