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New Year, New Vista

With the New Year comes the imminent release of Microsoft's newest operating system - Windows Vista. Due for worldwide release on the 30th January, Vista promises to streamline many common desktop tasks and bring better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly, navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes more confidently.

The obvious questions come up:

1. What's new?
2. Should I upgrade?
3. What do I need to be able to upgrade?

What's new?
Windows Vista provides two distinct user interface experiences: a "basic" experience for entry-level systems, and the more visually dynamic experience of Windows Aero. Both offer new and intuitive navigation so you can more easily find, organise and use your applications and files.

Vista also includes:

1. Built-in Media Centre software that will run your digital home entertainment system. So you can sit on the couch with your keyboard or remote control to record a TV program, listen to music, play games, or watch a slideshow of your latest holiday pictures directly from your TV or computer monitor.
2. An easier way to manage and view digital memories (photos & videos). It will be simple to transfer images from your camera or mobile phone, make a slide show to e-mail to friends and family, and safely back-up.
3. A new look and structure for increased speed when searching for files; viewing snippets of a file (called live icons); moving from program to program; retrieving deleted files.
4. Improved security features to achieve better protection from hackers, spam, and spyware and enhanced parental control software to limit and monitor children's access.
5. Automatic back-up capability.
6. Integrated faxing and scanning capability.
7. More secure and dependable remote access.

Should I upgrade?
With any new software there will be bugs. These bugs are fixed over time with patches or upgrades. If you do want to upgrade your existing computer with the first release of Vista, you'll need to consider this and also check that your existing software is compatible with the new operating system.

What do I need to be able to upgrade?
Vista is resource hungry, so you need to make sure your computer is up to the task in terms of speed and space.

There are four Vista versions to consider:
1.    Home Basic: Internet, e-mail and basic office tasks.  Excludes Aero graphics and multimedia features.
2.    Home Premium: Aero graphics and multimedia features. Excludes additional business or gaming features.
3.    Business: Excludes multimedia features. Includes faxing, scanning, back-up and file security capabilities.
4.    Ultimate: All the functionality of Home Premium and Business with additional programs and games.

That's a very quick overview. If you want to see screen captures of Aero or know more about Vista in general, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/experiences/aero.mspx

Happy new year and have fun with Vista if you decide to upgrade.