We were told that Vista is faster, more secure and offers enhanced features not available in Windows XP.
However, I seriously doubt that.
1. Vista is supposed to be written from scratch. How any code written from scratch should be more stable than evolved and mature code is beyond me.
2. In order to enhance security Microsoft reverted to some obscure practices in the past. They introduced a firewall that prevents traffic from going out instead of blocking traffic in. They offer software update that introduces new features, changes existing behaviour and even renders a working system inoperable (WGA, WM licensing, DRM enhancements to CD-ROM players, etc.). Their CUA is a permanent anoyance and does not prevent users to choose trivial or empty passwords. I see no improvements in security whatsoever.
3. Most of the enhancements and new features target user experience. Translated to ordinary speech this reads: Bigger buttons, glassy, transparent look, more wizards. In order to run a Vista system properly you need hardware recently available only for hardcore gaming.
But be aware that the new features will be available to a WGA-authenticated system only.
Is it neccessary?
As far as I am concerned, no.
There are some issues XP required to change to make the system secure.
1. Make first user not Admin by default. Eliminate auto logon as well.
The only reason for admin rights is, that ill written applications will still run instead of break and force the software vendor to either rewrite or get out of the market.
2. Change some services to run in low privilege mode (like the time or network adjustment panels).
One can use policies to allow nonprovileged users to adjust network and time settings but this could be done out of the box
3. Make uitheme.dll overwritable.
Users could change the look to anything they like without resorting to potentially unsafe tools to change the Themes.
You can do all of that by yourself.
Install applications as administrator
revoke admin rights on users
change icons to network and time panes to use runas...
delete uxtheme.dll from the dll cache.
Does this justify a new operating system?
Certainly not. If anything at all, an SP3 would be required.
So why do we need Vista?
It all depends on who you define as "we".
If you consider yourself and your company as the "we", then frankly you don't need it.
You may want it and you may even have no primary expenses as you get Vista as part of the software assurance (I will comment on the cost factors in a different posting).
If you define "we" as being Bill, Steve and the gang, you need the thing desperately.
- Vista will allow for increased control over the installed base
- Vista will generate revenue for another decade
- Vista will give Microsoft enough material to force new technology onto companies
Is it only me or is the prospect of one company dictating what software to use and when to use it generally frightning?
