So today I took delivery of my shiny new XPS M1330, here is my thoughts so far [end of day 1]

Background:

For years (and years…) I have been using a Dell Inspiron 1100.  I think of it as the little laptop that could.  I had a P4 and 1Gb of RAM but it didn’t take much to bring it to a halt.  It also generated enough heat that I had global warming protesters picketed outside for a month… I tried Vista on it and it had a WEI of 1, and to top it off I cannot live in 1024x768 for one more day!

So trying to run the latest hotness like Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 betas was completely out of the question.

It would also blue screen switching between screen and VGA out.  OK, enough space spent on the old, bring on the new!

The new hotness

So I bit the bullet and went in for a new laptop.  After much research I chose the Dell XPS M1330.  In red.  Pillar box red.  Sexy lingerie red.  Very very red.

While the 64Gb Solid State hard drive would have been an awesome inclusion, for the extra $1000 I just couldn’t do it.

Out of Box experience.

It comes in an XPS sleeve that is actually pretty good quality, down to magnetic fasteners and neoprene sides.

Further investigation revealed a folder to keep the CDs and manuals.  It looked something like an executive folder you might take to a meeting.  A nice surprise in there was an XPS microfibre cloth.

The first thing I noticed was the weight.  This is one very light machine.  Thin, small and light. 

Upon plugging it in, the screen struck me as being exactly what the doctor ordered for the 1024x768 blues.  It is clear, bright and crisp.  Also very thin!

Design, design, design

It’s the details. 

If you search for pictures of the M1330 you will always come up with a side profile but the coolness of the hinge design for the lid didn’t dawn on me until I saw it – no, until I felt it.

At the top of the keyboard are a set of controls to eject the CD/DVD, control the audio & playback etc.  These are not buttons per se, but little touch sensitive spots that glow when you touch them.  Very cool.

The XPS M1330 comes with Creative EP-630 Noise Isolation earphones that compare quite favourably to my standard work wear – Philips SHP805.  They have 3 sizes of rubber seal for your ear, dunno how they feel when used for extended periods yet.  This was a nice surprise.

...and there are other little supprises all throughout this machine.  Someone, somewhere put thought into the design of this machine and it shows.

Now, to uninstall the crapware…

Having had a bit to do with Dell over the years, first thing I always do is open Control Panel and uninstall the bloat.  I was pleased to see so little preinstalled on my machine.

I removed:

• Google Desktop
• Google IE Toolbar
• Microsoft Works  (I have Office and didn’t want to pay for a redundant CAL, so Works is the only choice when ordering)

Things that may go if they show me the first sign of trouble, but can stay for now:

• Dell Browser Address Error Redirection (whatever that is!)
• Roxio Creator Home

So, what’s not to like:

There are a couple of minor things – so minor I only list them for completeness.  None of these are an obstacle to being very happy with this machine:

1. When you eject a CD the sound is like strangling a pigeon. Don’t ask me how I know what that sounds like, it just does.
2. Chipset does not support Intel VT.  I use Virtual PC a lot, but VMs run fine without it.
3. The system comes with a 10Gb recovery partition.  This isn’t a worry to me with 250Gb but if I had gone for the 64Gb Solid State drive for the extra thou’ I would be nuking this straight away
4. The battery in the media remote is tricky to seat properly. 

The Essential Stats:

Dell XPS M1330

CPU: Intel Core2 Duo @ T7500 2.2Ghz

OS: Windows Vista Business 32 Bit

RAM: 4Gb RAM installed – 3.5Gb Visible to 32bit OS

WEI:  4.0, broken down as follows

• processor: 5.1
• RAM: 4.8
• Graphics: 4.0
• Gaming Graphics: 4.5
• Primary Hard Disk: 5.2
  

Video: NVidia 8400M GS w/ 128Mb RAM – 1280 x 800 x 32 on 13.3”

HDD: 250Gb WD SATA

Overall

Since it is only day 1 I can't be definitive, but this machine shows every sign of being a great developer PC.  Recommended. 

I have a ColorPlus monitor profiling spyder by what was formally marketed as Pantone and is now Datacolor and I profile my monitors regularly.

Today was the first time I have tried to profile it since I built my new dev workstation.  It turns out the (circa 2004) ColorPlus spider that has served me well so far is now in the legacy bin.  While it works great on Vista x32 with the XP driver it has not had signed drivers released for Vista x64.

This lead me to look at what was the latest news for loading unsigned drivers into Vista x64, since I only need the thing to run for 5 minutes once every couple of months I was hoping to see that there would be some BCDEdit trickery that may let me reboot into a non-standard config, generate an ICC profile and then boot back into "real" Windows.  Seems that option was supported on Vista RC2 and removed for the RTM.

What has this to do with Linchpin Labs?

Further investigation showed up the case of Linchpin Labs (who have a Willoughby NSW address, as well as Ottawa CA).   Linchpin released a widget called Atsiv that was itself signed and would let you load unsigned drivers through it. 

Things got interesting when Microsoft categorized Atsiv as malware. 

The Microsoft position on this is detailed in the Windows Vista Security blog, and the equally detailed response by Linchpin Labs is detailed on their site.  It's unfortunate that Linchpin do not have a blog because it would be interesting to contrast the comments on the MSDN blog to any they attract.

As for the comments it seems lots of folks think their obligation ends with complaining.  It may be fun to type crap on a message board, but my respect is reserved for the folks who put time into finding the solutions.

But, what seems missing in the discussion to me is that (depending on how you count the numbers) between 40 and 60 million copies of Vista have been shipped in 19 languages to 70 countries.  Only a slim slice of that huge number of users are the tech savvy / tech professional community who, generally speaking, keep technology and the internet working and profitable for the rest of the world.  I think it is right that security decisions favor the great unwashed masses rather than the techno-elite, who should be able to look after themselves.  A bit of perspective please people.

If you get to the bottom of the Linchpin Labs announcement you find the following:

  Linchpin Labs would like to suggest that Microsoft spend less time using debatable policy as a security mechanism, and spend more time actually tightening its operating systems.

Wha??  Isn't that what this is all about?  Driver Signing Policy is tightening the OS.  Other examples of Vista security enhancements include:

• Restricted Services (service hardening)
• DEP and NX, including supporting hardware-based DEP 
• User Account Control (UAC)
• Windows Defender / Windows Firewall / Windows Security Center (techies:  think of the 98% of the world; they need hand holding, OK)
• Network Access Protection (NAP) 
• Bitlocker and EFS
• ActiveX Opt-In, support for EV Certs and anti-phishing filter support in IE7
• ...

...and probabbly others.  Yeah I'd call this tightening the OS.

Back to my ColorPlus Spyder...

So, looking at my options:

• Get a Mac.  Oh yes would I love to get a Mac.  hmmmm :)  But, desk space, power and brain cycles are at a premium at the moment.  Also being a entry-level product the ColorPlus is a Windows-only product so it would mean getting a new spider anyway.
  
• Get a new Spider.  These are costly devices and not really top of my spend list right now.  Maybe one day.
• Abandon the DRM-infested evil Microsoft empire, like some of the commenters (e.g. "Joe" et al) on the Vista Security Blog suggest.  Just try and have a 16-bit/channel colour accurate workflow in Linux.  I've been there (not recently, but as far as I can tell things haven't changed much) and it's not fun.  Just go and spend some a couple of weeks setting it up and let me know how you get on.  Send me a postcard.  Really.

Now for some real options:

1. Email Datacolor and let them know that people are interested in Vista drivers.  Done.
2. Install a copy of Vista x86, update to the latest vid drivers, calibrate the monitor, pinch the ICC profile, reboot into my "real" Vista x64.  It'll take 1hr tops.  I'll get to this on the weekend.

um, anyone want to but a second hand ColorPlus Spyder?  One careful owner, still with original box...

Listening To: The Polyphonic Spree, The Fragile Army

Update:  My ColorPlus is no longer for sale

It turns out that in the ColorVision Knowledge Base (under Support Centre) there is an article that says:

ColorPlus users can download Spyder2express software from the colorvision website's support section, and run that software with a ColorPlus serial number and a ColorPlus Spyder. The latest versions of Spyder2express are compatable with Vista32 and Vista64.

I can confirm this works.  Spyder2express is a 120Mb download which is hefty since I only want the driver :-/  The ColorPlus is detected as a Spyder2 after installation and works as advertised.

...and would you believe their is a Mac version of ColorPlus 1.1 in the Knowledge Base that is not listed in the Support downloads.  I'm happy to be wrong anytime it works out for the best :)

Listening to: The Campfire Headphase, Boards of Canada

I have been noticing that CodeRush / Refactor Pro! are playing up every so often my shiny (well, dusty) new Vista PC.

The symptoms are minor, but annoying when you have your fingers trained   Basically Smart Cut / Intelligent Paste stop working.

Turns out, the solution is on the Expert options:  Startup \ Re-register CodeRush commands with Visual Studio on next startup.  Easy!

...Then you can have all your pretty refactoring graphics back!

I was just surprised to work out that I have been on Windows Vista for about a year now nbsp; I joined the club with Beta 2 which was released in May '06   I also toyed with an earlier WinHEC Longhorn release but not in any substantial way.

From day one I’ve had UAC on.

Unfortunately one of the last guys to join the compatibility club was Visual Studio 2005 with the Vista Update patch

But just tonight I found the rare case of an MSI from Microsoft that failed with a cryptic message if not run as Admin: The Composite UI Application Block.

So I've put together a little grab bag of Vista UAC links and tips that I'm calling Strategies for life with UAC:

• First and foremost, know what has changed.  I wasn’t shocked when Buzz, which despite not having a substantial update since whoknowswhen, wouldn’t run out of the box.  The Audio subsystem had a major overhaul in Vista.  AppCompat came to the rescue here.
• Launch a cmd.exe shell as an admin, then run msiexec, regedit, or whatever from there.  This way you only have to elevate once at the start of your session.
• Use Compatibility, part I.  Choose XP SP2 from the Compatibility tab of the EXE File Properties page.  Raymond Chen referred to this as a Combo Meal of AppCompat settings.  Various degrees of slight of hand he said. 
• Use Compatibility, part II. You can also launch the Compatibility wizard from the Use an older program with this version of Windows link inside the Programs group in Control Panel.  This is the same set of options as is on the Properties page, however the UI is more suited to trial and error for troublesome programs, and you have the option to submit your results to Microsoft.
• Use Compatibility, part III. I am aware that there is an application compatibility toolkit available for ISV's, but haven’t had cause to look too much further.
• Use Virtualization.  Grab VPC 2007 (freebie)  I use VPC for application and installation testing with the Undo Disks feature, but it would be just as valid to run a VPC of XP or earlier if you had some app that would only run on a specific OS.

Just a note on Virtualization, I have not been able to find an authorative souce on the question of:  If I put Vista on my PC, is it legit to use my old OEM XP CAL in a VPC.  The rumours around the web seem to settle on:  a) depends on your license agreement, but I suspect it is an edge case and they are playing that card close to their chest.

If you can find an authoritive, public link on the above question please post a comment and there will be a prize.  You know I'm good for it people!

A couple of extra resources:

• Aaron Margosis' Blog
• The Non-Admin Wiki
• The UAC blog, not current but the archives have some gold.

Listening To:  Boards of Canada, Music has the right to children

Every so often I check that web service, just to see what it comes back with.... nothing yet

Nice to see it is still in Vista, my little magic 8-ball dialogue! 

I just wish I could control the default.

One thing I have to say I am excited about in the .NET future is Windows Presentation Framework. 

So, on top of Vista RC1 (build 5600) and Visual Studio 2005, what do you need:

Microsoft Pre-Release Software Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 - Release Candidate 

Microsoft Visual Studio Code Name “Orcas” Community Technology Preview – Development Tools for .NET Framework 3.0 

Microsoft® Windows® Software Development Kit (Web) for RC 1 of Windows Vista and .NET Framework 3.0 Runtime Components (you only need the .NET 3.0 doco, grab the rest later if the download is too long)

Microsoft Expression Interactive Designer September 2006 CTP 

 

So it's been a little while between updates on the blog, sorry about that!

I've been on a bit of an OS roller coaster ride of late.  I tried the latest LonghornI mean Vista beta (beta 2) on a couple of machines.  I didn't do a lot of homework because I have this bad habit with operating systems - I just grab the bootable disc and dive in the deep end.  I did this with Linux in '98 and it took me 6 years to kick the habit!   

The two machines were:

1. Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop, P4 2Ghz, 1Gb RAM, integrated Intel graphics, 80Gb HDD
2. Home-brew PC, P4 Dual Core 3Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 512Mb 6800 graphics, 1.2Tb storage

First thing's first - they both run fine.  The install was painless, the new features and UI are discoverable and I am well impressed with the direction Vista is taking. 

My problem is that the laptop needs to run Visual Studio 2003 to maintain some Web Services projects.  These require Front Page extentions on the local IIS to do debugging when I am on a train or otherwise not close to a server.  So after a week of new-OS glow and fighting uphill against IIS 7.0 (which does not and will not support FPE) I am presently formatting the HDD and putting XP SP2 back.  *sigh*

The desktop box runs a treat with the "Glass" enabled and all.  I am looking forward to running the final release on it. 

As an aside both these machines are running the Office 12 beta too!  They have taken things back to real core usability in this release and I think it's a very good thing.  There are some cool new features, sure- but the killer for me is in its usability improvements. 


After blog mint [?]:  I love Linux to bits and it has come along leaps and bounds in that time - I'm just a Windows guy at the moment.  2003 Server played a bit part in that.  I harbour no ill will to the penguin, it's just not me right now.  that's all.