Mike Brannigan said:
I assume you did actually read the article where the distinction between
the two levels is stated.
uhm....., yes I did. I could explain what my -actual- point was but I fear
it would get lost .. again.
The "Certified for Windows Vista" logo is a compatibility designation for
applications and devices that have passed a rigorous testing program on
computers that are running Windows Vista. The technical requirements for
this designation target four core areas: reliability, security,
compatibility with Windows Vista and future operating systems, and
installation and removal.
That last part has been a personal favorite of mine, and afaik been included
in every certification requirement since Win95.
The part about <drumroll> "....installation and removal.... "
Back in 95 this was explained to us that in order to become "certified" an
application had to, among other things, come with a proper, and WORKING
uninstall routine.
As anyone who has ever attempted to UNINSTALL a Windows application knows,
most leave behind garbage trails a mile wide - leftover files, entire
folders of now useless crap, spread across multiple locations, and let's not
forget the hundreds of lines of clutter that will forever bloat your
registry.
I even recall as a beta tester back then bringing this up to MS, and how it
seemed THEY were in fact the biggest offenders here. MS apps NEVER cleanly
uninstalled.
Even then it was a simple experiment that anyone could do, even without
registry knowledge.
Create a registry backup. Install Office. Uninstall Office. Make another
registry backup. Compare before & after. ...Oh my.
If MS doesn't follow their own criteria for certification, why should anyone
else, and in fact, do they? probably not.
Sorta raises a credibility question about the whole process don't ya think?
some rigorous testing program.
iow, Just more fodder from marketing - with no real world value.