VISTA IS HERE BUT IS IT HERE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?

Microsoft finally released their highly anticipated, next generation operating system, Windows Vista, the successor to Windows XP. Microsoft's introduction to its new OS was unprecedented in that it far overshadowed its previous introductory fanfares. Not surprising given the company's gargantuan investment of time and dollars in its development.

For now, I'm not going to focus on any of Vista's many new features but rather try and answer the question "Should I go out and buy Vista now?" Let me first say that my answers do not necessarily apply only to Vista but rather to all major new operating system releases.

Apple's new OS X Leopard is right around the corner so you can for the most part apply these words of wisdom to Apple as well. It's just that Vista's release has caused so many to write in and call my Computer America radio talk show asking that very question. So here's what I, my co-host and several other guest editors and industry pundits have come up with as some general answer guidelines.

The answer was a resounding "No" if you already own a computer. Even the entry-level version "Home Basic" requires a fairly new and robust computer to run it properly. And the buzz out there is to avoid that version since so many of the needed housekeeping functions and most of the fun applications like the Windows Media Center for your photos, music, DVD, recorded TV and such aren't included. If you do decide to upgrade your current PC, you're going to need to add lots more memory, a bigger hard drive and upgrade the graphics card and that's just for starters. By the time you finish all the needed hardware upgrades, you might as well just buy a new computer that's up to the task and it will already come with Vista installed.

The other main issue against upgrading immediately is compatibility. The necessary hardware drivers to run your older peripherals like your printer and scanner may not be available yet for Vista. And there's a chance that some applications may not work properly with the new OS too. So even if you manage to upgrade the hardware, you still might not be able to do the day to day tasks you use your computer to manage.

Now of course, if you're the kind of person who loves to tinker, then upgrading early has your name written all over it. But if you just want to use your PC to get the jobs done, then waiting seems like the more prudent thing to do.

As with anything as complex as a new OS, there will be bugs and compatibility issues. The one thing that will fix most of them is time. So the question is how long should you wait until you make the leap? The answer is a fairly simple one. As the Borg from Star Trek used to say, "Resistance is futile." Eventually, you will find yourself using Vista (unless you use a Mac and even then you may still find yourself using it since Intel-based Macs can run Windows). Eventually you will get a new machine which will already have Vista installed. By then, at least all the hardware you buy for your new system will run Vista and the applications will more than likely work with it as well. They'll have to or they'll find themselves passed over for something that will. Because Vista is here and it's here to stay for a very long time.

But for now, your copy of Windows XP should do just fine. Yes it won't have all the new and fancy eye-candy features like the beautiful Aero graphics that feature Windows 3D Flip that lets you scan through dozens of open windows at a time. So hang in there and know that if you plan to stick with the Windows platform, Vista will eventually be on your desktop. Give all those hardware manufacturers a chance to finish developing their drivers and application developers to make sure their products work the way you want them to. Just give Vista a little more time.