Windows getting too expensive to use ?

from GalCiv2 Forums
The full version of Vista casts $700 in Australia.
This is getting ridiculous.
I can buy a low end computer for this.
On top of that, I am told that games run much slower, even with a high spec machine.

There does not seem to be any alternative.
I had thought of a Linux machine for email and web browsing and a Playstation for games.
My wife creats machine embroidery designs and her software will not run on Linux, so that is out.
It is very annoying.

There. I feel better.
Rant over.
off-topic
18,757 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The alternative, for the moment, is to disregard the new OS. It'd be, frankly, totally insane to get Vista at this point. It's overpriced, it doesn't work, and it has no benefits over XP.

I agree with your overall frustration, though, that games are basically only released for Windows. Personally I have a dual boot machine. I use Windows for games and Linux for virtually everything else. Having to have Windows around solely for that purpose is, to put it mildly, quite annoying. I understand why it's that way, mind you, but still...
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I still multiboot to 98. Vista is useless. Install xp and if your a pretty advanced user its nice to have me or 98s ein there too. I dont even use 2k now that I stopped development. All of the arguements about support are kaka. The fact is that all an OS is ones and zeros, so any company can if they want to produce a driver for any OS and even DOS can be upgraded to take advantage of modern hardware. STick to XP, and trust me make a BC OS like 98 available too. Just watch the difference between madden 2k6 between xp and 98se (has to install under XP)
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
A side note. Linux does rock if you have 3 things


Time to learn and tiem to compile, quell dep hell etc


Patience for the same reasons


A healthy understanding of what a command promt is


Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Try cedega or wine for linux(Could run your wife's programs too). Cedega claims it can run all the newest games and what not. But don't get rid of your windows partion yet, linux can be fiesty. I've gotten a few games to run under wine, but it can be a hassle. Personally I love linux, but I have to have a windows machine for gaming, its just easier. Just remeber, "Linux is only free if your time is worthless"
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'll be six months before any of us really need to get Vista. Even then, only some of us will need it.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I actually had to go with vista for my current computer to be able to fully utilize quad-core. So I'm already running it - and the Ultimate edition of windows very few people will need - home basic isn't expensive (bit more then a game at $70USD and home premium isn't that much worse)

www.newegg.com and go!
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Unfortunately the rest of the world gets to pay twice as much as the US.
I don't really understand that if M$ thinks the rest of the world will pay that price why not the US. I can't imagine Billy boy is being patriotic over this I should imagine he'd be just as happy to fleece people regardless of their nationality.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I'll be six months before any of us really need to get Vista. Even then, only some of us will need it.



I waited 3 years to get XP, which worked out about right. I'm hoping to hold out at least that long with Vista. Ideally I'd just skip it completely, we'll see.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Anyone else remember that the excuse M$ used for product activation in XP and Vista was to combat piracy, and that piracy is why Windows costs so much...

So now that Product Activation has been inconveniencing everyone for years now why does Windows still cost so much? Hmmmmm.....

No Vista for me until absolutely necessary, and even then, maybe not...

Vista, sure it's pretty, but so is a sunset, and both grant computer users the same computing value...
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Vista seems like nothing but problems at the moment. I wish other OS's would gather enough of a following that game dev's would take them seriously. There is no point in having Windows for anything but games, any other OS does everything better and more reliably.

If I could find a way to make GC2, EU3, and Sid Meier's Railroads run on Linux or Solaris, I could say goodbye to M$ forever. Until then I'll just live with XP and all of its shortcomings.