Windows 2006 – Vista (Longhorn)
by Abinyah Walker
Microsoft has finally release their much anticipated new operating system (OS) Vista, now available in Beta 1 for developers and IT professionals. Microsoft headlines describe their latest release as being “confident, clear and connected”; formally code named Longhorn; Vista is designed to renew consumer’s confidence in Microsoft’s ability to make a secure, reliable and ubiquitous operating system. Microsoft has spent the last three years, between their last major release Windows2003, redoubling their efforts to make their new this version of Windows more resilient against badly written software and malware. They hope to address users concerns by solidifying their security subsystem to protect against hackers as well as limit the damages caused when a system is eventually compromised. For example, Vista allows the entire volume to be encrypted and the encryption keys to be saved to a Trusted Platform Model (TPM) v1.2 chip (if one is installed in your computer of course). They have improved smart card support, as well as limited the Remote Procedural Call (RPC) service from replicating system files that may be used to infect other computers. They have enhanced Internet Explorer with features that made Firefox so popular in the last couple years as well as updating their bundled software with new version numbers.
Installing this latest version of Windows is supposed to be less annoying to IT professionals. They have reengineered their installers with Image-based technology which means that Windows will have a more user friendly installation process that is less prone to deterministic issues than previous platforms. This is an approach that Linux and MAC OSX installers have been using since the turn of the century; the result is faster Windows installation and less user intervention and configuration. This means the Windows installer will have less installation options to choose from, some of which have inadvertently caused software errors post-install. This is a nuisance especially when installing across a network, or when deploying the OS in an enterprise or OEM environment where a variety of languages and configurations are necessary. Enhancements to their installer also includes the Remote Installation Services (RIS) which will no longer require specialized network infrastructures, in fact Microsoft has incorporated pre-boot execution and XML to make RIS possible. Furthermore, Vista won’t need super-computer hardware as most predicted, mainstream processors with 512 MB of RAM or computers that carry the “Designed for Windows XP” logo will be compatible.
Vista is slated to be faster on startup as well. Although Windows2003 greatly improved startup time, Vista is supposed to be even more impressive, having gained the ability to run scripts and services in the background while you get on with your work. In fact, Vista recommends using the sleep mode, rather than shutting down the system, claiming sleep mode to be safer as it combines the speed of standby with the data reliability and power consumption of hibernate, , a method MAC enthusiasts are used to already. It will now be safe to change your battery in sleep mode. Microsoft’s new version of windows claims to more responsive than Windows XP, they have enhanced their memory mangers improving responsiveness to the Start menu and right-clicking file systems.
Along with user enhancements, Vista is supposed to go easy on IT budgets as well. They claim to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) by employing greater automation and simplified configuration management.
Vista is said to bring some relief to mobile users as well. In conjunction with easier to configure mobile settings, networking and connectivity, this latest version of Windows professes to make asking for help through the User Assistance (US) tools easier. Revamped backup and system restore features can now properly address catastrophic system failures. SafeDocs is slated to provide backup support for users who don’t have a business or backup Server. It provides scheduled file based backup with incremental backup to target media. Other data protection architectures found in previous versions of Windows XP and Windows 2003 are still available, System Restore and Shadow Copies is complimented by built-in diagnostic technology. For most novice users this will be a welcome utility that provided automated detection, diagnostic and resolution from common hardware failure. For more difficult to resolve issues, guided manual resolution is available along with error-reporting, tracking and data retention add-ons.
Finally, for those of you who realize that the previous features list are simply polished implementations of existing Windows versions, Windows Vista does introduce new code features such as WinFX, Windows Presentation Foundation (Avalon), Windows Communication Foundation (Indigo) and the Windows Vista User Experience. All are new additions to the Windows family as core integrations to the Windows2006 Operating System.
WinFX is Vista’s managed code programming model founded on the .NET Framework that encapsulates common tasks to make developing for the Windows platform even quicker and friendlier. WinFX is conceived to help developers design better software, that is by nature is secure, reliable, versionable and deployable. Its most ambitious feature is its attempt to bridge the gap between developer and designer, a feature introduced in Visual Studio .NET and Visual Studio 2005.
Avalon is Microsoft attempt to make Windows more attractive. Avalon, the presentation layer of Windows Vista, is a DirectX sequel that allows developers and professionals control and manipulation rights over Windows’ graphic user interface (GUI). Avalon will give developers the ability to create more personalized experiences; this means greater ability for businesses to develop applications that are uniquely branded to enhance customer relationships. This hints at a spill over from Microsoft’s Department of Justice (DOJ) woes and Microsoft renewed efforts to be the backbone of home computing, not necessarily the presentation layer of future applications. And because it is based on the DirectX API, it draws on the power of existing hardware and programming to drive this vector based presentation engine; delivering graphics to high resolution and high DPI monitors without extra consideration from the programmer. Avalon’s Foundation Framework has been designed with “primitives” to easily provide the building blocks of interactive 3D graphics. Avalon will use XAML programming extension to provide a uniform declarative interface. XAML allows for the separation of the design/presentation layer from the code, while retaining an applications functionality and interface. This means Avalon will provide limitless User Interfaces (UI) while maintaining a familiar development environment for coders. Both designer and programmer can collaborate more efficiently throughout the development process.
Indigo, is an extended .NET 2.0 framework, which enhances the existing set of Web services with a reliable transaction model. It is a unifying API that bridges ASMX, .NET Remoting, .NET Enterprise Services, Web Services Enhancements, and System.Messaging, into one API to reduce developer multiplication
Vista’s user experience is a collection of adaptable API that allow the end user the ability to manipulate the desktop window manager, window chrome, and UI controls, as well as exposes the windows theme, styling and layout to developers and end users.
Look for the second part to this article this week @ the DCC
