Vista SP1

[Avid6eek]

It looks like the first service pack for Vista could be here in as little as 6 months...

http://theinq.com/default.aspx?article=37125

[stlouis1]

thats because at the moment, the kernels are different in the consumer and enterprise versions. this was actaully part of the plan for some reason. the service pack is going to basically match the consumer kernel to the enterprise/server kernel. the merge of the 2 is expected aroung september ish

i dont know why they did it this way, but they're diong it

[Ace]

Cue laughter?!?!

M$ sure cracks me up sometimes. It's like they're trying to screw things up. It was obvious that Q1 2007 was an insufficient length of time to complete Longhorn (which sounded pretty interesting from the outset), and now we're not even even a third of that, BUT we are getting a new default desktop background, vector images (it took them until 2007...) and a temporarily screwy kernel for some versions? Tempting.

I think I may leave my RTM copy to gather dust somewhere beneath my piles of uncompleted work, until such time as DX10 drops and the ""Vista"" disc suddenly becomes useful. As a coaster.

[stlouis1]

its not a screwy kernel, just different then business and server. they're going to merge the 2 with SP1, its not like a big hotfix or anything like that

[Ace]

Well, if you ask me, that is a screwy kernel. Why are they merging the two post-release (a ridiculous idea)? Clearly they didn't have time to complete the one they're going to release a SP for. M$ doesn't just release SPs for no reason (more work for them), so evidently there is some problem or problems addressed by the newer kernel that aren't addressed by the one that's currently shipping. I don't know any details of what's currently going on with the "Vista" kernel, but if you haven't had time to finish the core bit of the OS, and you're still shipping it, it's screwy in my book. They planned to do a similar thing with WinFS eh (except spanning all versions). A brand new, complex FS, I can understand. A kernel, I can't.

I know everyone running *nix recompiles their kernels every fortnight (myself not included - I'm too lazy), but what we're talking about here is multiple releases of the same version of Winblows running entirely (to the point that it takes + 1/2 yr to sort out) different kernels. Doesn't that sound pathetic? Doesn't that sound like there's a lot wrong with the current shipping kernel on consumer, or that it's just non-optimised, or what? I dunno, maybe my hatred for M$ is clouding my judgement. Maybe the newer kernel just brings a few new .NET-esque optimisations? Bah, I doubt it.

[stlouis1]

i think its really more or less gonna bring some of the server features into the desktop os, being as server isnt due for releast until then.

but i can understadn the lack of understanding, lol, i work here, n we get told nothing. something new comes out that we have to support, we find out 3 weeks after we've figured it out on our own

[Ace]

Hehe standard. I imagined M$ would keep its tech sup fully informed. I guess there's a lot about that company I have yet to discover ;)

You provide tech support right? Is it to business or consumer clients?

[stlouis1]

we're gonna be one of the sites doing consumer support.....i can only dream of doing corporate supprot....it so much better talking to techs and giving them solutions to try and they happily run off and do they're thing.

[Ace]

urgh, i can imagine. consumer support sounds loong. but what are the promotion prospects like in M$? is it easy to move up the ranks? what's it like as an employer? i.e., would u recommend working for M$?

[stlouis1]

yeah, its nice working for MS. i was on my way up to tier 2 on the zune side after only 2 months. but....i got recommended for vista and came here. sok though, zune is slow as hell so ppl get sent home early constantly, way to make a paycheck.

only thing i have a problem with is the ppl who were tier 2 on zune, and moved to vista are automatically vista tier 2. whereas im still stuck as tier 1....we'll see how that goes. i think i can make supervisor in a couple months still, get me off the phone....

only problem i have there, is most jobs i've had, its not so much the customers i have a hard time dealing with, cuz i expect them to be dumb....its my coworkers cuz they shouldn't be dumb

[Rudegar]

unless they want to add server stuff to the cheaper versions and so shoot themselfs in the foot

many of the server kernal features would prob be disabled which could lead to a more bloated kernel which would raise hw requirements of the home versions

[stlouis1]

well, its not just that.

when server comes out, the kernel will have a few more things in it. by upgrading the consumer version to have the same kernel, even if some of the stuff is disabled, it will make patching it later on easier, because they dont have to make patches for 2 different kernels.

we all know that big companies will get priority support, so the same patches they get, consumers will be able to get at the same time. otherwise, how long will the consumer version wait for updates and fixes?

[Rudegar]

yeah i agree
but one have to wonder why they started up using 2 kernels
if it was to lower the home and entry editions requirements
so it would not chok the public as much ?

[stlouis1]

im really not sure on that. but i dont do politics. i just fix it when it breaks, taht enough for me

[speedy11309]

ive been contemplating applying to microsoft at some point either as a co-op or as a job. not entirely sure yet. sooooo much crap to figure out.

[stlouis1]

its not bad. even if your frontline on the phones, the call tracking software is really nice, best i've used yet, i dont know why MS doesnt market it. cuz its sweet, its so streamlined, if i have a 2 minutes call, by the time that call is done, i ahve a case logged in detail before that call is done with a nubmer to give to the customer

[speedy11309]

thats cool. sounds a lot better then other places ive called. but yeah, i wouldnt work for them for that, i'd apply as a software engineer. sooner or later i will apply to google, however.

[Ace]

sounds decent. yeah, I'm looking at Google too; their approach towards workers is so different to most other companies. is anyone here a google employee?

[Zefram]

sounds decent. yeah, I'm looking at Google too; their approach towards workers is so different to most other companies. is anyone here a google employee?

Google have limited employees, and most of them are hardcore old-timers which is there when the company started............
And of course in the company video tour they show all the good stuff, you could bring pets and stuff, decorate your big cubicle, and some of the employee actually live in their office......... wtf?

Owh, btw, how come all of you doesnt meddle with politics? I mean if Bush can become president so does you all :D

[Ace]

I've thought about it, and become involved in (and helped to organise) many political actions & demonstrations... but, it's all futile. There is no other better economic system that we can move to, and so no fundamental changes that I could make. Also, due to the power of businesses in today's society, there are many very real limitations on everyone's power in the political sphere. There doesn't seem to be any point to working your backside off for years just to bat around a few bureaucratic legislations (the exception being the issue of the environment). At least in academics I figure there are research possiblities. Maybe. If I'm lucky.

[speedy11309]

i too have thought about politics but have realized one truth about running: you need butt loads of money to run for any decent office. therefore, i have decided to work till i get some cash then throw my hat in the ring.

[stlouis1]

bah, wya i see it, politicians are like old dogs...whether you punch them, kick them, or spit on them, they still $hit on your lawn