Will Windows Vista operating system software be bigger, better, more?

<p>Microsoft is hoping to rock the computing world with the launch of its Windows Vista operating system software, but just how earthshaking the new program will be is open to debate.The release of Vista has been looked to with much anticipation, partly because it is the first major Microsoft

operating system processor change in nearly five years and partly because Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has hyped the flagship product since he announced plans for it in 2001.Last week computer retailers learned that Vista's release would be delayed until at least January - after the Christmas shopping season when computer sales are at their height. Vista is expected to be released to business owners in November.Technology professionals are divided about how revolutionary Vista's upgrades compared to past Microsoft OS systems will be. Some say it will simply take time for Vista's changes to gain their due respect.Oh, I think it will be hot, said Trevor Dierdorff, who runs Amnet, a Springs-based information technology provider for small businesses. Vista's a little different and people can be resistant to change, but in the long run it will be much better.Dierdorff said that aside from providing a sleek, sharp, lucid look to the desktop, Vista simplifies program searches on a computer's hard drive with a quick search function that allows files to appear as a search term is typed into a search box. But, more importantly, Vista attempts to tackle one of the biggest problems facing computer users today, Dierdorff said.It's much more security minded, said Dierdorff, who because of a partnership with Microsoft was one of about 500,000 people to receive an advance copy of the software.One of Vista's most significant upgrades is that it offers a variety of user account controls and minimizes administrator privileges.Administrative authority, which is automatically granted to users on current Windows versions, is needed to download and install new programs, but the automatic function also makes it easier for a user to inadvertently download malicious software designed to harm computers.Other industry professionals agree that is one of Vista's better functions.I'm a big fan of not running as an administrator. It's really dangerous to run that way, said Michael Cherry of Directions on Microsoft, an independent consulting firm that focuses exclusively on Microsoft products and trends.But Cherry said Microsoft is still behind the curve when it comes to offering tighter administrative controls.They should be embarrassed that they haven't done it yet, he said. It's already considered to be best practice in the industry.Another of Vista's key security features is its Bit Locker function, which encrypts sensitive company or identity information on computers and prevents the ability to decipher them if a machine is stolen because a key is needed to unlock the encryption code.But that can be a double-edged sword, Cherry said. If you lose the key for the encryption, there's no locksmith around that can open it again for you.Cherry said Vista hasn't received the attention Microsoft anticipated it would and that the extensive system requirements needed to run Vista may inhibit its initial popularity.Vista requires at least 512 mega bytes of RAM, a graphics card with 64 mega bytes of VRAM and a recent Pentium or Athlon processor - technology that's standard only on the newest computers.The way it looks right now, even with a delayed release, is that most people might not be able to load Vista, Cherry said.While Dierdorff agreed that Vista's hardware requirements are something to consider, he appeared more optimistic about how many customers will be able to use Vista upon its release.He said that most computers purchased within the last two years should be able to support Vista.Dierdorff also said it's likely that Microsoft will provide free Vista upgrades for recently purchased computers.Microsoft plans to offer five versions of Vista, business and enterprise, and home basic, ultimate or premium.Prices for Vista have not been released, but Dierdorff estimates the cost will be from $100 for the most basic version to $350 for the premium version.Overall, Dierdorff said he believes Vista will be good for the computing industry because it will create work for the Internet technology sector as well as stimulate spin-off products and services.Microsoft said it will embark on a $100 million marketing campaign to drive the spin-off business for enterprise small businesses and customer applications.Cherry said he also believes that in time, because of its security upgrades, Vista will prove its worth. But, he also said that what will finally be offered hasn't been seen yet.It could be worth the wait, he said, if they follow up on all their promises.</p>