Daniel Pankiller

Windows Vista is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers,
including home and business desktops. Whilst introducing new concepts,
it also has features that a previous Windows user will recognise,
including a taskbar. Before its announcement on July 22, 2005, Vista was known by its codename Longhorn.^[1] On November 8, 2006, Windows Vista development was completed and released to manufacturing. Over the next two months it was released to MSDN, TechNet Plus and TechNet Direct subscribers, computer hardware and software manufacturers and volume license customers. On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide to the general public,^[2] and is available for download from Microsoft’s web site.^[3] These release dates come more than five years after the release of its predecessor, Windows XP, making it the longest time span between two releases of Windows.

According to Microsoft,^[4] Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features; some of the most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker,
and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display
sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication
between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer
technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between
computers and devices. For developers, Vista introduces version 3.0 of
the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for developers to write high-quality applications than with the traditional Windows API.

Microsoft’s primary stated objective with Vista, however, has been
to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system.^[5] One of the most common criticisms of Windows XP and its predecessors has been their commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows. In light of this, then Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced in early 2002 a company-wide ‘Trustworthy Computing
initiative’ which aims to incorporate security work into every aspect
of software development at the company. Microsoft claimed that it
prioritized improving the security of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 above finishing Windows Vista, significantly delaying its completion.^[6]

During the course of its development, Vista has been the target of a number of negative assessments by various groups. Criticism of Windows Vista has included protracted development time, more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, and the usability of new features such as User Account Control.

Windows Vista Ultimate

This edition combines all the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions, a game performance tweaker (WinSAT), and "Ultimate Extras". On January 7, 2007, at CES,
Microsoft began to announce what some of these Ultimate Extras will be.
When Vista launched to consumers on January 30, Microsoft immediately
made the following Extras available for Ultimate users: "Dream Scene",
a utility that allows for full-motion video desktop backgrounds;
"Hold’Em", a Vista-customized version of the Texas Hold’Em
poker game; Multi-user interface language packs, designed to allow
individuals fluent in different languages to share the same PC;
BitLocker Online Secure Key Storage, where Ultimate customers will be
offered a secure place to store their BitLocker encryption keys in the
Online Vista Marketplace; and "Digital publications," a collection of
tips and tricks, blog links and other resources for getting the most
out of Ultimate.^[29][30]
After that, many more are expected to be announced through 2007,
including a photo editing and merging tool shown at CES called
"GroupShot". More detailed information regarding some of these extras
can be read at the Vista Ultimate website here
The Ultimate edition is aimed at high-end PC users, gamers, multimedia
professionals, and PC enthusiasts. 64-bit Ultimate supports 128 GB of
memory. Mainstream support for Ultimate ends on 4/10/2012; extended
support ends on 4/11/2017. Another upgrade variant of Windows Vista
Ultimate is the Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Limited Numbered
Signature Edition, a limited, numbered edition of Windows Vista
Ultimate that features Bill Gates’ signature on the front of the
packaging along with its unique number.

Wireless for Wandering

With
notebooks poised to soon surpass stationary desktop systems in
popularity, wireless networks are seeing a corresponding boost in
popularity. What good is a portable PC if it’s tethered to the network?
Wireless networking lets you drag your laptop to the conference room,
the kitchen, or out to the patio. But wireless doesn’t mean painless.
To go wireless, you’ll need to understand a growing vocabulary of
sometimes incompatible specifications. And all currently available
wireless hardware specs are less secure–much less secure, in some
cases–than "wireline" networks, thanks to sophomoric encryption
schemes.

Fortunately, wireless networking
prices are reasonable enough, so you won’t feel too bad retiring your
equipment once faster and more secure versions appear. Adapters start
at less than $25, access points (hub-like base station units) at about
$50, and routers that connect the network to a cable or DSL modem are
just a few bucks more.

Though it can’t compete with
standard 10/100-mbps ethernet, newer wireless (or Wi-Fi, if certified
standards-compliant by the Wi-Fi Alliance) equipment is generally
faster than phone- and power-line technologies. And it comes with one
other unique benefit: Equipping your laptop with a wireless adapter
could allow you to connect to wireless-network hot spots in hotels,
airports, and coffee shops. For more details about these possibilities,
check out "All About Wi-Fi."

The
most common wireless spec, called 802.11b, transmits data at a
theoretical maximum of 11 mbps (some newer products extend the spec to
22 mbps). PCI and PC Card adapters start at just over $20, and wireless access points,
the wireless equivalent of ethernet hubs, start at just under $50.
Remember that your distance from the access point, and the materials
between you and it, can cause significant drops in speed.

A
faster specification, 802.11a, transmits at theoretical maximum speed
of 54 megabits per second, and these days, doesn’t cost much more.
However, 802.11a and 802.11b equipment can’t communicate directly with
each other. A few manufacturers produce access points that combine the
two specs, letting you network both "a" and "b" devices. And then
there’s a new spec–802.11g–that can communicate with 802.11b but not
with 802.11a, and there are access points that combine "a," "b," and
"g."

Confused yet? The 802.11g spec currently seems to be
the one to get, but even it will soon be replaced by something else in
due time. In the meantime, be sure to choose the wireless network type
that affords you the greatest security against mobile wireless-network
break-in artists, or "war drivers." Because wireless networks broadcast
their availability like a radio station–albeit one with a limited
range–neighbors and anyone parked in front of your house could bum a
ride on your wireless network.

To ward off freeloaders and
snoops, most 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g products have an encryption
scheme called wireless equivalent privacy. Unfortunately, WEP quickly
proved easy to decrypt, so the nice people at the Wi-Fi Alliance
came up with something stronger: Wireless Protected Access. When
shopping for wireless networking equipment, I strongly suggest that you
select products that incorporate WPA security (all elements must
support it). For more information, see "Internet Tips: Play It Safe With the Right Browser Security Settings."

Finally,
you don’t have to select just one kind of network–many wireless
routers also incorporate a wired ethernet hub, for example. Combined
wireless/wired networks allow you to connect stationary computers that
require a faster connection (for online gaming, streaming media, or
large file transfers) by ethernet, while still providing wireless
convenience for other PCs in hard-to-wire or changing locations.
Whichever network type you select, Windows’ networking software should
run handily on it.

Go to "How to Set Up Your Home Network"
for step-by-step instructions on how to set up different types of
networks. For tips on how to enhance your wireless network, see "Wireless Networks That Do More."