Windows Vista is here!
Windows Vista is Microsoft’s brand new operating system. It has been five years since the release of Windows XP, the longest time between OS releases in Microsoft’s history, and the new system has been worth the wait!
Vista takes advantage of new technology to provide a more secure, better organised and smoother looking interface for all your business needs.
Vista also incorporates the Windows Aero Glass interface for glasslike windows, easier tabbing between windows, and live window previews. However, this is quite hardware resource intensive, so although this looks very smart to an end user, the business applications are a little bit costly.
Other upgrades to previous editions of Windows include:
- more secure networking and mobile applications with BitLocker Drive Encryption;
- an integrated sidebar featuring mini-applications called "gadgets", such as direct access to RSS feeds, weather, organisation features, and StickyNotes;
- a much improved Instant Search function, allowing fast access to files and folders.
- Network Access Protection, which allows you to monitor the health status of all computers that attempt to connect to your network—not just remote access clients—and ensure that they’re compliant with your health policies. Non-compliant computers can be given access to a restricted network where you can place resources they can use to gain compliance.
- Windows Defender anti-spyware
- Network Awareness that can modify your PC settings for any network that you connect to; greater support of newer technologies such as tablet PCs and other mobile solutions
Should you move from XP to Vista?
Vista looks good, it’s sleek, intuitive and the security features make it a stable and rock solid operating system. The advantages for home users are great as the features are aesthetically pleasing and are all designed for the ‘end user experience’. The advantages for business users are perhaps not so many this early on in the release and the change is such a step that it’s probably worth sticking with what currently works for you. It’s worth considering the applications that you currently run and if they will run on Windows Vista and the biggest question of all, is your hardware up to it?Microsoft have provided a small program to check your system and provide a clear summary of your system requirements, and which version might be best for you. The link to this download is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
Also Microsoft have provided a version summary for you to decide which version may be best for you: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/n/choose.mspx
Date added: 28/02/2007 12:56:50