My Professor wants me to get XP?

My professor suggested to me getting windows XP professional instead of vista... I say no I would rather have Vista 64 bit.... and Even more so Windows 7 on May 5th, what should I say my parents are taking him very seriously.

BTW... I'm going into Virtual technology and design so I have to follow his instructions for the most part, as it's a very competitive program (They will cut kids off that are in the bottom 30% of the class :/ yikes, due to the cost of the resources they are giving us, also keep in mind this was an program that I had to be accepted into)

 

Get Vista - most of the issues that initially gave Vista a lot of negative hype are now resolved, and in my experience at least, Vista is now a lot more stable than XP.

 

Yeah I agree I absolutely love vista, and Windows 7 looks like a massive improvement as well... (is it a add on for vista? or a completely new operating system?)

 

Agreed, go with Vista.

Windows 7 builds on top of Vista, many refer to it as "Vista done right."

 

ahhhh I got a chubby when I watched the video for it lol, it looks like the ease of Mac OSX and Vista put together

 

Seems like your professor just doesn't want to do some reading up. Personally, I wouldn't even consider him a professor even if he does have a Phd because he can't keep up with technology.

Go Vista and then go 7 when it comes out.

 

What are his REASONS for making this suggestion?

Gary

 

I really have no Idea, maybe he has a personal preference for XP and so He wants everybody running on the same operating system as him....?

 

Is it possible the course uses older software that will not run in Vista? My first term I had to use XP Pro because the virtual Machine program the school used was a little sketchy and didn't work well in Vista. Was fixed by the next term though.

 

No... I have seen the programs they use, its all current Gen... High end stuff, (Maya, Zdsoft etc.) I think it's just the professors OS, so maybe he wants us all working on the same page... anyway I've decided Screw em, I'm most likely getting a Sager Np5797, Qx9300, 4gb ddr3 ram... Windows Vista 64 ultimate and Windows 7!!! yea

 

Probably doesn't want to get assignments in Word 2007 .docx format. lol I had a linux Professor like that. Guy hated Vista, said it used to much RAM, would say "What if RAM cost $1000 a chip like it did?" Our Answer? "It doesn't".

 

Your professor wants you to get XP as he knows what is is talking about! XP is based on a real OS kernel, rather than Vista's bloated resource hog kernel. All vista adds is visual effect that get boring after a while, at the end of the day, speed is what matters. and Vista, under no circumstances, can beat neither in boot / shutdown times, nor in system responsiveness, no to the continuous unnecessary hard drive bashing! god ! the list goes on.......POS Vista really!

 

Just because you know the word 'kernel' doesn't make you knowledgeable about operating systems.

Vista. Isn't. A. Resource. Hog. Stop. Repeating. Crap.
It manages resources intelligently, pre-loading files it predicts you will want, freeing up RAM when you need it... the list goes on.

Seriously. Every next operating system since MS-DOS has had higher system requirements - this applies to Mac OS as well. This is because they are more and more capable...

All it adds is visual effects? If you're talking about that, Aero is a GPU-accelerated window composer that offloads composing windows from the CPU to the often-idle GPU.
Also, under the hood, much has changed... I dunno, I don't see XP self-optimizing it's boot sequence or downloading it's own drivers...

 

I would definitely ask him why. He may have a legit reason. Some software does not work with Vista 64bit like the Checkpoint VPN client I use for work. It's best to verify the reason.

 

Yeah ask the teacher why tos ee if there is an actual reason. Some teachers are stubborn with technology, but maybe he has a genuine reason why he'd rather you use XP.

The applications thing is one thing, some older 32bit applications are sketchy on 64bit(a few CAD programs come to mind) and some just plain don't work unless it's a specific 64bit version(which the school might not want to fund you, unlike the 32bit they might have).

Another thing is, perhaps the teacher isn't familiar with Vista and would rather teach you something he knows. Yes, that's partially his fault for not keeping up to date, but sometimes people don't have time nor interest to keep up to date. That being said, he'd want to teach something he's sure he knows rather than BS that he knows Vista. That way, if a problem arises, he might be able to help you unlike if you're using an OS he has no idea how it works.

So yeah, bottom line, I'd ask him before making a decision. If he has a legit reason, then you can weigh whether or not it's worth it and if there isn't one, then you can stick with Vista and late upgrade to Windows 7 if you want.

 

Like everyone else said, ask him why he wants you to use XP. If it's just because he's Mr.Scrooge, then use Vista/7. If there's a genuine reason, and it's something to do with compatibility, well then ya.

 

I am very surprised people recommended Vista without even finding out more details. What are the specs of the target system, what type of software exactly will it be running, how old is this software, how much RAM will be needed etc.

 

See the last post on the previous page.

And most modern computers are powerful enough to run it.

 

That's the point. The computer he has/is getting is modern, therefore can run Vista/7. The problem comes when either the software isn't compatible or is just too old. But if it really is *high-end* then it may just be the professor who has a problem.

 

You talk rubbish, you have no idea, are you sure your not his professor.

 

Another Vista bashing thread (flame bait), using a clever way - blaming it on the teacher.

cheers ...

 

I wouldn't see it that way.

The OP wants Vista - his teacher says XP - he is loking for reasons why.

To the OP:
Your system will fly with Vista

But do as the others have suggested - ask for the reason - if he names some software, check up, ask here on NBR.

If he can't give you a reason - go with Vista for definite

 

Is this for a new laptop? With what you're running, you might consider something like a Dell portable workstation with a Windows Business/Downgrade to XP option. That way you'll have XP to use now, and Vista install discs if you decide to go that route later (or skip to Windows 7 when it is released to retail, or even dual-boot XP with the Windows 7 preview, to be replaced with the retail version later).

 

Three questions:

(1) Did you ask your professor why he was suggesting XP-Pro? It's possible that he's just too lazy to get up to speed on .Vista, but it's also possible that the coursework materials work using XP and not .Vista, and it could be that he hasn't updated them yet because either (a) it takes a long time to rewrite the stuff, or (b) he, too, is waiting for the release of Win7 before updating the course materials - why update everything for .Vista when he'll just have to do the same thing again for next year when Win7 is out?

(2) Did he really suggest - as in "geez, kid, if it were up to me and I were buying the system, I'd just go with XP Pro" - or did he "suggest" - as in "it's a mandatory requirement for my course, and if you don't have a copy of XP Pro to work with, you will not pass my course and therefore will not be able to continue the Virtual Tech/Design program." If it was the former, then you're probably free to do as you please, so go ahead and get .Vista; however, if it was the latter, then what are you thinking? Get XP Pro for his class and then if you really need to have .Vista, too, dual-boot.

(3) Who's paying for it? If your parents (or anyone other than yourself) are going to pay for the copy of XP Pro that your professor wants you to have, then what do you care? Let them buy XP Pro, and you can buy a copy of .Vista and set up a dual-boot so that you have XP Pro available when you need it to placate your prof., and you have .Vista available when you want it to placate yourself.

 

It really doesn't matter if your Prof is right or wrong or if you respect him or not. Or even if he's deserving of respect.

It is he that you will receive your grade, and he you must please. Vista may well be a better choice for the tasks at hand, but is it worth standing your ground over something so trivial? Might be better to choose your battles when they really matter and get the best grade you can.

 

Why? Because it's easier to teach if everyone's using the exact same thing. Instead of saying "click here, then here OR here, then here and here", you just have "click here and if it doesn't work, you fail".

Not to mention it shouldn't matter at all what operating system you're using. If this is a programming class, then your program better work the same on Vista/XP/OSX and Linux.

 

Rob41 has a flair for getting right to the meat of the matter! Do yourself a favor and follow his advice.

 

Well... you could still us Vista - and if the prof gives you a worse mark write to someone higher up and complain about discrimination.
And if its the US - why not take him to court - if its not an actual technical limitation - stranger things have been taken to court in the US.

 

On what basis?

 

Discrimination.

If you get a worse mark just because you use Vista instead of XP.

(That is providing you get the work done correctly and on time)

 

You're only protected on discrimination when it stems from race, gender, age, disability, religion, and maybe a few others categories. Unless you can prove that you worship the Vista gods, good luck with your case.

 

In the US you can claim just about anything - so the OP can always try.

On another note - I believe the OP is planning on a laptop with a quad-core - how is quad-core support in XP?

 

No, no you can't - you'll be laughed out of the courts. And that's a very ignorant thing to say. I might as well say that if he were in Europe, he could sue the professor because he's forcing him to use a Microsoft operating system, and that's forcing him into a monopoly.

What you're suggesting is silly and stupid. It adds nothing to the discussion, and can be construed as flamebait.

 

Well there must be ways the OP can protest - if there are no technical limitations I can't see how he can be forced to use a certain OS.
I'd even go as far as to say he can use any tool he wants provided the professor can read the files in the end.

example HTML
if your pofessor suggests Visual Web Developer and you use Dreaweaver he can't just grade you down - the results (HTML, and possibly CSS) would be the same.

 

That's correct - see my first post in this thread. But to suggest involving the court system in something as trivial as this is inane. If the professor is unfair for the sake of being unfair, the school will deal with it.

 

I don't want your indulgent superfluous legal talk in my thread! lol

 

Well there you go - and I also wrote in my first statement "someone higher up" - I believe that would be within the institution. Afterwards we deviated from the original topic on the second part of my original comment...

I think we finished.

And to repeat a question I asked earlier:

I believe the OP wants a laptop with a quad-core - how is quad-core support in XP?

 

Actually, the depressing fact of the matter is that you can claim almost anything in court in the US - you won't win, but neither will you (generally) get fined or otherwise penalized for bringing what really is in substance a frivolous claim.

On the topic of different software, clearly, if the only thing the prof. will see and/or grade are the end results, and those results would be identical whether the OP used XP or .Vista, then there would be no point in the prof. insisting on one or the other; furthermore, there would be no way for the prof. to tell that the OP had used XP or .Vista, which would make the whole debate moot.

It therefore must follow that either (a) the end product will betray its source as either XP or .Vista, or (b) the prof. will being seeing something other than just the final end-product, or will otherwise know which OS the OP was using (perhaps because it will be used in class, where the professor can inspect each student's screen).

If the answer is (a), then clearly the choice of OS is relevant (even if minimally so) to the pedagogical aims of the class, and therefore the professor would be fully justified in obliging his students to use one OS over another.

If the answer is (b), and assuming that result (a) doesn't also apply, then - even though the professor doesn't have any justification for requiring XP over .Vista - there is nothing to be gained by gainsaying him, since you run the risk of being downgraded, and it would be impossible to demonstrate after the fact that the sole or primary reason for the bad grade was the professor's dislike of the OS you chose - there are simply too many other factors that the professor could have legitimately taken into account that would account for the lower grade.

Further, most professors are given very wide latitude in how they exercise their discretion in choosing the tools they will use in their classes. For example, in almost any subject taught in school there are at least two different textbooks that cover the subject. Generally, a professor will choose a particular textbook and stay with it, even if the basis for favoring that one over all the others is purely personal and idiosyncratic. However, no matter how arbitrary a professor's reason for selecting a particular textbook to use in his classes, that choice is almost totally immune to attack by a student, and a student who persisted in using another textbook that the student preferred over the textbook selected by the professor will have no ground to contest a lower grade that resulted from that decision to gainsay the professor.


P.s., @DetlevCM: What's "HTLM"?

 

It'd be a pretty short, boring thread, then!

 

Dude...listen to your professor...he's a smart man! XP > .Vista

 

Thanks for making me aware of the typo Shyster.

I just thought of something - is any "networking" involved?

Unless something has changed, XP & Vista networks can develop their own flaws problems...

 

I'm sorry this makes me actually ROFL, I am having difficulty composing myself.



On topic, if the prof just wants to keep everyone on the same page, then go with XP, using Win 7 or Vista could affect how well you can keep up with the rest of the class. May cause you unwanted difficulties. I know it is a pain, but it may save you suffering greater in the long run, with such things as poor grades or trying to keep up with the class. This would be difficult if instructions given to the class need to be translated.

 

We aims ta please!

 

Why not just dual boot XP and Vista and everyone is happy. Could be some programs he has works in XP and not Vista.

 

Doesn't Windows 7 have a xp mode? If all fails, like the other posters mention why not just dual boot than take the chance of getting a lower grade or failing.

 

Ahh please, everyone knows in Vista & Win. 7 you will see Blue Screens too...Pffff! It comes w/ the OS. That's a good one though...I must say.

+Rep for your trouble.

 

to be fair, linux and OSX also have their own equivalent of BSOD's

 

The OP is in college....he can get student versions of the OS for like $5. Get them both and dual boot.

 

Yes, but you encounter kernel panics about as often as you encounter a jackalope.

 

Try $99. Maybe $89 for XP Home. You were close.

If I were the OP, I would just dual boot XP and Vista/7 as long as I needed XP, just to keep everyone happy. Then, once I was done with the class and certain that I wouldn't need it any more, I'd wipe the XP partition clean and extend my Vista/7 partition to take over the extra space.