Advantages: Large database, powerful advanced search
Disadvantages: Not the biggest, lots of commercial distractions

...This one's a bit techy - and partly adapted from an essay of mine. But I suppose it might interest somebody! A few years back, around the time of the 'internet boom,' it seemed that there were two clear leaders in the searching arena. Yahoo was the choice of the masses, while anybody wanting to do some serious searching was pointed towards the mighty AltaVista. Yet between 2000 and 2002, the average number of users per month plummeted from 16 million to just 6 million. (Stats from a BBC News Online article). Now Google seems to be the first choice for all. The question is how does AltaVista measure up these days – did it deserve to be eclipsed by Google? First of all, going by the size of the database, AltaVista would still appear to be a good bet. At the end of 2002, it was thought to index 1,689 million web pages. This is less... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, To the point.
Disadvantages: None worth mentioning.

...When I sit down to search for anything on the internet, be it worldwide or in the UK, AltaVista is where I turn. After about 4.5 years using it I have not had any cause for complaint as yet. Searches are carried out quickly and 90% of the time what I'm looking for is staring at me on the first page of 25 hits. AltaVista also has many other useful features apart from the basic search. One of my personal favorites is the translator, using the idea from the Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy, the Babel Fish you can translate text or whole web pages from one language to another. Another impressive tool is the image search tool. Which provides many more pictures that you perhaps required. Loads of choice for you. In general AltaVista is an excellent Search Engine.... Read review

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Advantages: don't need to use much to make a cup, tastes like ground coffee
Disadvantages: very strong coffee

...NAME OF DRINK Nescafe Collection Alta Rica Decaffeinated coffee. TASTE This coffee reminded me of ground coffee not instant - almost espresso style. Regardless of how much milk was used, this coffee seemed to be very strong, unlike most decaffeinated instant coffees, and seemed very strong, bitter, or acrid tasting. It left an aftertaste in my mouth if a colleague made me my usual strong coffee. Despite it being a decaffeinated coffee I got more frequent headaches when using this brand, which I attributed to this coffee, particularly as the week I had on leave when I was using a different brand at home, I had no headaches. INGREDIENTS (MAIN ONLY) I purchased the 100g bottle, which states that it is decaffeinated using pure water and contains premium freeze dried decaffeinated soluble coffee only. I don't know the price... Read review

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Advantages: All of the Windows Vista Features
Disadvantages: They're Windows Vista Features

...Windows Vista is the "next generation" operating system from Microsoft, well that's what they say. The "WOW" starts now is their new tagline, so does it really? I am going to review the new and rather expensive offering from the biggest computing company in the world. Microsoft say that they are hoping for Windows Vista to be installed on 100 million computers by the end of 2007, but the people that I have discussed Windows VIsta with, all say the same thing, they'll buy it when SP1 (codenamed, Windows Figi) is released, this will get rid of all the bugs in the system, of which there are a lot. For a start, if you think there is fantastic driver support, then think again, when I installed Vista there were 4 drivers missing, OK, go online and get some new drivers, but the Ethernet card driver is missing, I cannot get on the internet... Read review

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Advantages: Tight security new entertaining games, Fast search
Disadvantages: annoying when it always asks you if it should proceed into opening programmes

...Before you even read further you need to know that Vista is the most amazing software that Microsoft has ever published. It is just amazing and after you finish reading the review you must think the same as well. I actually learnt about Vista before it was published in the shops because I work in one of the biggest electronic shops (I won't say which one), so basically they wanted me to know all about Vista in case if the customers came in and asked me. I got windows Vista with my new Advent Laptop which I bought in September 2007. My Laptop did come with Windows Vista Premium because it has a 2GB which is the best memory on RAM you should mainly have when you want Windows Vista Home Premium on you computer or laptop. You computer or laptop will still come with Windows Vista Home premium when it has 1GB of RAM. I don't know if you... Read review

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Advantages: Safer faster cooler
Disadvantages: Requires a high spec Pc for an upgrade

...Are you thinking of upgrading to Vista? good idea, but do your homework first.There are so many versions of Vista available it can get confusing let me help you through the minefield. first let me tell you all about some of vista new features and why its a quantum leap ahead of XP. 1. Clear Intuitive interface. As far as eye candy goes windows vista is a joy to behold a welcome relief from the monotony that is windows XP. the whole interface is designed to ensure that its easy for novices to use. finally you can look at all the files on your computer in a way that makes sense to ordinary people like us not geeks. You can also browse through open windows in 3D ( i am yet to actually see the point in this) i guess its just a cooler way of scrolling through multiple windows. The windows are also transparent ( Aero ) . this feature... Read review

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Advantages: It looks pretty, Good wireless capability.
Disadvantages: Poor Design, Its trying to be too pretty. Compatibility Issues

...Windows Vista Home Basic. Believe it or not, its really the full version of the operating system. As per usual Windows didnt manage to finish there product. If you look around the internet, you will find out that Microsoft are currently creating there new operating system Windows 7. Many reviews state that Windows 7 is actually going to be the completed version of Vista. Now, sorry if I seem to be mean, but that seems very unusual to me. Windows 7, the product there currently working on is the full version of Vista. So really, we are the beta testers of Windows 7. Windows Vista Home Basic is not a full operating system, its a beta for the new version that will be released in several years time. Windows Vista Home Basic is acting like a Beta for the new operating system that Microsoft has in order for us. The first time I purchased... Read review

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Advantages: faster boot up than XP - new operating system
Disadvantages: may be awkward to get correct drivers

...Reason for Vista? ------------------------ After offering to build a complete PC for a colleague, I sourced all the parts, priced them up then asked him which operating system he would prefer. As far as I saw it he had six choices: Windows XP - Home or XP - Proffesional Vista Home Basic (HB) - Vista Home Premium(HP) Vista Business or Vista Ultimate. (All 32 bit versions as the 64 bit seems to be causing problems) He only really wants the PC as his old one is running out of coal, and he wants to browse the internet. His wife, being from abroad, watches foreign TV over the web. Although his connection is fast - his old PC isn't and fills up quickly with junk that slows performance. I run XP pro, but knowing he was running to a budget, I could only see three real options XP home, Vista HB or Vista HP . XP home being... Read review

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Advantages: Memory management. New interface. Easier on the eye
Disadvantages: Large download. Lack of compatibility. Not optimize for applications

...So, here we are again. We just got used to Windows XP. We live with the knowledge that almost everything that we install on our PC's works straight from the word go, and we like it like that. Or then again, maybe not. Every day there is the new security patch. The interface is dull, we are bored with the same old look. We need something different... (then again, it's probably just me...) Anyway, I had read some good and bad reviews from Microsoft new operating system, Windows Vista (or more precisely, built 5728), beta versions, and decided to spice my live, and my PC Now, for the less knowledge, this is not the final retail version (or one of the gazillion ones that will be available, if you believe the doom tellers on Internet forums), it's only a public Beta version (of many available) for download from Microsoft Website... Read review

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Advantages: New Programs
Disadvantages: Security Box pops up alot

...Windows Vista Build 5308 is the first build that is nearly feature complete. It's also the first build that allows testers to install the five major flavors of Vista that will be offered when the OS ships: Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows Vista Ultimate. (We've all heard this.) The research for this story was based on Windows Vista Ultimate. Microsoft has not released a features-comparison table that shows what's offered (or not offered) in the various Vista SKUs. It's going to take people like me a while to install all those flavors and figure out what's different. Morevoer, even if we had the comparison data right now, there's every possibility that it could change in the final versions of Vista. What does "nearly feature complete" mean... Read review

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