Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Are you Microsoft Vista ready?

You've probably heard that Microsoft will be releasing a new version of Windows next year. You've probably heard that the name of the new version is Vista, but is your PC Vista ready?

If you are not sure whether your Windows XP-based PC will be able to run Windows Vista, you can download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC.

Did you also know that Vista will be coming in six editions?

The planned six editions are:

Starter - will be exclusively* available in emerging markets, and is designed for a beginning PC user with additional tools and tutorials to make it easier to use.
* It is not scheduled to be available in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, or other high income markets as defined by the World Bank.

Home Basic - for basic home needs such as e-mail and internet browsing.

Home Premium - for the best in home computing and entertainment.

Business - for small and mid-sized organizations. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs and more time adding strategic value to your organization.

Enterprise - for the needs of large, global organizations and those with highly complex IT infrastructures. Windows Vista Enterprise will include built-in tools to improve application compatibility with previous versions of Microsoft operating systems, as well as with UNIX operating systems. In addition to all of the features available in Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to provide higher levels of data protection using hardware-based encryption technology. It also includes tools to improve application compatibility and enables organizations to standardize by using a single worldwide deployment image. Windows Vista Enterprise will only be available to customers who have PCs covered by Microsoft Software Assurance or a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

Ultimate - for both work and entertainment. According to Microsoft it will be the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista. They claim it is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For the person who wants one operating system that is great for working from home, working on the road, and for entertainment, Microsoft says that Windows Vista Ultimate is the operating system that lets you have it all.

Click here to see more high-level information about the different editions of Windows Vista and see which one best fits the way you use your computer.

Of course, just because your PC is Vista ready I would not advise you to upgrade when it first comes out. Like me, you will have to wait until Oracle certifies the product that you are using.

However, you can rest assured that Armstrong-Smith Consulting will be getting hold of a copy of the new operating system just as soon as we can and will be testing Discoverer to see how well it works. I'll then be making further postings.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

hi,
i am using oracle discoverer 4.0 . recently we have installed windows vista business edition.
its giving error in installaing. pls help

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