The Ultimate Letdown?
Some say: "Failure to deliver... Failure to communicate..."
Thursday, June 14, 2007 by cavalierex | Discussion: Vista Reviews
Remember this?
Recently, several caustic articles have criticized Microsoft's failure to deliver Vista Ultimate extras:
Truly, aside from Stardock's own efforts with DeskScapes, DreamScene seems all but abandoned as 'preview' beta software: still CPU-heavy, and not nearly close to delivering what it promised.
Does it strike anyone else as strange that it's been six months since Vista shipped, and there are still no new Extras? Surely, one would have expected Microsoft to at least ship some samples from their labs that employ WPF goodness. Even a WPF-based/sidebar-based MSN Messenger would be a welcome thing, not to mention PowerToys or the many extras that they hinted would arrive. Where are the "cutting-edge programs"? The "innovative services"? The "unique publications"? What happened to the cool stuff that was hilighted in the well-circulated Longhorn concept videos (Video #1 and Video #2)?
At the very least, Microsoft's own Ultimate blog (http://windowsultimate.com) should communicate with us... telling us what's taking so long. But the site's been inactive for months (last publication was in March!), and they haven't responded to any e-mails.
I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks.
Recently, several caustic articles have criticized Microsoft's failure to deliver Vista Ultimate extras:
- Ultimate Extras, where are you?
- Is Vista Ultimate Extras a sham?
- Windows Ultimate Extras is a sham -- Where's the responsibility?
- What's Going on at Microsoft? Appalling commitment to the Extras program
Truly, aside from Stardock's own efforts with DeskScapes, DreamScene seems all but abandoned as 'preview' beta software: still CPU-heavy, and not nearly close to delivering what it promised.
Does it strike anyone else as strange that it's been six months since Vista shipped, and there are still no new Extras? Surely, one would have expected Microsoft to at least ship some samples from their labs that employ WPF goodness. Even a WPF-based/sidebar-based MSN Messenger would be a welcome thing, not to mention PowerToys or the many extras that they hinted would arrive. Where are the "cutting-edge programs"? The "innovative services"? The "unique publications"? What happened to the cool stuff that was hilighted in the well-circulated Longhorn concept videos (Video #1 and Video #2)?
At the very least, Microsoft's own Ultimate blog (http://windowsultimate.com) should communicate with us... telling us what's taking so long. But the site's been inactive for months (last publication was in March!), and they haven't responded to any e-mails.
I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks.
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Uvah
Reply #62 Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:28 PM
Reply #62 Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:28 PM
Is Windows 7 the new name for what I thought was Vienna? Just curious. OH...BTW...I'm glad I stuck with the home premium version. All this Ultimate nonsense is just that...my two cents.
stuarty25
Reply #63 Saturday, March 1, 2008 7:52 AM
Reply #63 Saturday, March 1, 2008 7:52 AM
Hi,
I have been disillusioned with the extras available as well.
Bitlocker - dont need it
Language packs - whoppeeeee
Hold em pocker - wow thats me stopped playing half life 2 etc.
Dreamscene - totally pointless unless i want to keep my processor running at 20%
all the time and its a core 2 duo running each core at 3.3 Ghz
Cant they give us something that would actually be worth having such as the animated logon screen, flashier photo, video folders etc as seen in the longhorn concept.
Im thinking that most people who have bought ultimate have fairly high spec machines and so would be able to run fancier graphics etc no probs. For example in the Windows Experience Index my base score is 5.7 and thats my processor.
If they also wanted to redesign the sidebar so it was more configurable and was easier to put system info into it that would be great. Merge a programme like Samurize with Vista Sidebar and you would have a great little app.
I have been disillusioned with the extras available as well.
Bitlocker - dont need it
Language packs - whoppeeeee
Hold em pocker - wow thats me stopped playing half life 2 etc.
Dreamscene - totally pointless unless i want to keep my processor running at 20%
all the time and its a core 2 duo running each core at 3.3 Ghz
Cant they give us something that would actually be worth having such as the animated logon screen, flashier photo, video folders etc as seen in the longhorn concept.
Im thinking that most people who have bought ultimate have fairly high spec machines and so would be able to run fancier graphics etc no probs. For example in the Windows Experience Index my base score is 5.7 and thats my processor.
If they also wanted to redesign the sidebar so it was more configurable and was easier to put system info into it that would be great. Merge a programme like Samurize with Vista Sidebar and you would have a great little app.
Astyanax
Reply #64 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:05 AM
Vienna is the name of the next version of Media Center.
Reply #64 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:05 AM
Is Windows 7 the new name for what I thought was Vienna? Just curious. OH...BTW...I'm glad I stuck with the home premium version. All this Ultimate nonsense is just that...my two cents.
Vienna is the name of the next version of Media Center.
Yuna.Fire
Reply #65 Tuesday, March 4, 2008 6:30 PM
Reply #65 Tuesday, March 4, 2008 6:30 PM
So, I acquired Vista Ultimate mainly for the Dreamscene Extra. I've no problems with Ultimate or anything, so this isn't a 'omg Vista sucks' rant. Rather, I learned that Stardock released Deskscapes 2.0, which enables Dreamscene to run on all versions of Vista with Aero.
My thinking is Home Premium, with less features than Ultimate, would be better for my system cpu/ram wise.
Here's my inquiry: could I downgrade to Home Premium from Ultimate WITHOUT losing any of my data? Or would that require a clean install? Thank you.
My thinking is Home Premium, with less features than Ultimate, would be better for my system cpu/ram wise.
Here's my inquiry: could I downgrade to Home Premium from Ultimate WITHOUT losing any of my data? Or would that require a clean install? Thank you.
CarGuy1
Reply #66 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 7:17 AM
Reply #66 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 7:17 AM
What...no one uses the complete system backup feature in Ultimate?
Did anyone buy Ultimate for the networking features?
Did anyone buy Ultimate for the networking features?
ZubaZ
Reply #67 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 9:27 AM
Reply #67 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 9:27 AM
I got Vista Business and a few third-party add-ons (including DreamScapes) and am as Ultimate as I need to be.
CarGuy1
Reply #68 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 10:46 AM
You must have gotten your hands on a hybrid version, part DreamScene, part DeskScapes.
Reply #68 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 10:46 AM
(including DreamScapes)
You must have gotten your hands on a hybrid version, part DreamScene, part DeskScapes.
ZubaZ
Reply #69 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 11:06 AM
Reply #69 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 11:06 AM
You must have gotten your hands on a hybrid version, part DreamScene, part DeskScapes.
DOH!
MetalHellssAngel
Reply #70 Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:58 AM
IIS 7 is also available on home premium Ive installed it, used it, configured multiple sites on it, as well as installing, php, perl, and python on it. Also Now thanks to stardock I have animated wallpapers so I wouldn't really consider either of those a reason to purchase vista ultimate. I'm glad I got home premium it's been nice to use and I don't have any complaints.
Reply #70 Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:58 AM
Well I purchased Ultimate as soon as it came out... the Dream feature is really nice, but I also use some of the other features such as IIS (Internet Information Server).
IIS 7 is also available on home premium Ive installed it, used it, configured multiple sites on it, as well as installing, php, perl, and python on it. Also Now thanks to stardock I have animated wallpapers so I wouldn't really consider either of those a reason to purchase vista ultimate. I'm glad I got home premium it's been nice to use and I don't have any complaints.
cavalierex
Reply #71 Friday, April 4, 2008 6:10 PM
Reply #71 Friday, April 4, 2008 6:10 PM
Just thought of one more thing that would make for a great Ultimate Extra: A ribbon customizer for the Office 2007 apps. I know, it's not technically part of Vista (but rather, part of Office). Still, how nice would it be to rearrange some ribbon groups or add new commands and entirely new groups?
Tons of ideas... But no Extras!
Tons of ideas... But no Extras!
Wiccan1
Reply #74 Friday, April 4, 2008 7:03 PM
Reply #74 Friday, April 4, 2008 7:03 PM
Pic of MS 7 is here http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/Windows-7-Milestone-1-M1-Ultimate-Build-6-1-6519-1-4.png.
Release is scheduled for 2010
Release is scheduled for 2010
cavalierex
Reply #75 Monday, April 7, 2008 8:57 AM
I wouldn't necessarily say that it's been a bomb. It's definitely sold a lot of copies. And personally, I rather like Windows Vista. SP1 definitely took care of the few issues that I was having. My problem isn't with Windows Vista at all -- but with the Ultimate Extras (or lack thereof!).
Reply #75 Monday, April 7, 2008 8:57 AM
MS is working on its next OS, since Windoes 6 (Vista) has been such a bomb.
I wouldn't necessarily say that it's been a bomb. It's definitely sold a lot of copies. And personally, I rather like Windows Vista. SP1 definitely took care of the few issues that I was having. My problem isn't with Windows Vista at all -- but with the Ultimate Extras (or lack thereof!).
cavalierex
Reply #76 Saturday, April 26, 2008 8:16 AM
Reply #76 Saturday, April 26, 2008 8:16 AM
This Just In...New Ultimate Extras Released!
Your eyes do not deceive you. This week, two new ultimate extras werer released:
1. Sound Scheme: "Glass" -- As if the sounds are made with glass instruments.
2. Sound Scheme: "Pearl" -- A brighter, "fuller" sound theme.
3. DreamScene: "ContentPack 3" -- More looped videos, but no dynamic content.
Ultimate users can download via Windows Update.
Long Zheng discusses the soundscapes here and link="http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080401/leaked-new-ultimate-extras-sound-scheme/"]WWW Link[/link].
Find the complete list of ultimate extras at Microsoft's new site, UltimatePC.com (Extras).
Your eyes do not deceive you. This week, two new ultimate extras werer released:
1. Sound Scheme: "Glass" -- As if the sounds are made with glass instruments.
2. Sound Scheme: "Pearl" -- A brighter, "fuller" sound theme.
3. DreamScene: "ContentPack 3" -- More looped videos, but no dynamic content.
Ultimate users can download via Windows Update.
Long Zheng discusses the soundscapes here and link="http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080401/leaked-new-ultimate-extras-sound-scheme/"]WWW Link[/link].
Find the complete list of ultimate extras at Microsoft's new site, UltimatePC.com (Extras).
DonDodds
Reply #77 Sunday, April 27, 2008 10:31 AM
Cool; can I have your Vista update?
Reply #77 Sunday, April 27, 2008 10:31 AM
I am so happy I never installed my free Vista upgrade. My XP is so much better. BTW MS is working on its next OS, since Windoes 6 (Vista) has been such a bomb. Read about Windows 7 WWW Link
Cool; can I have your Vista update?
Astyanax
Reply #78 Sunday, April 27, 2008 10:58 AM
Actually they always start work on a new OS once they release one. They started work on Longhorn aka Vista when XP released. Nothing new there.
Reply #78 Sunday, April 27, 2008 10:58 AM
since Windoes 6 (Vista) has been such a bomb.
Actually they always start work on a new OS once they release one. They started work on Longhorn aka Vista when XP released. Nothing new there.
cavalierex
Reply #79 Tuesday, May 6, 2008 11:13 PM
Reply #79 Tuesday, May 6, 2008 11:13 PM
Adding to my growing list of what could be a good Extra:
- Sidebar/WPF version of MSN Messenger
- Sidebar integration for Outlook (calendar, to-do, contacts) and OneNote. And I'm not talking about the little gadgets that have been released... I'm thinking real, powerful integration.
- A TweakUI for Vista (although the Stardock version is coming along nicely!)
- A graphing/programmable calculator
- Extensions for the Windows PhotoGallery... like simple resizing options
- Defrag for power-users!
- They promised "unique publications" in addition to software... How about a power-user's guide to the hidden secrets of Vista?
- Sidebar integration of MediaPlayer (so it shows cover-art and other details in the sidebar)
- FONTS! What about the fonts that were developed but not included with Vista? They could give them to Ultimate users!
- Icons, sound packages, wallpapers, avatars, etc.
- Better virtual desktop management (like www.cubedesktop.com)
- Ribbon customizer for Office 2007
- Flashcard program (for studying purposes)
- Sidebar/WPF version of MSN Messenger
- Sidebar integration for Outlook (calendar, to-do, contacts) and OneNote. And I'm not talking about the little gadgets that have been released... I'm thinking real, powerful integration.
- A TweakUI for Vista (although the Stardock version is coming along nicely!)
- A graphing/programmable calculator
- Extensions for the Windows PhotoGallery... like simple resizing options
- Defrag for power-users!
- They promised "unique publications" in addition to software... How about a power-user's guide to the hidden secrets of Vista?
- Sidebar integration of MediaPlayer (so it shows cover-art and other details in the sidebar)
- FONTS! What about the fonts that were developed but not included with Vista? They could give them to Ultimate users!
- Icons, sound packages, wallpapers, avatars, etc.
- Better virtual desktop management (like www.cubedesktop.com)
- Ribbon customizer for Office 2007
- Flashcard program (for studying purposes)
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Reply #61 Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:11 PM
Sorry to hear not everyone had the same experience as me.
I also am a Microsoft Certified Professional and Certified in A+/Software. I've been playing around with computers since 1982 with a sinclear my buddy had and I purchased a TI 994A with the whole 16K on board and a cassette recorder to save my files to!