Microsoft releases power-packed Windows Vista

Almost five years after the release of its predecessor, Windows XP in 2001, Microsoft finally released worldwide its latest operating system, Windows Vista on Tuesday.

Loaded with about a hundred new features, Windows Vista includes an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero.

Powered with improved searching features, the new operating system includes new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and a completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems.

Based on a peer-to-peer technology, Microsoft Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network. This would make file and digital media sharing between computers and devices easier.

Vista introduces version 3.0 of the .NET Framework for the developers, which thus aims to make it significantly easier for them to write high-quality applications than with the traditional Windows.

The appearance of Windows Explorer has changed significantly from Windows XP. The way the screen looks is one of the best things about Vista.

The operating system is available in six editions namely, Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise and the the top-of-the-range Windows Vista Ultimate.

All editions will support both processor architectures, 32-bit and 64-bit, except Windows Vista Starter which will be available for 32-bit architectures only.

Though the pricing for the Windows Vista Starter is still to be announced, the Windows Vista Home Basic will cost US $199 for a new and US $99.95 as an upgrade. A Home Premium version will cost US $239 for the new and US $159 as an upgrade.

The expertise seriers which includes the Vista Business edition is priced at US $299 for new and at US $199.95 for the upgrade. The price of Windows Vista Enterprise edition is still to be announced.

Lastly, combining all the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions, the Windows Vista Ultimate will be available for US $399 for the new and US $259 for the upgraded version.

Some of the features new to Vista are:

• Windows Aero: is a new hardware-based graphical user interface. It includes new transparencies, animations and eye candy that make it more pleasing than previous versions.

• Windows Shell: It is significantly different from Windows XP, offering a new range of organization, navigation, and search capabilities.

• Windows Search: It handles significantly faster and more thorough search capabilities. Search boxes have been added to the Start menu, Windows Explorer, and several of the applications included with Vista.

• Windows Sidebar: It is a transparent panel anchored to the side of the screen where a user can place Desktop Gadgets.

• Windows Media Player 11: is a major revamp of Microsoft's program for playing and organizing music and video. New features in this version include word wheeling or "search as you type".

• Backup and Restore Center: Includes a backup and restore application that gives users the ability to schedule periodic backups of files on their computer, as well as recovery from previous backups.

• Windows Mail: It is a replacement for Outlook Express that includes a completely replaced mail store that improves stability, and enables real-time search. It’s Phishing Filters like IE7 and a Junk mail filtering is enhanced through regular updates via Windows Update.

• Windows Calendar: is a new calendar and task application.

• Windows Photo Gallery: It is a photo and movie library management application in which data can be imported from digital cameras, tag and rate individual items, adjust colors and exposure, create and display slideshows and also burn slideshows to DVD.