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Windows Vista: 15 Reasons to Switch
The new Windows operating system is worth the upgrade. Here's why.
Preston Gralla, PC World
Friday, January 26, 2007 01:00 AM PST
Windows Vista is almost here. To anyone who has been sitting on the
fence over whether to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system,
I'll say it loud and clear: It's time to make the jump. There are
plenty of reasons to leave Windows XP and install Vista, and below are
my top 15 favorites.
Not everyone agrees with me, however. For the opposing point of view,
read "Wait! Don't Buy Windows Vista."
And to help you make up your own mind, here's a list of other
informative PC World Windows Vista stories and video:
A video tour of Windows Vista's features with Senior Editor Yardena
Arar.
Exclusive: First Vista PC Lab Tests
Windows Vista FAQ
But I'm sold on upgrading to Vista. Why? Well...
1. It's the Interface, Stupid
Perhaps the best thing about Windows Vista is the most obvious: its
new interface. With transparent animated windows that swoosh into
place, subtle and elegant colors, a new Start menu, and plenty of
other changes, this is the most beautiful version of Windows you've
seen. If you've ever had Mac envy, this is the Windows you want--it's
the most Mac-like interface yet.
2. Flip Over Windows Flip 3D
Switching between open windows using Alt-Tab in previous versions of
Windows was always a shot in the dark, as you never quite knew to
which window you'd switch, or even which ones were open. That has all
changed in Windows Vista. Press Alt-Tab, and Windows Flip 3D springs
into action, displaying thumbnails of all your open windows in a
gorgeous, 3D stack. You can then flip through them until you find the
one you want.
3. Live Thumbnails
Do you run a lot of programs and visit a lot of Web sites
simultaneously? If so, you'll appreciate Live Thumbnails. Hover your
mouse over any window on the Taskbar, and a thumbnail of the window
pops up, with the program and document name, or the Web site name,
just above it. The thumbnails are truly "live," so if a video is
playing in a window, you'll see the video playing in the thumbnail
too.
4. Boost Performance With ReadyBoost
Windows Vista includes a quick way to enhance system performance:
ReadyBoost. It preloads files and programs you often use into RAM so
that they're there when you want them, and you don't have to wait for
them to load from the hard disk. You can buy an inexpensive USB flash
drive and use up to 4GB of cheap RAM to boost your system performance.
5. Cool Performance Tools
If you're the kind of person who tends to peek under the hood and
tinker, you'll find a lot to like in Windows Vista, which contains
plenty of applets and utilities. Probably the best of them all is the
Reliability and Performance Monitor. It keeps tabs on every aspect of
your PC in exquisite detail, including the CPU, hard disk, network
usage, and RAM use, and it includes plenty of charts, reports, and
logs for your inner geek. The Reliability Monitor module is
particularly noteworthy, as it charts the reliability of your PC over
time and shows you every single problem or failure in a calendar
format.
6. Better Security
At every level of Windows Vista, you'll find improved security. The
firewall is now two-way, including inbound as well as outbound
protection. Windows Defender offers spyware protection, and Internet
Explorer has an antiphishing filter to protect against Web scams. A
slew of security holes have been plugged in Internet Explorer, and the
browser now operates in what's called Protected Mode, which guards
system files against external attacks. There's plenty more under the
hood as well, including Windows Service Hardening, which protects
vital files and settings. (Note: BitLocker's automatic drive
encryption and other advanced Vista security options are available
only in the Business and Ultimate versions.)
7. Find Anything Fast With Search
Can't remember where you put an important file? It's no longer a
problem. Windows Vista integrates a new search technology throughout
the operating system--on the Start menu, within Windows Explorer, and
just about everywhere else you look. It uses indexing and is lightning
fast, and it literally searches as you type. A powerful advanced
search tool lets you narrow your search by date, file size, author,
tags, and location. It also accepts Boolean searching. You can even
save your searches for future reference.
8. Nifty Software Gadgets
If you're a software gadget fan, you'll love Vista. It includes a
variety of software gadgets that live on the desktop and do little
tasks such as delivering stock quotes, showing weather forecasts,
displaying RSS feeds, monitoring the state of your computer, checking
your e-mail inbox, and more. Vista ships with a gaggle of them, but
you can find dozens more online--and they're all free.
9. Better Wireless Networking
Anyone who uses a wireless network at home, at work, or on the road
will appreciate the way Windows Vista handles wireless networking. You
can more easily find new wireless networks, and save them and manage
them as permanent connections. Wireless security has also been
improved: When you connect at a public hotspot, security precautions
(such as the shutting off of file sharing) automatically lock into
place.
10. Map Your Network
Want to see every single computer and device connected to your
network--and get instant information about each, such as their IP
addresses? The Network Map does that for you. It also lets you make
instant connections to any device; double-click a PC, for example, and
you'll connect to its shared folders.
11. Better Graphics With Windows Photo Gallery
Finally, with Windows Photo Gallery Microsoft has shipped a graphics
utility that's worth using. It's a kind of jack-of-all-trades--you can
view graphics and create slide shows, for example. But it also
includes a surprisingly good set of simple-to-use image editing tools,
including one for eliminating red-eye and another that cleans up
photos with a single click.
12. Become a Director With Windows Movie Maker
Windows Vista comes with a new version of the much-maligned
moviemaking tool Windows Movie Maker, and it's a big surprise--you'll
actually want to use it. Importing video and music, creating
transitions between scenes, and syncing music with video are easy.
When you're done, you can burn your creation to DVD with Windows DVD
Maker.
13. Better Notebook Support
In previous versions of Windows, the mobile-computing features seemed
bolted on after the fact. That's not true with Windows Vista, as the
Windows Mobility Center puts all the tools you need in one place.
You can turn your wireless adapter on or off, change your battery
settings, and connect to an external display from a single location.
And the new Presentation Settings feature is a big leap forward for
anyone who often gives presentations with a notebook. You can
customize settings--such as the resolution, mute, background, and so
on--and then save them. Afterward you can switch from normal mode to
presentation mode in a snap.
14. File Sharing and Syncing
With Windows XP it was possible to share files among PCs on your
network--possible but often impossibly hard, it seemed. That changes
with Windows Vista. The Network and Sharing Center lets you turn on
and configure file sharing with single clicks. And the Synch Center
lets you automatically synchronize files and folders among separate
PCs. You won't have to do anything to keep them in sync; Windows Vista
will do it for you.
15. Protect Your Kids With Parental Controls
Worried that your children may be exposed to inappropriate content
online? Want to make sure they're not playing violent games? Parental
Controls put you in the driver seat. Not only can you determine the
kinds of sites they visit and games they play, but you can also
enforce rules about when they'll be able to use the computer at all.
Vista goes on sale Tuesday, January 30; tech superstores across the
United States will open at midnight to let you get a jump.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/128656-1/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws
The new Windows operating system is worth the upgrade. Here's why.
Preston Gralla, PC World
Friday, January 26, 2007 01:00 AM PST
Windows Vista is almost here. To anyone who has been sitting on the
fence over whether to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system,
I'll say it loud and clear: It's time to make the jump. There are
plenty of reasons to leave Windows XP and install Vista, and below are
my top 15 favorites.
Not everyone agrees with me, however. For the opposing point of view,
read "Wait! Don't Buy Windows Vista."
And to help you make up your own mind, here's a list of other
informative PC World Windows Vista stories and video:
A video tour of Windows Vista's features with Senior Editor Yardena
Arar.
Exclusive: First Vista PC Lab Tests
Windows Vista FAQ
But I'm sold on upgrading to Vista. Why? Well...
1. It's the Interface, Stupid
Perhaps the best thing about Windows Vista is the most obvious: its
new interface. With transparent animated windows that swoosh into
place, subtle and elegant colors, a new Start menu, and plenty of
other changes, this is the most beautiful version of Windows you've
seen. If you've ever had Mac envy, this is the Windows you want--it's
the most Mac-like interface yet.
2. Flip Over Windows Flip 3D
Switching between open windows using Alt-Tab in previous versions of
Windows was always a shot in the dark, as you never quite knew to
which window you'd switch, or even which ones were open. That has all
changed in Windows Vista. Press Alt-Tab, and Windows Flip 3D springs
into action, displaying thumbnails of all your open windows in a
gorgeous, 3D stack. You can then flip through them until you find the
one you want.
3. Live Thumbnails
Do you run a lot of programs and visit a lot of Web sites
simultaneously? If so, you'll appreciate Live Thumbnails. Hover your
mouse over any window on the Taskbar, and a thumbnail of the window
pops up, with the program and document name, or the Web site name,
just above it. The thumbnails are truly "live," so if a video is
playing in a window, you'll see the video playing in the thumbnail
too.
4. Boost Performance With ReadyBoost
Windows Vista includes a quick way to enhance system performance:
ReadyBoost. It preloads files and programs you often use into RAM so
that they're there when you want them, and you don't have to wait for
them to load from the hard disk. You can buy an inexpensive USB flash
drive and use up to 4GB of cheap RAM to boost your system performance.
5. Cool Performance Tools
If you're the kind of person who tends to peek under the hood and
tinker, you'll find a lot to like in Windows Vista, which contains
plenty of applets and utilities. Probably the best of them all is the
Reliability and Performance Monitor. It keeps tabs on every aspect of
your PC in exquisite detail, including the CPU, hard disk, network
usage, and RAM use, and it includes plenty of charts, reports, and
logs for your inner geek. The Reliability Monitor module is
particularly noteworthy, as it charts the reliability of your PC over
time and shows you every single problem or failure in a calendar
format.
6. Better Security
At every level of Windows Vista, you'll find improved security. The
firewall is now two-way, including inbound as well as outbound
protection. Windows Defender offers spyware protection, and Internet
Explorer has an antiphishing filter to protect against Web scams. A
slew of security holes have been plugged in Internet Explorer, and the
browser now operates in what's called Protected Mode, which guards
system files against external attacks. There's plenty more under the
hood as well, including Windows Service Hardening, which protects
vital files and settings. (Note: BitLocker's automatic drive
encryption and other advanced Vista security options are available
only in the Business and Ultimate versions.)
7. Find Anything Fast With Search
Can't remember where you put an important file? It's no longer a
problem. Windows Vista integrates a new search technology throughout
the operating system--on the Start menu, within Windows Explorer, and
just about everywhere else you look. It uses indexing and is lightning
fast, and it literally searches as you type. A powerful advanced
search tool lets you narrow your search by date, file size, author,
tags, and location. It also accepts Boolean searching. You can even
save your searches for future reference.
8. Nifty Software Gadgets
If you're a software gadget fan, you'll love Vista. It includes a
variety of software gadgets that live on the desktop and do little
tasks such as delivering stock quotes, showing weather forecasts,
displaying RSS feeds, monitoring the state of your computer, checking
your e-mail inbox, and more. Vista ships with a gaggle of them, but
you can find dozens more online--and they're all free.
9. Better Wireless Networking
Anyone who uses a wireless network at home, at work, or on the road
will appreciate the way Windows Vista handles wireless networking. You
can more easily find new wireless networks, and save them and manage
them as permanent connections. Wireless security has also been
improved: When you connect at a public hotspot, security precautions
(such as the shutting off of file sharing) automatically lock into
place.
10. Map Your Network
Want to see every single computer and device connected to your
network--and get instant information about each, such as their IP
addresses? The Network Map does that for you. It also lets you make
instant connections to any device; double-click a PC, for example, and
you'll connect to its shared folders.
11. Better Graphics With Windows Photo Gallery
Finally, with Windows Photo Gallery Microsoft has shipped a graphics
utility that's worth using. It's a kind of jack-of-all-trades--you can
view graphics and create slide shows, for example. But it also
includes a surprisingly good set of simple-to-use image editing tools,
including one for eliminating red-eye and another that cleans up
photos with a single click.
12. Become a Director With Windows Movie Maker
Windows Vista comes with a new version of the much-maligned
moviemaking tool Windows Movie Maker, and it's a big surprise--you'll
actually want to use it. Importing video and music, creating
transitions between scenes, and syncing music with video are easy.
When you're done, you can burn your creation to DVD with Windows DVD
Maker.
13. Better Notebook Support
In previous versions of Windows, the mobile-computing features seemed
bolted on after the fact. That's not true with Windows Vista, as the
Windows Mobility Center puts all the tools you need in one place.
You can turn your wireless adapter on or off, change your battery
settings, and connect to an external display from a single location.
And the new Presentation Settings feature is a big leap forward for
anyone who often gives presentations with a notebook. You can
customize settings--such as the resolution, mute, background, and so
on--and then save them. Afterward you can switch from normal mode to
presentation mode in a snap.
14. File Sharing and Syncing
With Windows XP it was possible to share files among PCs on your
network--possible but often impossibly hard, it seemed. That changes
with Windows Vista. The Network and Sharing Center lets you turn on
and configure file sharing with single clicks. And the Synch Center
lets you automatically synchronize files and folders among separate
PCs. You won't have to do anything to keep them in sync; Windows Vista
will do it for you.
15. Protect Your Kids With Parental Controls
Worried that your children may be exposed to inappropriate content
online? Want to make sure they're not playing violent games? Parental
Controls put you in the driver seat. Not only can you determine the
kinds of sites they visit and games they play, but you can also
enforce rules about when they'll be able to use the computer at all.
Vista goes on sale Tuesday, January 30; tech superstores across the
United States will open at midnight to let you get a jump.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/128656-1/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws
Pretty sure that calendar