The Vista PC Diet Plan

Iria · Apr 18, 2007, 04:30 PM

Source: Microsoft Watch
__________
Apple's new "Stuffed" commercial pokes fun at preinstalled applications—better known as craplets—loaded up on new Windows PCs. Apple isn't alone in the craplet disdain.

Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg wrote columns on April 5 and April 12 about the craplet dilemma.

Mossberg identified two problems: "One is the plethora of teaser software and advertisements for products that must be cleared and uninstalled to make way for your own stuff. The second is the confusing welter of security programs you have to master and update, even on a virgin machine."

Zardon · Apr 18, 2007, 04:33 PM

"craplet" is a great term. suits this article well. If people buy computers with vista preinstalled from crap retailers then its their own fault. Obviously Apple are going to jump all over it even if this really has nothing to do with MS, just huge companies who build PC's install vista then a ton of crap over it.

I think its time for a guide on DH showing people how to build their own PC from stratch and being able to install their own copy of vista on it.

As for "the second is the confusing welter of security programs you have to master and update, even on a virgin machine" - Walt Mossberg sounds like my father, who has no idea about computers. good person to get to write this kind of article *sighs*

calidan · Apr 18, 2007, 05:37 PM

A lady at work bought a new computer from Best Buy. Geek Squad offered to remove the "craplets" for a fee. 100 dollar fee of course. 100 bucks for taking 15 minutes to remove something that shouldn't be installed.

Zardon · Apr 18, 2007, 06:05 PM

yeah I think Dell do that too. you can tick boxes to have them remove some of their preinstalled stuff when you order it, but they charge more.

GutterPunk · Apr 18, 2007, 07:43 PM

Thats rediculous. That is the reason why macs cost more anyways. Well added crap and higher quality hardware (not as mass produced).

didn't like the article zzzzzzzz

calidan · Apr 18, 2007, 07:48 PM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

Quote:

Standard Security & Performance
Maximize your computer's performance with more than 100 Agent enhancements. We'll personalize your PC to your needs and remove all unnecessary clutter. Install security software to ward off viruses and spyware; software included. Install all critical updates.
In store: $129
In home: $229

I was looking online earlier and saw this on their website. It's hilarious!! "More than 100 Agent enhancements." What the hell is that? "Install all critical updates." That should already be done when someone buys a new PC. The price is just ridiculous. I could see 50-75 bucks in store. Maybe 75-100 for in home. Not those prices. I wonder how much that geek gets paid for the work.

clicker666 · Apr 18, 2007, 09:12 PM

Crazy stuff. One of my users brought his new HP Vista system in for me to setup for him. First thing to go, all the craplets. HP Experience, Wild Tangent Games, 3 month Norton... bye bye. Then I got to figure out how to get Maximizer to run on Vista lol.

Good thing I got the company to buy my current rig so I'd be Vista-knowledgeable. *grin*

Zeph · Apr 18, 2007, 09:15 PM

I'm rather upset with this install of Vista from Dell. I got a notebook from them, but it was wrong. While I had it, Vista was amazing. The one I got back had soo much crap on it, I even got startup problems with the registry from where something either from Dell, Corell, or the other stuff they put on it that I didn't want them to royally screwed with it. Once I can find a blank CD-R/RW i'm gonna nuke the drive to zeros and reinstall the OS, but leave off the crap they added on.

Zardon · Apr 18, 2007, 09:28 PM

Zeph thats appalling man you should phone technical support and complain. Its well within your rights.

GutterPunk · Apr 18, 2007, 09:31 PM

Get this awesome shit...
HP put stuff in the task scheduler.... it asks you every 5-10 minutes to extend your plan or find internet service. What a waste! The avg. user won't know what to do w/ those annoying pop ups.

Zardon · Apr 18, 2007, 09:44 PM

is this on vista gutterpunk?

calidan · Apr 19, 2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GutterPunk

Thats rediculous. That is the reason why macs cost more anyways. Well added crap and higher quality hardware (not as mass produced).

didn't like the article zzzzzzzz

That's not the reason Macs cost more. There is only one company making them for one. I wouldn't even say they use higher quality hardware. Most of the hardware on a Mac is no different than a PC. The only difference before they went with Intel was the processor. Anyway, this is just marketing from Apple. Some of it is true but exaggerated.

GutterPunk · Apr 19, 2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

is this on vista gutterpunk?

yes it was.. vista home premium brand new hp

GutterPunk · Apr 19, 2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calidan

That's not the reason Macs cost more. There is only one company making them for one. I wouldn't even say they use higher quality hardware. Most of the hardware on a Mac is no different than a PC. The only difference before they went with Intel was the processor. Anyway, this is just marketing from Apple. Some of it is true but exaggerated.

yeah but windows based vendors get change for each "trial" app they put on... they have to!

Also, the mac mobos and stuff isn't near as cheap as a lot of cheap consumer pcs.

There is a lot of exaggeration on the mac side... but thats their marketing scheme.

Zeph · Apr 19, 2007, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Zeph thats appalling man you should phone technical support and complain. Its well within your rights.

Well, I've allready went through hell just to get the correct hardware. Took about a month after ordering, and some person high enough up to actually live in the US gave me a thousand dollar discount on top of the 25% discount I origionally had on it. I do feel like bitching to them about it, but it probably wouldn't result in anything.

Apr 18, 2007, 04:30 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	The Vista PC Diet Plan Source: Microsoft Watch __________ Apple's new "Stuffed" commercial pokes fun at preinstalled applications—better known as craplets—loaded up on new Windows PCs. Apple isn't alone in the craplet disdain. Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg wrote columns on April 5 and April 12 about the craplet dilemma. Mossberg identified two problems: "One is the plethora of teaser software and advertisements for products that must be cleared and uninstalled to make way for your own stuff. The second is the confusing welter of security programs you have to master and update, even on a virgin machine."

Apr 18, 2007, 05:37 PM	#3
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	A lady at work bought a new computer from Best Buy. Geek Squad offered to remove the "craplets" for a fee. 100 dollar fee of course. 100 bucks for taking 15 minutes to remove something that shouldn't be installed. __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Apr 18, 2007, 07:43 PM	#5
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 71	Thats rediculous. That is the reason why macs cost more anyways. Well added crap and higher quality hardware (not as mass produced). didn't like the article zzzzzzzz __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Apr 18, 2007, 09:12 PM	#7
clicker666 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 327 Rep Power: 0	Crazy stuff. One of my users brought his new HP Vista system in for me to setup for him. First thing to go, all the craplets. HP Experience, Wild Tangent Games, 3 month Norton... bye bye. Then I got to figure out how to get Maximizer to run on Vista lol. Good thing I got the company to buy my current rig so I'd be Vista-knowledgeable. grin __________________

Apr 18, 2007, 09:15 PM	#8
Zeph DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 190 Rep Power: 0	I'm rather upset with this install of Vista from Dell. I got a notebook from them, but it was wrong. While I had it, Vista was amazing. The one I got back had soo much crap on it, I even got startup problems with the registry from where something either from Dell, Corell, or the other stuff they put on it that I didn't want them to royally screwed with it. Once I can find a blank CD-R/RW i'm gonna nuke the drive to zeros and reinstall the OS, but leave off the crap they added on. __________________

Apr 18, 2007, 04:33 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	"craplet" is a great term. suits this article well. If people buy computers with vista preinstalled from crap retailers then its their own fault. Obviously Apple are going to jump all over it even if this really has nothing to do with MS, just huge companies who build PC's install vista then a ton of crap over it. I think its time for a guide on DH showing people how to build their own PC from stratch and being able to install their own copy of vista on it. As for "the second is the confusing welter of security programs you have to master and update, even on a virgin machine" - Walt Mossberg sounds like my father, who has no idea about computers. good person to get to write this kind of article sighs

Apr 18, 2007, 06:05 PM	#4
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	yeah I think Dell do that too. you can tick boxes to have them remove some of their preinstalled stuff when you order it, but they charge more.

Apr 18, 2007, 09:28 PM	#9
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Zeph thats appalling man you should phone technical support and complain. Its well within your rights.

Apr 18, 2007, 09:31 PM	#10
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 71	Get this awesome shit... HP put stuff in the task scheduler.... it asks you every 5-10 minutes to extend your plan or find internet service. What a waste! The avg. user won't know what to do w/ those annoying pop ups. __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Apr 18, 2007, 09:44 PM	#11
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	is this on vista gutterpunk?