By Derek Torres
With the release of Windows Vista just around the corner, many home computer users are probably wondering if now is the right time to make the jump to Microsoft's latest addition to the Windows family. Some are perhaps concerned about security and stability, while many are probably wondering why they should even switch to Windows Vista, because Microsoft Windows XP seems to be doing the job.
The short answer is that there are several reasons for upgrading. For example, Windows Vista has:
• New features
• Improved security
• Better overall user experience
I'll introduce you to each of these elements, and you can make your own decision.
Discover new features in Windows Vista
Windows Vista offers a considerable number of new and improved features over Windows XP. Some of these great new features include:
• Windows Aero: Windows Vista features a totally different look for its interface—a cleaner, transparent look with impressive graphic quality, not to mention Live Icons and the new Windows Flip 3D feature. Windows Aero requires a higher-end video graphics card; otherwise, Windows Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. Check with your computer manufacturer, or use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to see whether your video card is ready for Windows Aero.
• Windows Sidebar: Windows Vista offers a panel (transparent, if you're using Windows Aero) that displays your selection of Windows gadgets—mini-applications that perform useful functions, such as a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Outlook inbox representation, and currency exchange.
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 11: While you can download it for Windows XP, this latest and greatest version of Windows Media Player is designed for Windows Vista and shouldn't be missed. With its new graphics-oriented interface, Windows Media Player 11 abandons the text-oriented look and field of previous versions. Did I mention that you can also use Windows Media Player 11 to share your media over your private home network?
• Windows Search: One of the most helpful new features in Windows Vista, you can now search for files or applications from almost anywhere. Unlike in Windows XP, with Window Search, you can simply type a few letters of your search request, and the results appear on the fly—a helpful feature when looking for a file or application from the Start menu. For example, type fir, and Windows Firewall entries appear in the Start menu.
These are just a few of the new features that might attract your attention. Of course, there are many more features and improvements for you to explore in Windows Vista.
Enjoy better security
People are concerned about security these days—not only Windows security but also how to protect themselves and their families when using their home computers. Microsoft has addressed both of these issues head on in Windows Vista. Some of the improved security features in the new operating system include:
• Parental Controls: Windows Vista includes Parental Controls that let you as the computer administrator set highly specific boundaries for other users, including separate standard user accounts for family members, especially children. You can set rules such as which sites a certain user can or cannot access and hours during which a particular user can use the computer; you can also curtail access to specific applications and view where other users have been on your computer and on the Web.
• Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC): UAC is a new security feature that lets you operate Windows Vista more as a standard user than as a true administrator, where you have complete access to everything. Features that UAC protects, denoted with a multi-colored shield, require your permission or validation before you can access them.
• Windows Firewall: Windows Vista now features two different firewalls: the standard firewall that was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with Advanced Features. The latter offers true firewall protection, including bidirectional filters, meaning that both incoming and outgoing data are scanned.
Other security features, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, are available in some editions of Windows Vista. All Windows Vista editions feature the latest version of Windows Defender, Microsoft's anti-spyware application.
An improved user experience
The overall user experience in Windows Vista goes far beyond what is available in Windows XP. Some of the things that I've found really enjoyable are:
• The new Start menu: The Start menu displays everything within the context of a single menu. Instead of having to scroll through a list of applications (which took up considerable screen real estate in Windows XP), you can now view a single, collapsible Start menu.
• Improved folders: My Documents, My Music, My Videos, and so on are simplified and appear simply as Documents, Music, Videos. These folders are always present when you search folders. For example, if you're in the Documents folder, folder representations of Music, Videos, Searches, and so on, appear on the left side of the Documents folder.
• Live Icons: When you're using Windows Aero, you can hover your mouse over open windows in the task bar and see a live representation of what's running in them. You can get the same preview by using the Windows Flip 3D feature or even by pressing ALT+TAB to toggle windows and folders, which makes navigation much easier.
These are just a few of the new features that might attract your attention. Of course, there are many more features and improvements for you to explore in Windows Vista.
---------------------
Derek Torres is a technical communicator and author who has written or co-written books on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0, and Windows Gadgets. He also publishes in several industry magazines and regularly presents at technology and communications conferences.
With the release of Windows Vista just around the corner, many home computer users are probably wondering if now is the right time to make the jump to Microsoft's latest addition to the Windows family. Some are perhaps concerned about security and stability, while many are probably wondering why they should even switch to Windows Vista, because Microsoft Windows XP seems to be doing the job.
The short answer is that there are several reasons for upgrading. For example, Windows Vista has:
• New features
• Improved security
• Better overall user experience
I'll introduce you to each of these elements, and you can make your own decision.
Discover new features in Windows Vista
Windows Vista offers a considerable number of new and improved features over Windows XP. Some of these great new features include:
• Windows Aero: Windows Vista features a totally different look for its interface—a cleaner, transparent look with impressive graphic quality, not to mention Live Icons and the new Windows Flip 3D feature. Windows Aero requires a higher-end video graphics card; otherwise, Windows Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. Check with your computer manufacturer, or use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to see whether your video card is ready for Windows Aero.
• Windows Sidebar: Windows Vista offers a panel (transparent, if you're using Windows Aero) that displays your selection of Windows gadgets—mini-applications that perform useful functions, such as a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Outlook inbox representation, and currency exchange.
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 11: While you can download it for Windows XP, this latest and greatest version of Windows Media Player is designed for Windows Vista and shouldn't be missed. With its new graphics-oriented interface, Windows Media Player 11 abandons the text-oriented look and field of previous versions. Did I mention that you can also use Windows Media Player 11 to share your media over your private home network?
• Windows Search: One of the most helpful new features in Windows Vista, you can now search for files or applications from almost anywhere. Unlike in Windows XP, with Window Search, you can simply type a few letters of your search request, and the results appear on the fly—a helpful feature when looking for a file or application from the Start menu. For example, type fir, and Windows Firewall entries appear in the Start menu.
These are just a few of the new features that might attract your attention. Of course, there are many more features and improvements for you to explore in Windows Vista.
Enjoy better security
People are concerned about security these days—not only Windows security but also how to protect themselves and their families when using their home computers. Microsoft has addressed both of these issues head on in Windows Vista. Some of the improved security features in the new operating system include:
• Parental Controls: Windows Vista includes Parental Controls that let you as the computer administrator set highly specific boundaries for other users, including separate standard user accounts for family members, especially children. You can set rules such as which sites a certain user can or cannot access and hours during which a particular user can use the computer; you can also curtail access to specific applications and view where other users have been on your computer and on the Web.
• Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC): UAC is a new security feature that lets you operate Windows Vista more as a standard user than as a true administrator, where you have complete access to everything. Features that UAC protects, denoted with a multi-colored shield, require your permission or validation before you can access them.
• Windows Firewall: Windows Vista now features two different firewalls: the standard firewall that was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with Advanced Features. The latter offers true firewall protection, including bidirectional filters, meaning that both incoming and outgoing data are scanned.
Other security features, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, are available in some editions of Windows Vista. All Windows Vista editions feature the latest version of Windows Defender, Microsoft's anti-spyware application.
An improved user experience
The overall user experience in Windows Vista goes far beyond what is available in Windows XP. Some of the things that I've found really enjoyable are:
• The new Start menu: The Start menu displays everything within the context of a single menu. Instead of having to scroll through a list of applications (which took up considerable screen real estate in Windows XP), you can now view a single, collapsible Start menu.
• Improved folders: My Documents, My Music, My Videos, and so on are simplified and appear simply as Documents, Music, Videos. These folders are always present when you search folders. For example, if you're in the Documents folder, folder representations of Music, Videos, Searches, and so on, appear on the left side of the Documents folder.
• Live Icons: When you're using Windows Aero, you can hover your mouse over open windows in the task bar and see a live representation of what's running in them. You can get the same preview by using the Windows Flip 3D feature or even by pressing ALT+TAB to toggle windows and folders, which makes navigation much easier.
These are just a few of the new features that might attract your attention. Of course, there are many more features and improvements for you to explore in Windows Vista.
---------------------
Derek Torres is a technical communicator and author who has written or co-written books on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0, and Windows Gadgets. He also publishes in several industry magazines and regularly presents at technology and communications conferences.
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