From Computer World

 

"(REUTERS) - Microsoft Corp. is releasing preview versions of its new Windows Vista operating system about once a month in an effort to get more customer feedback than usual ahead of next year's launch, the company said today.

The world's largest software maker also reiterated its plan to launch Vista in the second half of 2006, five years after the release of its current version, Windows XP. It's the longest gap ever between major launches of Microsoft's core Windows product, the company's cash cow, which accounts for more than a quarter of its $40 billion in annual revenue.

Microsoft gave some customers preview versions of Vista in September and October and expects to offer another version with more improvements in December."

Read the rest here 

From Computer World

 

"I'm sure that anyone who has used Windows has at least one pet peeve they'd like to see remedied. Although I like Windows in its latest incarnation, I'm no exception.

Without further ado, here's a look at four problems I'd like to see fixed in Windows Vista:

1. Focus, focus, focus. The way Windows decides what window or application is active is one of my long-standing gripes. Example: Say you need to reference a Web page while editing a Microsoft Word document. As you type, the browser is launched, but you're not paying attention to it. As you continue to type in Word, you realize midsentence that you're on your home page and have been typing in the address bar. Exasperated, you have to click to your document and retype the sentence from where Windows changed the active window.

Here's the deal, Bill: Never, ever change focus from the window I'm working on until I explicitly command Windows to do so. We all work in specific ways, and most of us, I'm sure, would be grateful to be given a choice on how Windows handles change of focus."

Read the rest here

Totally agreed, this is one of my biggest gripes about Windows, hopefully we will see these changes realized in Vista. Other great suggestions are in this column worth reading and I hope the Windows Team is listening.

From Extreme Tech

 

"Microsoft's Media Center Edition of Windows XP has had a hard time. Though it's hard to call it a poor seller, MCE certainly has a market penetration that represents only a tiny fraction of the many millions of computers running Windows XP. And why should it? Most users don't have nice hi-def TVs hooked up to their PCs, or TV tuners, or really any need to enjoy their music, video, and TV stored on their PC via a 10-foot user interface. It doesn't help that the first edition of Media Center wasn't very good, either. Then again, Microsoft bounced back with its second effort, Media Center Edition 2005, one of the most improved software products ever.

Over the last year, and continuing for the next couple years, digital media on the PC has really started to take center stage. People actually care about video, music, and TV on their PCs. Managing all these things with a simple, intuitive interface that can be easily used from across the room has become more of a priority. Microsoft recognizes this, and as such it will no longer segregate MCE to its own SKU, destined for PCs masquerading as set-top boxes. With Windows Vista, the Media Center functions will be built into the "Home Premium" and "Ultimate" editions, which will probably quadruple its installed base in no time flat. We all know Windows Vista will cause a huge change in the way the desktop looks and feels, and MCE is getting a similar face-lift."

Read the rest here 

From W-Tweaks

 

Is there a November Vista CTP in the Wings? asks Mary Jo Foley from Microsoft-Watch.com. So what happened? The long overdue November CTP (Community Technology Preview) was supposed to be released to selected testers on November 18th but nothing happened. A few days later, official Microsoft partners and vendors received the 5259 bits through the TAP (Technology Adaption Program) and we hear that they declared it too buggy and unstable. Rumors are that Microsoft reconsidered the release of 5259 to the waiting Windows community. Instead, they will most likely take 5262 or 5263 and optimize it in terms of performance and especially stability.

However, we will not let you wait and give you all the news about Windows Vista Build 5259 which is one of the predecessors to Beta 2 (Release date: Between February and April 2006).

Read the rest here

Some cool screenshots too, worth reading!

From News.com

 

"The second beta of Windows Vista will not come until next year, Microsoft said Tuesday.

The software maker did not give a time frame for the release of Beta 2 of the operating system, and said only that it would have more to say next year. Microsoft had not said when Beta 2 will come, but some had expected it might come in December or January.

Microsoft did say it still plans to release the final version of Vista in the second half of next year.

"First and foremost, we are still on track for general availability in the second half of calendar year 2006," said Amitabh Srivastava, a corporate vice president in Microsoft's Windows unit.

Read the rest here

I think the aim really is to have a near feature complete build, not to meet a CTP demand, so yes, don't expect a December CTP. I see this more as progress than a let down for Technical Testers, users should see some exciting stuff in the next build of Windows Vista.

From Microsoft-Watch

 

"A new Community Technology Preview release of Vista, made available to select testers last week, may or may not make it out to a wider group. What's going on with the Windows CTP program?

When Microsoft released its first Windows Vista Community Technology Preview (CTP) build this fall, company officials said they did so in the name of transparency. But testers say Microsoft is being anything but transparent about the November CTP build of the next version of Windows, which some company watchers are speculating will go to a wider pool of testers on Tuesday. However, one tester, who requested anonymity, said he believed there would be no November CTP, and possibly no additional CTPs at all." Read the rest here Becareful Mary-Jo, Eminem might file a lawsuit against you.

From WinSuperSite

 

In part one of my comparison of Windows Vista Beta 1 and Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," I looked at three key aspects of each system: Look and feel, desktop search, and data visualization and organization. For the most part, OS X came out well ahead of Windows Vista, as you'd expect, since it's a polished finished product. Vista, meanwhile, is all knees and elbows, an awkward teenager on its way to maturity. Microsoft will iron out the details, I'm sure, but the end result will likely not change much. Specifically, OS X will always be elegant, and Windows will almost certainly lag behind in the fit and finish department. The only questions are how much Vista will improve when compared to previous Windows versions, and whether it will be enough to keep customers from moving to OS X.

From Information Week

 

"Not many concrete details about the next next-generation version of Windows have been made public. Code-named Windows Blackcomb, this OS will replace Windows Vista.

Blackcomb (also named after that Canadian ski resort) was originally scheduled to be the successor to Windows XP, but the company decided to release Windows Vista in the interim while they focus on more ambitious changes for Blackcomb.

According to Internet rumors, Microsoft sources have indicated that Blackcomb's goal will be nothing short of a radical rethinking of the way users interact with their PCs. This will probably entail a complete replacement of the Start menu and Taskbar, as well as the entire Explorer shell.

Blackcomb should feature two technologies originally planned for Vista but removed because of time constraints: the WinFS file storage system, and a new command-line scripting language known as the Microsoft Command Shell (code name Monad). Not surprisingly, the OS will also include bolstered security features.

The current release date for Blackcomb is thought to be somewhere around 2011 or 2012, but Microsoft isn't saying for sure."

Read more about the 20 years of Windows here

Yes, its immature and fannatical to even be posting about this version of Windows especially with Windows Vista/Longhorn Server still in early development, I can't help it, thats just me.

From Microsoft

 

Abstract

This document provides information regarding features in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition that differ in functionality from Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2). It is important to note that this document uses the Windows XP Professional SP2 feature set as the baseline for comparison with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Features not documented here are at parity with Windows XP Professional SP2 and function the same way."

 

Download the document here

From Searching Network

 

"Unless you've been living under a rock, you no doubt know by now that Microsoft is currently working toward releasing the next version of the Windows operating system, Windows Vista. As you would probably expect, Windows Vista will be loaded with new features. One thing that caught me by surprise though was that Microsoft has made some major changes to the way that TCP/IP is implemented.

About ten years ago, I remember listening to an instructor in an MCSE class explaining that the world was about to run out of IP addresses. He went on to explain that soon there would be no choice but to adopt a different addressing scheme. The process, he explained, would be painful because having everyone switch to a different addressing scheme would be comparable to having everyone in the world simultaneously change phone numbers. Since that time, I have heard a few other people express similar concerns. At the time, making a switch to the IP Version 6 (IPv6) was touted as a solution to the problem. What actually ended up happening though was that the world adopted NAT as a method for conserving IP addresses."

Read the rest here 

From ActiveWin

 

We have posted up eight new exclusive high-res screenshots of Microsoft's November Community Tech Preview Build 5259. New features in this build include anti-spyware, virus scanning, GUI changes, Windows Media Player 11, instant off, and more. Our screenshots include the new UI changes (showing the glass effects), start menu, IE 7, WMP 11, Windows Mail, the default background, anti-spyware, etc. The new UI changes included a new start menu panel, new system properties, new start button (Orb) and much more. Have a look!

It looks like Microsoft gearing up to deliver a new build of Windows Vista 5259 after Thanks Giving holidays (assumption). Pro-Networks has some screenshots on their website show casing some of the new stuff coming in the build including the new beta 2 release of Microsoft AntiSpyware which features OneCare interface thats clean and inviting.

 

 

 

Check out the screenshots here

From Business Week

 

"Redmond has set a target date for shipping its upcoming Vista operating system -- the latest entry in a growing list of firm goals it is pledging to meet.

 

When it comes to closely guarded secrets at Microsoft (MSFT), the crown jewel is the shipping date for the next version of its flagship product, called Windows Vista.

Execs at the software giant hate setting expectations, lest they slip. So the company has been mum on the date, saying only that Vista will launch some time in the second half of 2006. Analysts have taken that to mean a shipment date some time near Christmas.

 

Read the rest here

I saw this pic on Vals Space in here photo albums showing pics of the recent sales frenzy over the XBOX 360 at Best Buy. One pic caught my eye though and I find it a little bit eerie. Check out the guy behind Bill Gates. Thanks to Chris for the possible thought.

 

 

I wonder if its Beer28 from Channel9.

From Information Week

 

"The consultancy recommends these users begin calling their software vendors as soon as possible to determine when they plan to support Vista--or they risk getting stuck with something no longer supported by Microsoft.

Companies running Windows 2000 on the desktop need to start preparing for Windows Vista, or they may find themselves stuck with an older operating system no longer supported by Microsoft Corp., a research firm said Monday.

Corporations using Windows XP, however, are in better shape and can plan for a slow rollout versus the "forklift" migration that's the destiny of Windows 2000 organizations, Gartner Inc. said.

Read the rest here

Strange you could say, Gartner has slightly changed their recommendation of holding out on Windows Vista until 2008.

Resources: 

Gartner: Ignore Vista until 2008
Views on Gartners Windows Vista 2008 Recommendation

We have just released a beta refresh for Windows AntiSpyware (build 1.0.701) onto the download center. This build extends the Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) expiration date to July 31, 2006.

We will be turning on the software update notification early next week, but you can download the latest beta refresh manually at : http://www.microsoft.com/antispyware

For more information, please monitor the Microsoft anti-malware blog at
http://blogs.technet.com/antimalware

Thanks.

--
Mike Chan [MSFT]
Technical Product Manager (Windows Defender)
Microsoft Corporation

From Reuters UK

 

"SEATTLE (Reuters) - Retailers are expecting this year's holiday shopping season to be one of the best in recent years for PC sales, but consumers may want to think ahead as Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) prepares to launch a new version of Windows in 2006.

Windows Vista, due out in the second half of next year, is the software giant's biggest upgrade since Windows XP was launched in 2001 and is designed to deliver better graphics, security and search features.

Such features, however, may also require users to consider buying a PC with more advanced, and costlier, hardware.

Microsoft and big personal computer manufacturers say that most PCs sold today will be able to upgrade smoothly to Windows Vista."

Read the rest here

From Bloomberg

 

Qoute:

"Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, will make its Windows Vista operating system compatible with HD DVD, a high-definition disc format developed by Toshiba Corp.

Microsoft favors the HD DVD standard over Sony Corp.'s Blu- ray format because it's easier to integrate Toshiba's technology with a personal computer, Chief Executive Steven Ballmer said today at a news conference in Tokyo. Vista is scheduled to be released in late next year.

``Vista will be able to take advantage of the HD DVD drives, if not on initial release, then at the earliest and appropriate time,'' Ballmer said. Blu-ray has ``technical difficulties,'' he said, without giving specifics."

Read the rest here