Comments on: An Open Letter to Microsoft

By: SQLGuyChuck

SQLGuyChuck — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:28:39 +0000

Don’t feel all alone Michelle, I bought an HP laptop with Vista 64bit and it works fine if I don’t hibernate, but when I do 90% of the time it comes up as if it crashed and error reports say there was some kind of issue with windows. Go figure. All drivers the latest too. I also just spent an hour trying to get past login screen, I finally had to boot in safe mode with no network support and shutdown and restart (fixing nothing) and it is working again…I am sure glad SQL runs so much better!

By: SDC

SDC — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:27:51 +0000

I agree with Brent and the SQLBatman. Michelle, you sound a bit like an abused partner making an excuse for the other person in this post. As Lilly Allen and SQLBatman say, it’s not you, it’s them. We’re among friends, we can all agree SQL Server is pretty much the best product Microsoft puts out anymore. But for now I’ll run my virtual machines on my MacBook and enjoy all the extra time I get to spend with my family now that I spend so much less time working with Windows. Thanks and peace out.

By: Rob Boek

Rob Boek — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:41:15 +0000

I haven’t had a problem with SQL Server on Vista. That being said, I’m really excited about Windows 7. I’m currently running the x64 version on both my desktop at home, and my Lenovo X61T (I’m a Thinkpad fan).

I’ve run both DAEMON Tools, and Virtual Clone Drive on Vista. For the 64-bit Windows 7 beta, I’ve had to switch to PowerISO. Microsoft really should add ISO mounting support in the box, but it hasn’t been a big issue for me either way.

SQL Server 2008 does take a while to install if you choose to load everything, but then again, there is a lot being installed. I don’t find it unreasonable at all. In fact, rebuilding my laptop with Windows 7, MS Office, and SQL Server 2008 took less than 2 hours.

By: Aaron Bertrand

Aaron Bertrand — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:39:36 +0000

Michelle, the MacBook / Pro hardware is a little more expensive, but the stability is worth it. And the sexiness outweighs the public ridicule at Microsoft events. It just works better, looks better, and feels better. After a year with a 17″ MacBook Pro, I tossed out a dell for a Mac Pro as my desktop replacement. I do all my Windows work inside a VM or inside RDP. SQL development on its own can be accomplished with Aqua Data Studio. I still have a PC at the office but only because there is no budget for new Mac hardware, otherwise my “PC” would be silver, shiny, and less troublesome.

By: Michelle Ufford

Michelle Ufford — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:41:04 +0000

Must resist…. urge… to impulse buy…. a MacBook….

Phew. That was close.

But I think I’ll be giving it more than casual consideration when my notebook finally dies. If it’s good enough for Brent and that masked SQL man, it’s good enough for me!

By: Brent Ozar

Brent Ozar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:34:10 +0000

Marcus – yep, my Windows 7 problems were due to the ATI video drivers. So now what? Am I not allowed to use Dells on Windows 7? Do I have to throw away my hardware and buy new hardware when a new version of Windows comes out? I don’t have that problem with Mac OSX, for what it’s worth.

By: Marcus Eklund

Marcus Eklund — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:14:20 +0000

Hi,

I have been running Vista since first public beta and never had a problem with installing SQL och similar application, neither on my stationary or laptop.

And neither did i have a problem on Windows 7 Public Beta, That lock up sounds like more of a nasty heat problem or bad drivers.

If it is a laptop, make sure it doesn’t go hot since that causes a lot of problems.

By: SQLBatman

SQLBatman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:34:33 +0000

I am with Brent, my next laptop is a powerbook, just like he has, so i can run VirtualPC and build up whatever environments i desire. plus…ready for this? little to no need for antivirus software hogging up excessive resources.

yeah, that’s right, i surf without protection. know what else? i go out of my way to click on links that i KNOW are unsafe, because they crap out immediately and then i just laugh and laugh. ah, good times.

it is not you, Michelle, it is them. You deserve better than what they have to offer. Join me and Brent and we will show you what true happiness is like.

By: Brent Ozar

Brent Ozar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:34:13 +0000

This is why I use a Mac.

Wait, put the monkey wrench down.

Macs make fantastic hosts for VMware. I can run any OS’s I want as virtual machines, and Macs handle it all gracefully. The underlying host (OSX) is 64-bit, but who cares? It just works, and handles memory smoothly. It’s easier to add & remove programs, it’s visually gorgeous, and it’s fast.

I’m reminded of all the driver problems every time I hassle with a new version of Windows. I tried running Windows 7 on a physical machine here and got so pissed off at the ATI driver reboot problems that I had to give up. Macs have none of those problems – although of course the downside is that you’re confined to the Mac hardware ecosystem. No build-your-own desktops here. (Yes, technically you can do it, but then you’re right back in driver hell, and what’s the point of that?)

By: Tim Mitchell

Tim Mitchell — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:57:30 +0000

Hear hear. After buying a high-end 64 bit machine preloaded with Vista and spending what must now be a couple of man-weeks getting it to perform at an acceptable level, I share your frustration. Hopefully we’ll all share a better experience with Windows 7.