subject: =?UTF-8?Q?Windows_revamped:_Vista=E2=80=99s_key_features?= posted: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:31:11 -0000
[My comments:
1. If Windows has been "completely reworked", obviously it will be
full of bugs, yes even more than usual, however I doubt it has been
completely reworked at all. Why do journalists mindlessly recycle
the topic's Marketing Dept? (backsheesh?)
2. Integrated anti-spyware and ghost - as if I am gonna stop using my
third-party tools that I have grown to know and love - what will I do
when I work with non-Vista machines? Will the ghost work if Vista
won't boot? As for IE7 - there is this small matter of trust. Once
bitten twice shy, that ole' clunker needs a bullet, not a
reworking... and a 2-way firewall, fancy! That's the same level of
technology Zonealarm had back in 2001. What's the bet all it has is
an ON and OFF button?
3. Limited User Mode is gonna get disabled just like it was in XP,
cos everyone's apps need to run as admin. Unless everyone rewrites
all their apps, which is unlikely particularly if they went out of
business last century, quite possible in many instances. If Limited
User mode cannot be disabled then any programs which can only run as
admin it will be incompatible with Vista and therefore users of those
programs will be prevented from migrating to Vista, until they change
their business processes and dump the offending application(s). This
is where they'll think, maybe I don't need integrated anti-spyware
and a glossy screen after all...
4. Instant Search - oh great, a bundled Google Desktop which will
make a fat, juicy index of anything remotely interesting - consuming
RAM, CPU cycles and diskspace that could be spent on user processes
(ie. work) - just perfect for crackers to download.
In all, a bit of a yawn - but you knew I'd say that... see also:
Published: November 29 2006 18:55 | Last updated: November 29 2006
18:55
Microsoft´s Vista desktop operating system is being touted as the
most significant product release since Windows 95 was introduced 11
years ago. Rather than a minor upgrade from XP, much of the
underlying architecture of Windows Vista has been completely
reworked, giving it the potential to make Vista more reliable and
more secure than XP.
Security: A large part of Vista´s aims. Features include Defender,
an anti-spyware tool, while the new Internet Explorer 7 includes a
phishing filter and anti-spoofing technology (Spoofing is where a
person or program masquerades as another by falsifying data). Vista
has two-way firewall technology for Windows, which filters both
incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Also included is a "User Account Control", a new security technology
that requires that all users run in a limited standard user mode.
This minimises the ability of users to make changes that could
destabilise their computers or inadvertently expose the network to
viruses through undetected malware that has infected their computer.
Also, network administrators can be given privileges for specific
administrative tasks and application functions.
Software Setup and Maintenance: Vista allows IT staff to create and
store "images" of system software configurations that can be easily
replicated on new PCs. As a result, it should cut the average time
needed to set up new PCs or upgrade existing software.
Instant Search: Vista has an improved search function to find files
and documents.
Visual sophistication: It will have an "Aero interface", which
features a transparent window-effect on the screen that lets users
see through it.
Multimedia: With Vista, Microsoft has completely revamped its
Windows multimedia applications, such as Media Player, and included
new tools such as a DVD Maker. File-sharing is made easier in order
to utilise peer-to-peer technology.
It also supports hardware that, when available, will allow users to
record and play back high-definition television.
However Vista also has stringent codes designed to prevent high-
definition content from being copied and shared.
