With original equipment manufacturers such as Dell (here) and HP, it's virtually amazing that Microsoft managed to sell not just 60 million licenses since January, but a single Windows Vista. It's beyond me how the top two computer manufacturers worldwide could author such piss poor excuses of marketing resources for Vista, but apparently they’re not alone. Both Dell (and here) and HP are supported by the Redmond company's own handicapped perspective over Vista. Microsoft itself has reached new levels of Wow... Just check out the Windows Vista Home Basic vs. Home Premium vs. Business vs. Ultimate and the Vista vs. XP comparisons. The Redmond company dropped some 500 million on the Vista Wow marketing campaign. And half a billion barely manages to keep up with the anti-Vista efforts
the three companies are exercising constantly.

The latest Vista blunder comes from HP. The challenge was to present the way Microsoft evolved security, as Vista is applauded as the most secure Windows platform to date. The result Well, just know that emphasis was added: "Windows Vista automates the processes that help maintain the health and security of your PC and keeps your PC running at its best with automatic performance self-tuning and diagnostics, and programs like Windows Defender and Windows Internet Explorer 7. Windows Defender technology helps minimize pop-ups and security threats posed by spyware and other invasive programs. Windows Internet Explorer 7 helps protect your computer against malware, fraudulent websites and online phishing scams," reads a description posted by HP on the Windows Vista Overview and FAQ web page.

The best that Windows Vista has to offer in terms of security are Windows Defender and Internet Explorer 7 You have got to be kidding me! Wow! HP really knows Vista inside out. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the world's top computer manufacturer to provide such excellent insight into what Vista has to offer in terms of security. Windows Defender and IE7, and that's it, you're just as safe as mindlessly jumping around blindfolded in the middle of traffic. Thanks HP!

But wait! There's more. HP was only warming up. And it delivered the final blow with an enumeration of the key advantages of Windows Vista:

- Find what you’re looking for easily and quickly with Instant Search.
- Customize your desktop with Windows Sidebar and mini-applications called gadgets for at-a-glance access to weather, news, calendar, and other useful tools.
- Parental Control features help you to manage and monitor your family’s PC use and make your computing experience a safe one.
- Take PC maintenance off your list as Windows Vista automatically performs self-tuning and self-healing tasks using built-in diagnostics and repair tools.
- Get your game on—an incredible gaming experience awaits casual players as well as hard-core enthusiasts. Easily install, find and start your games with the new Games Explorer.

Right, HP does have a point with Instant Search. But that is just and accident. The Windows Sidebar is a key advantage of Windows Vista Yes, mine enables me to have another clock. In addition to the ubiquitous time reference in the bottom right hand side corner, now I can actually have another clock application in the top right hand side corner. Obviously a key advantage.

Parental Controls What if you're not a parent. I'm not... And the feature is completely useless to me. "Self-tuning and self-healing tasks using built-in diagnostics and repair tools" I clearly remember an instance when I uninstalled Virtual PC 2007. It killed my network connection completely. Nothing I did managed to bring it back, and the best part about it The Network and Sharing Center kept telling me that there was nothing wrong and to contact my admin, which coincidentally enough was me... Fortunately enough, I did have a backup in place. So much for self-tuning and self-healing...

And to top it off, Games Explorer. Yes, nothing in Vista beats Games Explorer. I mean... a directory with shortcuts to all your games, who would have ever thought. Microsoft apparently did!

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