Anilrgowda

Microsoft’s newest operating system, Vista, will be released Jan. 30, and the reaction is expected to be fevered or tepid, depending on whom you ask.
Not surprisingly, Microsoft spokesman Mike Porter expects sales to live up to the hype. “It will absolutely be a big deal,” he said.
Vista’s slogan puts it even more succinctly: “The ‘wow’ is now.”
Owners of two local computer stores, however, aren’t so sure the masses will rush out to buy Vista. In fact, Matt Rasbury, owner of Competitive PCs, 6236 W. Jefferson Blvd., recommends against doing just that.
“Speaking from a technician’s standpoint, I would not recommend an immediate upgrade to Vista for no other reason than, with every new operating system, there are always bugs,” Rasbury said. “I wait for the bugs to be worked out.”
Porter dismissed Rasbury’s advice, however, saying, “Windows Vista is the most tested operating system we’ve ever put out on the market.”
Those who opt not to wait should be able to buy the complete Vista package or the Vista upgrade at big-box stores and small computer shops alike on Jan. 30. The product was introduced to businesses in November.
Home users can choose from two versions: Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium.
Basic is described as being suited for simple tasks such as sending e-mail and surfing the Internet. Microsoft touts Home Premium as the choice for the best home computing and entertainment. (See accompanying box for comparison of features.)
One of Vista’s biggest selling points, Porter said, is its ability to stave off security threats. “You’re going to have a tremendous amount of confidence and peace of mind,” he said. “It is built with security first.”
He also talked up Vista’s improvements in making it easier to store and find information. “It’s about being able to get the information you need when you need it, no matter what or where it is.”
And the Windows Media Center in Vista enables users to find, play and manage digital entertainment on their PC or TV using a mouse and keyboard or a remote control.
Andy Gary, manager of A Plus Computers, 4730 Parnell Ave., has had the opportunity to play around with a pre-release version of Vista.
“It’s pretty,” he said. “There’s a lot more eye candy in this release than there was in XP. … There’s some more functionality in it.”
He’s seeing some local interest in the product but doesn’t anticipate any shortage from people rushing out to buy it. There are always some people, he said, who will just want to be the first to have it.
Microsoft’s last big launch was Windows XP, which debuted in October 2001.
Gary said “it’s a big leap” from XP to Vista, but not as big a leap as Windows XP was from Windows 98.
Like Porter, Gary believes improved security is one of Vista’s biggest selling points. “There’s a lot of protection built in there against spyware.”
Choose your OS
Consumers probably will have to choose between Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium. Here’s how the two systems compare:
Vista Home Basic
♦Suggested retail: $199 for complete package, or $99.95 for upgrade (see box below)
♦Ideal for: Surfing the Internet, corresponding with friends and family using e-mail, basic word processing and editing tasks.
♦Enhancements from earlier versions of Windows: Greater security to help protect your computer whether you are surfing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network or reading e-mail. New tools can warn of impending hardware failures long before data is lost. New parental control features can manage your family’s use of games, the Internet, instant messaging and other activities. New search tools help you quickly find the file or program you need.
Vista Home Premium
♦Suggested retail: $239 for complete package, or $159 for upgrade (see box below)
♦Ideal for: homes with advanced computer needs
♦Enhancements from earlier versions of Windows: All the features mentioned under Home Basic, plus: A new user interface named Windows Aero makes it easier to find your way around the operating system. It even makes it easier to accomplish multiple tasks at once. Additionally, Vista Home Premium helps you quickly find and organize large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos and music. You can create your own DVDs and edit your own high-definition movies