Vista is coming in January!

By Dave Wallace - 110 Portside Lane

Most folks will probably not upgrade their existing operating system to Vista because Windows XP runs pretty good and folks won't be dissatisfied enough to spend money upgrading. For those still running old Windows 98, they can't upgrade anyway to Vista because their computer is probably not powerful enough. It takes a hefty PC to run Vista so most folks will probably wait until they buy a new computer with Vista already installed as they did when they first got Windows XP.

Microsoft has already put money where their mouth is by deploying the beta version of Vista to over 17,000 workstations across the company. They even have a web page where one may see how their own employees are commenting on the new operating system.

What sort of computer will you need to run Vista? It depends on the version you buy since there is a Vista Capable version and a Vista Premium Ready version. The former must have at least a 800 MHz processor, 512 MB RAM and a DirectX 9 class graphics card, and will not be capable of supporting the high end Vista graphics, including the Aero user (improved searching) interface. The Vista Premium Ready PC will take advantage of Vista's high-end features but will need at least a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB main memory, and an Aero-compatible graphics card with at least 128 MB graphics memory and supporting the new Windows Display Driver Model.

The main reason you might want Microsoft's Vista operating system is Microsoft's goal to improve security. The most common criticism of Windows XP and its predecessors is the vulnerabilities to malware and viruses but Vista is said to be the most secure and trustworthy Windows operating system ever made. New features will include User Account Control, new security enhancements to the Explorer browser that protects against plishing and spoofing attacks, including a protected mode. Windows Defender will detect suspicious software and new filtering will exist in the firewall. Windows Service Hardening will limit damage done by attackers.

Windows Vista will have hundreds of new features, the most significant of which include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to make it easier to share files, password settings, and digital media between computers and devices.