Windows Vista - on the positive side
-
Well, kinda positive. But I'm yet to find a single reason though why I would want to upgrade. A single killer "you should upgrade because of X" reason. If someone can give me a killer reason I promise I will upgrade as soon as it's released. That is, if VS 2005 and SQL Server run OK on it. Personally I would have been happy with them releasing XP 2005 that had GDI# - an upgrade to GDI+ that used whatever cheap and nasty 3D graphics card you had to make things nicer - and WinFS.
cheers, Chris Maunder
CodeProject.com : C++ MVP
All of the newer games will be targeting DirectX10 which will only be available on Vista. And we're talking about leaves blowing, nose hairs wiggling, and real water and cloud effects. But that's only if you're into that. I'm still gonna wait til I can't stand it anymore.
What's in a sig? This statement is false. Build a bridge and get over it. ~ Chris Maunder
-
diriproject wrote:
Especially for this user group it's far better to stay with XP or a Mac or Linux because DRM included in Vista is pure catastrophe.
I already mentioned this, but you're right about the DRM. The amount of DRM forced into the system sucks. But the media industries have mandated that if you want to enjoy HD content, these are the hoops that you have to jump through. I'd bet that future versions of Mac OSX will also have these blocks built in, unfortunately. :((
diriproject wrote:
Ever tried to plug in a good video card and use a very good monitor like you can do with XP?
It works perfectly, from what I've seen. Every combination that I've thrown at it works, with the exception of a particular Nvidia card[^]. Some of my coworkers are running 7-monitor setups, and it's flawless. Were you referring to HDMI, perhaps? This would go back to the DRM aspect of the problem.
Vega02 wrote:
diriproject wrote: Especially for this user group it's far better to stay with XP or a Mac or Linux because DRM included in Vista is pure catastrophe. I already mentioned this, but you're right about the DRM. The amount of DRM forced into the system sucks. But the media industries have mandated that if you want to enjoy HD content, these are the hoops that you have to jump through. I'd bet that future versions of Mac OSX will also have these blocks built in, unfortunately.
You are right in relation to MacOS. Even Linux will need to support DRM because there will be no hardware available without it. And it does not only meet HD content. Even stupid CD / DVD drives are met: You can change region code only five times, activation of device is first change of setting. I only know few people met by this restrictions (engineers having to work all around the world for longer time) but, this is simply illegal. It's like buying a car and only be allowed to drive specific streets x times.
Vega02 wrote:
Were you referring to HDMI, perhaps?
Yes, I do. High quality output is not permitted as long as there is nothing to fullfill requirenments of most strict set of rules of DRM. Manufacturers of addons for computers will have no real chance further on without pushing prices up. Such "marketing" is nothing than a way to get a monopol. I doubt it being legal even in U.S.A.. I know it is illegal in several european countries at least but, who cares? :mad:
-
diriproject wrote:
Ever tried to plug in a good video card and use a very good monitor like you can do with XP?
Yeah, I'm doing that right now. My video card gets 5.9/5.6 on WEI, and the monitor is a nice Sony 19x12. What problems do you think would occur?
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Ford, what's this fish doing in my ear?
You are using a digital or an analog connector to your monitor?
-
You are using a digital or an analog connector to your monitor?
The stuff about turning off digital connections or reducing the resolution of analogue connections only applies to when 'next generation' digital media - HD-DVD or Blu-Ray video, and potentially some digital cable for Media Centre functions - is being played back, and only when that media requests it. Full-screen outputs will then be turned off or have their resolution reduced, unless the video card and monitor connected support HDCP. I'm assuming that playback in a window won't be affected. In order to get such things to play back, all drivers in the video and audio path must be certified and all kernel-mode drivers must be signed. (x64 versions do not allow unsigned drivers to load, unless a specific option is selected at boot time; this option must be selected on every boot). Think about it logically: what does it benefit Microsoft to restrict resolutions or digital video connections for ordinary computing tasks? Not at all. Indeed it hurts them, badly. These 'protections' have been put in at the insistence of the MPAA, who otherwise would refuse to certify, and give decryption keys to, any software players. The result would be that you couldn't watch HD-DVD or Blu-Ray on your computer at all.
Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
-
The stuff about turning off digital connections or reducing the resolution of analogue connections only applies to when 'next generation' digital media - HD-DVD or Blu-Ray video, and potentially some digital cable for Media Centre functions - is being played back, and only when that media requests it. Full-screen outputs will then be turned off or have their resolution reduced, unless the video card and monitor connected support HDCP. I'm assuming that playback in a window won't be affected. In order to get such things to play back, all drivers in the video and audio path must be certified and all kernel-mode drivers must be signed. (x64 versions do not allow unsigned drivers to load, unless a specific option is selected at boot time; this option must be selected on every boot). Think about it logically: what does it benefit Microsoft to restrict resolutions or digital video connections for ordinary computing tasks? Not at all. Indeed it hurts them, badly. These 'protections' have been put in at the insistence of the MPAA, who otherwise would refuse to certify, and give decryption keys to, any software players. The result would be that you couldn't watch HD-DVD or Blu-Ray on your computer at all.
Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
Everything being considered to be "premium content" is met by those restrictions. I'm pretty sure Microsoft is getting a lot of money from media industry to bow the knee this way and is happy to strengthen it's monopol further on this way. Hardware manufacturers are stupid enough to do the very same while ignoring customer's need. They dig their own grave with it. Let's wait and see what happens when more normal customers (users) get aware of those restrictions. Currently only few technicians are really aware of what those restrictions mean.