Windows Vista & E-Playbook |
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Windows Vista - a brief introduction
Vista is the newest operating system from Microsoft. Released to the public on January 30, 2007. Vista is the successor to Windows XP, which was released in 2001. From the 'outside looking in' the major improvements include:
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A new 'Graphical User Interface' |
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Improved 'Search' tools |
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Improved Security |
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Multimedia creation tools (Windows DVD) |
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Improved/Easier networking |
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As with most 'major Windows releases', it is now almost impossible to purchase a new computer that does not uses Vista, so good-bad-or indifferent we better all get used to Vista because it is has taken over and it is here to stay.
E-Playbook and Vista
As of 5/1/2007 (E-Playbook version 3.5.3) E-Playbook fully supports Microsofts' Vista operating. There are no special settings that are required to install/run E-Playbook on a Vista computer. There are three primary differences when compared to a Windows XP computer:
1) Your 'top level folder' is no longer located in the folder C:\Program Files\E Playbook
2) Play 'pictures' created in E-Playbook are no longer located in the folder C:\Program Files\E Playbook\Export
3) You will be required to download a Microsoft 'patch' to open the E Playbook User's Manual
Vista - should you upgrade or switch?
These are our suggestions (it's up to you what you do with them)
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If you don't need to buy a new computer - then don't, you should not be in a hurry to switch to Vista |
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If you have an XP computer DON'T UPGRADE TO VISTA |
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If you have to buy a new computer - you have no choice other than Vista, but we would strongly suggest: |
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1) A dual-core processor (Intel "Core Duo" or AMD "Turion 64 x 2)
2) Minimum of 1 GB of memory - Vista can be slow, the more memory the better
3) You can find some nice Vista laptop's (Toshiba, Gateway, or Dell) for around $600 to $700 |
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Vista Gotcha's: |
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1) Some of your old software may not work (or work reliably) on Vista
2) Old peripherals (printers, FlashDrives, etc...) may not work
3) If you are comfortable with XP - take a deep breath, as with most things it gets better over time (or after
a few beers)
4) For security reasons Vista puts a lot of files and folders in different places than on XP systems - take a little
time and get to be an expert with the Vista 'Search' tool (setting appropriate options) |
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Vista - Pro's & Cons
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Pro's: |
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1) Easier to use for 1st time computer user's than XP
2) Beautiful screen displays
3) Better for creating multimedia stuff |
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Cons: |
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1) Difficult transition for XP user's (there is a lot of 'fluff' that just gets in your way)
2) Requires a more powerful computer (has a tendency to seem slow)
3) Some older programs and peripherals (printers) may not work (or work as expected) on a Vista system
4) The XP/2000 Windows 'Help' format (including the E-Playbook User's Manual) is no longer supported
(but Microsoft offers a free download taht adds this support to Vista) |
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Finding E-Playbook folders & files in Vista
To increase computer security and to 'better match' traditional (Unix) computer architectures, Vista is significantly different than it predecessors (XP/2000/98). The primary difference is that 'user data' can no longer be stored in the 'primary' Program Files 'path'. While this change will be transparent to you while you are 'working in E-Playbook', once 'outside' of E-Playbook you will not find many of your E-Playbook folders & files in the same location as XP/2000 systems.
In Microsofts' new Vista operating system all 'user data' must be stored within your 'User Account'. For this example the user is Tom Landry. The table below demonstrates the differences in folder structures for Windows XP versus Windows Vista:
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Windows Vista |
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Tom Landry (current user) |
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Dallas Cowboys - Landry (your files are here) |
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Export (your 'pictures' are here) |
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PlayDisplay.ini (program settings are here) |
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Dallas Cowboys - Landry (your files are here) |
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Export (your 'pictures' are here) |
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PlayDisplay.ini (program settings are here) |
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