windows vista

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx


Just saw some of microsofts program on CES, really interested in vista. Read some things about it. Just wanted to know some people's thoughts about it. Seems like they are putting some really cool features on there. Even though, other companies have already done most of them, for exampe, tabbed browsing, but i like how it puts 4 websites on the screen. Seems like their doing alot more about security, like it alot, but there are so many flaws and issues with microsoft anymore, how do we know it will be better? Anyway, does anybody know when it will be totally done and realeased and how much will it cost?

Thanks

 

No one can answer that with any certainty.

Sometime mid to late this year, and probably in many different flavours and prices.

Even Micro$$oft aren't sure when or what, and regularly change their mind. (if they have one)

I haven't seen a lot that impresses me with Vista. It's basically XP with a few tweaks, Apple like Aero icons, and eye candy.

It will need to be a huge improvement over XP (that shouldn't be too difficult) to convince me to spend my money.

 

I've heard rumour that MS is really beefing up the metadata information in Vista. Seems like a logical step in their crusade against google. Anyone know anything about THAT?

 

Are you talking about the virtual folders feature?


They were also supposed to introduce a new file system, WinFS, but then said that it wouldn't be ready because SP2 took so long.

Then I read it was back in, so now I don't believe any of it.

One thing I'm certain of though is that Vista will be late.

Say what you like about Micro$$oft, but they're consistent, consistently useless.

 

Yes, these are both things I've heard about that have grabbed my attention...

I don't quite grasp this virtual folder idea... is it something along the lines of an alias, or symbolic link, or virtual host? (ie, you can access the folder, but not know where its kept) Or is it something else?

 

It's pretty confusing when information is patchy and conflicting.

Virtual folders wrap themselves around the the Windows Search Engine.

It's based on the indexing service.

They display based on the metadata garnered by the search engine as it indexes your system, and not by it's location on your drive.

The great part is you can create your own virtual folder based on custom searches.

This will not only allow a "normal" search, but to search within a file, or even multi level searches.

For example, you can search for a keyword, but exclude other words, highly refining your search.

Or you can search photos and media files based on the star rating, but not those containing a word or phrase you choose.

Once the search has finished, you can save it as a virtual folder.

And whenever the file is changed, the virtual folder is automatically updated and indexed for future searches.


I think the setup is confusing, and like most Windows software, there are a dozen ways to do the same thing.

Newbees are going to have fun.

It's a powerful tool, but will take getting used to.

And it will only work properly if all your files are tagged correctly.

If not, a lot of the functionality is lost.

 

Whoo boy, that certainly does sound like buckets full of trouble.
New filesystems? Leagues of metadata? In the midst of the multi-core and 64-bit processor revolution? With IPv6 looming in the background?

That scares me as a user....

 

Vista Beta 2 has so many bugs in it, and I know it's only Beta, but imagine the Service Packs once it's been released.

 

Oh, I AM, believe me, I am.
What kind of bugs are these? I can't imagine it having the greatest driver support yet....

 

The Vista Beta 2 release is reported as being VERY unstable, and that's saying something when Micro$$oft is involved.

In all fairness, a lot of Micro$$oft Beta stuff isn't as bad. Vista Beta 2 is a real shocker.

Hackers must be drooling in anticipation.