December 10, 2006
Vista's Development Over the Semester
After more than 5 years in development, the next version of Microsoft’s operating system was finally released to business consumers on November 30, 2006 and is scheduled to be released to customers who intend to use the OS for personal use on January 30, 2007. Windows Vista is the follow-up to Windows XP, which is widely used for both business and personal use. To date, the development of this new operating system has cost Microsoft an estimated $7.5 billion to assemble. Given that a large portion of Microsoft’s revenues and operating profits are generated from the sale of their operating system, the success of Vista and the response of the public is crucial to the success of the company itself.
Over the past few months, the reviews about Vista that we have read have been mixed. For instance, some people are happy with some of the new features Vista offers, like improved security measures, new graphics, and more efficient power usage. However, many of the enthusiastic reviews seemed to come websites affiliated somehow with Microsoft. Despite some positive reviews, there are many skeptics who feel that what Vista offers is no different than those already offered by Apple or free alternatives, such as the Open Source operating system Linux.
At the beginning of the semester, most of the reviews we came across on the Internet were in response to the beta version of Vista, which used to be referred to as Longhorn. Both of the major beta versions, released before the semester began, generated a neutral response. The #1 concern seemed to be about security, although Microsoft claims that Vista is the most secure operating system available yet. Although viruses are a threat to any operating system, it does not reflect well upon Vista that hackers have already managed to create viruses that attack Vista before the OS has even been released to the public. For instance, just a few days ago, it was found that the “MelindaGates” virus allows users of the corporate version of Vista to circumvent the software's anti-piracy mechanisms Infoworld.com.
In addition to security concerns, compatibility is also a major concern to those deciding whether or not to adopt Vista. Since Vista was released to business at the end of November, there has been a lot of buzz amongst those considering buying the OS for personal use as to whether or not it’s really worth it. According to a statement one IT professional made on DNRonline.com:
If you want a basic setup of Vista you can probably use a fairly modern/current computer. If you want the full-blown visually “stunning” version you may need a lot more in the way of processor speed, memory, a higher-end video card and a couple of other additions. Notice the MS descriptions in the previous paragraphs using the terms, "capable" vs. "premium."
In short, what we have seen over the progression of the semester is that feedback on Vista has been extensive and that Microsoft has used this feedback to constantly adjust and improve the new operating system, as it moved from the beta versions onward. This development process leads us to conclude that although Vista might not currently be everything users hoped, Microsoft’s new operating system has evolved and will continue evolving in the future.
Posted by alathans at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2006
Privacy Issues
According to Richard O. Mason’s article, “Four Ethical Issues of the Information Age,” there are four major issues stemming from the easy access of information on the Internet. Mason refers to these as PAPA—Privacy, Accuracy, Property, and Accessibility. A situation where PAPA is relevant is the simple of creating an Amazon.com account. While Amazon promises that your personal activity will be kept confidential, your searches, bids, buys, posts, and participation are all maintained in the Amazon database. Additionally, your contact info, including your name, email address, shipping address, and payment methods are also stored by Amazon. You may have also provided them with the contact information of your friends and family, via the Address Book option or simply by shipping orders to these individuals. Their ability to draw associations between certain data and collect data from other companies is a threat of exposure referred to as “minute description” by Mason, allows Amazon. This potential invasion of privacy is becoming more of an issue the Internet becomes increasingly available. All individuals who readily supply any type of personal information on the Internet ought to be aware of these threats.
In our opinion, it is a little unsettling that so much of our personal information is available online, but as consumers, we appreciate the convenience of not having to enter the same information repeatedly. A feature on Amazon that we find particularly useful is the “Wish List,” which allows us to easily find out what our family and friends would like for the holidays. This feature would not be possible without storing information online.
Posted by stwiener at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2006
Windows Vista: Four different styles
Windows Vista has four different visual styles
Windows AERO
- this is the most advanced style of the four
- it contains glass, 3D, and animation effects
- to enable all of these effects, the open windows store content in video memory to enable tearing-free movement from windows
- tearing movement: the image rendered first, overlaps the second rendered image creating a torn, rough image
- uses Desktop Window Manager
Windows Vista Standard
- a variation of AERO without the glass, 3D, and animation effects
- has the same video hardware requirements as AERO
- uses Desktop Window Manager
Windows Vista Basic
- similar to Windows XP visual style
- subtle animation on progress bars
- no glass and 3D effects
- computers that are not powerful enough to support AERO will have this as the default
- does not use the Desktop Window Manager
Windows Vista Classic
There are four different desktop aesthetics for the new Vista. However, I find it's difficult to see the difference between Windows AERO and Windows Vista Standard. I would be perfectly happy with either of those, they would be a great improvement to Windows XP. On the other hand, it's easy to see the differences in Windows Vista Basic and Classic compared to the first two. While Windows Vista Basic looks fine, I think that the Classic version is very unattractive. When Vista is released to non-business consumers in January 2007, I would love to buy a copy and change my computer's boring old look!
Posted by stwiener at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)
Windows Vista: Business Editions
Windows Vista was released for businesses on November 30, 2006 as both Windows Vista and Office 2007 were made available to large volume licensees. Microsoft has made two different versions available to business consumers, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise. I was confused as to what differentiates these two products. After some research how they differ, and have organized to below.
Windows Vista Business:
Increased Security
- built in protection from malicious software
- get warnings of possible hardware failures before it happens
- more sophisticated backup hardware in case of hardware failure
Increased Access to Information
- AERO makes it easier to see all opened documents on the desktop improving navigation
- an improved search system allows users to find needed
information faster
Better Connectivity
- there is increased interaction with your PC: the improved touch technology allows users to use digital pens with better
handwriting recognition
- there is access to information, even when your computer is
turned off
- it is easier to share information with customers and employees
even in the absence of a network
Cost
- $199
Window's Vista Enterprise:
Vista Enterprise contains all the features of Vista Business and the additional features listed below.
Data Encryption
- a technology that provides increased protection of information, if a computer is lost or stolen
- reduced costs of decommissioning an old PC
Compatibility
- there are built-in-tools to make Vista compatible with older versions of Microsoft operating systems
- Vista includes all available language interfaces
- $299
Cost
-Stefanie Wiener
Posted by stwiener at 09:53 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2006
Justification for Skepticism
Article: Microsoft Vista goes on sale.
Today marks the launch of the long awaited Microsoft Windows Vista. It is the first new personal operating system to be released in five years and whether or not this system will success is still in question. Microsoft is heavily relying on its success because most of its revenue and almost all of its profits comes from Windows and Office. These revenues and profits allow the company to expand into other areas to produce video games as well as music players.
There are many reasons why people doubt that businesses will immediately transition from the current Windows XP operating system to Vista. First of all, many companines have no complaints about XP and see no reason to change to Vista. They understand the new security features of Vista, but find that the 2004 release of Service Pack 2 sufficiently fulfills those needs. Secondly, upgrading to Vista can be very costly and complicated for large organizations. Due to the number of computers that would need to be switched, contractors would usually be hired to help, often at a high price. Thirdly, the transition can take years before businesses are fully operating to Vistas. According to Gartner Dataquest, not until 2010 will Vistas outnumber XP on business computers. That is three years of adjustments and possible confusion that businesses will have to endure.
CNN gives a clear example explaining the process.
A company with 10,000 employees, for example, likely has 1,000 business applications, many of which need to be tested on Vista before a company can switch its PCs to the new operating system, said Gartner analyst Michael Silver. That process often takes 12 to 18 months and lots of labor by the technology staff. (In other words, for a large business to implement Vista right away would probably require it to have been an eager-beaver type that experimented with Vista during its "beta" phase that began in mid-2005).
Clearly, the transition to Windows Vista will not be easy. XP has become a staple in the PC world. It will be very difficult to get users to change because they are already so familiar with it. I remember when other operating systems like Windows NT and ME were available, but I cannot remember how I transitioned from one to another. However, it is clear that the transition to XP was far more successful than that of ME. With Vista’s release less than two weeks old, there are many skeptics, myself included, wondering if this is just another repeat of the ME or if this could be a better XP. As CNN reports, I believe that it could take years before people are comfortable using Vista. It will take even longer for Vista to become the personal operating system of choice. I have no doubt that Vista has many new and user-friendly things to offer, however, I currently have no need for them yet. I think that after I work on a Vista operating system at my future job for a while, I will then consider switching from XP to Vista on my personal computer. It will save me the time of transitioning through it alone and the money if Vista flops. With the growing population of Apple computers, Windows needs Vista to keep its customers. I think everyone just wants what is user-friendly and efficient. Vista has had a lot of hype about being just that. I hope, for Microsoft’s sake, that its performance can live up to its hype.
Posted by catchao at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2006
Del.icio.us Features
We have found many interesting Del.icio.us features throughout the semester. We have added people to our network that are knowledgeable about technology. For example mattymdm tags deal with advanced technology concepts, therefore we gain access to information that we wouldn't know to look for otherwise. It helped us gain an broader awareness of the technology market.
In addition, del.icio.us has many other useful features. When I was researching digital cameras to buy, I had a hard time finding useful camera reviews. I went on del.icio.us and it was much easier to find information, because everyone else's research about cameras was already compiled. And its so much better than using Google or another search engine, because people only tag things that are useful to them. Therefore, in a sense, I'm getting a rating on how useful that website that is. I have found that the more people tagged a website, the more useful it's likely to be.
Posted by stwiener at 12:39 PM | Comments (0)
Publicity or Piracy Prevention?
Article: Microsoft backtracks on Vista transfer limits.
Before mid-October, 2006, Microsoft had some pretty strict rules regarding transfers of its newest operating system, the anticipated Windows Vista. According to the license terms, purchasers of boxed copies of the new operating system would be restricted to transferring Vista to a computer only once. Such severe limitations, which Microsoft hoped would prevent piracy, caused a stir from current Microsoft customers, especially “hobbyists who frequently upgrade the components of their PC, in some cases triggering Windows to consider the machine a new PC.”
Because of the reaction from the public, Microsoft modified the policy on October 16, 2006, reverting to essentially the same transfer rules that apply to Windows XP. The new policy allows to “transfer their license to a new PC an unlimited number of times, provided they uninstall and stop using it on the prior machine.” This limit does not apply to newly purchased PCs that are already equipped with Vista. There are separate rules for those who purchase Vista along with such hardware (this is actually the majority of buyers), and usually these rules prohibit transferring entirely.
In my opinion, Microsoft responded correctly to the public by reversing the transfer license on retail copies of Vista. Considering the incredible delay in bringing Vista to the public and the negative word-of-mouth, it can’t afford to piss people off, especially avid users and computer nerds who are highly profitable customers. That said, part of me wonders (maybe I just like conspiracy theory) if Microsoft anticipated such an uproar in response to the new transfer rules. Perhaps they don’t care if publicity for Vista is negative, as long as it’s publicity. Maybe all they wanted was to make themselves seem conscious of and responsive to consumers’ concerns and preferences. Could they seriously have thought such a tough rule would fly?
The success of Vista is going to have serious implications for the future of Microsoft, which is facing stiff competition from free, open source alternatives like Linux. That said, Microsoft has quite a soft cushion to fall back on in the short run. According to InformationWeek.com, a recent “poll of 761 IT decision makers found that 20% expect to adopt the OS within a year and a total of 86% currently planning to adopt Vista eventually.” But in order for Microsoft to maintain market share and healthy earnings in the long run, most of those people who do implement the OS need to like it, or they are in trouble.
Posted by alathans at 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
