Looks like I'll be on VISTA sooner than I'd intended

[helen]

I appear to have killed my XP work computer - and it is refusing to be brought back to life. As such I will soon be the owner of a new Vista machine.

So whilst I'm rebuilding my environment - are there any Flare (and the rest)/VISTA/Word 2007 gotchas that I should be aware of? Or will things run beautifully smoothly and I'll wonder why I didn't upgrade months ago? I'm slightly paranoid as I have a big release in 3 weeks so this isn't exactely great timing!

Any advice or tips would be welcome.

[NorthEast]

Well, for me it'll only build a project once in every 4 attempts, but I don't think mine is a very common issue.
Generally I think it behaves itself ok.

If you're documenting software on your PC, then you might also have to consider other things like whether your screenshots will match.

[helen]

Good point on the screenshots, I think once I have my new environment up and running I will see if I can keep and reformat my old one and partition it so I can have the best of both worlds (hopefully). Then if the hard drive dies again, it's no big deal but it's useful all the same.

Hmm, that problem doesn't sound good, I hope you get it sorted soon!

[NorthEast]

You can certainly have both on the same PC - your IT folks should know how to do that if they're any good, although they might suck their teeth when you ask them.

If you're using WebHelp, then also bear in mind Vista uses IE7. So if you also need to check it IE6, then maybe that's another reason for having an XP partition.

[QBF]

are there any Flare (and the rest)/VISTA/Word 2007 gotchas that I should be aware of?

Do not run any Windows "Updates" until you finish your project! Two days ago I ran an update on my Vista lappy and it has been in a circular-reboot ever since. Safe-Mode doesn’t work, reverting to the last known good version doesn’t work.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Vista...

[helen]

QBF!!

Right, note made, no updates! I'll be putting a new HDD in my old machine and cleaning it so I can use it for the application I'm documenting whilst keeping all critical stuff on my new, less vulnerable, and faster machine.

Dave - we're not using Webhelp yet, this is the first "help" this product has ever had, one step at a time! I think I'll just try and get my old machine back to an XP environment and stick the application on there and then use the new machine for Flare and my main workstation. That's got to work, I think.

[RamonS]

Try anything to not have to use Vista. I'd even consider bribing the IT guy. I have XP and Vista on a dual-boot system here and what takes 3 minutes to finish on XP takes at least 4 minutes on Vista despite Vista running off a noticeably faster hard drive. Network access is horribly slow under Vista, although network nodes tend to show up faster. The design of the Windows Explorer is just totally counterintuitive. I can never figure out where I am right now in regards to the folder tree, which always shifts under your mouse pointer like a good 'ol San Francisco earthquake. I also have yet to find the button to get one directory level up. Also, a lot of fine software that works flawlessly on XP may fail with bizarre errors on Vista when UAC is enabled. The easiest way to kill UAC is to select Start > Run, type in msconfig, go to the last tab, scroll a bit down, and select the option to disable UAC, apply, and reboot. Also, reboot time is the same for Vista and XP as it seems, although everyone claims Vista boots faster. No, Vista just shows three or four different boot screens before the login prompt appears, which gives the illusion that more happens in less time. Besides that, things are renamed with less obvious terms for no apparent reason and at the same time and also for no good reason moved to locations one wouldn't even think of. I think Vista is overall much more difficult to use than XP, for both amateurs and pros. And after switching off all the annoyances and exe candy you have something that does the same as XP, but uses twice the resources and is as unrelaible.
I can only recommend to pull all triggers if necessary to remain on XP. Even donating your own system and license is an option (surpluscomputers.com has several for sale). I don't recommend quitting your job over Vista, but it for sure is an idea that will cross my mind when I was to be put in that situation.

[trent the thief]

I appear to have killed my XP work computer - and it is refusing to be brought back to life. As such I will soon be the owner of a new Vista machine.

So whilst I'm rebuilding my environment - are there any Flare (and the rest)/VISTA/Word 2007 gotchas that I should be aware of? Or will things run beautifully smoothly and I'll wonder why I didn't upgrade months ago? I'm slightly paranoid as I have a big release in 3 weeks so this isn't exactely great timing!

Any advice or tips would be welcome.

Tell them, beg them, pay them, to get you 2003. Word 2007 entirely replaces the GUI interface we've all come to love (or at least know intimately enough to work).

I've honestly hear nothing good about Vista. I have, however, heard many references to Millennium Edition II: Vista, the Sequel.

I searched and found a macro replacement for the 2007 gui that gives me back the menus I know. It was $30 or so. If you want, PM me for a link.

[helen]

Gosh Well - I'll be keeping my old system at least (I hope)... with a new hard drive, as its current one is definitely not very well. I imagine I can just remove vista and stick XP Pro back on the new one (and the old slower one) when it irritates me too much. I will probably be doing much of the setting up of both computers anyhow so no one to bribe which is good Thankfully I very rarely use Word, and I hope to use it even less with Blaze comes out but yes I may need to find a nice skin to bring it back to 2003. Expect lots of keyboard thumping and monitor punching shortly...

[SteveS]

Don't listen to them!

Its all about change. I ran a presentation to my workgroup on my (own) laptop that runs Vista/ 2007. Such an outcry about the way its features fit our workflow we're now getting it installed on all the machines in our department. 2007 is different, but within a week you'll dislike going back to 2003.

Vista is a different kettle of fish. I have no trouble with the UAC, and in my previous life working with developers was a similar story for all of us. Sure, when you first set up your machine it is a pain to keep using it but once set up turn it back on again. I like the idea that nothing installs without me saying yes.

We have a catalogue of over 1000 titles, all in Word/ pdf. Vista's preview pane makes file management so easy - select a file in Windows Explorer and the preview pane shows the front cover. You can even scroll through the pages without opening the file. Sure, having that sort of stuff loaded with the OS creates a huge demand on resources, but RAMs cheap and that feature alone saves hours each day.

[lacastle]

Don't listen to them!

Its all about change. I ran a presentation to my workgroup on my (own) laptop that runs Vista/ 2007. Such an outcry about the way its features fit our workflow we're now getting it installed on all the machines in our department. 2007 is different, but within a week you'll dislike going back to 2003.

Vista is a different kettle of fish. I have no trouble with the UAC, and in my previous life working with developers was a similar story for all of us. Sure, when you first set up your machine it is a pain to keep using it but once set up turn it back on again. I like the idea that nothing installs without me saying yes.

We have a catalogue of over 1000 titles, all in Word/ pdf. Vista's preview pane makes file management so easy - select a file in Windows Explorer and the preview pane shows the front cover. You can even scroll through the pages without opening the file. Sure, having that sort of stuff loaded with the OS creates a huge demand on resources, but RAMs cheap and that feature alone saves hours each day.

I agree. Vista isn't that bad. I definitely prefer the new Word 2007 GUI over the older one. All new things just take some time to get used to. We'll probably have to learn some new things when Flare 4 comes out, but that won't keep me from anticipating the upgrade day.

[trent the thief]

Having to learn a new GUI that after spending ten years becoming productive with its predecessor is idiocy. It bring very little to the table for an experienced user.

Trust me. If madcap had replaced the flare gui with that ribbon crap you'd be up in arms about it.

[NorthEast]

But if nothing changed we'd still be using Word in DOS.

Mind, it does take some getting used to - probably the biggest change I can remember since first using Windows 95.

[trent the thief]

But if nothing changed we'd still be using Word in DOS.

Mind, it does take some getting used to - probably the biggest change I can remember since first using Windows 95.

Oh, I don't mind change. But that was like be comfy warm in the jungle and being tossed into a snow storm

[NorthEast]

Learn how to use it. If you're the only person in the office that understands it, you can ask for a pay rise.

[helen]

Great advice all round there - and yes, it is all about change. I just didn't want this much change so close a release! I'll let you know how I get on.

[RamonS]

Vista is a different kettle of fish. I have no trouble with the UAC, and in my previous life working with developers was a similar story for all of us. Sure, when you first set up your machine it is a pain to keep using it but once set up turn it back on again. I like the idea that nothing installs without me saying yes.

And there are plenty ways of installing something on Vista without triggering UAC. Besides that, if it would only apply to installations, then the issue isn't even that bad. Simple things like copying a file from a network share into the Programs folder takes dozens of mouse clicks and about as many prompts. Sure, preventing one from doing anything makes the system more secure. I just think that the way UAC is implemented in Vista is utterly annoying. It triggers for stuff that is clearly not security related. It's like the new Mr. Clippit, it's sole purpose is to give every user a bad day in the office.

[trent the thief]

Hahhaha... They still ask. I'm the only writer in this location, which makes me the default support guy for MS Office problems.

After I get them past the problem, I give them this http://www.addintools.com/digital-river/

Most people in my office have been using office for a long time, but as most really could get by with wordpad, they never develop that "dig into it" attitude so they don't learn all the little gotchas in word.

[RamonS]

But if nothing changed we'd still be using Word in DOS.

The sad thing is that 90% of Word users could do their work using Word for DOS. I think it isn't so much about change, but about how much the change costs and if it gives enough benefit to make the expense a good investment. I just don't see that for either Vista or O2k7. I think it doesn't deliver a moderate bang for the excessively hefty bucks asked for, quite contrary. It may be depending on the work one does, but the work I do is done much faster in XP than Vista. Why it is good thing to shell out 300$ for that and do a full hardware upgrade is just beyond me.
And the way Microsoft approaches the public they too already gave up on Vista. Nobody from Microsoft talks about Vista anymore, they only demo what will be in the next version. Sadly enough, those demos include showcasing an improved version of Paint....as if that is the biggest concern.

[NorthEast]

After I get them past the problem, I give them this http://www.addintools.com/digital-river/

I followed that link and I can't work out if it's real product or a hoax.

[trent the thief]

That's one of the reasons businesses are buying Dell's Vista bonus pack: So they can have XP instead of Vista.

And you're absolutely right. Changing the GUI did nothing to improve productivity. And for me? It's decreased mine since I end up needing to help others. I bought "Classic Menu for Office". I needed to make a deadline and couldn't spend time figuring out a new office interface. It's a great product.

As far as MSDOS WORD goes, it was nice. I used it for quite a while. But you're right, Ramon, most people could use it be quite satisfied. Word's biggest problem is that it is simply trying to do everything.

MS could rule the WP market if they'd narrow their focus to word processing and not try to be the end all general office application.

[trent the thief]

After I get them past the problem, I give them this http://www.addintools.com/digital-river/

I followed that link and I can't work out if it's real product or a hoax.

Oh, it's real. I have it installed. A couple others in the office bought it, too.

[NorthEast]

Oh, it's real. I have it installed. A couple others in the office bought it, too.

That's great. Did nobody ask why you bothered upgrading to 2007?

Also, sounds like you've got a potential market there for a DOS emulation.

[QBF]

I ran Vista for six months on my new laptop and really liked it. I had none of the problems I heard about, then whammo! Fortunately I run XP at work (XP was officially retired and is no longer an option for new computers for businesses). My poor lappy (I do not run Flare on my laptop) is due for a reformat this weekend and an install of Ubuntu.

[trent the thief]

Oh, it's real. I have it installed. A couple others in the office bought it, too.

That's great. Did nobody ask why you bothered upgrading to 2007?

Also, sounds like you've got a potential market there for a DOS emulation.

I didn't have any choice. I'd just changed jobs. The new company bought a new laptop for me and gave me the newest version of office as that is what they were moving into.

The classic menus are really handy. You can still have the ribbon with them, too, if you like. I turned mine off to get the extra screen space.