Windows Vista Beta 2
and
2007 Office System Beta 2
At a glance
ICCM – June 2006 -- Bill Stevenson
Key Points:
Windows Vista has a product guide
300 pages but worth skimming to see if
it is what you want and need.
New formats – XML, smaller file size, more
reliable
This software takes more “horsepower”
to work. What is your deployment
strategy?
Many great features – this is cursory.
Available 1Q2007 (latest rumor)
Requirements
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx
Windows Vista Windows Vista
Capable PC Logo Premium Ready
Processor >= 800mhz (min.) >=1 ghz 32 bit or 64 bit processor
Memory 512 MB (min.) 1 GB
Graphics Direct X 9 capable Aero capable
WDDM driver support rec. - Supports Direct X 9 GPU supporting
800x600 (min.) WDDM
Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
128 MB graphics memory
HDD 20 GB with 15 GB free (min.) 40 GB with 15 GB free
Other CD ROM DVD ROM
When
1Q2007 (indirect source)
Important web sites
Windows Vista upgrade advisor (beta):
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx
My experiences.
Windows Application Compatibility Resource Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/appcompat/resguide.mspx
Deployment:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/deploy/default.mspx
Microsoft Think:
Confidence (more time doing what you need to do and less babysitting)
Clarity (better file representation/less icon focus, file organization (store/manage/search)
Connecting (people, places, devices)
Versions:
Audience focused (consumers, small businesses, and medium and large organizations)
Entry and premium levels available for each segment
Consumer : Basic, Premium, Ultimate
Small Business: Business, Ultimate
32 and 64 bit versions not separated (except for Starter)
The following table summarizes the SKUs by sales channel:
The following table compares the Windows XP SKUs with
the Windows Vista SKUs:
This comes out of the Windows Vista Product Guide and gives you an idea of the feature set of this product.
CONFIDENT
User Account Control / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Security Center / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Defender™ / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Firewall / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Internet Explorer 7 Fix My Settings / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Anti-phishing in Internet Explorer 7 / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Anti-phishing in Windows Mail / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Update / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Parental Controls / Yes / Yes / Yes
Fewer reboots, hangs, and disruptions / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Service Hardening / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Performance self-tuning and hardware diagnostics / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Next-generation TCP/IP stack / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
IPv6 and IPv4 support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows ReadyDrive™ / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Easy Transfer / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
64-bit processor support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Fast Startup, Fast Shutdown, Sleep / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Maximum RAM supported with 32-bit system / 4 GB / 4 GB / 4 GB / 4 GB / 4 GB
Maximum RAM supported with 64-bit system / 8 GB / 16 GB / 128+ GB / 128+ GB / 128+ GB
Two processors (two processor sockets) support / Yes / Yes / Yes
Ad hoc backup and recovery of user files and folders / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Scheduled backup of user files / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Backup of user files to a network device / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows ShadowCopy / Yes / Yes / Yes
System image–based backup and recovery / Yes / Yes / Yes
Encrypting File System / Yes / Yes / Yes
Desktop deployment tools for managed networks / Yes / Yes / Yes
Policy-based quality of service for networking / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) Client / Yes / Yes / Yes
Control over installation of device drivers / Yes / Yes / Yes
Network Access Protection Client Agent / Yes / Yes / Yes
Pluggable logon authentication architecture / Yes / Yes / Yes
Integrated smart card management / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows BitLocker™ Drive Encryption / Yes / Yes
Support for simultaneous installation of multiple user interface languages / Yes / Yes
All worldwide user interface languages (36 languages total) available / Yes / Yes
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications / Yes / Yes
Virtual PC Express / Yes / Yes
Windows Anytime Upgrade / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Ultimate Extras / Yes
/ Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate /
CLEAR
WindowsVista Basic user interface / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Aero™ user interface with Glass, Windows Flip, Windows Flip 3D, live task bar thumbnails, and dynamic windows, and a smoother-performing desktop / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Instant Search integrated throughout the operating system / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Automatic content organization based on file properties/tags / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Internet Explorer 7 with Tabbed Browsing, Quick Tabs, and integrated search / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Internet Explorer 7 with RSS Feed Support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Support for next-generation applications built on WinFX® / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows SuperFetch / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows ReadyBoost™ / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Low-priority I/O / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Automatic hard disk defragmentation / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Mail / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Calendar / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Sidebar / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Photo Gallery—for organizing, editing, printing, and sharing photos and videos / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Themed slide shows / Yes / Yes
Windows Media Player 11 / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Media Center—for music, photos, videos, live and recorded TV, and online entertainment / Yes / Yes
Windows Media Center—for recording and watching high-definition TV / Yes / Yes
Windows Media Center—CableCard support / Yes / Yes
Support for Media Center Extenders, including
Xbox 360™ / Yes / Yes
Windows Movie Maker / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Movie Maker HD / Yes / Yes
Windows DVD Maker / Yes / Yes
Games Explorer / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Updated games / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
New premium games / Yes / Yes* / Yes* / Yes
Universal game controller support / Yes / Yes / Yes* / Yes* / Yes
Speech Recognition / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Accessibility Settings and Ease of Access Center / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Welcome Center / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
XPS Document support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Small Business Resources / Yes / Yes
Windows Fax and Scan / Yes / Yes* / Yes*
Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate
CONNECTED
Network Center / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Network Diagnostics and troubleshooting / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Improved wireless networking / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Wireless network provisioning / Yes / Yes / Yes
Improved peer networking / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Improved VPN support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Improved power management / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Simultaneous SMB peer network connections / 5 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10
Windows HotStart / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Mobility Center / Partial / Partial / Yes / Yes / Yes
Sync Center / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Tablet PC with integrated pen/digital ink input / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Tablet PC touch screen support / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Tablet PC handwriting recognition improvements / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Tablet PC usability and navigation improvements / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows SideShow™ / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Windows Meeting Space / View only / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Improved file and folder sharing / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
PC-to-PC Sync / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Network Projection / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Presentation Settings / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Remote Desktop / Client only / Client
only / Client & host / Client & host / Client & host
Domain join for Windows Small Business Server / Yes / Yes / Yes
Domain join for Windows Server™ / Yes / Yes / Yes
Group Policy support / Yes / Yes / Yes
Offline files and folder support / Yes / Yes / Yes
Client-side caching / Yes / Yes / Yes
Roaming User Profiles / Yes / Yes / Yes
Folder Redirection / Yes / Yes / Yes
Centralized power management through Group Policy / Yes / Yes / Yes
Internet Information Server / Yes* / Yes* / Yes*
* Feature is optional
First Experience:
Simplified set up – about an hour
Welcome Center in control panel
Some features I liked:
Aero – translucent means of being able to look at files without opening them
3D flip: Windows+tab – cycle through windows; also windows flip: alt+tab
Clear type turned on by default
Instant search; search pane (more filters) search; expanded search (SharePoint, etc.)
Use of Metadata for pictures
Column header controls – improved viewing of data on screen with alternative groupings
Windows side bar gadgets – mini applications that can be docked/undocked and near by.
Internet Explorer 7
Tabbed experience
Improved security against malware and phishing; Windows Defender (anti-spyware)
Improved platform for web development and manageability (RSS feeds)
Shrink to fit web page printing
Quick tabs icon to let you see scaled pictures of all tabs open
Click on new tab or right click on existing tab
Page Zoom
Parental controls
User Account Controls – Less risk because you don’t have to have an admin account
InfoCard initiative to replace many username password web site authentications.
Stored with a trusted identity provider (bank, government, ISP, Bob Hodge’s mother,
Ed McMahon and Publisher’s Clearing House!)(I’m not sure I like this because
These “vaults” can be forced by government order?!)
SuperFetch – a new memory management technology
Fast boot and resume, sleep, etc.
Automatic defragmentation
Network map
Network center
Feature / Brief Description / BetaNetwork Center / A central, easy-to-use place for quickly viewing network status and important network settings. / 2
Connecting Interface / A single, easy interface for viewing and connecting to all available wireless networks, corporate (VPN and RAS) connections, and dial-up connections. Helpful wizards are also available to help you set up these connections for the first time. / 2
Network Explorer / In one place, you can browse all computers and devices on the network. The speed and reliability of discovering networked computers, servers, and devices is significantly improved compared to WindowsXP. / 2
Network Map / A visual map of the network that displays computers and devices as well as the ways in which they are connected. Broken connections are clearly displayed on the map, and you can use Network Diagnostics to help diagnose the problem and find possible solutions. / 2
Network Diagnostics / Windows can diagnose network problems when they occur and suggest solutions. / 2
Network Setup Wizard / Easy, self-guided wizard that recognizes when supported networking hardware is connected and helps you create a network. It then guides you in using the Windows Connect Now technology to create a secure wireless network and easily connect devices and computers to it. Rather than writing these settings down, you can transfer them with a USB flash drive or an Ethernet cable. / 2
Network Awareness / A platform that reports changes in network connectively to supported applications, enabling a customized user experience for each network. / 2
Windows SideShow – use of gadgets to view information without powering up, for example
New XML PaperSpecification Document Format – replaces GDI, which is still available
Speech recognition software
UDF burning, which allows you to add and remove files from your CDR/RW and DVDR/RW without ever having to launch a burn task. It makes CDs and DVDs virtually identical to removable media of any sort.
Windows Media Player 11 – partner is MTV’s URGE music service!! (Is this a problem?!)
Media Center included in Home Premium and Ultimate Editions
Burn your own data DVD’s and span them? Video DVD authoring as well?
Backup and restore – image based backup of computer
Start menu
Instant search of files, apps, etc.
Explorers:
Improved layout
Programs explorer (add/remove programs, available programs, licenses, etc.)