Joined on 11-30-2004
TechSoup Member
I wouldn't discount the possibility of NPO's using this as an opportunity to kiss MS goodbye. Its been on my radar for the past year to explore the alternatives in the flavours of Linux. Its far less expensive, unbeleivable smaller file sizes, and yet exceptionally similar in the user interfaces for things like OpenOffice.
I'm not moving us to Vista unless/until I absolutely have to. I am going to try a test project of switching some client-use computers over to the competition and see how our agency clients, and staff, respond to it. We get about 1000 people a money through this one particular office for our employment resource centre program. When I do this with 2 computers (of the 7 in the room) in April, I'll let you know how things are going.
Joined on 09-21-2004
Alberta, Canada
TechSoup Member
I did a little checking with a trusted inside source at MS about when to go Vista. He has been right with every new release since NT. He feels that if you have compatible hardware the switch is safe. I think we will upgrade to Vista on new machines only for the next year and once SP1 is released we will make the switch on compatible machines left in the system with XPSP2.
For smaller orgs with fewer computers I don't think this is as big a deal as many people are making it out to be. I can only hope I am not wrong.
Joined on 06-15-2004
TechSoup Member
Is there any indication from Microsoft that Vista Ultimate might be provided to TechSoup in the near future?
Joined on 06-05-2002
TechSoup Member
My organization purchased 100 licenses of Windows XP with software assurance about 10 months ago. On the eopen.microsoft.com website it shows the corresponding Windows Vista Keys. How do I go about getting the Windows Vista CDs to do the install?
Joined on 06-23-2004
TechSoup Member
You should call Software Assurance at 1-800-248-0655, option 5 I believe, and have your authorization code ready. You can then order a Vista media kit for $24 or something like that.
In response to Jesse:
Careful. TechSoup has the UPGRADE version of Vista. There are several reasons one might better avoid the Vista upgrade, such as listed here
There's a couple of articles in WindowsSecrets about using the upgrade version to do a clean install. Apparently, "The secret is that the setup program in Vista's upgrade version will accept an installed copy of XP, W2K, or an unactivated copy of Vista itself as evidence of a previous installation."
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070201#story1
Hilary
Also in response to Jesse :
IF NPOs would indeed be more candid and trustworthy in their opinions about Windows, there could be some special value in their reporting their actual experiences with Vista
In my experience NPO representatives are amongst the most trustworthy of people to be found anywhere... I think this goes hand-in-hand with the reason they (we) choose to work / volunteer at or for an NPO (it's certainly not for the money!).
I for one do trust the opinions offered here, and look forward to receiving further input on Vista from throughout the NPO community.
Cheers, Don
Hi SongMan and others,
We are still working on getting the answers to your Vista questions. They were escalated on up the chain, and it was determined that we would confirm the answers with Microsoft before posting them.
One question I can address right now is whether we will the Windows Vista Upgrade being offered at TechSoup offers access to any other versions besides Business. The simple answer is no, TechSoup will not get access to any other versions besides Business.
As for the rest... more to come soon!
Thank you for your patience,
Anne
Joined on 11-19-2006
TechSoup Member
Good to hear. I look forward to hearing whatever answers can be divined with regard to my queries.
Joined on 03-31-2004
TechSoup Member
If I don't upgrate to Vista, but do upgrade Office to 2007, will that program run without a lot of problems on XP? In other words, can I update Office on XP, or is Office 2007 constructed to operate at maximum with Vista? Would appreciate some guidance on this. Thanks.
MS provides the prerequisites for Office 2007
Here - O2K7 runs fine on XP - Vista is not required.
Cheers, Don
For those of you already using Vista, Wired News just published
Seven Best Add-Ons for IE7, which lists extensions for Internet Explorer 7.
Joined on 11-18-2004
TechSoup Member
Frustrated that Windows Vista home has no downgrade rights... and nobody flagged this earlier. We support 800+ library and NGO clients in Ontario and the idea that many would be stuck purchasing new machines with Vista home while it is still full of bugs and not be able to downgrade is a sombre thought. What are others doing to compensate?
We tend to advocate staying with XP Pro for 6 months while they fix everything, then move back to Vista (even buy the licences here at /stock) but this is a glitch that should have been caught.
:(
downgrade rights articulated below - chez MSoft
downgrade_rights.doc
Joined on 12-01-2004
TechSoup Member
Question- i used to run XP pro because we use a network. But I just bought a new computer with vista premium. To access my network I need to upgrade- but my question is... does the business vista upgrade work with vista premium or do I need to purchase the vista ultimate upgrade (which techsoup does not have)
Thanks
JS
Joined on 12-01-2004
TechSoup Member
Question- i used to run XP pro because we use a network. But I just bought a new computer with vista premium. To access my network I need to upgrade- but my question is... does the business vista upgrade work with vista premium or do I need to purchase the vista ultimate upgrade (which techsoup does not have)
Thanks
JS