Vista Frustrations

Microsoft Windows Vista is without a doubt the most frustrating operating system I have ever encountered ... and I haven't even installed it yet!

In fact, I have yet to receive it. My sad saga began with my first Vista Upgrade order back in February. When I checked back after the requisite 4-week waiting period, I was told my order had never been completed - they couldn't say why. So I sent in a second order April 3rd. According to the website (which I just checked yesterday morning) it was confirmed, although not shipped. Then last night I got a disconcerting email saying that technical difficulties had caused my order to be canceled and I had to resubmit. So I tried doing that this morning - only to be told my all-important COA number could not be validated. AARGH!!!!!

So I called them (fortunately I had saved the call centre number because the one in the email was incorrect - it took me to the Cordon Bleu Cooking School!). And according to the lady I spoke with my April order seems fine and the email probably referred to the February order.

It better have. What a pathetic operation. Apparently they are weeks behind with their shipping. There's nothing to do since I'm supposedly "confirmed" and there is nothing she could see wrong with the order; it's just pending shipping. But here's the catch: if there is an order problem and you haven't submitted a new order by April 30th you're out of luck.

I know I'm my own worst enemy. I shouldn't be feeling my heart pounding and my blood pressure rising over this. I shouldn't have my sleep disturbed and be fretting over something that is so insignificant in the vast scheme of things. But I don't handle stress well at all (at least not this kind of stress; I'm much better in a classroom full of thirty teenagers). And it's the principle of the thing. I bought a laptop (which I love, by the way, regardless of the operating system installed) that included a free upgrade to Vista Home Premium and I WILL get what I'm entitled to.

Even though I may not even install it. Certainly not right away. I'm very happy with the XP Media Centre Edition that I have, and what I've read about Vista hasn't convinced me there is any urgent need to upgrade. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm concerned about their draconian security measures that necessitate authorizing every little action. I think if you use safe computing practices you should be OK. I'm especially concerned about programs - including Zone Alarm - that wouldn't run. And I'm wondering if it isn't a bit of a memory and resource hog too. As the old adage goes: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". And for now I'm contented. Probably the time will come when bugs are smoothed out and software is happily compatible, but I don't think it's quite here yet. And I'm toying with the idea of getting Dan a new computer for his birthday. It would automatically come with Vista, so I'd get to play around with all the new bells and whistles then.

We'll I'm feeling a little better now. A long walk by the lake helped. So did "writing it out". I really have to learn to deal with stress more effectively or I'm sure never going to see 100!

Regardless, I'd better get my copy of Vista eventually or, as my mom used to say, there's going to be "H-E-double hockey sticks" to pay!