Hello readers! Today was January 29, 2007. The big day! Because on this day, Microsoft, the world biggest operating system creator, released it's Windows Vista release. The five year development is done. During this review of this OS, let's say, that you have no vision. Have you ever tried out a beta or release candidate build of Vista? If you have, you are one of about 9 people who did. If you haven't, I hope that by reading or listening to this article, I will prove to you that in this world, there are so many things to try out. And this extends beyond computers to music, literature, art, foreign language, and any other topic you can think of. Don't be afraid to try out. Blindness is something major, but it can be overcome. And if you do have vision ( 90 percent of this world will) , my goal is about the same. Blind people are smart and can do, with some efforts, the same things as the rest of the world. We can go to school and get a good education, have friends and go to a place alone, troubleshoot computers by ourselves with the right tools and equipment, and install and test operating systems. It might take us some struggling, but we can do it. And I'm happy to report that my case with testing and installing Microsoft's Windows Vista turned out to be a success. I've been doing this for over 1 and a half years. I started on May 22, 2005, and have gone from build ( release version number ) 5048 to build 6000 ( current build ) . I have reinstalled my PC at least 60 times, had my computer smoke out, and had countless fights with my family over Vista. This article should first give you a glimpse into the past old builds of Vista, introduce you to most, if not all, of the new features in this operating system, and tell you about all product editions of Vista. There are at least 20 new features I can name from the top of my head. So let's begin with the in depth look at Windows Vista. As I stated previously, I first began to test Vista on May 22, 2005. I've heard about this Operating System from many different websites earlier that year, and could not wait to get my hands on it. Back then, it was called Windows Longhorn. On May 22, my friend, somehow, acquired a very early build of Longhorn ( build 5048 ) . I've read reviews from websites about this build and knew how bad it was. But since then, I had the adventure of a lifetime with Vista / Longhorn builds 5048, 5112, 5270, 5308, 5384, 5600, and now, 6000. I acquired each builds in different ways, usually from my friends and the Microsoft Customer Preview program gave me rc1. Unfortunately, I do not have all cds of each old build. My memories of them will never leave me. Before we begin my long and tedious review, let me give you a small review of most of the builds I ever used. I reinstalled some of the builds and tested them for about 2 days. Windows longhorn build 5048 was released in april 2005, at the winHEC 2005 (hardware engineering conference 2005). Everyone hated this build. First of all, this was the first build that was released after the "big reset" (the event where Microsoft reset the Longhorn development). The dvd was 895 mb. Or CD? Although I could not install this build (setup could not proceed to the next stage of installation), I did notice, right away, a lot of differences in Setup. Setup: When you started the setup application, you had to click "install windows longhorn". After this, a welcome message appeared, which said: " Welcome to Windows Setup Thank you for choosing Microsoft Windows. First we'll ask you a few questions to help set up Windows the way you like. After that, Setup can finish on its own. Continue button " After pressing continue, entering in you're product key, and accepting the microsoft license agreement, the following dialog appeared: " Express upgrade This option is the quick and easy way to upgrade your computer to the newest version of Windows. Your current files, settings, and programs will be preserved. (this option was disabled) Clean installation This option installs Windows on a new hard drive or replaces an existing Windows installation. If you start Setup by inserting the "Longhorn" CD and then starting your computer, you can make changes to your disks and partitions. button What's the difference between these choices? button Upgrade has been disabled -Non componentized Longhorn Windows installs cannot be upgraded. CBB Longhorn build 5019 and higher is required for upgrades. -To upgrade you must be running CBB Longhorn build 5019 or higher. " This little dialog shows us many things: 1. Microsoft had been working on Vista for a while, and build 5019 was one of their builds. 2. Longhorn was intended to be able to install from a cd, not a dvd. After clicking the clean install, you would be asked to select a partition and computer name. Each option had a button ("click here to select advanced installation options button"). There was no way to load a driver. This might be a reason why I couldn't install this build (my hard-drive uses sata). However, from previously installing this build (on an older computer), I know the following: At this time, longhorn did not use .net framework 2.0. Instead, they used .net framework 1.1. Also, Microsoft Anna was included as a sapi voice. The build was slower than xp, but not horribly slow. It didn't have all of the vista programs we know today. Only windows defender was included. The build itself looked like a windows xp / 2003 mix. Small parts of winFS were included. WinFS was supposed to be a "future storage" file system where files and folders would be replaced with more customizable files. No part of WinFs survived to Today's Vista build, sadly. comparing this build with the current vista build: As mentioned, the setup routine was totally different. Microsoft used a more friendly setup process and included more help windows. In a way, they overkilled it. Also, the bootmmgr file (the vista/longhorn bootmanager) was only 213 kb, a lot smaller then the current 430 kb bootmmgr file. longhorn beta 1 (build 5112): This build was released on june 27, 2005 and had a lot of new features. After installing this build, for the first time, my cd drive broke, so I had a bad experience with this build. Setup: The Setup started to resemble the current Vista installation. Once the autorun started and you clicked install now, the setup window appeared and stated the following: " The installation process consists of a few easy steps, then Windows will finish installing on its own. Next button. " So, Microsoft started decreasing its "user friendliness". The product key window was the exact one that is in the current install. Then, you would have to accept the agreement, and the following dialog appeared: " Which type of installation do you want? Upgrade (recommended) Preserves your files, settings, and programs and upgrades your operating system. Custom Use this option to install a clean copy of Windows. • Select where you want to install Windows • Make changes to your disks and partitions Help me decide button Upgrade has been disabled -To upgrade, you must be running a Longhorn build 5099 or later. " As in build 5048, this shows us that build 5099 was a private ms build. On the next screen, you had to choose the partition and computer name. Just as in build 5048. Again, the load driver option was missing. Once you pressed next, setup started copying files. Beta 1 setup took well over an hour to install. After installation, however, the system would not start (no sata support). comparison with today's build: At this stage, games were not in place. It seems like wddm (windows display driver model) was, though. JAWS needed video intercepting, as usual. However, many of today's features were not in place. Windows dvd maker was one of these things. Many of the programs were buggy and would slow down the system. This build ran for 90 days (my build would expire on june 4, 2007). The operating system still reported itself as "windows codenamed longhorn", which seems strange for today. Control panel had 34 icons, a lot less cluttered then today's panel. The sidebar was taken out "for good", according to Microsoft. And all those centers that we know today were not at all in place. It resembled 70 percent windows server 2003, and about 30 percent Windows vista. Thought it was a big jump ahead from build 5048. build 5270 (dec ctp) Setting up: The setup process was almost identical to today's setup. There was just one thing that wasn't: Clicking load driver wanted you to insert a cd / floppy containing the driver. Installation time was actually a lot shorter than beta 1 (48 minutes). comparing this build with today's : Microsoft had finally put the games in place. Mahjong was known as Shanghai. Performance seemed to be a little better, though a key press had a lag of about 0.8 seconds. Startup was horrible, about 1 minutes to hear the startup sound and another 20 seconds to get into desktop. Again, a 90-day beta limit was enforced. This was supposed to be a feature-complete build. DVD Maker, which was in place, required you to have a dvd burner prior to running. Control panel had some added items (it now had 38). Lot of today's centers were missing (no welcome /backup or restore center). Sidebar was placed back, and sported a different look. Somebody must of given Microsoft a good reason to put it back. The Windows Easy Transfer utility was known as Windows Transfer. It wasn't too much different from today's build: They both shared the same concept in different interfaces. Even the new Windows update, bit locker, and parental controls were in place. But despite this, the applications had glitches. At least Microsoft had the code down by that time (12/15/2005) . Build 5308 (feb ctp) Setup: The same as in build 5270. It even takes about the same time (51 minutes). I guess Microsoft wasn't in the mood to increase setup time. This was the first build where Microsoft enabled beta testers to upgrade from xp to vista 5308. When I tried to do this, I got an error message (fatal error). comparison: The only new thing in this release was the Welcome Center. Shanghai had been renamed to Mahjong titans. Build 5381 (beta 2): I only tested this build for a day or so. Compatibility with my applications was absolutely horrible. Basically, beta 2 is what I would call a disappointment. It had major performance problems. The games gave me a critical error. If I upgraded my xp machine to Beta 2, Jaws 7 wouldn't work (it would send an error report). Back then, my other concern was Antivirus. There was really no compatible av software for Vista. However, from what I have scene, Beta 2 included backup and restore center (replacing the backup utility that's in xp), and better driver support. And guess what! Microsoft even released this build to the public with it's CPP (customer preview program), so that the whole world would see Vista progress. Well, do you think all of those guys were happy? (july 2006) . Build 5600 (rc1): There was a huge change between this build and beta 2. Again, Microsoft released this build to 5 million people, and I was fortunate to order my own copy of the build directly from the company. Performance was a lot better. It was almost shocking. How the heck Microsoft managed to boost performance in 2 months is unknown to me, but they did a fine job of it. There's really not much to compare in that build to today's build of Vista. It was identical. The only two things different were that the rc1 build had about 2400 bugs, while today's build has like 1 or 2 hundred. The rc1 build didn't include the new Vista sounds. And that's where the reflections section ends. All of this might not make sense to you right now, since you know very little about the new features. But as you read along, please glance back to this reflection page and compare Microsoft's development. Do you think they had a good tactic? My full opinion is located in the conclusion section. Today, I will give my best shot and review build 6000, also known as the RTM ( release to manufacturing ) build. The Vista build you buy from the Comp USA shelves is going to be the same build. Ok, there might be visual differences, a few bug fixes here and there. no new features, though. If you have never experienced Vista, by the time you finish reading, you should have a basic idea of how it feels to be in the operating system itself. I will also examine the seven product editions that come with Vista and have been present since beta 2 builds. Please note that little visual effects of Vista will be included. You must understand that I have no idea of how Windows looks, beside the facts that it has a desktop, taskbar, start button, and a bunch of I don't know how big windows. I have no idea how a sliding tool bar looks like. But, based on some facts people tell me, I know the basic layout. If you have used Vista before, I hope that you will gain a different perspective of Windows Vista. How do the Visually impaired look at this multi- dimensional system? During the course of the review, you also need to know one new vocabulary word ( if you don't yet ) : Screen reader: A computer program that tries to describe the screen to a visually impaired person by the means of speech. A screen reader can detect the elements on a screen ( buttons, radio buttons, combo boxes, check boxes, and more ) . Installation: The install process has changed a lot from XP. Is that good or bad? Well, both. If you are sighted, it's good for you. If you are blind, it can be bad or good, depending on the situations you are in. Installing Vista under Windows xp is easy. You have to pop in your dvd, click install now, enter a product key, click next, read and accept the license, next, chose to custom or upgrade install. If you upgrade, no questions asked, you will start the upgrade after reviewing a list of software that Vista will not run. If you custom install, you are asked to selected a partition ( drive you want to install vista on ) . If this is the same as you have XP on, you're Windows, program files, and Documents and settings folders are moved to one \ Windows . old directory, which basically makes your xp not run. Once setup starts copying files, it's also hands - off. The installation takes about 20 minutes. Upgrade takes a bit more time. If you upgrade, you are presented with a welcome center and then the Vista user interface ( UI ) right away. With a custom install, you will have to select your country, enter a user and computer name, and select a timezone. This is the point where it might become a challenge. Since Vista does not detect many sound cards. (If it detected yours, pressing Windows key + u will start the new Ease of Access center, where you can use narrator during setup. If it doesn't press enter, type a user name, enter, computer name, and two enters to select the Pacific time zone. You can change this later. You will then hear the new Vista Start- up sound. If you want to install by booting from the DVD disk, you will face challenges. I recommend that you ask for sighted help ( If you don't have any sight ) The DVD install is almost like the Windows Install. You go through the same exact steps ( but you can format your drives ) . Ok, what changed at first glance? For sighted people, the desktop and the new Vista user interface will show. Well, that's only if you're Video card has WDDM ( windows display driver model ) drivers, which is installed when you're display has 128 mb of ram or more. Otherwise, the Windows Classic theme will show. At first notice, you will see the new bar to the right of the taskbar. This is called the sideBar, and you can run gadgets from it which will always appear in that area of the screen. A clock is included by default. Before you install you're screen reader, it's a good idea to start narrator and change a few options. Again, start narrator by pressing windows u and pressing space on use narrator. Then, press the start button, hit escape, and press alt + enter to open task bar and start menu properties. Using control tab, navigate to it start menu page and change the " radio button " from start menu to classic start menu. This will allow you to use the more familiar classic - style windows start menu. Next, go to control panel. Press tab a few times, until you hear " switch to classic view " . And this is where I need to give you a word of explanation: Microsoft is committed to providing you with the best security you can get. So, this being on mind, they've created the UAC ( user account control ) feature, which block every program and Active x internet add - that might harm you're system. Every time this happens, a warning, known as a " UAC prompt " will appear on the screen. For now, screen reading software are not compatible with this feature, and will not even read the UAC prompt. So, you must turn it off by going to user accounts, and tabbing to the " turn User Account Control on and off " link. You will here the UAC prompt sound come up. Hit tab, space. Then, press space on the continue button. Return to the User Accounts Window, and press space to uncheck the " Use User Account Control ( UAC ) " box. Press finish. Now you are ready to install you're Screen reader, which for me is JAWS for Windows. Even if you run other AT software, this review should not render anything much different. Once you restart you're system ( notice that it takes twice as fast as XP ) , insert the CD of your Screen Reader and gently press enter to start Autorun . It is a good idea, however, to start narrator again ( if it didn't start ) , by pressing start button, r, and typing in narrator. After installing your screen reader, you will have to restart one more time. Another little break: Video intercepting. In order for a screen reader to analyse the screen in more detail ( perhaps a layout of the screen ) , it has to communicate with your Video card by a method known as Video intercepting. In Vista Microsoft created the WDDM video rendering method, which is quite different then the one in XP. This is why when you restart your system, you're screen reader might tell you that there is no intercepting installed. Currently, JAWS does not support intercepting with WDDM display cards. Window - eyes from GW Micro, Inc . has some support for it, but this is incomplete as well. Don't be scared, this does not mean that you will not be able to use Vista. The only problems you will have to face is when using the mouse cursor, JAWS cursor, and the invisible cursor to navigate the screen using the mouse. Let's get started with looking at each new feature of Windows Vista in brief. Windows explorer: The Impressive New View Open up Computer ( yes, it's no longer called my computer ) from the desktop. Do you see anything new? Do you hear anything different? Tab around. What happened to the outline buttons? And what's that weird header bar? Oh ya and why do I have a search box in my Explorer? These might be questions you would think of when " exploring the unexplored explorer ". The outline buttons. Well. They are now in something that Screen Readers call the " web View Pane " . In this pane, use left and right arrows to move from column to column, and up / down to move from row to row. How fun. As for the weird header bar. Use it to sort you're folders well. Press down arrow to open up a menu of sorting options. And finally, that search box. Every single explorer window has that. It's just one new thing to get used to. Type something in, hit enter, and, you guessed it right, a search results window opens. A handy way of searching you're system. If you open the file menu, you will surely notice a new option known as "restore previous versions". This dll uses system restore points to restore a file to it's original state. If you erase a folder, this will be a lifesaver. Control panel: The Unexpected Growth Vista's control panel has doubled in size. There are just so many new features. Fire up a control panel window and you'll see 49 items at start. Now let's go through all the new applets in the list: bit locker drive encryption: Are you concerned about you're computer getting stolen and with it all your valuable information? Just use bitlocker to encrypt you're system. That is, if you have a built in security chip . If you don't then you can just use a flash card to store the password to your system. And their's one more catch: you must have 2 drives ( partitions ) on your system. And that's a big slap in the face, since many newly sold systems have one partition only. Network and Sharing center: Microsoft is creating more and more centers in every Windows release. The network and sharing center is just one of about 5 centers in Vista. Here, you can set up a network, view computers on the network, setup a wireless router and add - hoc connection, and change sharing options. programs and features: A fancy way of saying " add or remove programs " . It lists all programs on you're system. Tabbing around reveals two web view panes, each containing information. The second of them is what you will need to unistall, change / remove, a program. Parental Controls: Watch out Kids, You're time Sup! If you are a parent, you will probably enjoy setting a parental control. This nice application let's you set options for your child's user account : Disable programs, disable the time a person can log on to windows . . . all the ways you can think of that will torture your children to do homework. As for kids, no hacking allowed. Don't even try to hack you're home computer, or else you'll make things worse: Windows Vista is well protected from hacking. Security center: The World just Became more Secure. Security center has a very minor change. The antivirus button in xp sp2 is now called Malware protection. Also, if you have more then one security problem with your system, instead of icons for each problem, you will only receive a " There are multiple problems with your computer. " notice. Clicking it opens - - the master of all centers: security center. Windows SideShow: How does this Look? Do you have a cell phone? How about a pocket pc? Or a portable monitor? If you do, you will be happy to know that Vista has full SideShow support. Ok. Today, most devices support SideShow. But what is it? It's a new for you to view information. The SideShow device will update itself with latest news, weather, or whatever gadget you choose to install. Let's say you are watching TV. It's the middle of a favorite show, and an add comes on. You jump to your computer. And then, you can quickly scan the news and other info that you have on you're SideShow device. How cool is that? And if you have no vision, well, you'll miss out on it. Sorry, that's just one of those visual things. Speech recognition: Because Talking to You're Computer is Fun! Have you ever wanted to purchase a speech recognition program but didn't have the money for it? I know I did. Well, Microsoft ( r ) Windows speech Recognition is a good start. Opening this option up will launch a window where you can start the tutorial, select text - to - speech options, and change audio setting. Currently, screen reading softwares are not compatible with the Speech recognition tutorial, nor can they setup the program. This is because you have to read the training, which requires video intercepting. If you have a sighted peer, then it's fine. Obviously if you have perfect vision, this is not an issue. I Scsi Initiator: Want More Space? I Scsi. Isn't that a weird word? It stands for Internet small computer system interface. If you have another computer, you can access it's cd drive, or hard - drive, over the internet. Simply setup their ip. Then you can receive and transfer files. And guess what? It works with Screen readers. Sync center: Change How your Computer treats a Mobile Device. Sync center allows you to change options for syncing files between a device and Windows. It also let's you detect a device. Yet, it's still a center. Windows Mobility Center: Change Laptop Settings in a Click. Windows Mobility Center lets you change you're laptops screen brightness, sound volume, turn the wireless off to conserve battery, and to turn on or off presentation settings. It's even located under programs / accessories. Problem Reports and Solutions: Got a Problem to Fix? This link - based panel lets you check for solutions to problems that have occurred in the passed, and view a " Problem History " , and join the Customer Experience Improvement Program. Ease of Access Center: This little center replaces the accessibility wizard in xp. It allows you to start narrator, magnifier, and on - screen keyboard, while allowing you to customize what starts up when Windows Starts. Welcome center: This center is the same one you receive once you install Windows. Ok, more applications: Windows Update: A faster Way to Update a Computer Windows Update finally has it's own Windows based interface. It lets you view available updates, get updates for more products, check for updates, change settings ( automatic updates ) , view update history, and restore hidden updates. You install the updates within Windows, and no internet explorer Window is open. If you click view available updates, you get a list of important and optional updates. The updates are in a checklist, meaning that with the space bar you can check and uncheck an update help and support: A new Way to Get Help. Do you remember Windows XP's help and support center? Of course you do. Wasn't that kind of annoying? Well, I think it was. Vistas help and support is much easier to use. You open it up, and get a list of links / topics you can use for help ( security and maintenance, windows online help, table of contents, troubleshooting, and what's new ) . Clicking table of contents list more categories ( getting started, security and privacy, maintenance and performance, networking - connecting computers and devices . . . ) . Clicking a specific category brings up more and more categories. If you liked the index search option, hit alt s and the box will pop - up. Simple as that. Windows Photo Gallery: Pictures are Now in ORDER. This replaces Windows XP's picture and fax viewer. You can now create tags for pictures, which let's you categorize them in order. Windows Meeting Space: Lets do a Conference! This application replaces Net meeting. It lets you join a meeting or invite other people to a meting. Once you are in a meeting ( I've never been ) , you can talk to that person via chat or voice. Windows media center: Watch Anything, anywhere! With Windows Media center, you can watch recorded tvs, play dvds, or if you have a tv tuner card, watch live tv. And now, even computers that do not have a media center get this tool installed. Windows mail: A more Express way to Email? Does name matter? Well, to Microsoft, it does. Windows mail is nothing but Outlook express with spam blocking and domain filters. Impressive. Windows DVD Maker: Dvds Ready in a Snap Microsoft has not include a DVD maker ever since Windows came out. They should of, as Apple and many other OS's included some form of it. Well, now it's here: DVD Maker lets you create a dvd menu add content to it, select DVD aspect ratio, change the video formats ( NTSC / pal ) , and choose burner speed. Very customizable. Windows Defender: Defend yourself against Defenseless Spywear. This application is available on Windows XP as well, and it does the same thing: Protect you from Spywear. You can download definition updates Via Windows Update. You can either perform a quick scan or a full system scan. The interface that all of this is displayed in is not complicated at all. Windows Contacts: Organize your friends Replacing the classic address list, it let's you do the same thing as well. Contacts from Outlook are placed in here as well. The contacts list now sports an explorer - style window. Windows calendar: What's Going to Happen Next? This program is not compatible with Screen readers. It should let you set appointments and reminders so you'll never forget that dentist appointment. games: Let the Fun Begin Microsoft redesigned their games. They now include buttons that the blind can use to play. In addition, Vista includes new games like Purble Place, inkball, mahjong titans, and chess titans. Purble place is for little children. With this game, you can create cakes (also known as comfy cakes), match up tiles (purble pairs), and guess on a human figure. Mahjong is a Japanese style game, where, I suppose, you have to match up the tiles as well. And chess: Well, you know what's chess about, don't you? sound recorder: A worse way to audio Sound recorder has been downgraded. It no longer let's you delete and edit sound. Only recording is allowed. And now, it only supports Windows Media Audio ( wma ) format. Snipping tool: What was On screen? Snipping tool let's you " snip " your screen at a given time. Because I have no sight, I do not know how it works. Connect to a network projector: I'm Late to Class! Well, that's one good way to use this tool. If you are late to class, and happen to have a projector in the classroom that's on a network, you can project text on the screen and say something like " I'm sorry class, but today I'm going to be late, do your homework and no talking! " . Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard: Transmit Data with Radio Waves Windows is finally including full Bluetooth support. Now you can use this wizard to send files to a cell phone or any other device that has bluetooth. You must have correct bluetooth drivers for this to work, though. Disk defragmenter: The Simple Way to Make the PC Run Faster Just as Sound Recorder, disk defragmenter has been downgraded. Oh no. Now you cannot choose which drive to defragment. You must defragment everything. Or maybe you can, but it's not read? In any case, now it takes less time to defragment a hard drive. You can also setup schedules ( when you want to defragment ) . cd burning and Vista: Microsoft has also redesigned their CD Burning Wizard: You pop in a blank CD, click format. You are asked to enter a cd label and to choose a file system. Yes. Vista supports burning UDF CDS. This file system let's you continuously copy and paste files on a cd, and Vista will burn it automatically on the system. The classic XP CDFS file system is still available. xps document format: Microsoft is a big copycat now! XPS is Microsoft's PDF style file format. You won't see much of this term used in programs, but nevertheless you should know about it. XPS uses XML headers to create a document. Office 2007 supports it for sure, as well as wordpad in Vista. I do not think that XPS will become as popular anytime soon. And with that, I've reached the end of the feature review. While testing Windows Vista, I've found performance and compatibility to very good. Most apps will work with Vista. Norton antivirus 2003/2006 will not, though. In google, type windows Vista compatibility list wiki. It's on there... Performance, in my case, seems better then in xp. Startup is faster. Although the indexing service slows down the system a bit and constantly rattles you're hard-drive (which is bad for the platters and magnatism of the disks), it's fine. Some people report the sidebar using 50 mb of Ram at once. For me, this was not the case. Now let's look at the seven Vista product editions. This will definitely cause confusion as to which edition someone should buy: let's go from the edition that has the least features to one that has the most. Vista Starter 2007 : For Those that are New As the name implies, starter 2007 is recommended for beginners only. I've tried this version out but quickly decided on uninstalling it. Starter 2007 only let's you run up to 2 applications. Well, according to documents it should. In the november release of Vista, this feature was not implemented. Maybe now it is. However, this is bad since most people will want to at least run 3 programs. And if you're visually impaired, chances are that your screen reader / magnifier will create one window. Starter does not include many of the nifty new features. Certainly, it does not sport the new aero UI, does not include backup features, no bitlocker, no media center / tablet pc support, and the control panel is less cluttered. They still include the WDDM model for some reason. This is still a misery to me. Starter will not be selled in stores, but rather will be available on many new pcs and will be in the OEM version. Home basic: Less Restriction Home basic is the core of all the Vista editions: Everything that's in home basic will be in the other editions of the product. It does, not include aero. How unlucky. Because of no aero, you do not receive the new " flip 3d" window switching function. No live taskbar thumbnails. No parental controls. You can't have more than one processor. This does not mean that core duo/core duo2 processors are not supported. Forget about the new games, you don't need them in home basic. And why would you want to create movies and dvds? With windows meeting space, meetings are allowed for joining only. And you aren't in a school, so why would you project to a network projector? No watching news updates on you're sideshow device! And no scanning images either! but, you still get the centers! You have most of them! You don't get media and tablet pc centers. Mobility center, however, will have reduced functions. And all this for $199! Upgrade price =$99 Windows Vista home premium: For More Entertainment This is the edition of Vista most, if not all people, should get. It is a bit expensive, but for the numerous features you get, it's good. Home premium includes the Aero UI, a basic backup tool, media center, tablet pc center, and some other centers ( mobility center ) . It does not, however, include Bit Locker encryption tools. This is kind of a let - down, since most buyers of Vista will be home users, and Bit Locker would be a great way for them to make they're system secure. The backup tool is also basic, kind of like the one you get with XP Pro today. You can use two processors though. You also receive the games, sideshow support, can scan images, and schedule backups. And the price? $239, $159 to upgrade from an older operating system . Windows Vista business: For the schools and the " Big Guys " As the name says, Windows Vista Business is for businesses only. Well, anyone can install it, but if you do, you will not have a fun experience. No centers ( beside security, backup and restore, windows mobility, and welcome center . . . ) . It builds on home basic. But, Business includes the EFS ( encrypted file system ) support, Bit Locker, and a more advanced backup utility that can let you schedule your backups. I imagine that there are also more administrative tools, so schools can restrict the computers on the network with roming profiles. This release can be purchased with a VLK ( volume license key ) , so that businesses can install vista on hundreds of systems with one license key. It is now easier than ever to deploy Vista Business to many computers at once via the network. $299 retail, $199 upgrade Windows vista enterprise: Got a bigger business? Like business, it includes almost the same features. For x64 machines, 128 gb or more of ram can be used. This product uses a vlk (volume license key) only. Windows Vista Ultimate: The King of the Vista Family Ultimate is THE best Vista edition ever. It includes both business and home premium features, merged into one convenient package. With a wopping $399 in price, you can get all the things you dreamed of. You even get extras that other Vista buyers will not enjoy! Yes! Buy this product today, and get started with a new era of computing! " If I was Microsoft, this is how I would advertise Vista. And it's the truth: Yes, Vista ultimate is $399 , yes, it does have " ultimate " extras that other people will not receive with Home Premium and other Vista versions. Let's just stop there. Ok. It's a slap in the face for everyone. Here comes a big rant. First. Many people will not buy Ultimate, because of the pricing, and they will not want business features. Paying 200 extra dollar for business features, is not the way to go. And the better the addition, the more memory used. More services are run, and your system can crash more easily. $399 retail, $259 upgrade The european Vista: A Slight Disadvantage for the European Union Countries In addition home premium and business are coming out in so called EN editions. This edition will not include Windows Media Player 11 and some other Microsoft features. This might include internet explorer as well, since Microsoft manufactured it. Here's why this is happening: Microsoft and the European Union had a civil war. About 5 years ago, the EU complained about XP including Features from Microsoft that could not be remove completely from the system. They hated the fact that Microsoft applications, like Media Player, were set as default. This is why " set Program Access and Default " came out in Sp2 . But this was not enough. The EU also wanted a documentation that explains all the Port and protocols Microsoft Software use. In the end, they also wanted all MS APPS removed from windows editions. for 5 years, the second part of the requests were not fulfilled. This made the EU mad, and they started the fine Microsoft in a Daily bases. But now, with Vista, this fine will no longer exist. A few months ago, the famous documentation was also released. Of course, you don't have to buy a retail version of Windows all the time, you realize that, don't you? Microsoft gives you a few ways to upgrade anytime to a better edition of Vista. If you buy a new pc between oct 26, 2006 and and march 15 2007, you can get a discount. This will depend on the manufacturer and the certificate you got with the pc. Windows Anytime Upgrade: It's always there! If you purchase a Windows Vista release, and hate you're edition, you can always get an upgrade key and upgrade to a new edition (like ultimate). This is even more confusing: If you own home basic then: Upgrade to home premium and ultimate If you own home premium, / business, then: Upgrade to ultimate This quick tool is on you're control panel. In addition, you will see a nice balloon popping up every so often, reminding you to Upgrade ASAP. If you own a Windows XP version that you received from a school or purchase, or you got a pc before october 26 (like me), then you can upgrade that version of windows xp to Vista. You will not qualify for upgrade pricing, though. Just buy a retail copy. if you own Windows XP professional edition then: Upgrade to Vista ultimate / Business If you own XP home edition: Upgrade to Home premium/basic, and Ultimate If you own XP media center / tablet pc, then: Upgrade to Ultimate/ home premium. I don't know why Microsoft has to make things more complicated then they are. Shouldn't Vista bring a field of clarity to you're world? Well, it even gets murkier with the family discount program: Buy Windows Vista Ultimate, and upgrade two additional computers in you're household to home premium. Or is it ultimate? This is going to go on from january 30 to june 30. What a smart move! And here is my famous conclusion comes. I have covered all Vista features, told you about all the editions / upgrade choices, and examined this operating system in more details then ever. Ever since Vista was in development ( 2002 ) , many features have been dropped. WIN FS, Microsoft's new file system is one classic example. Others include a different side-bar and some other notification icons. Obviously, this will not even impact most people, since you will be getting used to the Vista that's today. But overall, it's not bad. Vista offers something for everyone. And this is the case if you are visually impaired, deaf, mobility impaired, or sighted. On the darker side though, let's just say that for now, Vista includes more features that the sighted will enjoy rather than the blind. We are not able to play the new games ( yet ) , use bitlocker ( because the TPM window cannot have a screen reader loaded ) , and of course see the new design. The only difference for the blind between Vista and xp is the redesign applications from XP, and some of the new features ( ready boost, bit locker ) . For the sighted, I would say that Vista is as big as Windows 95 . It is the first Windows that comes in the new age of fast - developing technology. Our world is moving ever so quickly in new hardware and software. A core duo computer is not a big deal now a days. Core duo 2 is out for desktops. And I hope that Blind people will not be left out from this evolution. As Paul Thurrott said, " Vista is both evolutionary and revolutionary . " . And that is true. We don't know much about Windows Codenamed Vienna. I have hopes that it will be as good as this release, though. We could also look at Vista in a mac standpoint. All mac users will say " Vista only scratches the surface of a MAC Operating system. " . In a way, that's not true. Both companies copy. Microsoft copies Mac in some features, and mac copies Microsoft on some features ( spotlight, schedule backups ) . And finally, there's the linux standpoint. For those who are linux users, I only have one thing to say: Linux is not for consumers. A normal, everyday user, would not enjoy the bare, non fancy interface of any Linux release. The DOS era is now over, and linux kind of sports that interface. And for the blind, Linux is something that cannot be explored without a hardware synthesizer. Many people cannot buy one of these tools, and new systems these days will not support parallel ports / serial ports. USB is now the dominate choice for a connection. Even fire wire is going out. For Microsoft, I see a bright future. However, again, this issue has too sides, a good and a dark one. For the good side: This company was known as disgrace to everyone. People have started switching to MACS. But maybe, just maybe, with Vista, they fixed this reputation. Now the bad side: Vista should of come out three years ago. Many people were upset because of this. Every time it was on the radio and the news that " Vista is going to be released! " . A few weeks later, another reschedule occurred. And another after that. Countless reschedules came with countless disappointing feelings. For a time, it seemed like that Longhorn will never come out. This five year period gave Apple a chance to copy the new features in a very sneaky way. They saw beta builds of Vista, and what company wouldn't copy they're competitor. That's how spotlight came out. And who knows about Leopard. One big key difference between both companies is the style of presentation of their operating system. Microsoft does it in a loud way, so that all of the world will know, " Here We Come with a new Version of Windows! " . While Apple does it in the background, and few people know about Leopard. Well, folks, it's coming. Apple's plan is to release Leopard right after Vista. With a ton of new features. But, microsoft releases everything in a hurry. Take the Zune mp3 player. Lot's of features that were planned for it are not in the current firmwares of the player. there's nothing wrong with taking you're time, as long as you don't take too much of it. Vista is one of those "take too much of it" Another major difference, in a good way this time, is that Microsoft uses feedback from customers. Apple only has private beta testers for Leopard, while Microsoft actually cared to take the time and post 3 gb files up to they're servers, just so that the public can look at Vista. That's pretty impressive. But the blind have no real choice between operating systems. Macintosh's screen reader is a drag. It's good, but not as good as JAWS. This is where Microsoft's " copycat " side kicks in: There new Narrator in Vista, which features the new Microsoft Anna, and progress bar announcements, are basically copied. Narrator's " reinitialized after freeze " feature is exactly like Apple's Voice Over. That's sad. As I mentioned before, Linux is not at all good for the blind. Fine, if you are advanced, go ahead buy a 300 dollar synthesizer and get linux. But for the longrun, everyone has to stick with Windows: For the sighted, you're everyday programs have not been converted to either Mac or Linux versions. And Vista isn't as bad as you think: For most humans, it will be a huge advantage over XP . And it's not as though you can't run it, most people do have a 1 ghz processor and 512 mb of ram. You might not get aero, but you will always get the clarity and security of Microsoft Windows Vista. --- All quotes that are in this document are the property of Microsoft corp.