The first production edition of Vista, the Business edition, was launched on November 30th 2006. On January 30th 2007 Microsoft released the other 5
versions including the Home Premium and Ultimate editions.
My impression from testing Vista, is that the evolution from XP to Vista
is more like the upgrade from Windows 2000 Professional to XP, than the revolutionary changes from WfW to Windows 95. The big difference is that while XP and Vista clearly look related, Vista has
been completely rebuilt with security at the forefront of each design stage.
True to the principles of my website, my mission is to get you
ready for the Windows Vista operating system. For example, I have a page on how to install Vista using
Virtual PC 2004 (or 2005). By all means admire the impressive AERO graphics, icons and desktop; however, I advise you that the most important practical task is to get acquainted with the new Vista
version of Windows Explorer. Next step --> Windows New
Features
Microsoft Windows Vista Security
Security is rarely a glamorous topic, yet it may be the killer reason to persuade the financial director to loosen the purse strings so that you can upgrade from XP to Vista. The wide ranging and
detailed measures that Microsoft has take to make the operating system secure, underpin every aspect of Vista. From controlling actions with UAC (User Account Control), through 'service hardening' to registry restriction, Windows
Vista offers top to bottom security. Not only has each component been created from scratch, but also Microsoft has redesigned each component with security in mind. More on Windows Vista Security
Windows AERO Graphics
Aero Graphics is hard to define, but fortunately it's easy to use. From one perspective, AERO is Vista's replacement of XP's Luna desktop. Others define AERO as Windows Graphics Foundation 2.0
and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) combining to deliver stunning visual displays. Microsoft would like to emphasis that AERO is the most efficient and intuitive front end to date. For me, I would cast aside the hype and
ignore the jargon
and say, 'Vista is fun to learn and gives me more information than any other Version of Windows Explorer'. See more on Vista's Aero Graphics
Vista Control Panel
The Vista Control Panel shows its XP roots, in fact, the Control Panel is a good barometer for comparing the new features of Vista with the old features of XP. One new element is 'Solutions to Problems',
which you find under Performance and Maintenance. Solutions to Problems evolved from XP's troubleshooters and they illustrate how advances in Vista's artificial intelligence provide a more productive and
less frustrating computing experience.
Some of the old Control Panel items have been re-arranged, for example, I found the Add or Remove Programs under Additional Options. One Control Panel section that has mushroomed
is
networking, in particular, the Network Center caught my eye. See detail of the Vista Control Panel
Vista's Explorer
Although they now have the same look and feel, Vista's Windows Explorer and IE7 are distinct programs launched by different executables. Indeed, it is this similarity which helps to make the Vista interfaces
more consistent than those in XP. Perhaps the most interesting new feature is the 'Searches Folders', otherwise known as Virtual Folders. These folders, which are color coded blue, literally open up a new dimension for
Explorer. What the blue Searches folders do is enable you to display data from different physical areas in one virtual folder. Vista Explorer also
Virtual Folders (Searches)
Guy Recommends: A Free Trial of the Network Performance Monitor
(NPM)
SolarWinds'
Orion performance monitor
will help you discover what's happening on your network. This
utility will also guide you through troubleshooting; the dashboard will
indicate whether the root cause is a broken link, faulty equipment or
resource overload.
Perhaps the NPM's best feature is the way it suggests solutions to network
problems. Its
second best feature is the ability to monitor the health of individual VMware
virtual machines. If you are interested in troubleshooting, and creating
network maps, then I recommend that you take advantage of SolarWinds' offer.
Versions of Microsoft Windows Vista that I have been involved with:
Vista general release of all editions January 30th 2007
Vista Business edition released to manufacturers December 2006
Vista 5728 October 2006
Vista RC2 Build 5600 September 2006
Beta 2 5536 August 2006
Beta 2 5384 June 2006
Beta 2 5384 June 2006
Beta 2 5308 March 2006
Beta 2 5270 January 2006
Beta 2 5231 Winter 2005
Beta 2 5219 Autumn 2005
Beta 1 5112 Summer
2005 (Longhorn 5112)
Microsoft formerly referred to Vista by the code name Longhorn. The name Longhorn lives on in the Server version, which is due to replace Windows 2003 Server, but not before 2007(8?).
While in spring 2007 we have, the launch of the 6 commercial editions of Vista.
Installing Windows Vista in a Virtual PC
I got my copy of Vista through the MSDN program. From January
30th 2007 you can by your copy of Microsoft Vista on DVD. Launch the Virtual Machine
console to create a new Virtual disk / image / machine. Capture the image from the CD menu. The actual installation takes about half an hour, but the menus are straightforward, even easy if you have
experience from
installing XP. Get started with Virtual PC
Windows
Server 2008 Enterprise Admin
Train Signal have an excellent Windows Server 2008 course. You get over 70
hrs instruction with Ed Liberman and Ben "Coach" Culbertson. Try their
step-by-step videos and master Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin.
The package includes the Transcender exams, which are the key to gaining the
coverted Microsoft Certified IT Professional certification. However, the
course also builds practical experience so that you can manage your network
effectively once you complete the course.
