Vista was launched worldwide on 30th January 2007, ready for downloading and purchasing in Microsoft’s web site. According to the website, Microsoft has added hundreds of new features to the product. I have identified 20 features that I find interesting. Here they are :

1. Windows Aero

Stands for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open. It’s a hardware based graphical user interface that is clean and aesthetically pleasing which introduces a new type of transparency, live thumbnails, animations and eye candy.

2. Windows Shell

A new way of organizing, navigating and searching compared to Windows XP. Windows Explorer’s task pane has been removed, a ‘favourite links’ pane has been added, address bar replaced with breadcrumb navigation system and the start menu no longer uses expanding list boxes.

3. Windows Search

Significantly faster. Search boxes can be found everywhere, especially in applications that come with Vista. Instant Search indexes common folders, however advanced options allow users to specify the search and indexing criteria.

4. Windows Sidebar

A transparent panel for users to place ‘Desktop Gadgets’.

5. Backup and Restore Center

Schedule periodic file backups automatically. The Complete PC Backup feature backups the entire computer as an image where users are able to automatically recreate machine setup onto a new hardware.

6. Windows Mail

Outlook Express replacement that features Phishing Filter and Junk Mail Filtering.

7. Windows Calendar

New look calendar that has task management as well.

8. Windows Photo Gallery

Allow users to organize their digital photo collection in its Gallery view, by adding titles, rating, captions, and custom metadata tags to photos.

9. Windows Meeting Space

NetMeeting replacement application. Share applications or even desktops over the internet.

10. Games

Games have been modified to work with Vista’s capabilities. It will also hold information on other games installed in the computer. You will even see the ESRB rating.

11. Previous Versions

Presents multiple versions of a file throughout a limited history and be allowed to restore, delete or copy those versions.

12. Windows Mobility Center

Control panel for mobile computing. Control brightness, sound, battery level / power scheme selection, wireless network, screen orientation, presentation settings, etc. from here.

13. Parental Controls

Control websites, games and programs for standard users.

14. Windows Sideshow

Enables the auxiliary displays on newer laptops or on supported Windows Mobile devices.

15. Speech Recognition

Improved version with a redesigned interface, a flexible set of commands, and an command-and-control capability to activate the computer by voice. It works system wide and supports English US and UK, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and Japanese.

16. Problem Reports and Solutions

See previously sent problems and any solutions or additional information that is available.

17. System Performance Assessment

Vista benchmark used to optimize system performance. Mainly for games to take advantage of. The benchmark tests CPU, RAM, Graphics acceleration (2D and 3D) and disk access.

18. Windows Ultimate Extras

Provides access to extra games and tools. Only found in WIndows Ultimate Edition.

19. Network Map

Easy to understand visual representation of network connections.

20. Windows Easy Transfer

Streamline the migration process of personal data and settings across to Windows Vista.

Thomas Baumgartner of Microsoft Germany told Die Welt, a German national daily newspaper, “For some time, we have been cooperating with the intelligence services”. Here’s proof of the involvement of the NSA, National Security Agency, noted at the bottom of the Windows Vista Security Guide.

For years and years, critics and privacy preachers have always assumed that Microsoft has been collaborating with the government to build their products. They are afraid of certain infamous agencies, such as the NSA , for building back doors into Microsoft’s products to allow surveillence activities including those owned by home users.

The National Security Agency is known for wiretapping selected individuals in the U.S. as part of the Bush’s administration’s plans to fight terrorism. On 16th December 2005, the New York Times printed a story asserting that the NSA had been conducting phone-taps on individuals in the U.S. calling persons outside the country, without obtaining warrants. Again on 10th May 2006, a report by USA Today mentioned that the NSA is operating the largest database in the world holding call records placed through AT&T, Verizon and Bell South.

Note that Windows command a market share of over 90% of the world’s operating systems. Windows Vista is also expected to be used by more than 600 million users worldwide by 2010. Can you imagine the happiness of NSA?

How do you feel?

Apple Computer’s annual sales in the fiscal year 2005 is US$ 13.9 billion. Having about 15,000 employees worldwide, apple’s best products include the iPod, Mac PCs, Mac OS X and the iTunes Store. Apple’s level of class differentiate’s itself from others by “thinking different” and naturalized customer base loyal to it’s company and brand.

Here is an interesting advertisements of yesteryears that I found while surfing.