"Starting in early 2007, Microsoft will launch the release of Windows Vista, its first major operating system upgrade since Windows XP (2001). The BETA 2 release of the OS I tested has shown tremendous improvements in areas such as stability, allowing for the ability to use it on a daily basis. Like its predecessor Windows XP, Vista has improved deployment options and device driver detection; these options have proven to be very user friendly and reduced the time it takes to get Windows up and running.

Of course, Windows Vista is still rough around the edges and there is a lot to be said about the performance which is no where near that of Windows XP. A new feature User Access Control is sure to cause more annoyance than its intended purpose which is to protect users; Windows Vista will be available in six editions."

Read the entire preview here

Related Links & Resources

Windows Connected Getting Ready for Windows Vista BETA 2 - Quickstarter/Guide

Windows Vista 5308 - A Mature Release (ActiveWin - Part I)

Windows Vista 5270 - A Look At Some of the Progress So Far
Windows Vista 5231 - Testing, Testing...

Windows Vista 5219 (September CTP) – The Inspection

Windows Vista Beta 1 (Build 5112) - The Inspection
Longhorn Build 5048 - The Inspection
Longhorn - A Very Delicate Subject
The Progress of Windows Longhorn
Longhorn Build 5203 - An Analysis
Vista: A Scenic View Into The Future of Windows

Just checked out two great posts about the lack of effort that is being poured into some parts of the Windows interface. Example one, the Add Font dialog which Tekmaven of Bink.nu notes has been around since Windows 3.1. Nothing has changed, no utilization of Wizards or an updated dialog that shows the improvements that have been added to Windows over the years.

 

One of those things is the "Add Fonts" dialog, straight from Windows 3.1.  This dialog has been in Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.  I think it's time for an update, but aparently this is not on any list at Microsoft :).

Check out the post here 

 

And it’s a guarantee that at this stage of development in Windows Vista there won’t be a chance of the Windows Team updating it.

 

Brandon Leblanc also jumps in on the issue about the UI consistency that continues to plague Windows applications, especially Windows Vista. Some apps such as Mail, Calendar use a different theme from Media Player, MovieMaker and Photo Gallery.

 

The colors between different "types" of applications is a neat idea but I think the blue is just too much. And I don't think that the average user is going to even be able to figure out why the apps have different colored toolbars.

 Check out the post here

 

As for Office 2007, have you all seen the non ribbon apps? They are so mismatched! Although I know Visio, Publisher, InfoPath and Project don't have any need right now for the ribbon UI, at least keep some consistency going with the themes.

 

Outlook 2007 is a non-ribbon app and it uses the XP Blue or Vista Black theme when you change it in one of the core apps. Why limit the customization to just Access, PPT, Excel and Word.

 

Although there should be an understanding about applications designed for a specific purpose, where the look and feel provides a better experience when getting work done it doesn’t necessarily mean because it’s a new version it should necessarily be radical, as is the case with some elements of the Office 2007 applications.

From TheVista.Ru

 

 

A new build of Windows Vista seems to be out on the loose, showing of some new elements of the Windows Vista interface, including a glimpse of Office 2007 applications with the new executables and visuals. There is not much to see apart from the new Office icons and a new Weather Gadget on the Sidebar.

 

Check out the other screenshots here

From News.com

 

"WASHINGTON--Microsoft pledged on Wednesday that all of its future operating systems, including Windows Vista, will abide by self-imposed rules aimed at bolstering choice and competition.

The voluntary principles will come into play after major parts of a U.S. government decree related to the landmark U.S. antitrust case against the software maker expire next year, said Brad Smith, general counsel at Microsoft. They focus on the freedoms that users, manufacturers and developers can expect in Windows Vista and its successors."

Read the rest here

Fair or not, the decision is still left in the hands of the consumer/business to choose Windows. Its not an issue of dependency, its just the choice and quality that comes from the Windows Platform, so far, users feel more comfortable and secure with that.  

The installation results for Windows Vista Ultimate (x86) build 5472 are in. I was able to get the OS installed on two of my systems, a Desktop and Laptop. I still have not downloaded the x64 build of Vista 5472, so the results for that will come later during the week or some time next week.

 

System Specs: Desktop

Dell Dimension 8300 (March 2004)

3.2 GHz Pentium 4 with HT (32-Bit)

2.6 GBs of RAM

nVidia Geforce FX 5200 128 MB AGP

 

Install Time:

04 mins: Setup

26 mins: Copying Files

18 mins: Expanding Files

04 mins: (Restart) Continuing Setup

01 mins: Installing Updates

01 mins: Restart

01 mins: Please wait a moment while Windows prepares to start for the first time.

04 mins: Completing Installation

01 mins: Restart

01 mins: Please wait while Windows checks the performance of your Computer.

 

Total time: 1hr 1min (61 mins)

 

Obviously this is not a major improvement and more of a step back from past builds which had install times down to 34 minutes. It’s a regression really and I am hoping for changes to this in at least the RC1 release and maybe something more in the RTM release.

 

System Specs: Laptop

Dell Latitude c840 (September 2003)

2.0 GHz Pentium 4 M

768 MBs of RAM

nVidia Geforce4 440 Go 32 MB

 

Install Time:

04 mins: Setup

09 mins: Copying Files

14 mins: Expanding Files

03 mins: (Restart) Continuing Setup

01 mins: Installing Updates

03 mins: Restart

04 mins: Please wait a moment while Windows prepares to start for the first time.

14 mins: Completing Installation

01 mins: Restart

04 mins: Please wait while Windows checks the performance of your Computer.

 

Total time: 57 mins

 

Again, not impressive, but we must also take into account, this is an interim release of Windows Vista, not a milestone build like BETA 2 or what RC1 will be. I agree, it’s not something to call home about, but the operating system in general has shown some increase in performance, its more responsive, windows pop up and applications launch much faster, which makes it a pleasant experience for daily.

 

I can’t wait to try out the 64-bit version of Vista and relay my experiences here, still I am doubtful if I will be impressed, Vista overall continues to be refined, and this release is just one step in the journey towards the final release. 

 

I had to point these out, two of the many new/updated icons in Windows Vista. Setup and User folder are two great designs that showcase the amazing talent coming out of the Windows Shell Team. The icons are fresh and unpredictable and as Brandon Leblanc says, a possible hint of what might be coming in the Vista packaging. You can see these icons and many others in the latest build 5472.5 available to MSDN, Technet and Microsoft Connect Technical Testers.

Just a quick note about the new Office 2007 icons, persons have been experiencing a little problem telling which icon is which application. So here are the names:

 

 

Top: Office Word, Office InfoPath, Office Outlook, Office Project, Office Publisher, Office PowerPoint

Bottom: Office Visio, Office Access, Office Excel, Office OneNote, Office Groove, Office Communicator

From The Insider by Sidebar Geek

 

Brandon Leblanc gives us an excellent summary of whats new and improved in the latest build of Windows Vista (5472.5). Most notable are Network Center, MMC Icons, Windows Standard Theme and most of all the performance which is a specific improvement of this build. I honestly have to say though, I don't like the new Bliss wallpaper, its a turn off. I don't feel a connection with it, its out of touch and just unattractive, please choose something better for RC1 Microsoft.

 

"I've finally completed my mini-review of Windows Vista Build 5472. Build 5472 showcases some great performance improvements that make it apparent that Microsoft is moving full speed ahead with Vista gearing up for RC1 in the next couple months."

 

Read the entire mini-review here

From News.com

 

"Some of Microsoft's efforts to make Windows Vista its most stable and secure operating system ever could cause instability and new security flaws, according to a Symantec report.

Researchers at Cupertino, Calif.-based Symantec examined the new networking technology in recent test releases of Vista, Microsoft's next major operating system release, according to the report. They found several security bugs and determined that Vista's networking technology will be less stable, at least in the short run, than Windows XP's, the report said."

Read the rest here

Its strange that they have come to such a conclusion about a product that is no where near release yet. I betting this has something to do with marketing the Symantec line of products as the only way to protect users from the bugs in the Vista "BETA". I am not surprised this is their way of showing up MS from jumping into the Security market.

All I am saying, a lot can change between now and RTM, even RC1, Microsoft even proved this with yesterdays release of a new Windows Vista build 5472.5.  

From Information Week via Bink.nu

 

"Microsoft this week plans another Vista beta 2 drop that is promised to hog fewer system resources.

At Microsoft's Velocity 2006 worldwide partner conference in Boston Tuesday, a Microsoft executive said the updated beta will be available to Technet subscribers "in a few days."

"Vista in its beta form is pretty taxing on the system. It's slow and a little non-responsive," said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of Windows client marketing at Microsoft.

"That piece of software is now about nine weeks old and that may not sound like a lot but at this stage, that's an old version in software terms."

"You'll see a huge difference [in performance]," Sievert said of the interim release, noting Microsoft is recommending 512 Megabytes of memory when testing the new code.

Read the rest here

And it could not have come any sooner! Windows Vista build 5456 is an ok build, which I believe should have been designated BETA 2, but lets face it, its a non-performer. On my systems both x86 and x64 versions of this build have been pretty much disappointing, vital hardware don't work, some examples include my DVD and DVD-RW drives, certain applications refuse to install or look screwed up on it, the Windows Experience Index gets a little better... as Brandon Leblanc of The Hive notes is still not there in terms of quality/reliability. I am just no a fan of this one, so I am expecting better. Performance is probably the worst I have to say though, switching user accounts is slower than pouring molasses. (This is on a system with 2.5 GBs of RAM by the way).

Although, the next build is an interim release again, chances are it could be just as worst or better. The next major milestone release RC1 is not expected until August, so I am hoping for surprises in that release that will make me say, Vista is on the right path.

From CRN

 

"Microsoft has talked vaguely about how Office 14--the one after Office 2007--will borrow from the "role model" in the new Microsoft Business Solutions' ERP and CRM apps.

Following up comments he made at Software 2006 a few months ago, Microsoft Enterprise & Partner VP Simon Witts told CRN recently that there is a "clear desire" is to go to a more role-based version of Office. So there might be an Office 14 version for sales people, for example, he said."

Read the rest here

Just yesterday we were talking about Office 2007 icons, and now we are already dicussing whats expected in the version of Office after.  

From The Insider by Sidebar Geek

 

Brandon Leblanc caught a glimpse of changes that might be coming in the RC1 release of Windows Vista. I am loving it, its not a drastic departure from what we are currently seeing in the BETA 2/Post builds, but do show some design improvements added to the Taskbar and Start panel with updated icons for common Windows applications.

 

Quote:

Long Zheng pointed his post out to me today on some very interesting things coming for Windows Vista and Office. One of them is a slightly tweaked and cleaned up Taskbar in Vista that is yet to be seen.

Read more here

From Microsoft Design via The Insider by Sidebar Geek

 

Just got a chance to look at the new Office Icons, how would I describe my reaction? Stunning and about time. The last radical departure for Office icons was with Office 2000 released in 1999, which introduced a standard set of colourful, easy to understand pictorial representations. Office XP didn't change anything much with executables except for a stronger color tone, while Office 2003 introduced a softer, Windows XP Style set of icons.

 

 

With the Office 2007 set, it takes a bit getting accustomed to, but over time, you will file right at home launching them. The icons have a background box for each, its kinda similar to the Office 95/97 icons. Overall, they look cool, can't wait to check them out in the next available test release for Office 2007.

 

From WinFuture

 

WinFuture, a German Windows Enthusiast site, showcases some new screenshots of the latest leaked Windows Vista Build 5466. There is not much to see in this build, except for a few minor graphical improvements in areas such as Setup, and the new Windows theme, Windows Standard.

 

Check out the screenshots here

I just checked out the new Windows Vista Basic (Standard) theme on the Windows Vista Team Blog and I must say I am still not impressed. I first saw a glimpse of it on Brandon Leblanc's (Sidebar Geek) blog at the Hive.net, thanks for catching it.

 

 

Why can't the Windows Vista Team go the extra mile, why must they be so darn cheap? What in heaven's name could make you really want to give us those lousy Minimize, Restore and Maxmize buttons? Seriously, you can't tell me those buttons in the Windows Vista AERO theme actually require a  Dual core processor, with a 2 GBs of RAM, 512 MB video card????? I am frustrated with the lack of focus on the UI in Windows Vista, its just so embarassing, why can't you hire some interns from a graphics school or something to just focus on fixing those little UI problems we have been seeing in Windows Vista since BETA 1, that we were told would be fixed in "BETA 2"???

 

 

 

Another thing, you are honestly telling me, the floating user icon on the AERO Start menu in Vista requires Glass too? Hello no, I don't think so! If this is a tactic you are using for people to shell out cash on the premium editions of Vista then you are seriously embarassing me and yourselves. Also, the white Windows logo on the Classic Start menu button looks like you ran out of paint. I still don't see what was so difficult about including the Windows XP LUNA themes and just stick a search box on the Start panel and call it a day. I love Glass, but I hate Basic, my laptop is currently using Basic because of the video card (32 MB - Geforce 4 440 Go). It runs XP just fine, no issues, 2 GHz P4 M, 768 MBs of RAM, but it barely can even open Solitaire in Vista. Its sad!

 

Check out the Windows Vista Team Blog here