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Microsoft
will be bringing a new computer Operating System to market
soon Called Windows Vista. Slated for release to businesses
in November 2006 and consumers in the beginning of February
of 2007. About that time SolidWorks will begin to announce
support dates for Vista.
While Microsoft will try to make the transition pleasant and
the operating system easier to use with greater functionality
yet still look familiar, this will be a large change for everyone
and it will be important to understand what this new operating
system brings with it. Like with any large change there will
there will be costs involved. You will find my summary of
Windows Vista below and you may want to go to some of the
links at the bottom to see what's coming.
About Vista
Vista (originally known as code name “Longhorn")
has been in design since 2001 right after the release of Windows
XP and will eventually replace it.
This OS was originally created to have a completely new user
interface, file system and change the function of many parts
of the system. Much of the code has been completely rewritten.
This is to be the biggest change in a Windows Operating system
since Windows was created, some of you may remember using
MS-DOS.
It was also created to be a 64 bit OS, expecting most PC's
to move to 64 bit by the release, currently the majority of
computers are still 32 bit systems.
Microsoft has recognized this issue and has written a 32 bit
(with limitations) versions to keep customers moving forward.
As it stands now,
- The new user interface looks and functions much better,
a lot more like and Apple Macintosh interface for those
of you familiar with that OS.
It will be more graphically intense and use the power from
3D graphics cards. It will also require more memory to load
(512 MB min).
- The new files system WINFS is not ready yet, but will
show up in a future windows service pack.
- The 64 bit versions of Vista, like Windows XP 64 bit
edition, will allow for large amounts of memory to be used
for intensive applications such as SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation Software ,
up to 128 GB of RAM, depending on your hardware. In comparison
the current limit on 32 bit systems is 3GB of RAM.
- If you are planning to purchase a new computer you may
want to make sure it is Windows Vista capable, or it may
not be able to upgrade in the future.
- Other hardware that works for you now may not have drivers
written for Vista (i.e.. printers, scanners) and you will
be forced to by new hardware that work with Vista.\
- Many software programs are being written for Vista but
the ones you are used to using may no longer function in
Vista and will need to be upgraded or replaced.
- Vista will be released in 5 versions, Home Basic, Home
Premium, Business, Ultimate and an Enterprise version for
business.
- There will be some new sales/marketing/business tools
included in the business version, something called "Windows
Workflow Foundation", not sure what that will do just
yet.
- Vista will include built in security software called
Windows Defender with anti-virus/anti-spam/anti-spy/anti-malware
- New desktop/web search tools.
- New Internet Explorer with tabbed browsing and RSS feed.
- Improved Memory and boot up speed options with Sleep,
Windows Super Fetch, Ready Boost and Ready Drive.
- Many New networking tools and interfaces.
- Built in Speech recognition, dictate to your PC and control
applications.
- As far as how it will affect SolidWorks directly? We will
have to wait and see!
If you want to get a look at MS Vista at see more about it,
see these links below.
Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/
Others on Vista,
Vista Versions and Pricing
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_pricing.asp
Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista
Nice Screen shots
http://www.winvistabeta.com/
Dell links on the subject,
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/solutions/en/vista_what_is?c=us&l=en&s=gen
See if your Dell is Vista capable now, with their assessment
tool.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/product_support/en/vista_test?c=us&l=en&s=gen
Windows Community link
http://www.activewin.com/awin/default.asp
If you need more information than this, try a Google search
on vista
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Microsoft+Vista&btnG=Search
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