Vista's Internet Explorer 7

New features Microsoft adds tabs, search, RSS and anti-phishing to Internet Explorer 7.

With the latest build release of Windows Vista (build 5231), Microsoft unveiled a number of cool new features within its Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista. The built-in features eliminate the need for third-party search toolbars, anti-phishing applications and RSS readers. Be sure to read our Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista preview for more details.

Extreme makeover

The toolbar and address bar areas of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista have been totally redesigned. The address bar is now locked at the top of the window so that hijackers can't replace it with phishing or spyware substitutes. Words have been eliminated in favour of iconic buttons so that only the bare essentials are displayed. In all, it's a very clean and sophisticated look for an Internet browser.



Classic menus are not gone

Lost and bewildered without the familiar File, Edit, View and Favorites? A quick check-mark in the Tools drop-down menu restores the classic menu options. You'll still have to navigate the new button arrangement, however; there is no classic mode within Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista.



Zoom, zoom, zoom

As you already can with Opera 8, Microsoft, Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista will allow you to zoom in on text and photos within a given Web page. By hitting Ctrl+ or Ctrl-, you can adjust the size of any Web page. This is great for people with disabilities.




Goodbye messy toolbar add-ons

In its desire to eliminate clutter, the new Internet Explorer does away with toolbars for the most popular search engines by integrating search engines from AOL Search, Ask Jeeves, Google, MSN Search and Yahoo Search directly into the browser. Of course, FireFox already allows you to do so.



Never lose tabs of your tabs

You can add tabs to the current version of Internet Explorer, but tabs will be built in with Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista. The new QuickTab feature displays a thumbnail image of every tab currently open. If you're streaming video or monitoring a text site for late-breaking news, this beats flipping back and forth among the tabs.



Shrink-to-fit Web pages

Tired of printing only the right-hand side of wide Web pages? New printing capabilities within Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista allow you to shrink a wide page to fit any size paper.



Adding Web feeds made easy

Like FireFox and Opera, Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista will eliminate the need for a separate RSS reader. Within Internet Explorer, click the RSS feed button and automatically subscribe to your favourite pages.



Some things never change

Although Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista will have a protected user status (meaning someone hacking Internet Explorer can't assume superuser status and take over your PC), Microsoft is continuing to use the confusing and sometimes useless Security Zone settings from many years ago.





On the other hand...

ActiveX, which has been a source of recent Internet Explorer vulnerabilities, will be better managed within Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista. Now you can turn on and off individual ActiveX controls from a central management panel.



Built-in phishing filter

Also built into Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista is a phishing filter. Whenever you visit a Web site that looks suspicious, you can query Microsoft's database to find out if others have reported the site, or you can go ahead and report the site yourself. If Microsoft finds the site to be fraudulent, Internet Explorer warns you before loading the page.



Source Zdnet
Posted by Hunt3rke, Monday, October 31, 2005 6:30 PM | 2 comments |

The final date for Windows Vista

Microsoft has finally named the date it will ship Windows Vista - 23 July 2006.

This is the date the software giant has set to ship the operating system to PC vendors so they can have machines ready for the 2006 Xmas holiday season.

The early release will let vendors "get a jump on the Christmas season", Ethan Allen, a Microsoft beta tester and admin of The Hotfix website. Microsoft - as usual - disputed the dates. Product manager for Windows Vista, Michael Burk, said Microsoft has not provided a time frame for when Windows Vista would be in the hands of OEMs.

There is however a long history of Hotfix being correct with dates and Microsoft eventually backing down from earlier denials.

Microsoft executives have said the OS will be generally available in late November to late December in the US. PC manufacturers would need access to it earlier than that in order to ship it on hardware.

Microsoft also plans to give developers a second beta of Windows Vista on 16 December this year.
Posted by Hunt3rke, Sunday, October 30, 2005 6:54 PM | 1 comments |

Windows Vista 5231: Deatiled analysis

Windows Vista The real analyzis at www.cooltechzone.com

Anonymous Reader writes "First and foremost, lets get the minute things out of the way. Vista has new games that look too sleek to be bundled in with regular versions of Vista, but they will be, so there’s some good news for the stock entertainment user. Solitaire and Hearts have been completely revamped with new looks, but that’s not to say that these are the only ones available. Shanghai Solitaire, for instance, is also available with an addictive gameplay."
Posted by Hunt3rke, 11:57 AM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista to Be Launched in July 2006?

I can`t wait until July :))

Yet another rumor about the possible launch date of Windows Vista, the most anticipated operating system ever, will not impress readers too much.
However, considering the source of this rumor, by that we mean editors from the IDG News Service and Techworld, we are inclined to say that this information is accurate.
Based on a news piece published yesterday by Techworld, we are told that Microsoft had announced the official launch date of the OS operating system. The event should take place on the 23rd of July, next year.

Starting with this possible launch date, the company will begin distributing the software to PC vendors so they can have systems ready for the 2006 Christmas holiday season.

And still, even though Microsoft lets us know about this Windows Vista launch date, it still disputes the date.
On one hand there's Ethan Allen, a Microsoft beta tester and admin of The Hotfix website, who claims that this "early release will let vendors get a jump on the Christmas season".
On the other hand, there's Michael Burk, Product manager for Windows Vista, who said that Microsoft hasn't yet provided a time frame for when the operating system will start being sent to OEM.

Considering there is a great number of precedents when hotfix was right about certain Microsoft launch dates, this time they could also be right.
But we are also used to seing Microsoft back down from earlier denials.



Source www.Softpedia.com
Posted by Hunt3rke, Saturday, October 29, 2005 5:47 AM | 0 comments |

What You Need to Know About Windows Vista Beta Security Features

Three long years after first promising customers that it would ship the successor to Windows XP, Microsoft is finally moving ahead on a concrete development schedule for Windows Vista (formerly code-named Longhorn). Vista will be a major Windows release, incorporating a revolutionary UI, a dramatically enhanced Explorer shell, image-based deployment tools, and perhaps most import, vastly improved security. Now that the Vista beta is available, I've had time to evaluate what Microsoft has changed and can more accurately discuss why it's much better than XP. Here's what you need to know about the security improvements in the Vista beta.

User Account Security
One of the most obvious improvements to the security infrastructure in Vista is a feature that UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X have had for years: Even on systems in which the user is logged on with administrator-level privileges, all applications will automatically run with lowered privileges. This major architectural change will have two primary ramifications.

First, users who want to install or remove applications, fiddle with Control Panel properties, or make other changes that affect the system will need to provide a password for an administrator-level account before doing so. Second, legacy applications (i.e., virtually every application that was written before Vista ships) will have to be spoofed into working correctly with Vista because most of those applications were written with the assumption that the user has administrative privileges.

Here's how the User Account Protection (UAP) feature (formerly called Least-Privileged User Account) works. When you attempt an action that requires elevated privileges, you'll be presented with a Windows Security dialog box that requires you to enter a password, as Figure 1 shows. If you have administrative privileges, you can enter the password for your own account. Alternatively, you can select another account that has the necessary privileges, then enter that account's password.

UAP works behind the scenes with the new Protected Mode IE to help protect your Vista system from electronic attacks. Based on the success of this security model on UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X, my guess is that it will prove to be a pivotal change in the way Windows handles security.

Built-in Malware Detection and Removal
Although these features aren't yet fully implemented in pre-Beta 2 builds of Vista, Microsoft says that Vista will include pervasive anti-malware technologies that will detect and remove any unwanted applications and processes. Like Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, this technology will run in the background and provide a semiautomated solution for malware management.

It's worth noting, however, that Vista won't include antivirus utilities or a managed anti-malware solution. Instead, Microsoft will sell or license both of these solutions separately.

Recommendations
Although Vista likely won't be the security panacea we so desperately need, it will offer dramatically better security than today's Windows versions. As a result, I strongly recommend that all Windows-based enterprises begin evaluating this release as soon as possible. Security is just one of the many improvements in Vista, but it is perhaps the most important one.

Source link
Posted by Hunt3rke, Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:49 PM | 0 comments |

PC vendors may get Vista next summer

Microsoft wants to ensure newest Windows is loaded on systems for 2006 Xmas sales

Microsoft expects to release to manufacturing the next version of its Windows desktop OS on July 25, 2006, to ensure PC vendors will have it on machines in time for the 2006 holiday season in the US, according to sources familiar with the company's plans.

Microsoft is expected to give Windows Vista to PC vendors earlier than customers expected to "get a jump on the Christmas season", Ethan Allen, a Microsoft beta tester and administrator of The Hotfix website, said in an email on Monday. The information also is posted on The Hotfix site, and corroborated by another beta tester.

Eyeing the Holidays

Microsoft has not provided a timeframe for when Windows Vista would be in the hands of its hardware vendor partners (called original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs), Michael Burk, product manager for Windows Vista at Microsoft, said in an email on Monday.

Company executives have said the OS would be generally available on PCs in time for the 2006 holiday season, which is late November to late December in the US. PC manufacturers would need access to Windows Vista earlier than that in order to ship it on hardware by that time.

Microsoft also plans to give developers a second beta of Windows Vista on December 16, 2005, Allen said. The company has said it would release Beta 2 of the OS before the end of the year but did not specify a date for that release.

Burk said via email on Monday that Microsoft is still determining when it will release the second beta of the OS, based on feedback from testers of Beta 1 and a Community Technology Preview of Windows Vista released earlier in October. The first beta of Vista was made available in July.

Visual studio due

In the meantime, Microsoft is readying the official launch of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 at an event in San Francisco on 7 November.

The company is expected to get Visual Studio 2005 in developers' hands sometime this week on MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) ahead of the official release, according to Allen and information on a discussion forum on Microsoft's Channel 9 website. Channel 9 is a site that provides information and forums dedicated to fostering discussion between Microsoft and its developers and customers.

Representatives from the Visual Studio team at Microsoft's public relations firm Waggener Edstrom did not return calls or email on Monday morning.

Source link
Posted by Hunt3rke, 3:39 PM | 2 comments |

Microsoft unveils new Windows Vista features

As the year comes to the end, Microsoft is getting more and more interested in getting user feedback on their upcoming Windows Vista operating system. The company has now updated their new community-based preview program and have showcased some of the new features for Windows Vista. These efforts include improving the web browser and making the operating system’s security better.

Microsoft is also due to start a wave of monthly updates to the Community Technology Preview (CTP). These are to get the feedback from the users in a way they usually get by proper beta release. We have only seen the beta 1 of this upcoming operating system which disappointed a lot of testers for the company. They are due to launch another major beta in the coming months for a much wider testing.

This latest update improves upon the much awaited Internet Explorer 7 and the newly integrated Mobility Center. Mobility Center groups together a host of laptop options, including new power management settings. Some other updates included in this update are:

a “Network Center", that acts as a central spot for managing network connections, replacing the “My Network Places” and “Network Neighbourhood” from Windows XP

tools for authoring and digitally signing documents in the new XML Paper Specification (XPS) format, code-named Metro

an early version of Windows Media Player 11

new network and PC diagnostic tools that can, for example, detect when a disk is likely to fail, warn users and prompt them with ways to back up their data.
Posted by Hunt3rke, Saturday, October 22, 2005 3:01 AM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista self heal

Microsoft plans to include a self-healing mechanism in Windows Vista, the next version of Windows, which will warn users when one of the disk drives is about to fail. The system will also give advice to the user about how to deal with the problem.

'One of things we're trying to do is make sure that PCs are able to fix
themselves in a way that they haven't been able to in the past,'Mike Burk, a
Microsoft product manager for Windows Vista, was quoted as saying in the trade press.

Other interesting features set to debut in Vista include anti-spyware technology, Windows Media Player 11 and an improved Internet browser.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 2:46 AM | 0 comments |

What PC to Buy If You Are Planning On a Vista Upgrade

It's time for my annual fall buyer's guide to desktop
computers, and this fall, I'm going to focus on what kind of PC Windows buyers
should be considering if they want to run Microsoft's next version of Windows,
called Vista.
Vista, formerly known by its code name of Longhorn, is due
out about a year from now, well within the lifetime of any PC you purchase
today. I assume most consumers running Windows will want to upgrade to Vista.
Microsoft promises a host of new features, and says Vista will be much more
secure than today's Windows XP.

There's a catch, however. Vista is Microsoft's biggest
upgrade to Windows in a decade, and it will require much beefier and costlier
hardware than Windows XP. So you will have to rethink your PC buying
assumptions, starting now.

Microsoft hasn't published final hardware requirements
for Vista yet, but I have been talking to the company about them, and feel
comfortable that the specs I am recommending below will allow you to upgrade to
Vista with confidence. Although this is a desktop guide, most of these
recommendations apply to laptops, too.

If you don't care about Vista, and plan to stay with
Windows XP for the life of your next computer, follow my last desktop buyer's
guide, which ran in April and is still valid for XP. It's available at: http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20050407.html.

You also won't have to worry about Vista if you buy one
of Apple Computer's Macintosh computers, which don't run Windows. Every
mainstream consumer doing typical tasks should consider the Mac. Its operating
system, called Tiger, is better and much more secure than Windows XP, and
already contains most of the key features promised for Vista.

Microsoft says Vista will automatically downgrade its
features to match weaker hardware. Computers with marginal specs won't be able
to take advantage of all of Vista's capabilities, and will retain the look and
feel of XP.

So, I don't recommend buying a low-end PC this fall and
winter if you expect to upgrade to Vista. The new operating system will almost
certainly be crippled on such a machine, or not work at all. Expect to spend
$600 or more without a monitor, for a PC that can fully run Vista.
Here's what that machine should contain:

Memory: It's likely Microsoft will
suggest 512 megabytes of memory, or RAM, for Vista, but companies almost always
understate such requirements. I strongly recommend at least one gigabyte of
memory. Microsoft officials privately agree that a gigabyte would work
well.

Video: The new Windows will be
especially dependent on strong video. Many low-cost and midlevel PCs today use
something called integrated graphics chips, which are attached to the computer's
main circuit board and don't have their own dedicated video memory, called Video
RAM, or VRAM.

To make the most of Vista, you will need to shun this
design and opt for a machine with "discrete" graphics -- a video card that's
separate from the main board and has its own dedicated memory. Look for at least
64 megabytes of video RAM, preferably 128 megabytes. By next fall, integrated
graphics chips may be good enough for Vista, but not today.

Processor: I have always recommended
avoiding spending extra dollars for the fastest processor, and that position
still holds for Vista. I wouldn't buy a computer with the cheapest or slowest
processor, but a midrange Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processor should be fine.
Consider a "dual-core" processor that essentially combines two chips for added
speed and power, though it's not a Vista requirement.

Another option worth considering is a processor capable
of so-called 64-bit computing. This isn't necessary for Vista, but it's the wave
of the future, and it will be much more powerful than today's computing, which
relies on 32-bit processors. There isn't much software yet that takes advantage
of 64-bit processors, but a lot more is likely to appear in Vista's wake. An AMD
Athlon 64 would be a good bet, because it can handle both 32-bit and 64-bit
software. Intel makes similar processors, which have the term "EM64T" in their
names.

To take full advantage of a 64-bit processor, you should
also double the computer's memory, to two gigabytes.

Hard disk: Disk storage is already
copious enough for Vista, and buying large amounts is cheap. I'd go for at least
160 gigabytes of hard-disk space, because Vista will offer easier ways to manage
and create video, which eats up hard-disk capacity. Also, I'd suggest making
sure the hard drive is fast. It should run at 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM)
and have a cache of two megabytes.
DVD drive: Vista will have much improved
DVD recording for storing videos and for data backup. So, I suggest you get a PC
with a fast, multiformat DVD recording drive.

Next year, closer to Vista's release date that fall,
Microsoft will publish more-detailed specs for Vista-capable PCs, and I will
make any refinements or additions needed to this list. But, if you buy a PC now
with these specs, you should be in good shape for Vista.
Posted by Hunt3rke, Wednesday, October 19, 2005 1:51 PM | 0 comments |

Microsoft defends your right to copy

Ars Technica has linked up an interview Bill Gates gave to the Daily Princetonian. Of particular interest is Gates' rationalization for Microsoft's decision to support HD-DVD over the competing Blu-ray standard:

Well, the key issue here is that the protection scheme under Blu-ray is very
anti-consumer and there's not much visibility of that. The inconvenience is that
the [movie] studios got too much protection at the expense consumers and it
won't work well on PCs. You won't be able to play movies and do software in a
flexible way.
It's not the physical format that we have the issue with, it's
that the protection scheme on Blu is very anti-consumer. If [the Blu-ray group]
would fix that one thing, you know, that'd be fine.

Ars has done an in-depth analysis of Microsoft's decision to back HD-DVD, and examined the copy-protection mechanisms both standards have in place. The bottom line (and a fact that's gotten surprisingly little press) is that the HD-DVD standard explicitly allows and protects limited copying, otherwise known as Managed Copy, while Blu-ray does not. Supporting the Managed Copy feature is a mandatory part of the HD-DVD spec; all HD-DVDs must allow at least one copy to be made, though studios will have the option to charge for it. It's possible that Blu-ray could include a similar feature, since the specification isn't complete, but none has been added to date.
Gates' bluntness and identification of this feature as the overriding reason why Microsoft backs HD-DVD not only highlights the tremendous war going on between content creation and technological heavyweights, but also may signal Microsoft's desire to appear more consumer-friendly than it has in the past. By explicitly backing HD-DVD and its friendlier stance toward fair use, Microsoft may be hoping to assuage user concerns over the level of hardware-driven copy protection Vista will enable, while simultaneously including the stronger protection measures demanded by the movie and music industries.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 1:47 PM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Build 5231 Screenshots












Posted by Hunt3rke, Monday, October 17, 2005 3:57 PM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Build 5231 Released to Testers

Microsoft released build 5231 of the Windows Vista Operating system to Techbeta testers today, many of whom have anticipated the release of this build for many weeks now.

Changes seen so far in 5231 include the distribution of CD ISO images as well as DVD ISO images.

The DVD ISO weighs in at 2930.7MB, slightly larger than the last build, 5219
and the CD ISO image set is only 1622.22MB, over 1GB less then the DVD ISO

Since the download is still going I can’t speak as to the major size difference in the two images.
A 5231 SDK is also offered for download via Microsoft Connect.

The major question, at least in my mind, is when will we see a new Longhorn Server build? The last Server build released to the Techbeta program was 5112, or Beta 1.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 10:11 AM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Drivers

Windows Vista nvidia drivers


Continuing our commitment to develop innovative products that
enhance the end-user experience, NVIDIA has been working closely with Microsoft
to identify and develop key hardware components for Windows Vista™, the next
generation Windows® operating system. NVIDIA is working closely with
Microsoft to develop and support key display components of the Windows Vista OS.
NVIDIA fully supports the Windows Vista Display Driver Model, which will greatly
improve the stability and performance of the OS. PCs equipped with NVIDIA
graphics processing units (GPUs) and Windows Vista Display Driver Model drivers
will also enable users to take full advantage of the new graphically rich user
interface experience in Windows Vista.
NVIDIA offers a complete
top-to-bottom line up of NVIDIA® GeForce™ graphics processing units (GPUs) that
will take full advantage of the new Windows Vista features and functionality
when the final OS is released.
We are supplying this information to assist
enterprise customers procure and deploy PCs before Windows Vista launches.
We will update this information as new products are developed that satisfy the
criteria for the Windows Vista Ready PC program.

Download nvidia vista drivers ==> link

Ati Drivers Catalyst for Windows Vista beta 1 (code name Longhorn)

Download ==> link

Ati FireGL beta 1 for Windows Vista



Ati FireGL beta 1 for Windows Vista driver
description

ATI is one of the first graphic providers to make a 64-bit
driver that supports the Longhorn Display Driver Model (LDDM) – the Microsoft
Vista revolutionary graphic driver standard – as well as the first to provide
LDDM drivers for integrated graphics processors.
By making LDDM drivers available more than a full year prior
to Windows Vista release, ATI provides developers with a stable, feature-enabled
and performance-optimized platform for application developmentProduct series
supported:
· Radeon 9500, 9550, 9600, 9650, 9700, 9800, X300, X600,
X700, X800, X850
· FireGL X1, X2, X3, Z1, T2, V3100, V3200, V5000, V5100,
V7100
· FireMV 2200
· Mobility Radeon 9550, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700,
X800
· Mobility FireGL V3100, V3200, V5000, V5100
· Radeon Xpress 200, 200M

Download ==> link

Windows Vista Audio Drivers Nvidia

nForce Audio Drivers

Drivers ftp://download.nvidia.com/Windows/vista/beta1/
Posted by Hunt3rke, 8:44 AM | 1 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista audio system

Here is a video about vista audio system

Channel 9 forums have a video that has some information about how audio will work in Microsoft Vista.

The audio stack in Windows Vista has been completely rewritten so we can
have cool things like per-app audio control. Anyway, Steve Ball talks to us
about what the team has been working on and gives us some demos and
introduces
us to the team, including Larry.

Download from here

Posted by Hunt3rke, Sunday, October 16, 2005 2:53 PM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Vista To Boost 256mb Graphics Card Sales

Microsoft Beta testers have recently confirmed that Windows Vista works best with 256MB video cards and Digitimes is reporting that the video card makers should see increased sales after the launch. With Microsoft Vista being launched late in 2006 and with new graphics technology (DirectX 10 and High Dynamic Range rendering) coming down the pipes we feel the upgrade is worth it with no matter what.
Windows Vista, Microsoft’s next generation OS, is expected to help graphics card makers see increased profits from rising high-end card demand, according to graphics card makers in Taiwan. As the Vista OS requires higher standard graphics cards, demand for high-end product lines are expected to heat up, indicated the makers. Systems featuring the Vista OS will need graphics processor units (GPUs) that supports 256MB of memory, said the makers, adding that the adoption of Microsoft’s upcoming OS will help the current high-end line migrate into the mainstream market within a shorter time.
Source : www.legitreviews.com
Posted by Hunt3rke, 1:53 PM | 0 comments |

Microsoft's Vista looks to get tablets on write track

LOS ANGELES--After years of trying to decipher your scribbles on its own, Microsoft is looking for a little help.
In Vista, the new incarnation of desktop Windows, due next year, the software giant will let people give the operating system examples of their own handwriting in an effort to improve handwriting recognition. The personalization feature, which is optional, is one of a number of Tablet PC enhancements disclosed this week as part of an updated test version of Vista.
Other new Tablet-specific features in this latest version of Vista include new "gestures" designed to make it easier to navigate through Web pages, send e-mail and manage other frequent tasks without having to switch to a keyboard.
Many of the changes are designed to make the software more predictable than prior versions, and ultimately expand sales of Tablet PC systems. "You get frustrated, and you are going to stop using it," said Ian LeGrow, a group program manager in the Tablet PC unit.
Demand for tablet PCs has not lived up to the expectations set when the first designs debuted in 2002. Research firm IDC reports that a mere million units were sold through the end of 2004, with an estimated 600,000 tablets shipping this year. By comparison, Gartner's latest estimates suggest PC shipments worldwide in 2005 will exceed 202 million units, up 10.2 percent from the previous year.
Microsoft is trying to make tablet technology more pervasive in Windows Vista, as opposed to the niche product it's been to date. In order to take advantage of tablet features in Windows XP, a computer had to be running the specialized Tablet PC edition of the OS. With Vista, Microsoft appears ready to broaden this considerably.
"To date, developers have had problems redistributing Tablet PC technology," Microsoft said in a white paper posted to its developer Web site. "In part to address this, Tablet PC technologies are ubiquitous across all Windows Vista editions."
Others, however, cautioned that this might be overstating things. For example, if Microsoft releases a Starter Edition of Windows Vista, it's unlikely that Tablet PC features would be supported. Microsoft representatives said earlier this week that final packaging decisions have not yet been made.
Getting on the write trackFor years, Microsoft has resisted allowing users to teach the software their individual writing style, preferring instead to continually expand its centralized base of thousands of handwriting samples in an effort to improve accuracy. This stance was not universally supported, with Chairman Bill Gates among those arguing that some personalized training would be useful.
In Vista, the "personalize handwriting recognition" feature presents two options. For those having a problem with a particular letter, word or phrase, there is a "target specific recognition errors" window. For those who are having more pervasive problems, there is an option to provide a more extensive set of samples--from A to Z.
With Vista, tablets will learn not only how users write particular words but also which words they turn to frequently, making those more likely guesses in cases where the software is unsure which word was meant. The software will also adopt Web sites and e-mail addresses that are not part of its standard dictionary.
The personalization option is available only for English-language.
tablets, with a separate background personalization option available for some Asian languages. Microsoft hopes to add other language support in future OS releases.
"For English, we've reached the point that personalization makes a lot of sense," LeGrow said. "It's a hard problem and we're working through all of the issues in this release."
Independent technology analyst Peter Glaskowsky praised the move to ensure that Tablet PCs learn from their individual users.
"That would be a great thing," he said. Glaskowsky is a longtime Apple Newton fan who only recently gave up his long-discontinued device in favor of a Tablet PC.
Glaskowsky said there are still areas in which his faithful Apple handheld outshines Microsoft's creation.
"They (Microsoft) should get eight or 10 of their top people and get them Newton MessagePad 2100s and make them use them instead of tablets for a couple of months," he said. "Then they could learn what they overlooked."
For example, he said, the Newton is much better about giving feedback about which handwriting is being recognized than, say, a Tablet PC running Microsoft's OneNote. But he conceded that he has grown to like some of the modern things that have come in the years since the Newton was crafted--things like multimedia abilities, wireless Internet access and color graphics.
Cleaning up the slateMicrosoft wants to do more than just improve handwriting recognition with the next go-round of Tablet. The goal is to address a host of little bugaboos that made the prior versions tough for users.
One example is a subtle change being made to the cursor: When a pen hovers over the screen, the cursor appears as a small droplet, so the user knows exactly where it is pointing. When a user taps the screen, it looks like the droplet has hit the water, causing a small ripple. A second tap produces a second ripple.
LeGrow said such changes are examples of the feedback a user needs to feel comfortable. With a mouse, it is pretty clear when a user clicks, so people rarely click more times than they mean to. Not so with a pen, he said.
Tablets in Vista will also get new navigational gestures, such as the ability to use the pen to pan through documents. Another gesture, called "flick," allows a user to quickly move a little bit up or down a page. While the standard option is to have flicks for moving up, down, back and forward, advanced users can program commands for additional flicks, such as copy and paste.
The plan is to introduce both the customization and new gestures slowly. After a week or so, a user might be introduced to flicks and offered the option to learn more and begin using them. After two weeks, a dialog box will offer the option of personalization.
One feature that is not in the latest build of Vista is an improved AutoComplete capability that will let the browser and other applications offer suggestions as someone starts writing a Web address or other information. That feature already exists with typing, and, with Vista, the concept will be extended to pen input as well, Microsoft said.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 12:42 PM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Vista will ignore your monitor

A REPORT said an implementation of a system wide content protection scheme in Microsoft Vista will mean many screens will display a "monitor revoked" message.
According to an article in PC World, the scheme called PVP-OPM is intended to stop pirated disks from displaying their content.
But a side effect means that the same scheme will lock out displays which don't support PVP-OPM.
The same report, here, claims that there are very few wide screen desktop monitors which will support the scheme. So even if you're law abiding you're going to be in trouble.
And Blu-ray and Toshiba HD DVDs need Windows Vista, while Windows XP won't support HDCP, Intel's "high bandwidth digital content protection". So there's no point sticking with your old OS.
Oh yes, the OS times they are a changing. And the hardware manufacturers are no doubt rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 12:39 PM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Screenshots

Windows Vista Internet Explorer. (screenshot)
Windows Vista View. (screenshot)


Windows Vista Thumbnail View. (screenshot)


Sync Center. (screenshot)

Windows Side Bar. (screenshot)

Sync Center Conflict Resolution. (screenshot)

Windows Vista Chess. (screenshot)

Windows Vista Games Explorer. (screenshot)


Search window in windows vista (screenshot)


Pictures and videos folder (screenshot)

Control Panel (screenshot)

Virtual Vista folder (screenshot)

Posted by Hunt3rke, Thursday, October 13, 2005 7:05 PM | 1 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista Versions

Retail versions for the home market:
Windows Vista StarterWindows
Vista Home BasicWindows
Vista Home PremiumWindows
Vista Ultimate


Retail and VL versions for the business market:
Windows Vista Pro Standard/SB
Windows Vista Pro Std/SB/Ent - VL Binding Service
Windows Vista Pro Std/SB/Ent - VLGeneric
Windows Vista Pro Std/SB/Ent - DMAK


OEM editions for sale with new consumer PCs
Windows Vista Starter Digital Boost - OEM
Windows Vista Home Basic - OEM
Windows Vista Home Premium - OEM
Windows Vista Ultimate - OEM
OEM editions for sale with new business PCs


Windows Vista Pro Standard/SB - OEM
Longhorn Enterprise Server - OEM
Longhorn Server versions (due in 2007):
Longhorn Enterprise Server (ADS)
Longhorn Enterprise Server - IA64
Longhorn Standard Server
Longhorn Datacenter Server
Posted by Hunt3rke, Wednesday, October 12, 2005 10:24 AM | 1 comments |

Windows Vista Performance Tweaks, Tips, Tricks Episode II:)

As I mentioned in Vista Beta 1 Service Guide Part 1, Windows Vista Beta 1 has several new services and features that we do not all need. I have gone through the list of services that are running in Windows Vista Beta 1 and compiled a list of services that you can safely disable. Before I get started, it is necessary to understand how to disable services in Windows Vista. Similar to other version of Windows, you will be using the Services MMC. Follow the steps below to get started with the Services applet.

~Click Start and then Run.
~Key in services.msc and press OK. The Services applet will now load.
~To stop and disable a service, just right click on a service and select Properties.
~Then, in the properties box change the Startup type to Disabled and hit OK. The next time that you restart your computer the service will no longer be able to start.

Now that you know the basics of disabling a service, I can begin going over the services that I have found that can be disabled to increase your system performance. Below is a list of services that can be disabled. Some provide value added features, so if you use a feature associated with the service consider if it is really worth the slight performance gain compared to the usefulness of the feature.


Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. I do not understand why Microsoft always decides to have this service started by default in Windows. This service is really only useful for system administrators in enterprise environments. Although my faith in Microsoft security is growing, for home users and most power users this service is just waiting to be exploited by the latest virus/Trojan. It provide no useful functionality to us so just disable it.


Software Licensing Service - This service provides licensing technology APIs in Windows. Don't use any software that needs this? Not many do right now. Disable it.


SSDP Discovery Service - Discovers networked devices and services that use the SSDP discovery protocol, such as UPnP devices. Also announces SSDP devices and services running on the local computer. If this service is stopped, SSDP-based devices will not be discovered. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. Do you have any UPnP devices? No, then disable this.
UPnP Device Host - Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer. If this service is stopped, any hosted UPnP devices will stop functioning and no additional hosted devices can be added. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. Do you have any UPnP devices? No, then disable this as well.


WebClient - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. This service is used for things like web folder and WEB DAV. If you are like me and don't use these services, then disable them.


Windows Error Reporting Service - Enables error reporting and solution delivery for application failures (crashes and hangs). If this service is stopped, error reporting might not work correctly. This service has always been a favorite for power users to disable. I'm not going to lie, it will give you a slight performance gain if you disable it since less overhead = more resources for your apps. However, Windows Vista is in Beta! Why wouldn't you want Microsoft to hear about the problems you are having. Don't you want them to have a chance to be fixed?
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) - Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras. Not used? disable it.


Windows Management Instrumentation - Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. This service is used a lot in the enterprise environment in scripting events on computers. In the home area, there is no use for it and can be disabled. If in the future you ever have any problems with installing programs, try re-enabling this service again since some, not all, tend to use it.

Source www.tweakvista.com
Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:35 AM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Performance Tweaks, Tips, Tricks Episode I:)

Windows Vista Beta 1 has several new services and features that we do not all need. I have gone through the list of services that are running in Windows Vista Beta 1 and compiled a list of services that you can safely disable. Before I get started, it is necessary to understand how to disable services in Windows Vista. Similar to other version of Windows, you will be using the Services MMC. Follow the steps below to get started with the Services applet.

~Click Start and then Run.
~Key in services.msc and press OK. The Services applet will now load.
~To stop and disable a service, just right click on a service and select Properties.
~Then, in the properties box change the Startup type to Disabled and hit OK. The next time that you restart your computer the service will no longer be able to start.


Now that you know the basics of disabling a service, I can begin going over the services that I have found that can be disabled to increase your system performance. Below is a list of services that can be disabled. Some provide value added features, so if you use a feature associated with the service consider if it is really worth the slight performance gain compared to the usefulness of the feature.


Digital ID Management Service - Listens for Digital ID related events and invokes the registered Providers to perform their tasks. The order that the Providers are invoked is specified by the dependency settings. If this service is stopped or disabled, this computer and all logged on users will be unable to use the automated functionality. This sounds like a fancy service, but your probably don't have a use for it unless you use any DRM technologies.


Distributed Link Tracking Client - Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network.


Group Policy Client - The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is stopped or disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is stopped or disabled. Are you using any of the new account restrictions in Windows Vista, if not, and if this computer is not on a enterprise network, disable this service to free up some bytes.


IKE and AuthIP IPSec keying modules - IKE and AuthIP IPSec keying modules. Unless you are doing crazy VPN stuff, home users have little use for this service.


Infrared monitor service - Supports infrared devices installed on the computer and detects other devices that are in range. Still have any infrared device sitting around? Yeah right!, disable this unless you are still using any legacy devices that require infrared. If so, consider upgrading sometime in the future to this thing called Blue tooth.


Network Access Protection Agent - Allows windows clients to participate in NAP. If you have no use for NAP or don't know what it is, disable this, you probably don't need it.


Peer Name Resolution Protocol - Enables Serverless Peer Name Resolution over the Internet. DNS lookups without a DNS server? Possibly, but still no use for it.


Peer Networking Identity Manager - Provides Identity service for Peer Networking. P2P service that performance users don't need. Unless you are using the new P2P networking features.


Pen Service - Tablet PC Pen Input Service. This service is running by default on my laptop which is not a tablet PC!


PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator Service - The PnP-X bus enumerator for network connected devices. If you do not have any devices that use this feature (I don't know of any, if any of you do, post a comment!) consider disabling it.

Source www.TweakVista.com

Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:21 AM | 0 comments |

Vista User interface trick Slow Motion Aero Animations on Demand

For those of you have have the aero glass interface working on your computer, it is possible to hold down the shift key while closing, opening, and minimizing a windows to see the animation in slow motion. If you would like to test this out, just follow the steps below:


1. Open up Regedit.

2. Navigate thru HKEY_local_machine, Software, and Microsoft.

3. Create a new KEY called DWM if it is not aleady there.

4. Create a new DWORD called AnimationsShiftKey inside the DWM folder.

5. Set the new DWORD that you just created to a value of 1.

6. Restart your computer for the effect to activate.


Once you have restarted, just hold down the shift key to see any of the window animations in slow motion.

Source www.tweakvista.com

Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:19 AM | 0 comments |

Enable new Avalon Engine

Microsoft Windows Vista, formally Codename longhorn has a new user interface system codenamed Avalon. This new user interface engine greatly enhances the look by utilizing several cool looking 3D effects. Of course, to be able to fully utilize the new engine you need a good 3D video card on top of special drivers (LDDM).
To turn on this effect just execute c:\Windows\System32\UXSS.exe or enable and start the User Experience Session Management Services.


Currently only ATI Radon 9800's are roughly supported. In order to disable the hardware checking so that you can try the effects on your computer, follow the steps below.


1. Open up Regedit.

2. Navigate thru HKEY_local_machine, Software, and Microsoft.

3. Create a new KEY called DWM.

4. In the new DWM key you created, create a DWORD called EnableMachineCheck.

5. Make sure this value is set to 0 and hardware checking is now disabled.


Quick Note: Although you can get it to run on older hardware, with the lack of LDDM drivers available, it is going to run very slowly!

Source http://www.tweakvista.com/

Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:18 AM | 0 comments |

Additional Avalon effects

Once you have the new Aero engine enabled on your build of Windows codename Longhorn, you can enable additional transition effects that are currently turned off in builds. Follow the steps below to add some additional desktop and explorer effects:
1. Open up regedit.

2. Navigate thru HKEY_Local_Machine, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, and Explorer.

3. Create a new DWORD and call it MILDesktop.

4. Set the value of MILDesktop to 1.

5. Create a new DWORD and call it MILExplorer.

6. Set the value of MILExplorer to 1.

7. Exit explorer and restart.

Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:17 AM | 0 comments |

Missing the old File, Edit, View menu bar?! (Windows Vista Tweak 2)

One of the main concepts of Windows Vista is to make things more simple, basically take some of the complexity out of Windows.The decision was made to do away with the old menu bar in many of the windows of Windows Vista because they simply looked too busy and offered the user too many, often confusing, choices.
This all sounds great but we are power users and most of us like complexity because it gives us more control. Thankfully, Microsoft didn't really do away with it completely, they just hid it. The next time you are using Windows Vista and wish that old menu bar was still around, just hit ALT on your keyboard and it magically appear!

Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:15 AM | 0 comments |

Checkbox Select Alternative (Windows Vista Tweak)

Windows Vista includes a new method to select files when using explorer. Instead of holding down CTRL and then clicking on all the files you want to select, Vista includes the option to check boxes to select items instead. This new feature can be a little hard to get used to at first, but after you use it for a little while, it will be helpful if you were a big user of the CTRL method.
This feature has helped me in situations where I had to select dozens of files or folders and would accidentally click in the wrong area and then I would loose all of my selections, forcing me to start over selecting folders. With the check box feature enabled, accidental clicks that lead to mass de-selection are no longer possible.
Enabling the new feature is very easy, just about anyone could do it. To get started, follow the steps below:
In order to begin, you will need to use the Tools menu. In Windows Vista the menu-bar is hidden by default in most windows. Just hit ALT on your keyboard to bring it back. Now that you can see it again, click on Tools and then select Folder Options.
Once the Folder Options dialog is displayed, click on the View tab.
Under Advanced Settings, scroll down to the bottom of the list and check Use check boxes to select items.
Next, click OK and you are finished.
In order to see the new changes you may have to close and reopen all open windows.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:09 AM | 0 comments |

Allchin on Vista: "It's Not Going to Work"

Microsoft group vice president Jim Allchin walked into chairman Bill Gates' office in July 2004 and told him that the software project was horribly behind schedule and would never get caught up. "It's not going to work," he said, according to a report in "The Wall Street Journal." The problem was that Vista was too complicated, and Microsoft's age-old methods for developing software just weren't going to be good enough.
Despite my repeated efforts at getting Microsoft to speak on record about the events of last year, when the company halted development of Windows Vista--then codenamed Longhorn--so it could completely start over, from scratch, the software giant and its PR firm has consistently railroaded me and prevented me from sitting down with people who are knowledgeable about what happened. However, I had been briefed informally about these events, referred to internally as "the reset."

Contrary to the WSJ report, however, the reset was underway months earlier than July 2004. At the company's annual Windows Engineering Conference (WinHEC) show that April, Microsoft handed out a Longhorn build to developers that would be the last pre-reset version of the code to ship outside the company. Microsoft executives knew at that time that the development situation had spiraled way out of control, and that they would need to start over, scrapping much of the code that had already been developed.

According to the WSJ, Gates initially resisted Allchin's plan to reset Vista, sure that the company could turn things around. That resistance set back the reset--and thus, the eventual Vista release date--by several months. "There was some angst by everybody," Gates said. "It's obviously my role to ask people, 'Hey, let's not throw things out we shouldn't throw out. Let's keep things in that we can keep in.'" It was too late for that. "The ship was just crashing to the ground," Allchin said. Ship, train, whatever.

Previous to Windows Vista, Microsoft had developed new client and server versions of Windows fairly regularly, every few years. But the enormous laundry list of promised features in Windows Vista proved costly to the software giant. Originally due in 2003, Windows Vista has slipped several times and is now expected in late 2006. Microsoft first showed off the system publicly over two years ago. These time periods are vast eons in software time. And during that time period, Microsoft's competitors have come on strong. Google now dominates the Web. The open source Linux system is a viable server competitor. And Apple's technically excellent Mac OS X system, while not a threat at all to the PC desktop, remains in the game with an ever-possible sales boost from the iPod and iTunes, which dominate the consumer electronics and digital music markets, respectively.

How damaging has Windows Vista been to Microsoft? Allchin, the man mostly directly responsible for Windows development at Microsoft, will retire when the product ships. The entire Microsoft corporate structure has been reorganized to meet the company's new competitive needs, which only came to light when Vista's massive delays highlighted the company's slowness and weaknesses. And customers now doubt that Microsoft is capable of anything grand: Some of Vista's most compelling features, such as a database-backed storage engine that's been in the works for over a decade, have been scrapped so that the company can simply release Vista in a reasonable amount of time.

Much of the problems are related to corporate culture, and that won't be fixed by Microsoft's recent reorganization. Microsoft is far too big a company with far too many levels of executives, to move quickly and seize on new market trends. Windows Vista, as a result, is fighting the OS battles of the last decade, reacting rather than being proactive and innovative. Mac OS X users, for example, can point to many of Vista's features and correctly note that they appeared first on Apple's system, sometimes years ago. For Microsoft, a company that desperately wants to be seen as an innovator, this situation is untenable.

All that said, Windows Vista is now on track. Current beta builds of the system show an OS that is far more similar to Windows XP, with fewer new features and a much less elegant interface, than originally planned. But it's a solid-looking release, and some of the upcoming consumer-oriented features, which Microsoft will reveal between now and the Beta 2 release in early December, are sure to wow users. Has Microsoft gotten its groove back? Not at all, and there are still huge changes that need to be made. But righting the ship for Windows Vista was a good first step.
Source http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/47865/47865.html?Ad=1
Posted by Hunt3rke, Saturday, October 08, 2005 9:07 AM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista beta 2 comes in November

THE NEXT VERSION of the Vole's highly anticipated operating system is expected in November. It won't speed up introduction of this system but it at least means that we are one step closer to the Q4 2006 introduction.
New beta version of Longhorn aka Vista will have its graphic component a little bit readier than before as it's already time to start working on a user interface and the gaming part of the API. Both Nvidia and ATI are working on Vista drivers, and once this operating system is out, people will be able to see that last year's decision by ATI to start using frameworks was not a bad idea after all.
All Vista drivers will need frameworks, as this is something what Microsoft demanded, it was not a choice, it was an order.
Graphic companies have to start playing with Aero glass and all the other Mac OS looking visual effect features in Vista and therefore the Beta will get them even more functionality and bug fixes as well.
When it's done, Vista will have fully functional DirectX 10 inside but we suspect that some of the next betas might use DirectX 9.0L, the one that features Shader model 4.0 but we can not confirm or deny this yet.
After Beta 2 there is always Beta 3, possibly even a couple of Release candidates and it will sure take times to get the final retail product. Well, Windows XP with Service pack 2 is not bad at all at least when it comes to gaming and word processing.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 9:00 AM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 1 Fact Sheet

Windows Vista beta 1 is an important milestone on Microsoft’s path to releasing the final version of Windows Vista. Beta 1 is being delivered to more than 10,000 beta testers.

Windows Vista™ beta 1 is an important milestone on Microsoft Corp.’s path to releasing the final version of Windows Vista. Beta 1 will provide developers, IT professionals and Windows® enthusiasts with an opportunity to test the operating system’s infrastructure and provide Microsoft with valuable feedback. Beta 1 is being delivered to more than 10,000 beta testers via the Windows Vista Technical Beta Program, and thousands more people will receive beta 1 through the MSDN® developer program and Microsoft® TechNet.

Fundamental Improvements for Computing With More Confidence

Windows Vista beta 1 focuses on greatly improving the Windows’ fundamentals — security, deployment, manageability and performance — so developers, IT professionals and end users can have more confidence in their PCs. Enhancements have been made in the following areas:

  • Security. Windows Vista will deliver many new or improved security features that provide a usable, consistent and manageable experience in corporate, mobile and roaming environments, as well as in the home. Some examples of new security features in Windows Vista beta 1 include these:
  • User Account Protection features enable administrators to deploy PCs set up to give end users only the privileges they need to perform their tasks. This bridges the gap between user and administrative privileges by running applications with limited permissions.
  • Windows Service Hardening monitors critical Windows services for abnormal activity in the file system, registry and network that could be used to allow malware to persist on a machine or propagate to other machines.
  • Anti-malware features detect and remove worms, viruses and other types of malicious software from the computer during an upgrade.
  • Advanced data protection technologies reduce the risk that data on laptops or on other computers will be viewed by unauthorized users, even if the computer is lost or stolen. Windows Vista supports full-volume encryption to help prevent disk access to files by other operating systems. It also stores encryption keys in a Trusted Platform Model (TPM) v1.2 chip. The entire system partition is encrypted in both the hibernation file and the user data.
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista Beta 1 includes many features to help protect against malicious Web sites and malware. To help protect against phishing and spoofing attacks, Internet Explorer also does the following:
  • Highlights the address bar when users visit a secure sockets layer-protected site and lets users easily check the validity of a site’s security certificate
  • Allows users to clear all cached data with a single click
  • Network Access Protection. Viruses and worms can attack a protected internal network through mobile computers that do not have the latest updates, security configuration settings or virus signatures downloaded. Mobile users may connect to unprotected networks at hotels, airports or coffee shops, where their computers can become infected by malware or a virus. Windows Vista has Network Access Protection to help prevent security-compromised computers from connecting to a user’s internal network until security criteria are met.
  • Firewall. Windows Vista provides outgoing as well as incoming filtering, which can be centrally managed via Group Policy. This lets administrators control which applications are allowed to communicate or are blocked from communicating on the network. Controlling network access is one of the most important ways to mitigate security risks.
  • Deployment. Windows Vista will help make desktop deployment dramatically faster and easier. Deployment features included in Windows Vista Beta 1 include the following:
  • The Windows Imaging (WIM) format provides a single file that contains one or more complete Windows Vista installation images. To conserve space, Windows Vista compresses the file and stores only a single copy of files that more than one image share. As a result, Windows Vista images help eliminate redundancy, decrease file size, and reduce installation or migration time. Image-based setup also is less error-prone than a scripted installation process.
  • Windows Pre-installation Environment (PE) enables administrators to configure Windows offline as well as diagnose and troubleshoot hardware problems before launching the setup process.
  • The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) helps administrators quickly identify, analyze and resolve any issues with non-standard applications being migrated to Windows Vista.
  • Manageability. Windows Vista will help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) of PCs through simplified management, increased automation of tasks and improved diagnostics. Improvements in Windows Vista beta 1 include these:
  • Better diagnostics implementation, including auto-diagnosis and auto-correction of common error conditions, fixes for known crashes and “hangs,” and new technology to minimize reboots when installing software, are included.
  • An improved Task Scheduler schedules tasks to launch when a specific event occurs, such as when disk space becomes insufficient.
  • Web Services for Management (WS-Management) makes it easier to run scripts remotely and to perform other management tasks. Communication can be both encrypted and authenticated, helping limit security risks.
  • Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0) provides a common framework for management tools, making them easier to find and use. MMC 3.0 supports richer, more functional graphical user interfaces for management and allows administrators to run multiple tasks in parallel, keeping administrative tools responsive even after launching a complex or slow management task.
  • Performance. Windows Vista will help improve PC performance in key areas, including starting up, waking up and responding to user actions. Performance features included in Windows Vista beta 1 include the following:
  • Quick startup. Login scripts and startup applications and services process in the background while users perform their desired tasks.
  • Sleep state. The new Sleep state in Windows Vista combines the speed of Standby mode with data protection features and low-power consumption of Hibernate. The Sleep state also allows users to change or remove a battery with little risk to open applications and data, since memory is safely written to the hard disk. Startup from the Sleep state requires just seconds, meaning fewer shutdowns and restarts are necessary, which helps improve power management.
  • Superior memory management and improved input/output (I/O) management makes Windows Vista more responsive than previous versions of Windows, especially in the most noticeable tasks, such as opening the Start menu or right-clicking a file in Windows Explorer to display a shortcut menu.

Clear and Connected


Many of the innovative end-user features and user-interface (UI) changes for Windows Vista will not be included until the release of Windows Vista beta 2. However, Windows Vista beta 1 does include an early look at the new UI design, and showcases some of the features that will give users clear ways to organize and use their information and seamlessly connect to people and devices, including these:

  • Searching and finding information.Windows Vista will introduce a new organization concept called a Virtual Folder, which is a saved search that is automatically and instantly run when a user opens the folder. In addition, every new Explorer in the operating system, including Internet Explorer, includes a new Quick Search box that enables customers to quickly search through large amounts of content being viewed or to initiate wider content searches across the PC.
  • Glass and new Window animation. The Windows Vista desktop experience will deliver a new visual identity — translucent glass with more animation. Because it is visually intuitive, the glass helps users focus on the task at hand, whether reading a document, viewing a Web page or editing a photo.
  • Redesigned Start menu with application search. The Windows Vista redesigned Start menu will make it faster and easier for users to find specific applications and to browse through all programs.
  • Sync Manager. Windows Vista will unify the synchronization with the Sync Manager, a new interface that enables users to initiate a manual sync, stop an in-progress sync, see the status of current sync activities and receive notifications to resolve conflicts across all devices and data sources with the click of a single button.
  • Networked projection for mobile PCs. Windows Vista will make it easier for users to connect a mobile PC to a projector over a network to display a presentation, or to share a presentation with nearby PCs. The networked projection feature allows a Windows Vista-based computer to detect nearby PCs or projectors and establish a connection through a network, regardless of whether the network is wired or wireless, ad hoc or part of a corporate infrastructure.

Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista Beta 1


In addition to the security features mentioned above, Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista beta 1 includes new capabilities that make everyday tasks easier, including support for tabbed browsing, a toolbar search box that includes AOL search, Ask Jeeves, Google, MSN® Search and Yahoo! Search, as well as shrink-to-fit printing of Web pages to automatically resize the page to print properly. Also, with new integrated support for emerging technologies such as Web feeds (RSS), users of Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista will get personalized news, sports, shopping information and blogs delivered directly to their PCs. Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista beta 2 will continue to build on the security enhancements with support for anti-phishing, which will help warn and protect users against fraudulent Web sites and personal data theft in the browser. It will also add a Protected Mode to give Internet Explorer sufficient rights to browse the Web, but not enough rights to modify user settings or data. Many of these new browser features will also be available to users of Windows XP through Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 2. Internet Explorer 7 beta 1 for Windows XP is now available to IT administrators, developers and enthusiasts for testing and evaluation through the Technical Beta Program and MSDN.

Windows Server, Code-Named “Longhorn”

The first beta of Windows Server™, code-named “Longhorn,” also is now available to a limited number of participants in the Technical Beta Program, including hardware manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, independent hardware vendors, system builders, independent software vendors and developers. The next version of Windows Server, code-named “Longhorn” is designed to provide a secure and reliable server platform, helping customers reduce IT complexity, increase end-user productivity and deliver rich new applications. The new server operating system is slated for final release in 2007.

“Avalon” and “Indigo”


Windows Vista beta 1 also includes the first beta of Windows Presentation Foundation (formerly known by the code name “Avalon”) and Windows Communication Foundation (formerly known by the code name “Indigo”), which are part of the WinFX™ programming model. WinFX extends the Microsoft .NET Framework with classes for building new user interface experiences and advanced Web services. Together, they enable developers to build connected systems that take advantage of the processing power of the smart client, incorporate cutting-edge media and graphics, and communicate with other applications with improved security and reliability.


Source http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/winxp/VistaBeta1FS.mspx

Posted by Hunt3rke, 8:57 AM | 1 comments |

Vista graphics drivers to be more stable than XP drivers, ATI says

San Francisco (CA) - Graphics drivers developed for Vista, Microsoft's next generation operating system, will be far more stable than their Windows XP-based counterparts, and not crash the operating system anymore, an executive of graphics chip developer ATI told Tom's Hardware Guide .
Ben Bar-Haim, vice president of ATI's software division, told us consumers will be able to identify graphics cards supporting Vista by way of a "Vista ready" logo, which will likely appear in multiple flavors indicating different feature levels. The release of Microsoft's new operating system may still be at least one year out, but hardware manufacturers, including ATI, are already gearing up for yet another certification and logo round: "Vista ready" will be the catch-phrase promoting hardware products as a safe investment.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 8:04 AM | 0 comments |

Windows Vista Networking System


Apparently in addition to the audio system being rewritten as the last post showed, Microsoft have reworked their networking system in Windows Vista as well.
‘The networking stack in Windows Vista has been completely rewritten. Hear about what’s new.
IPv6. Much better performance. Better firewall. Better security. Exciting stuff! Meet the team too.’
This is great news as networking in windows XP was very frustrating. Even windows to windows networking seemed to be flakey and in the sometimes will work category.
I have heard that Microsoft have promised to make wireless netwoking much easier in Windows Vista and that is a very welcome progress.

Download video from channel 9 here
Posted by Hunt3rke, Friday, October 07, 2005 1:56 PM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista Advantages

VISTA provides a complete suite of 2D and 3D processing routines on a PC running Windows 98, NT, XP, or 2000. Packages are available for field or office versions, pre-stack or post stack, 2D only or 2D and 3D.


INTERLINKED ATTRIBUTE & SEISMIC DISPLAY WINDOW

VISTA provides the ability to use a data attribute window as a quick means of identifying anomalies or problems and display the relevant data for inspection.
THRESHOLD CRITERIA FOR AUTOMATIC DATA EDITING

VISTA provides the ability to check thresholds actively on a combination of any parameters, e.g. noise, maximum frequency, distance from bin centre. These thresholds may then be applied so as to omit those traces that fail from being processed. These thresholds may be changed and a different set of traces would then be excluded.
MULTIPLE INPUT / OUTPUT PROCESSING FLOWS

VISTA provides the ability to have both multiple inputs and multiple outputs within processing flows. This enables the simultaneous generation of alternate products and is a very useful aid in processing trials. It may also be used to treat some fraction of the data in a different fashion according to a particular key, e.g. if trying to match Vibroseis data with dynamic data.
POPULAR PLATFORM

VISTA is unique in offering full seismic processing and advanced QC facilities on PCs. With the ever increasing power of PCs, their low cost, and ease of use, this is a very powerful benefit.
SCALED PLOTTING
AND SIDE LABELS

VISTA provides CGM+ plotting using the Larson package as an integral component of the software. Scaled plots may also be directed to a Versatec (B/W raster) type of plotter (e.g. OYO) or to a Windows printer. A unique and flexible side label generator is supplied.
SPREAD CONFIRMATION DIAGNOTICS

VISTA provides unique abilities via the attribute window and header plots to confirm the shot and receiver positions for any or all in a 3D survey.
A TRULY MODERN SYSTEM

VISTA provides all the advantages of a new design utilizing C++ code allied to concepts developed through much experience of designing specifically for seismic processing. This leads to very rapid capabilities for enhancement and easy addition of new processing routines.
OPEN SYSTEM



VISTA provides a programming development interface allowing the capability for users to add their own algorithms to the existing suite of software. Industry standard formats are used wherever they exist. Files can be created in ASCII such that they may be created/edited with standard word processing or spread-sheet software.
Service

VISTA is under continual development. The wide user community plus our internal expertise ensures enhancements that are both useful and timely. And, of course, our reputation in the industry for service has become legendary, guaranteeing you the best you can get.

Source http://www.gedco.com/HTML/sw/vista_advantage.shtm
Posted by Hunt3rke, 9:04 AM | 0 comments |

TCP/IP Stack in Windows Vista


Windows Vista will include a new implementation of the TCP/IP protocol suite known as the Next Generation TCP/IP stack. The new stack, which will figure in both Windows Vista and Windows Longhorn Server, is a total redesign of TCP/IP functionality for both Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).

A full list of features and descriptions of the architecture can be seen at Microsoft’s TechNet site.
Posted by Hunt3rke, Thursday, October 06, 2005 3:06 AM | 0 comments |

Windows XP to get another upgrade (Service Pack 3 on his way)

Service Pack 3 will arrive after Vista is released, according to Microsoft France

Microsoft has revealed plans to release a third service pack for Windows XP.
"There will be a Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP," Bernard Ourghanlian, technical and security director at Microsoft France, confirmed, revealing that Microsoft's operating systme is set for another major evolution.
Windows XP's Service Pack 2, which came out in September 2004, has already deeply modified the operating system and updated its security.
Windows XP SP3 will be available in the course of next year, after the launch of Windows Vista, which "is the priority for the development teams", according to Microsoft France.
Microsoft has yet to reveal any details about the contents of the service pack. Laurent Delaporte, assistant MD at Microsoft France said: "Historically, certain functions of new versions of Windows are integrated in the service packs of previous versions."
It's therefore likely that some of the less significant features of Vista will make an appearance in Windows XP SP3.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 3:01 AM | 0 comments |

Demo of Avalon 3D

Cool stuff. Originally designed to only run on the next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, Avalon is now supported on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. In fact, the demo here is done on XP.

Posted by Hunt3rke, Wednesday, October 05, 2005 8:10 AM | 0 comments |

Microsoft Windows Vista Features

Additionally, Vista will include many other new features. Please note that not all of these features are guaranteed to be in the final Windows Vista release, these are simply features that have been mentioned as likely being part of Windows Vista but may be pulled due to development limitations. Also note that each specific version of Windows Vista will contain a slightly different feature set.


Aero

AERO is an acronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open.

Vista will include a re-designed user interface, code-named Aero. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows, including new transparencies, animations and eye candy implemented similarly to Mac OS X's Quartz Compositor. As of yet, little or nothing has been shown of Aero in public/leaked builds. However, Microsoft makes it clear that the changes are by no means superficial. An external design firm, Pentagram, are involved in developing the new interface, which includes the new Vista logo developed by a partner at the firm, Robert Brunner, who is known for leading the design team for Apple Computer's PowerBook 100 in 1991. [1]


Search

Vista will feature a new search engine that will allow for instant display of results for a given search. This is in contrast to the search engine of Windows XP, which can take several minutes to display results. The Vista search will allow you to add multiple filters to continually refine your search (Such as "File contains the word 'example'"). There will also be saved searches that will act as Virtual Folders, where opening a folder will execute a specific search automatically and display the results as a normal folder, as is currently offered in Microsoft Outlook 2003. These virtual folders are also distributable via RSS. The search will also feature other usability improvements. The Vista search is actually built on an expanded and improved version of the indexing service for the search in Windows XP. This feature is similar to the MSN Search Toolbar and Apple's Spotlight technology. Searching in Vista will also allow you to search across RSS/ATOM feeds, straight from explorer.

Windows Vista search will go beyond just finding files. Programs developed for Vista can easily add in search to their own programs making them much easier to use in file related tasks. Vista will use also IFilters [2] that are used today by Windows Desktop Search. The IFilter interface can be implemented by software makers so that files created by their applications can be better integrated with search and indexing programs.

Searching in Vista is planned to be refined when WinFS is finally released.


XML Paper Specification (XPS)

XPS was formerly known as "Metro", and is Microsoft's next generation document format, which is based on XML. It is similar in many ways to Adobe Systems' PDF. XPS is intended to allow users to view, print, and archive files without the original program that created them. The name XPS also refers to one of the print paths in Windows Vista. With XPS, documents can remain in the same format from the time they are created to the time they are printed. Microsoft states that XPS will provide better fidelity to the original document by using a consistent format for both screen and print output.

While many analysts suspect XPS is intended to be a "PDF-killer", Microsoft insists that they are not attempting to duplicate all the functionality of the PDF. For example, at the time of this writing, XPS is not planned to have the capabilities for dynamic documents.

XPS is a subset of Windows Presentation Foundation, allowing it to incorporate rich vector-graphic elements in documents. The elements used are taken to a lower level (i.e. described in terms of paths) to allow for portability across platforms. In effect, it consists of XAML files, with necessary fonts, zipped in a package.


Shell

The new shell is a significant change from previous versions of Windows. Combined with the new desktop searching feature, the shell gives users the ability to find and organize their files in new ways. Apart from the typical file organization practice of using folders to contain files, a new collection known as Lists let you organize files from multiple locations in a single place.

A new type of folder known as a Shadow Folder has the ability to revert its entire contents to any arbitrary point in the past.

Additionally, the shell contains significant advancements in the visualization of files on a computer. Previous versions of the Windows Shell would display thumbnails to represent different files on your computer. In Windows Vista the thumbnail concept is taken further by overlaying different imagery to communicate more information about the particular file such as a picture frame around the thumbnail of an image file, or a filmstrip on a video file. Windows Vista helps the user identify the file easily by more intelligently generating the thumbnails. Using algorithmic analysis, images are cropped around their likely subject, and interesting key frames are automatically chosen from a video file. Also, the ability to zoom the thumbnails in the shell greatly increases their usefulness.


Networking

Windows Vista is expected to have a brand new networking stack. A significant change is a more complete implementation of IPv6 which is now supported by all networking components, services, and the user interface. Vista also takes advantage of peer-to-peer technology to provide a new type of domain-like networking setup known as a Castle. Castles make it possible for user credentials to propagate across networked computers without a centralized server, making them more suitable for a home network.

The ability to assist the user in diagnosing a network problem is expected to be a major new networking feature. Using technologies such as UPnP, Windows Vista has a greater awareness of the network topology the host computer is in. With this new network awareness technology it can provide help to the user in fixing network issues or simply provide a graphical view of the perceived network configuration.


Other features and changes

  • Full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present as NX in AMD's K8 processors and as XD (EDB) in [Intel]]'s processors, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with trusted computing facilities provided by a so-called Fritz-chip.
  • Built-in DVD recording capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support.
  • A file-based disk imaging technology called XImage, that will install Vista in about 15 minutes rather than the 40 minutes taken by the current file-by-file copying method (XImage has been present since alpha build 4074).
  • Native Raw image support (a format used by most professional digital cameras).
  • Native, embedded RSS support, with developer API.
  • File encryption support superior to that available in Windows XP, which will make it easier and more automatic to prevent unauthorized viewing of files on stolen laptops or hard drives.
  • The "My" prefixes will be dropped, so "My Documents" will just be "Documents", "My Computer" will just be "Computer", etc.
  • The long "Documents and Settings" folder is now just "Users".
  • Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSat), a built in benchmarking tool which analyzes the different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), and uses the results to allow for comparison to other Vista systems, and for software optimizations. The optimizations can be made by both windows and third-party software. Tom's Hardware Overview
  • File virtualization, a feature that automatically creates private copies of files that an application can use when it does not have permission to access the original files. This facilitates stronger file security and helps applications not written with security in mind to run under stronger restrictions.
  • Transactional File Transfers, prevents a half updated set of files from being created during updates for example, which can cause stability problems.
  • InfoCard, a user interface to the Identity Metasystem.
  • SafeDocs Restore Service, a Windows Backup tool allowing automatic backup of files, recovery of specific files and folders, recovery of specific file types, or recovery all files.
  • New Japanese font called Meiryo, supporting the new and modified characters of the JIS X 0213:2004 standard.[3]
  • Support of UNIX-style symbolic links. [4]
  • Red screen of death in addition to the blue one.
Posted by Hunt3rke, 5:34 AM | 0 comments |