The first thing I noticed in Windows Vista Build 5219 was the sheer lack of performance. In Beta 1, the AERO interface effects worked nicely. Here, it's sluggish - often skipping frames or being stuck. And this isn't a low-end system either, I'd think 2 gigs of RAM, 15GB of Pagefile, and a Limited Edition of 128MB GeForce FX5700 AGP would be good enough.

Outside of the performance issue, I think there are some really nice improvements. The best of them all (for me) is being able to close the window by simply clicking in the top-right corner (even tho close button is a couple dozen pixels away).

After a bit of work, the sidebar was enabled and seems promising - although there isn't much there to see except a pretty clock, instant search, and an RSS reader. It's a lot user-unfriendly at the moment, but I can see where it's headed - and it's gonna be a real cool thing!

There are some nice improvements in the Explorer too. The progress of your current search or navigation is shown in the address bar. The text becomes virtually unreadable, but the idea is good.

I'm gonna try and install the TV Tuner drivers for my old card, and see if I can get the Media Center functionality to work. Initially, I was planning on installing this Ulimate Edition on my TC-1100 Tablet PC, but with this kind of performance issues, I'm gonna have to rethink it.

More to be posted as I dig in deeper.

Windows Vista

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Not exactly dying (sorry) but I sure feel like it. I have some severe problems in my mouth (too gross to write about) and the only way to solve it (according to the doc) is not to talk much - or preferebly not talk at all. While I feel miserable about it (not to mention the pain, oh the pain!) people are very happy that I'm not talking. Sure, I do tend to cause trouble with my words, but it's all in good natured humor. Is it my fault they don't have any of it? Am I sounding like Rory Blyth now? Well, I don't mind sounding like him, but being sick like him is a problem for me. Of course, from one point of view I am already sick like him.

In any case, I have less than 2MB [1.2 to be exact] of Vista CTP to download. This will provide some relief.

Oh, and for anyone reading this who has kissed me before and would want to in the future (really?! thanks!!) don't worry, my oral condition will be all cool in a few days. I also go back to work tomorrow.

My Insignificant Life | Windows Vista

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Well, HOPEFULLY the last day.

At ~10kb/sec there are about 800MB and ~21 hours left. And this is where my DVD burner started giving me various errors (whilst ruining 2 perfectly nice discs). Sigh.

My Insignificant Life | Windows Vista

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There wasn't much to see :-( it wasn't even a quarter eclipse this side of the planet, let alone a full one!

Philosophy

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Total: 2802.3 MB

Remaining: 1478.2 MB

Speed: ~8.5k/sec

ETA: ~48 hours

User status: Agitated, possibly suicidal. Trying to forget by trying to work real hard.

Windows Vista

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Current status: 1908.5MB (downloaded) / 2802.3MB (total)

Time remaining: ~80 hours

User status: Bored

Hopefully, some dental surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning (yes, the graceful person that I am, walked into a metal door, damaged a tooth, has to pulled out, expecting lots of pain) which will show me a more potent meaning of pain that will make waiting for Windows Vista to download somewhat less harsh.

My Insignificant Life | Windows Vista

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Only 6 hours left before the solar eclipse starts. I intend to be on top of a hill with all my photo equipment. Will be posting pics and videos here later today.

I'm hoping that a digital camera's viewfinder will filter out UV rays. :-P

Photography

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The pain, the anguish, the messed up bytes, the whole package! It's all starting again.

I've just started downloading Windows Vista CTP Build 5219 at a speed ranging between 5.9k/sec to 9.3k/sec.

I only pray that my broadband connection comes soon!

Windows Vista

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