Vista & Word

[XCorvis]

dvvega, is this what you're talking about?
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...00d04415-2b2f-422c-b70e-b18ff918c2811033.mspx
(scroll down to the Virtualization heading, near the beginning).

 

[ThirdWizard]

This is why programmers should use Environment.SpecialFolder instead of hard coding directories (and whatever the non-.NET API is for this). If people used the APIs this wouldn't be an issue.

The virtual directory is interesting. I downloaded a program that was pointing to a folder location in the Program Files directory that didn't exist, and it put everything in the virtual directory. This was a bit disconcerting at first, but I guess if the program doesn't do any checking to make sure that the file path actually exists (*twitch*), its better than it crashing or somesuch.

 

[dvvega]

This is why programmers should use Environment.SpecialFolder.MyDocuments instead of hard coding directories (and whatever the non-.NET API is for this). If people used the APIs this wouldn't be an issue.

The problem is that Microsoft never really demanded standardization previously ... now with Vista they are. So it is causing headaches even with their own software.

As to XCorvis ... unfortunately in a college environment where development is being taught we cannot release installation privelleges to our students (especially in a games context) or else we would end up with a lot of games installed on machines and messes left behind.

 

[drothgery]

The problem is that Microsoft never really demanded standardization previously ... now with Vista they are. So it is causing headaches even with their own software.

Err... there are lot of system directories that are in different places in Win9x, NT, Win2K, and XP. It's pretty routine for companies to route My Documents to a file server. x64 Windows (in XP, Win2K3, and Vista flavors) puts 32-bit apps in Program Files (x86).

If you don't use special folders APIs to get system directories, you're setting yourself up for trouble, and it's been that way since the Windows 3.x -> Win95 migration.

Now, the big thing that's been creeping up lately is that standard users can't write to the Program Files directory, as MS tries to get people away from running as users with Admin rights.

 

[borc killer]

Standalone Word is $150? That's odd, given this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116135

... which is probably what MS wants home users to buy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for $120).

After using it for a few months now $120 is a deal. I for one love OneNote... anyone else ever use this? It seems to be a unloved app.

 

[Jhamin]

I know I've become a one note 07 devotee.

From what I gathered, you had to actually buy a tablet pc w/office preloaded to get onenote 05, so it suffered a bit from the perception that it was a one-trick pony sort of app.

Now that the new version is bundled with most retail copies of office 07, hopefully it will catch on.