Windows Vista

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

So I’m kinda sick of the big hype about Windows Vista, so I went and had a look. Previously known as Windows Longhorn, Vista is released five years after it’s predecessor, Windows XP, making it the longest time span between Windows version.

Windows Vista is suppose to contain hundreds of new features, according to Microsoft. The most significant new feature is a graphical user interface and visual style (Windows Aero) which are updated frequently. Along with these, Windows Vista also boasts improved search features and new multimedia creation tools (such as Windows DVD Maker). Windows Vista is aiming to increase it’s level of communication on home networks, by using peer to peer (P2P) technology. Hopefully this will make home networking easier between Windows PC’s.

There was a lot of criticism towards Windows XP’s security vulnerabilities and overall vulnerability to viruses and malware. Windows Vista has also improved its accessibility settings and programs, making for easier use for people with visual and hearing difficulties or reasoning and cognitive issues.

There are a lot of features like the Ease of Access Centre, Magnifier, Narrator and Speech Recognition. Ok so what confuses me, is that on reviews they spend a good 2 to 3 pages on these specific features and I don’t understand what the big deal is as Windows XP has all of these features. What’s so great about Narrator? I narrate a lot of my Microsoft Word documents using my Windows XP. If you’re using Windows XP right now, click on your start menu, Accessories, Accessibilities, and you’ll find Accessibility Manager, Magnifier, Narrator, On-Screen Keyboard and Utility Manager. So… this leaves me wondering why they’re droning on about the ‘Ease of Access Centre’ and all the supposedly great new features.

So other than the supposed security increase, other new features are extra desktop short cuts (Right Click, Send To, Desktop… obviously too much work) and a 3D look. A while back, I found desktop widgets or tweaks which you can install on your Windows XP desktop so you can have easier access to certain things, like a clock or the weather and things like that. I wouldn’t pay the ridiculous price they’re asking for Windows Vista for something which I could just download. And the reason that I do not use any of those desktop tweaks anymore is because it slows your PC down. Hmmm, I’m sure this will make Windows Vista is slow, annoying and expensive experience. So in my opinion, Windows Vista is nothing more than a glorified Windows XP, the only difference being a supposed security increase. I will definitely not be buying this.

Happy Shopping!

Windows Vista Totally Explained