What is Vista?
Windows Vista is Microsoft's new operating system, and will eventually replace Windows XP.
You can find out more about Windows Vista at the Microsoft website.
As an executive committee member or trainer, you may be quite content to continue to use Windows XP. However, have you noticed that some members are changing over to Vista when they upgrade their machines? And what about those new enquirers who have just purchased a brand new laptop or desktop? They are very likely to have acquired Windows Vista as their operating platform.
There will come a time when Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP with updates and fixes or troubleshooting information.
So it's about supply and customer demand whether we like it or not.
And whilst some software and hardware will need to be replaced eventually, there are many benefits to using Vista, such as easier access to certain tasks.
Planning for Vista
It is suggested that Club management committee and the trainers should plan carefully for the introduction of Windows Vista. This will include:
- Surveying your members about their plans to update from Windows XP and requests for Vista training from new members
- Finding out about the specification requirements for Vista - can your hardware cope?
- Which Vista version will best suit your club requirements - Home Premium, Business?
- Checking whether your current computer peripherals - printers and scanners in particular - will be compatible. See below for information about checking your computer systems
- Finding out about training resources - ASCCA manuals; manuals from other clubs; e-learning resources; CD training packages
- Planning discussions and demonstrations amongst your trainers and members
- Will you keep running Windows XP? If so, consider dual booting, that is, running both Windows XP and Windows Vista
- Can you afford it? Can you obtain packages through Donortec?
Training materials
There is a variety of training material for Vista, and some products are available through ASCCA at a discounted rate.
Training manuals
ASCCA has a four session training manual called Learning to Work with Vista. It is available in printed format for $10 plus postage, or for $5 on CD, together with many other manuals written by ASCCA's training officer. Contact the ascca office for more details.
E-learning
Dynamic Learning Online has a website called Learn Windows Vista. you can subscribe to this from the ASCCA website for $29.95 for 12 months, and you will also have access to the Vista Testing site for 12 months for free. It usually costs $20 for the testing.
There is a demonstration at www.learnvista.com.au/html/demo.html.
When you subscribe and commence the training, a table shows you which modules you have completed, how long it took, what date you completed the training and how many times it was attempted. So you can complete the training at your own pace.
You do not need to have Windows Vista to undertake this training.
Learning CDs
Professor Teaches Windows Vista and Windows XP
ASCCA can supply copies of Professor Teaches Vista on CD at $35.00 each, compared with rrp of $49.00, to any member of an ASCCA club. Professor Teaches® provides interactive training for Windows Vista and Windows XP. Build your skills with seven tutorials and learn everything you'll need, from beginning to advanced topics. Each interactive tutorial is organized for fast and easy learning with practical exercises that build skills quickly and effectively.
More than just videos, you'll interact to perform the correct action during each exercise for better learning and retention. Hundreds of learning topics and beginner through advanced subjects are included.
The CD includes beginner, intermediate & advanced topics. Chapters are organized into specific learning objectives - easily available from the main menu. Introductions, summaries and end-of-chapter quiz questions all reinforce learning. All seven courses use the same design and education methods to ensure consistent quality throughout. You don't need to have Vista running to use this CD. You can have Windows 2000, XP or Vista. You will also need a double Speed CD-ROM drive, 16 MB RAM available, and a sound card. Further information about the Professor Teaches products is available on the Communique website.
Dual booting
Many seniors computer clubs will need to cater for students with either Windows XP or Windows Vista for the next two or three years. This can be managed very simply in your computer classes.
Brian Graham from the COTA Computer Club gave a presentation at the ASCCA conference on How to Dual Boot a club computer.
Can your Windows XP system run Vista?
Do you want to see if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista? Just download, install, and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. This small software tool will scan your computer and create an easy-to-understand report of all known system, device, and program compatibility issues, and recommend ways to resolve them.
Upgrade Advisor can also help you choose the edition of Windows Vista that best fits the way you want to use your computer. Check this out at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx
The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. It will not work with Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor does not collect or send any personal, identifiable data to Microsoft Corporation or third parties.
Vista tips
Turning on Games in Vista Business
Westlakes Seniors Computer Club has purchased Windows Vista Business Upgrade through DonorTec, but was looking for Computer games. Annette Stuckey, Westlakes Secretary contributed this tip: Turn Vista Features On. It is a word document.
Worried about your PC capacity to run software with Vista?
Don't worry. On Windows Vista, you can use Windows ReadyBoost to improve system memory and boost performance. For a good explanation of ReadyBoost, go to the definition on ComputerHope.
You can use a USB (universal serial bus) flash drive to improve performance, without having to add additional memory on your PC. The flash memory device serves as an additional memory cache - that is, memory that the computer can accessmuch more quickly than it can access data on the hard drive.
Windows ReadyBoost relies on the intelligent memory management of Windows SuperFetch and can significantly improve system responsiveness.
To use it:
- Go to Windows Explorer (click on Windows Start, then Computer in list)
- Right mouse click on the Flash Drive
- Select the ReadyBoot tab
- Select the Use this device setting, and
- Click on Apply.
Issues to be aware of include:
- The benefit obtained will depend upon the relative speeds of the flash drive versus your hard disk
- If the maximum space is allocated on the flash drive them it cannot be as easily used as a backup device. The space allocated can be adjusted down to make more user space available, but the Boost benefit will also be reduced, depending on the size of the data that needs to be stored.
In summary, this looks like a relatively simple and cheap way of boosting RAM capacity and performance for Vista users with limited memory.