A new year demands a new operating system. At least, that is Microsoft’s view. On Jan. 30, the world-renowned corporation introduced its newest and most talked-about operating system: Microsoft Vista. First announced on July 22, 2005 (referred to as “Longhorn”), Vista is the predecessor to Windows XP, five years total since Microsoft’s last operating system release. Some of the most significant features include multimedia tools such as Windows DVD Maker, greater searching capacity and increased communications between machines on a home network.
Fortune magazine senior editor Peter Lewis states that Windows Vista has “greater security and reliability than previous versions of Windows,” including such features as a more appealing user interface, backward compatibility with older programs and greatly improved search abilities. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates named some of Vista’s new features, which allow parents to monitor what Web sites their children watch and even the amount of time spent on the computer. In an interview with CNN’s show, “American Morning,” Gates remarked, “People are using Windows PCs more than they watch TV now. A big release of Windows was needed. We put a lot into this one.”
According to research by the research firm ICD and PC World magazine, roughly 38 percent of personal computer owners say that Vista will have no influence on their plans to buy a PC this year. Twenty-four percent said that Microsoft Vista would be fine to have and it would not push them to buy a new PC in 2007.
Yet, there are mixed reactions to the introduction of Vista. As of the present time, there is no Vista-exclusive software available for purchase. Many of the new features, such as Windows Media Player 11 and Internet Explorer 7 (which can be downloaded onto Windows XP), serve more as extra accessories than absolute necessities. Many consumers are waiting for the Vista Service Pack to come out, due to fears of security issues and technical difficulties.
One of the biggest issues is that only Vista Ultimate and Vista Home Edition – the most expensive versions – will fully demonstrate the features of Microsoft Vista; older PCs will be hard pressed to replicate this feat. Another annoyance is that a person will need to make sure their PC is “Vista-ready.”And in the eyes of some, Vista is merely a souped-up version of Windows XP.
Al Gillen, an analyst at the technology research group IDC remarked, “When I look at it (Vista), I see a technology that is interesting, that is relevant, but to some extent is evolutionary. I do not believe it will create a lot of motivation for people to rush out and get a new operating system.”