[itdiscuss] Vista to XP

Thu Feb 5 13:40:47 EST 2009

Most of us are tasked with maintaining stable environments and adopting
MS's new systems just because they are available often disrupts that
requirement.  The most important thing is that the organization's
business goals are met not that new technology is adopted.  The kinds of
disruptions that you mention here cost the organization money, sometimes
a lot of it and they cost the IT Department a lot of credibility.  

In the past IT guys worth their salt wouldn't adopt a new OS at least
until SP1 was out.  Now that Windows 7 is on the horizon, why bother
with Vista.  It kind of reminds me of the days when we had Windows 95
and then Win98 came out.  Many of us just waited until Win2k was
available and then move ahead.  

While I don't disagree that you need to keep moving ahead over time.
Not doing so can be just as hazardous to the overall mission as adopting
new technology too quickly.  However, there is no reason to move at
Microsoft's pace.  For the most part their pace is just designed to keep
their revenues up anyway.  You would be wise to consider if continuing
with the MS OS is right for the organization or if some other OS would
prove more appropriate.  There was a time when I would have adopted MACs
across the board.  The overall cost of ownership was much less.  Some of
us even remember the old mini-computer days.  Boy I tell you, there
wasn't any OS as stable as DEC VMS.  Anyway, for my vote, I'll wait
until the next OS is out and SP1 is available for it.  Then I'll look at
migrating.

Just my two cents....

From: discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org] On Behalf Of Thompson, Ken
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 1:03 PM
To: IT Discussion Forum
Subject: Re: [itdiscuss] Vista to XP

Nope, that's kind of moving in the wrong direction. All of us in IT know
that change is tough on our users. But, bottom line, there really is no
going back. We've got to deal with the new OS no matter what if we're
going to stick with PC's. We've just moved the majority of our XP users
to Vista and yes, there were complaints. It takes a few months but once
you get past those, things smooth out and everyone gets happy.

Are the issues just the OS or are there apps that are not working right
in Vista? Our biggest pain point was not Vista, but instead, was waiting
on several applications to get their act together and redesign their
software to work in Vista. Some of these were very big, global
companies. That's what I found to be most frustrating. We're still
dealing with print driver issues for some of our larger copy / printer /
fax systems. I was very impressed with HP - they had most of their
drivers updated by the time Vista was released to market. Wish others
would get their act together and do the same. 

I'm now moving to Windows 7 (hope to install tonight). My goal is that
as an IT team we will keep ahead of the coming changes and know what to
expect before we try to do a roll-out to staff. I think this one will be
much smoother than the XP to Vista change - but, remember, 7 is knocking
at the door (is really Vista R2 - but with some really good improvements
that users like). 

Ken Thompson | IT Manager | Mission to the World 

1600 N. Brown Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

    Work:  678-823-0004 ext. 2261  |      Fax: 678-823-0027 attn: "Ken
Thompson"

    Mail:  ken.thompson at mtw.org <mailto:Shane.Colling at microsoft.com> 

From: discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org] On Behalf Of Ray Tyner
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 12:36 PM
To: IT Discussion Forum
Subject: [itdiscuss] Vista to XP

Has anyone attempted to retrograde a Vista install to XP?  I have four
Vista computers that were purchased before Dell offered the "buy
Vista/ship XP" deals.  The users are fed up with Vista.

Ray Tyner

Peachtree City UMC

678.642.3362

Bill Lloyd
IT Manager

Busker Communications
2567 Athens Hwy.
Gainesville, GA  30507
Phone:  770-417-1604
Fax:       770-417-1747
Cell:    404-379-6963

blloyd at buskercom.com

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