Unofficial "New Vista Users" Signal/Noise Thread

[Edit:  Noticed main thread for this topic]

But yay I'm getting Vista!

They aren't too widespread... I've had my name on the list for as long as I can remember. Just checked my email and, unfortunately, there was no beta invite. Could anyone hook me up so I can be on this bandwaggon?

I thought it strange; some people got it after a week. I've been on lists upon lists for some as long as 6 months. 

Is everyone talking about the same list? I cannot remember the list i added my name to but it was only about 2 weeks ago and I got an invite today. I'm downloading it right now. yay

They're only widespread in the sense that someone with the authority to add people posted a blog entry inviting people to email him if they wanted to be on the beta and pretty much guaranteeing they would get on.

I believe that was the link Zeo posted.

To be honest, it was quite a while ago that the first blog entry appeared (the offer was repeated a second time a week or two later) that I can't remember which blog it was - I THINK it was msdn.blogs.com.

Just shows that if you keep your eye on the right blogs you'll see some good stuff (everything from free posters to links you'd never have otherwise found to beta invites).

This was the blog that I posted at, thats the one that Zeo posted:

http://blogs.msdn.com/scarbones_blog/archive/2006/03/08/546358.aspx

[Edited Title from "Re: Widespread Vista Beta Invites?"]

Yeah, I realized that's what happened, and [edit]'ed out all the excitement and what-not that ensued. I then added my valuable signal to the appropriate master thread.  Since I have no thread.delete authority, I simply left this one to die. This all occured within about a 5-minute window or so. As for calling the invites widespread, I assumed they would have to be for someone like me to get an invite.

Regardless, I may as well use the thread since I went ahead and created it anyway.  Let's use it to gawk and gander at the new Vista beauty many of us are just now getting to see first-hand, and also to address any questions, concerns, gripes, b!tches, and complaints.  I'd like to start, having been a Vista tester for about half an hour now (not including the 90 minute install)...

Questions:
1. What is that hollow circle in the taskbar next to the system tray?
2. When is "List View" expected to return, or am I missing it?
3. Is 5308 missing Aero Glass, or am I just not finding it?  If it's missing, when will we see it?
4. Does (and if so, when does) the 5308 "Main Build" expire?  Also if so, does it disable itself and in what manner?


Concerns:
1. I heard some versions of Vista will limit the number of open windows and resolution to 1024x768.  Geez, why even bother booting? The titlebars and task panes alone will consume that 


Gripes:
1. No drivers installed or downloadable for any of my RAID controllers.
2. Can't install any of my known-good Windows 2000/XP hardware drivers.

B!tches:
1. Even after switching to "Windows Classic" theme (since it STILL looks better), everything seems larger than it should - even in and above 1280x1024.

Complaints:
1. Thew new visual Theme. XP introduced new and exciting ways to waste desktop space, and Vista continues that tradition.  Really, I think 1.5-2" on the top and left sides of an open window is too much for one or two links.  This stuff should be in a dropdown menu somewhere.  Speaking of which, I want my dropdown menus back.
2. A combination of disliking the new theme and not being able to see my 3 RAID controllers will keep me dual-booting on what is likely to be a permanent basis.  Unless the Vista beta expires, in which case I'll probably be going back to XP exclusively.  Sorry guys, I can't deal with the UI bloat.

Humor:
1. I just looked at the "Extra Large" icon view in Explorer.  That's some funny stuff.

Impressed with:
1. Except my 3 RAID controllers and one unknown device, Vista found all my hardware automatically, including two onboard NICs that XP SP2 didn't even know about.  Kudos!
2. IE7.  Slick.  Now just let me unlock those toolbars, Massy.  I did not say "please".  
3. Microsoft Beta Client.  This is a great tool that should come on all Windows installs, even after they're out of beta (though then it would be called "Microsoft Product Client"). It would be nice if I had more than 2,000 characters to describe a problem though; I may have important technical details and not wish to attach extra text files.


Overall, I'm impressed.  Vista rocks.  As long as someone reads the many issues I'm reporting in Beta Client and passes these issues along to the devs, I think 2007 isn't too long to wait.  More excitement (both signal and noise) to follow as I explore more.

Note to self:  Move the big drive over to the motherboard HDD controller.

Just to add another item to the list... Damn, someone should start a wiki for this yeah someone probably has already...

In XP I can disable those annoying "Your computer might be at risk" balloons by disabling the "Security Center" service.  That doesn't seem to do the trick in Vista.  Ideas?

Questions:
1. What is that hollow circle in the taskbar next to the system tray?
--I'm assuming you're talking about the button to expand/collapse the systray? If not, post a picture
2. When is "List View" expected to return, or am I missing it?
--After Beta 2
3. Is 5308 missing Aero Glass, or am I just not finding it?  If it's missing, when will we see it?
--Build 5308 does have Aero Glass. Do you know if your graphics card supports LDDM/VDDM (is it still called that?)? If you're not sure, run a query for "[YourCard] LDDM" through your prefered search engine. If it doesnt support LDDM/VDDM, you wont be able to use Aero Glass.
4. Does (and if so, when does) the 5308 "Main Build" expire?  Also if so, does it disable itself and in what manner?
--I cant seem to find the exact length of time, though I'd guess 6 months max.


Concerns:
1. I heard some versions of Vista will limit the number of open windows and resolution to 1024x768.  Geez, why even bother booting? The titlebars and task panes alone will consume that 
--That's Starter Edition you're thinking of


Complaints:
Speaking of which, I want my dropdown menus back.
--There should be a 'Classic Menus' option under Folder Options, I'd give you the exact location but I'm on XP right now.

Q1: http://www.damnednice.com/forumpics/RAID_Lacking.JPG this pic shows the circle I spoke of.  It's between the address bar and the notification area on the taskbar.

Q3: According to http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=95253 (One of my top search results on Google), the Radeon 9550 does support it, but the 7500 doesn't seem to.  Do all my installed video cards have to support LDDM?  I'll have to report this next time I boot the Vista partition.

Concern 1: Yes, Starter Edition.  My God.

Complaint:  Yes, I'll look there.

____________________________
Meantime, I've compiled a short list since then.  I'll be submitting these via Beta Client.

Deleting shortcut from start menu now closes start menu.  If I want to continue navigating through the start menu I have to hit START again.

I don't see any way to disable "Hide shortcut keys until I press ALT" like I could in XP.

Would like to see a way to migrate settings from another Windows partition on current system without having to reboot twice.  Vista should be able to see other Windows installations.

Would like to see all Control Panel "Display" applets re-integrated into one Control Panel applet called "Display".  It should be EASIER to configure a system as it evolves, not harder.

Would like to see better method of controlling item positions in multi-line taskbars. If my taskbar is 3 lines tall, the "Address" bar in it should still only consume one line.

Changing desktop icon size below 24 doesn't seem to have any effect.  I want them to be 16 pixels. Desktop space is very important to me. 

"ClearType" really doesn't belong under "Color Scheme".

thats a good question about video/monitors

so if i have super card - on 2 monitors but lame pci old card on 3rd one - does that = no aero?

*also - if there is only one pci express? /agp slot - how can we add the other super card even if we wanted too?  do they even make wicked pci vidcards anymore?

..and if correct - vista = no more than 2 monitors??

So far your graphiccards has to be identical models to work in a multi-screen setting. Hopefully this'll change before RTM.

/Dave

huh?

does anyone know more about last 2 above posts?

ie; same kind , slots  ??

I have to reboot and go into vista after my February Driver Kit is done downloading.  I'll check when I get there.

SlackmasterK wrote:

Concerns:
1. I heard some versions of Vista will limit the number of open windows and resolution to 1024x768.  Geez, why even bother booting? The titlebars and task panes alone will consume that