Hasta la Vista, baby!

PC_World, which seems to be one of my trusted friends to keep me up to date with new software and stuff recently had its say about Vista. especially the leastest version. The title tips you off that it may not be a glowing endorsement, but at least they could actually think of a reason for it to even exist - "So Microsoft can say that Vista costs "as little as $100."

Home Basically
-There's-No-Reason-to-Buy-This

The cheapest version of Vista, Home Basic, is so crippled it can't run the Aero interface. Theoretically, that's a boon for owners of machines that aren't capable of running Aero. But it's time for some tough love, people: If your PC can't run Aero, you have no need for Vista. Period. On machines that aren't Aero-capable, the rest of the OS will run slowly enough that you're better off sticking with XP until it's time to buy a new Vista PC. So why does Home Basic exist? So Microsoft can say that Vista costs "as little as $100."

I haven't been overly excited about Vista. Indeed, as far as I was concerned, they could have delayed the launch until Y2.1K (I'm starting now with this representation of New Year's 2100) . I'm just kinda choked when an OS won't deign to even run slow on your machine with less than 512MB of memory. But as my old young tech guru, Tom Clegg liked to point out - "It's great that Windows demands the hardware developers never cease making things cheaper and faster." Of course I'm the kind of fellow who would happily still run Windows 98, as long as I had a later version with robust USB support and USB ready hardware. I was loathe to acquire a system running on XP and even now make it look like 98. Of course I also get happy when I can find a reason to work at a command line. One has to accept one's failings and addictions, I guess.

  Even Wackier USB Devices

On a lighter note there's a feature on wacky USB devices including this four port USB hub.

Your computer crashed, again. Your boss is yelling at you to meet that deadline, and your car won't start. Don't you just feel like blowing up the world? Well, now you can. Just break out the Armageddon Hub, flip the two switches, turn the key, open the plastic cover, and push the red "ultimate destruction" button. Okay, nothing will actually happen (except some loud honking noises), but the Armageddon Hub actually does serve a useful purpose--it doubles as a four-port USB hub. And it's useful for taunting people with the occasional: "If you don't leave me alone, I'm going to blow up the world."