I think that WIN7 is going to get some getting used to. I don't use it YET, but I do play with it on a VM. I am able to connect XP to WIN7 with no issues. But, that is just play.
The problem with Microsoft is it is a lot like the movie Memento. While it improves it in one direction it also takes it in another direction. Again, not using it much, I could be way off, but the kernel for WIN7 is very good, and it can be 64-bit, which in just a few years will be huge. But, they dumb it down so much. XP Pro looked and felt like a business class machine. Then they turn Vista/WIN7 into the OS that seems like it doesn't trust an IT guru. I do not like the networking window at all. It seems like the orders on v5. Why do we need a home group and a park bench, etc. Do we really need a view of a computer to a router or whatever to the glove. I guess it does tell you when you are connected. Having either a workgroup or a domain name was fine.
Mohamed that is a great tip. I could see that causing issues with everyone. Another reason to run all of the same OS. I know it's pricey, but I think it does make troubleshooting a LOT easier.
Servers are the same way. SBS 2003 had the very cold and professional log on window. Now, it uses the little Avatars. I am just waiting for the fish and the chessboard.
I will make this broad statement, though. If anyone has an issue with connectivity, e.g. for whatever reason one of their computers can't see another. Or, AC cannot access the database on the main computer, I would bet $1,000 that it is your network and NOT AC's software. It just isn't. Do you think their program is going to suddenly not be able to network properly.
WIN7 would be a lot more popular if they hadn't screwed things up with Vista. Sounds a lot like AC's philosophy.
I really do not think it is fair to expect AC to be able to figure out networking issues. As Jon said at the conference, he feels obligated to, but fixing AC is what they do. It is extremely difficult for them to know how your network is set up or what you could be doing wrong. I think it would help everyone to find out from an IT guru or the net or whatever a list of things that can cause networking issues just as you have a differential for certain symptoms. Just to start off, I would say look at:
Firewalls
Firewalls
Permission
Sharing
DNS
IP addresses
Workgroups
etc.
Troubleshooting steps:
Can you ping the computer
Can you browse to AC from the computer you are having trouble with?
And, I would always check and make sure that AC will work on the main computer.
@Bill Please don't take this the wrong way, but here is a suggestion: You say you would buy all Apples? What would that cost? Total it up. Since you can't use Apple, use the money to buy a decent server and a server OS and connect all your computers to the server. You wouldn't have an issue with home group vs workgroup, then. If you really want it sold, go with all WIN7 Business or Ultimate. Business would be cheaper. I sometimes get Business and the term Professional mixed up.
But, again, if you aren't connecting, think what the hell is wrong with my network. Not what is wrong with AC. And, since it isn't going to be AC, I wouldn't bother calling them.
