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Microsoft Vista is here Are you ready? Here’s a look at some of the enhanced capabilities that Vista promises to offer: Enhanced User Experience: Vista will present itself in a more intuitive way claims Microsoft. Drop-down menus will be replaced by a more graphics-intensive “Aero” desktop allowing users to "see through" windows so as not to lose what’s behind them. There is a window-organizing tool that stacks open windows like a rolodex on the desktop instead of putting an icon on the toolbar. Users will be able to flip through open windows by putting a mouse pointer on them. Icons are larger and will include a representation of the first page of your document. A new sidebar allows users to keep "gadgets" open for quick use-similar to mini-apps such as the calculator, timers, etc. A “Sideshow” feature will support a secondary display on laptops that will be visible with the laptop closed. Performance Improvements: Vista will include a “sleep” mode which will be like standby/hibernate, but much quicker to return to active mode. “SuperFetch” will preload often-used programs into memory for fastest launch performance. “ReadyBoost” will make use of removable flash memory devices as additional RAM. And “ReadyDrive” will take advantage of hybrid drive performance for faster boot-up and to save battery life on laptops. (Hybrid drives are hard drives that have integrated flash memory) New to Vista are “search folders”, which are searches that run when clicked. Vista will include some pre-configured search folders like Recent Documents, but you can now also create your own. For example you could setup a search folder to include any document with the words “project” and “client x”. As documents are added that meet the search criteria they’ll automatically appear in the search folder regardless of where they are saved. Enhanced System Tools: Vista will provide enhanced controls for user accounts and for protection from malware/spyware. “OneCare” will be an antivirus offering, integrated with Microsoft Defender. The Windows Backup will allow a greater variety of media to be used and will provide a “Volume Shadow Copy” feature to maintain a point-in-time copy of files as you work. System restore will be enhanced to allow a greater flexibility. Internet Explorer 7: Reported to provide a safer web browsing environment, IE 7 will also include tabbed browsing and live previews. Will you be Vista-ready? If you’re buying new machines today how can you be sure that they’ll be able to run the new operating system when it’s released? Microsoft has formulated two designations which PC makers can use to help buyers answer this question. “Windows Vista Capable” signifies that a computer will be able to run the basic core of the operating system. More advanced features and visual elements may not be available however. A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
The “Windows Vista Premium Ready” designation means that the computer is ready to run Vista and all of its advanced features. A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
Microsoft will offer Vista in several versions. Vista Business will be similar to the current XP Pro, while Vista Enterprise will offer additional controls for security and access. There will also be a number of “Home” version as well as a Vista “Ultimate” which reportedly will offer the best of everything.
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