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This page contains a selection of links and articles about the new Windows Operating System, Vista.
Click here. Obvious first port of call, but note the video links below.
For those with broadband, Microsoft provide an extensive collection of videos about Vista. Click here. You may want to right click inside the video screen area and select the 200% viewing option.
The following are some of the Vista-related topics that Grant Sidaway addressed during his recent talk to our July Monthly Meeting:
Development of the successor to Windows XP started about 5 years ago and was first given the name "Longhorn" but this rather odd name was later changed to "Vista". Key aims included improved security and ease of use.
One handy new feature is the "Search Processor". Entering a few key words related to a task you want to resume, produces all files, folders, pictures, emails and recently visited web sites which match those words. This Google-like search can also extend to all computers and servers networked to yours.
Grant got caught out at the end of his first encounter with Vista when what appeared to be a simple "Off" button was actually the "Hibernate" button: His laptop continued to consume (reduced) power after it had seemed to shut down and flattened the batteries! Grant fixed that "improvement". Here's how, but be warned - this is pretty tricky!
Go to the Control Panel, then to "Power Options" and choose the "Change Plan setting" for which ever plan has the green dot, then click the "Change advanced power settings". Use the scroll bar to scroll down to and then expand "Power Buttons and Lid", then expand "Start menu Power Button". Click on the blue "Sleep" , then the reveal arrow that appears to the right; the option to change to "Shut Down" will appear -- click on it and then OK all the way back. (Thanks Sue LaRoche)
Another new feature of Vista is the "SideBar" which can display many diverse options like clocks, calendars and sticky notes. An interesting option is the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) button which can present you with the latest updates and data from an RSS enabled website. For stocks and shares it is effectively a modern ticker-tape machine.
The Vista Taskbar has a number of new features: When you hover over the top of any open task it shows you a thumbnail of it. Another handy view is the "Filing Cabinet" one, where a 3D view of all the open documents and folders is presented for you to "thumb through".
Vista improves further on another XP feature with "Side by Side": presenting two open windows at the same time, each of which may be independently zoomed, resized and worked on and have the full functionality of drag and drop.
Parental Controls
"Parental Controls" enables parents to set definite times and dates for when their children can and cannot use the computer and websites they can and cannot visit. Having proved that it worked with his own teenager, Grant ventured that, in a business environment, employers might get significant gains in production by simply preventing access to TradeMe!
Further on access restriction, Grant has installed his own fingerprint identification point on his laptop. Only his own print can unlock it. While clever burglars and hackers could, perhaps, thwart that, the "Bit Locker" can provide the ultimate in protection by placing an unbreakable encryption on all some or all of your files.
Computers are rapidly integrating with telephones, television and video. One example is Skype, a branded version of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Two-way Skype means you can (video)phone your Grandchildren for free. The "Media Center" is built into the Ultimate and the Home Premium version. This can be used to integrate your computer with other media in your home including TV, music and digital photography. The VCR may well disappear.
Another very handy new feature for Vista is "ReadyBoost" which taps into the spare memory in your USB memory stick, which can be especially useful when you have many large applications simultaneously open.
Many PC retailers bundle the "Home" version of Vista but Grant recommended members get the "Home Premium" version of Vista which has many more features for not too much more money.
