RSSVista Inches Closer to Release with RC1
By Ed Oswald | Published September 1, 2006, 4:15 PM
Microsoft's long, strange trip with Windows Vista came closer to an end Friday as the company released the first release candidate of its next-generation operating system. Windows client vice president Jim Allchin, who plans to retire after Vista's release, made the announcement in an e-mail to TechNet subscribers.
"It's official -- RC1 is done," Allchin said. "We could not have achieved this milestone without your support. The quantity and quality of feedback and data we received from you has been essential to helping us progress."
Bulid 5600 includes several bug fixes and performance enhancements, but early testers have said the feature set is roughly the same as build 5536, the Pre-RC1 release. Allchin said work still remained on Vista, and asked for the testing community's continued support.
"Quality will continue to improve," he said, adding Microsoft had made some adjustments to the user interface, added device drivers, and made some performance tweaks. "We'll keep plugging away on application compatibility, as well as fit and finish, until RTM."
As usual, the build will first be released to a small number of selected testers through its TechBeta community. MSDN and TechNet subscribers will gain access to the bits next week, followed by a broader release to the public, meaning as many as six million testers could have their hands on the build in the coming weeks.
Mary Jo Foley, noted Microsoft pundit and author of Microsoft Watch, explained that the company's very short period between Pre-RC1 and the RC1 build had a lot to do with Microsoft's internal goals.
"Microsoft is trying to stick to an internally set, roughly once-monthly Vista drop schedule. Many testers expected them to do their regular August drop 2-3 weeks ago," she said, referring to the company's plans announced last year to issue monthly builds of the operating system, a plan it hasn't always been able to hold.
Foley also used the same explanation to make sense of what was widely seen as a disaster for the company: Vista's bug-filled and crash-prone Beta 2 build. "They were just trying to stick to the updated internal release schedule," she said.
According to leaked information from both Microsoft Canada, and pre-order information on Amazon.com, Microsoft apparently has a January 30, 2007 release date for Vista. While the company will not confirm, industry insiders said the planned release timeline makes sense considering there would likely be at least two release candidate builds before Vista's release to manufacturing in November.
However, analysts have said Microsoft is cutting it extremely close in making its release date goals. "The signs are favorable, but nothing is certain," JupiterResearch senior analyst Joe Wilcox said.
"Right now, it's too close to call and say for certain whether Microsoft will have a bright sunny Windows Vista release or the stormy skies of delay," he continued. "I don't see how anyone can make an accurate forecast until Microsoft starts getting feedback from Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 testers."
My secret dream is to have a fully vector graphic desktop, with a real zui (zoomable user interface) accelerated with dx/ogl.
What i mean is not to have the windows on the textures, but a real 2d engine capable to rescale in realtime fonts, icons, and all other gfx on the desktop. Something like this stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ceiKZyGEHE . I wish that i can do similar things with Windows Vista, but maybe i can wait the next Mac OS X... ;)
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|Am I the only one who has enjoyed the long break with upgrading with XP (2001-2007)? I'll upgrade to Vista when I can afford a new (64-bit) system sometime in '07, but my fear is that Vista will only last for two years before Microsoft dumps it for another jailbreak run to cash in on the next OS.
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|It's getting better over time and I'm sure it'll be ready.
Just don't try to do an upgrade from 5472 to 5600 like I did - it messed a lot of stuff up!
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|RC1 huh. I can't wait for "Pre-RTM" next!
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|but the reasoning for the security rewrite was to fix the previous bugs that were haunted by xp just between beta 2 and pre rc1 you can see they have increased security to the point where some programs do not work because they dont conform to the new standard in a strong effort to combat malware...I dont expect vista to be perfect (nothing will ever be) but its a step in the right direction and what we really need is more education for the general user because no matter how much you increase security if the same idiot is doing the same things (oh, look free.... I just have to download this this and this and I get it...)
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|what people fail to realize is Vista is a major security rewrite with a slicker interface and some newer ways to do things...yes there are new features and from what I can tell they work quite well and seemingly better then what another os has to offer but I cannot give an honest compare as I only have spent little time with the oses and been using vista a lot longer Microsoft admitted that Vista was not going to be some major huge thing in terms of brand new features (but the features are there and plenty of new stuff to tinker just other oses already have some of them but since vista has been in development for a while and a lot of it was announced it would appear it gave others some ideas (only speculating of course) ...and seriousily the whole they copied so and so is getting quite old...everyone borrows from everyone because people want those same features but dont want to move to something else (Linux, Mac) Microsoft could change everything but they dont because the users don't want it and Microsoft (believe it or not) listen to them on what they would like...and for pricing its about the same pricing as when xp came out(upgrade for basic is 99 which is the equilivant of xp home)...I am using a FOUR year old computer with a 1.83 ghz processor 1.5 gig of ram and a 50 dollar video card and vista runs better on my pc then xp does...so this whole nonsense of having to upgrade to a supercomputer is your typical flaming without any facts
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|Vista is a major _security rewrite_
A rewrite it is. Microsoft rewrote the whole protocol stack for Windows Vista! What's funny is Microsoft said to Security Specialists that "Windows XP would be the most secure OS ever!" - no joke Microsoft actually said that. And now Microsoft has been saying that for Windows Vista.
Hopefully beta testing will actually make the OS secure!
PS saying it is a rewrite does not make it more secure. Actually make it more prone to bugs which leads to more viruses...
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|what's a "Protocol Stack"???
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|He obviously means the TCP/IP stack. What, you couldn't figure that out yourself?
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|He was talking so knowlegable, I thought he knew what he was talking about.
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|This is the first time in the past decade I've considered going to Apple. I'm not bashing MS or it's users, but for me, I haven't been compelled to upgrade to Vista, at least not yet. Most of the features touted by Microsoft as being Vista enhancements are simply not appealing to me. I think it's time for a change.
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|I have spent the last three months evaluating Vista and it runs like crap on my pc. Although I know its not perfect yet (of course no Windows OS will ever be perfect!), I have this feeling I would have to upgrade my pc to migrate to Vista. Then I saw the price for Vista and I was determined to switch to Linux. I tried all the popular flavors and finally gave in to Microsoft and planned to upgrade to Vista. I almost forgot about the Ubuntu Linux CD that I ordered (free of course!). I got it in the mail and I decided to load it on my machine. Windows Vista became a distant memory. I finally found a Linux distro that could seriously damage Microsoft's domination. If they can design some wizards for the Linux/computer novice, Ubuntu would kill windows. I have finally decided that Linux can work for me (It runs perfectly on my PC). Ubuntu is easy to use, easy to get and install software, and has many great free programs like Amarok for media, Firefox for internet, and Gaim for instant messaging. I can do everything that I could do in Vista and there is absolutely no Microsoft software on my system, just freeware. Folks, forget about Vista...GET UBUNTU and start saving money that you would normally spend on hardware and Windows!!
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|Just a quick addendum to my observation below:
Paul Thurott's recent article, "Five Great Features in Windows Vista RC1" (http://www.winsupersite....e/winvista_rc1_best.asp) indirectly corroborates my point. Nothing there really that entices.
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|...
"Microsoft's long, strange trip
with Windows Vista"
...
Of course, PC_Fool, BetaNews, and other Microsoft
lackeys, will say "Vista: Love it or leave it !".
Facts are, however, WinVista is too little, and too
late.
Nothing in Vista you can't ~already~ do NOW !
Which is an inherent problem with taking five+ years
to come out with an Operating System.
...
The Computer Rodent
...
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|BetaNews has a tendency to write about Microsoft a lot, this is true, but they are hardly "lackeys" given their tendency to criticize or cite criticisms of the company.
Vista is too little, too late... for whom? You? Other MS-haters who rant about MS products for the sake of ranting? Gee, what a surprise. However, even despite your rantings, a majority of users will move forward and buy the product... some will love it, some will hate it, but most will just use it out of complacency.
I'm pretty sure purchasing and using software is the indicator on too little, too late.
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|Nothing in Vista you can't ~already~ do NOW !
Conceivably, you could do everything you needed to with DOS and a keyboard. So why don't you just get rid of your mouse, k?
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|Well said.
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|no way, really!!!!! :0
you have to tell me how to get GTASA to run in DOS.
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|" but most will just use it out of complacency."
yes, well said.
i think you just justified the rat's rant's.
:-)
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|Nothing in Vista you can't ~already~ do NOW!
That's just redundant... much like your rant and your presence on this planet. "already" implies "now".
Oh, and there is nothing inherent with an OS taking 5+ years to develop. Last I checked, the major MacOS upgrade (OS9-OSX) was a multi-year process which aimed at exploiting several advancements at the kernel level. The end-result was a new system with improvements which no other major OS player widely supported/provided.
Insolent rodent......
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|I'm neither "for" or "against" MS. They're a company that makes software. Some people develop major anger against them for their dominance in certain markets, others could care less. Regardless, there is no "good" time period for making a new OS version. If it was one year, some would complain it was too soon. Six years is too long. So they roll the dice. Who cares. I worry more about eating right and staying healthy than what MS does or decides.
And besides, the vast majority of their revenue these days is from VARs and corporate contracts. They will make their decisions based upon purely economic factors. They don't care what "we" think. So you'll either get a new Dell/HP/IBM/etc with Vista installed on it, or your employer will drop one on your desk at work and say "get busy". We can stay with XP, use OSX or Linux or whatever, but many of us (based on statistics) will be using Vista within 3-4 years regardless of our personal preferences. Maybe you're lucky enough to not have to work for "the man", or work at all. Most of us aren't that lucky.
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|Yes i have to agree that Vista is too litle. They should at least added WinFS...
Anyway i welcome Vista.
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|Why would anyone want to run San Andreas? That game sucks.
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|Vista RC1 5600 is out now also, tried it and well im not buying vista as it feels right now, just slowdowns slowdowns and more slowdowns, i could toss more money into the pc but for what? It has nothing to offer that XP already has for me im afraid to say.
This is no flame or anything just a personal feeling i got.
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|I have it running on a Centrino Mobile 2.0GHz TabletPC with 2GB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive... it seems to run sufficiently well. It's at least as fast, and often faster, than Windows XP, so unless you're running it on a low-end system I fail to understand how it is you believe it slows down... unless of course you're unlucky enough to have horrible taste in applications or bad driver support.
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|Hello, roj -
Thank you for your contributions. I completely agree with both your posts.
Still, although I appreciate your admonishment to wait for the next version, I'll find it extremely difficult to do so for another five years. Time is certainly a factor, but so is the buying trap: Vista will soon come pre-installed on new computers. In my case, I plan to buy another PC within eighteen months.
Indeed, even if I was to wait for the next release, there isn't the slightest guarantee Windows 7 would offer any better value than Vista. Microsoft rarely concerns itself with quality, and this seems especially true now that the company appears to be in major decline.
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|What an amazingly politically correct way of supporting a post with little meaning, while also refuting it as impractical.
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|Your response comes as no surprise.
I merelyiterated a counterpoint view to the standard followed by many here. The majority of BetaNews readers have long upheld a tradition of following wherever Microsoft led, so it is no breaking news that alternatives are not given thought.
After all, one does not expect those conditioned to salute the rank and file to think outside the box - or even be capable of it - any mmore than one expects an ostrich to take wing and soar like a condor.
I of course have always exercised independent thought and evaluation and hence will continue to make my own choices rather than have them made for me by a vendor.
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|Anyone get the latest pre-rc to run in vmware? I can't seem to get past the loading stage before the installation gui.
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|A significant issue for Microsoft, I suspect, would be to create incentive for users of XP to migrate to Vista. I've been using Vista since early betas and just last week switched back to XP. It suddenly struck me that there's not one thing I miss from Vista using XP. That was not at all the case when testing versions of XP while using win98 and W2K. I suppose Vista will appeal more to the 98 and 2000 user thinking of upgrading. As for regular, non-pirate users, I suspect Microsoft will have a hard time convincing them they need Vista. I'm have a d***ens of a time convincing myself and I want to need Vista.
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|I understood XP. It was a huge upgrade from 9x. I don't seem to be able to find any thing that's new in Vista, unless you call a new desktop an upgrade. If there was only a 64 bit version I would like that.
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|? There is a 64bit version of vista...
Also XP.
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|You either haven't read a single article about Vista in the last 5 years, or you haven't taken the time to comprehend and understand the articles you've read.
A) There is a 64-bit version of Vista.
B) There is a lot more to Vista than having a "new desktop" environment (by which I assume you mean the Aero User Interface, not desktop).
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|roj, your ignorance does not cease to amaze me.
As for MS Windows: what do any of you want in your operating system? If any previously-released version of your OS suits you, then don't upgrade. OHHH, but you want security updates and the new bells and whistles that other people have.
WELL, either UPGRADE to a currently-supported product platform, or BUILD YOUR OWN operating system.
Linux'ers BUILD their own and EXPAND their community's creations. That's a-okay.
Apple OSX'ers UPGRADE regularly to obtain a product that suits their needs and wants.
And apparently Windows users are retarded. DOES THAT EVEN MAKE SENSE?! Windows users choose to use a commerciallly-supported software at its currently full-staffed levels (i.e. XP/2003/Vista).
If you don't want to upgrade, THEN SHUT UP AND DON'T! If you are unsatisfied, then KINDLY SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE with Microsoft or purchase after-market products (WindowBlinds, StyleXP, Konfabulator, etc.) that add the Zing to your tastes.
As for Vista RC1: for a free look into pre-release software, that's quite exciting (and their competitors do it too). Aug CTP/Pre-RC1/5536 is a better build than Beta2, and I am looking forward to the .NET Framework 3.0 being properly incorporated into Windows as to allow Windows developers to build more feature-rich software solutions.
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|Ironically, I'm in a position where I'd have to wipe all the data from one of my HDs to install Linux, something I'm not willing to do. I've tried several partitioning tools and they've all FAILED at resizing an NTFS partition, so no Linux for me for now...
Eventually I'll get around to doing it.
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|this is cool.
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|Have you tried Acronis Disk Director?
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|Installed 5552 yesterday and I'm impressed @ the progress they made since beta2, which was terrible and hardly usable...
We've heard all above comments with the release of windows xp, and if u look back now xp was a huge improvement over older versions.
As a mcse in daily life I do see lots of important improvements over xp. OK, not as much as I hoped when ms early announced the futureset.
MS does copy Apple, and apple does copy MS. But as long as Apple sticks to their overpriced hardware I dont see any reason to use apple. And yes, I love OSX in a way and I love their hardware...
Once vista is released I'm sure people will love it, and yes there are always people that love to stick with what they have, dont we still all love dos? ;)
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|Save your time and money on all this Vista stuff. Wait for the release of OS X Leopard and dump Microsoft Windows for good.
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|some of us refuse to pay that stupid ****ing premium for the hardware when all we really only care about is the OS which technically can be run on any PC already... go figure.
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|By refusing to pay for decent hardware, you effectively limit yourself and your computing capability. That's not a bad thing, per se, just something to be aware of before you (and others) rant.
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|Yes, because MacOS is such a superior OS... it's prettier than Vista, I'll give you that, but it's not nearly as intuitive or productive as their commercials would have one believe, and well, the application support just isn't there.
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|"The TOTAL re-arrangement of the user interface, Control Panels and even the toolbar for Internet Explorer is actaully going to be a big time-waster...many experienced users of Windows XP will be LOST for several days as they fumble thru oddball menus and Icons that were never there in XP, and later find the things they need are renamed and moved to totally new locations."
Well, it's a new OS with new features and new usability guidelines. It's really difficult to strike a balance between forcing users to learn a new way to do things and still maintain backwards compatibility and usability.
MSFT has done their homework working with literally hundreds of focus groups just on the UI features alone. Based upon this, and also the incredible amount of feedback they have gotten from the beta testers, I think they are right on track with forcing a new interface on users.
Let’s not forget that the current interface has not really undergone a real transformation or reworking since Windows95/NT4. People fought it then and got over it, even got used to it (my kids no nothing but the WinXP interface, but show them a screenshot from Win3.11 and they are dumbfounded that computers even existed back then). After a short time, they even came to like it even though familiar things like the Program Manager and File Manager had been deeply hidden (although, they were left in there for people that refused to let go).
The way I see it is that if we are going to forge ahead with new operating systems and applications, there has to be a point where the current interfaces are deemed no longer usable and need to be re-thought and re-worked. That is what is currently happening with Vista, but I’m sure that MSFT will do something like offer a “classic mode” for people that are just dead set in not letting go…
~dnc
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|The File Manager and Program Manager were always lost children in the Windows UI, they were there so that MSFT could copy the approximate Look and Feel of Apple OS whilst keeping the panes, and layers of the Windows OS in some sort of order that was part of the DOS heritage that MSFT has been loathe to give-up, or fully hide.
Not that they dont want to, its just not part of their strategy for milking the backward compatible mantra that is part of trying to stay relevant to their user base.
That said, there is NO proof that they have listened to their user base now, or that Focus Groups were instrumental in creating the new UI, its just not true that it must be changed in order to make the OS better than it was. Coming from you a DotNet coder, one would presume you are a bit more "aware" of the UI and Windows experience, but coming from my view, a well versed Multi OS type of user, I can certainly tell you, that different is not always better, especially when the gist of Vista, is to look and work more like a person, and less like a computer (aka Mac OS X)...to "Get Out of the Way" and let users create and work
...plus the Security warnings, and moved icons and categories, are Not Innovation, only aggravation.
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|I have Build 5536 running on an AMD Athlon 64 and also on a MacBookPro. The installers went smooth as silk, taking about 45 mins, Aero Glass looks good but it is nothing spectacular. On the Apple many Mac specific drivers are not there yet, also neither is the Program Compatibility Wizard icon that is linked from the Vista desktop during the install.
The TOTAL re-arrangement of the user interface, Control Panels and even the toolbar for Internet Explorer is actaully going to be a big time-waster...many experienced users of Windows XP will be LOST for several days as they fumble thru oddball menus and Icons that were never there in XP, and later find the things they need are renamed and moved to totally new locations.
Other than the gooey Look and Feel (an attempt to mimic Mac OS X, which is far better than Vistas look) they have actually gone backwards with this OS design. I predict major user disappointment, and frustration.
As for Security....the User will be making More of the choices about what is allowed to Install or Run, so the actual workload to maintain this OS will possibly double the number of clicks and dialog boxes that a person sees on a day-to-day basis...leading to another 2 steps backwards in productivity.
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|People might hate change, but sometimes it's for the better. I hold no sympathy for people who want the same thing repeatedly.
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|I hold no sympathy for gadflies who jump on the latest bandwagon just because it's new and without evaluating whether or not it actually adds value that outweighs the cost of adopting it.
Vista offers me nothing I don't already have.
I have no need to line a software vendors' pockets unnecessarily.
Thus, I'm not interested in the Vista hoopla.
I've also been in this business long enough to know that everybody and his dog (especially the hardware vendors and OEMs) will hype this thing to the highest high in hopes of driving to a fever pitch the inevitable feeding frenzy of buying that is the hallmark of every new OS release. I'm just a little too smart to fall for that trick any more.
But, as is amply illustrated here, the hype machine is well greased and grinding well.
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|Vista is a step forward in standards. Windows that don't keep redrawing, accessibility improvements, etc etc.
It's not so much about the feature-set or lack thereof, it's about bringing the world up to speed with those with slightly less advantageous situations to you and I.
Vista offers you a lot, and over time you'll realise that. It doesn't offer you fantastic must-have new features as much as it should have, but interoperability and accessibility are so key to life with computers that as the Vista machine whirrs on I think gradually (probably after the first service pack) people will start to see the benefits from running Vista.
There will be a lot of people that hate it (well actually, there won't be that many, it's just they are the loudest) and say 'resource hog!!!111' but when you look at it, it's about time people started buying systems with more power graphically and processor wise as there are too many gullible people out there who think there is nothing wrong with a Celeron chip.
The sooner Celeron chips are no longer viable to operate an OS the better.
When Apple stopped supporting OS 9 Apple worked out that you pay for what you get. If you pay $200 for a computer, it's going to be slow and outdated before you even unpack it.
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|>>Vista is a step forward in standards.
>>Windows that don't keep redrawing,
>>accessibility improvements, etc etc.
Whose standards? Microsofts? Standards are recogninezed worldwhide and ratified by committees that participate. RFCs fall into that cateogry. Windows is not aobut standards and neither is Vista.
>>It's not so much about the feature-set or
>>lack thereof, it's about bringing the world
>>up to speed with those with slightly less
>>advantageous situations to you and I.
What on earth is this supposed to mean? I read the words and all I see is an attempt at PR spin – and not a good one because the words contain no meaning.
>>Vista offers you a lot, and over time you'll
>>realise that. It doesn't offer you fantastic
>>must-have new features as much as it should
>>have, but interoperability and accessibility
>>are so key to life with computers that as >>the Vista machine whirrs on I think
>>gradually (probably after the first service
>>pack) people will start to see the benefits
>>from running Vista.
This is definitely into PR spin. In the corpoirate world, you adopt a change because it either offers value that will pay for itself and more or because the vendor is about to sunset support. You say that Vista is building a new base for computing. Fine. I'll wait for the NEXT release of Windows after that (assuming that I'm still using Windows by then) and see the REFINED and WORKING version of that vision. I've worked on enough MS betas and product roadmaps to know that you NEVER buy into their initial release of ANY of their visions.
>>There will be a lot of people that hate it
>>(well actually, there won't be that many,
>>it's just they are the loudest) and
>>say 'resource hog!!!111' but when you look
>>at it, it's about time people started buying
>>systems with more power graphically and
>>processor wise as there are too many
>>gullible people out there who think there is
>>nothing wrong with a Celeron chip.
As soon as you're the one earning my money, you'll be qualified to tell me how to spend it. “It's about time people started buying systems with more power”??? What are you, a mouthpiece for the OEMs? Having talked to kernel engineers who worked on XP, I know that the OS itself can boot in a VERY small amount of RAM once you strip out the myriad kludges required to make it work with a lot of the hardware garbage that's out there. The “Let's throw hardware and money at it” mindset is symptomatic of the whole “disposable society” ethic and is frankly quite sickening. Rather than the nonsense you spout here, I'd recommend some RESPONSIBILITY in code, application and hardware development that is driven by the CONSUMER who will refuse to buy the crap if it isn't streamlined and effieient. I know that this is a vastly unpopular view as it requires real wrok and thought and it's far easier to be “disposable”. Too bad, eh?
>>The sooner Celeron chips are no longer >>viable to operate an OS the better.
The sooner vendors stop using that as an EXCUSE, the better.
>>When Apple stopped supporting OS 9 Apple
>>worked out that you pay for what you get. If
>>you pay $200 for a computer, it's going to
>>be slow and outdated before you even unpack
>>it.
It's ill-considerd to bring Apple into any sensible discussion on computing. That company trades on elitism and religion to entice its customers and keep them. If open source solutions can be fast, extremely secure and efficient on what you class as slower hardware, commercial ones can too. Also, that open source mindset is why a lot of corporations (including the one for which I work) are using those solutions for high performance and high availability back end solutions instead of Windows (like Secrity Information management Systems). I recognise that the desktop is a somewhat different beast but many of the design tenets can be carried over there.
Vista is a security rewrite. It's lays the groundworkk for a new programming API presumably to correct the mess made of the old one. It doesn't let you choose which API to run because that would be too much trouble to support so you're bloated right there. It reverses stupid design changes made in the infancy of 32-bit Windows and moves code back out of the kernel where it belongs. It adds a LOT of useless cutesy-poo fluff that requires more hardware to run and will sell tot he consumer market because consumers are stupid cattle who love cutesy-poo. But real, everyday advantages for the 15Gb it requires to install? For myself as well as more than a few others whom I know, they're not there.
Vista will succeed because OEMs (whom MS is squarely in bed with 0 there's a lovely incestuous relationship for you) push it, customers will follow their lead like sheep, the cash registers will go ka-ching! and the band will play on. Just don't expect the more experienced of us to hail it as a must buy because it's the vanguard of computing and will usher in new standrds.
That's just a loda of rubbish and why I'm advising those who ask to skip this release and wait for something offering more value.
Just my 2 cents, seasonally adjusted for inflation (and PR spin).
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|I'm really not even sure your opinion is worth two cents... maybe .07 cents if someone is feeling generous.
For all the ranting and raving that you did, you don't really offer any substance to it. What are you so angry about? That Microsoft is releasing a product that you don't seem to like because it's nothing more than a "security rewrite"?
I'm glad I don't work for you or depend on your for support, because it is clear to me that "security" isn't really worth anything to you. Ironic, considering that you ramble on about bloat and meaningless junk, and yet you conclude by saying you are waiting for something with a little more value.
In any case, you have options... I suggest you use them, and shut the hell up with your meaningless rants. Your rants and tirades are one of the reasons I rarely post here anymore.
Final comment-- Standards are defined by a majority, regardless of who the organizing body is. Worldwide? Not necessarily. A majority of PC users use Windows, and that more or less gives Microsoft a control over "standards". You may not like the standards they set, hell, you may have legitimately better ideas. The fact remains, however, that you are not a majority... just a loud-mouth critic.
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|what was the purpose of your rant?
was it to iterate that the only thing Vista has going for it is enhanced security?
or was it the fact that Microsoft is setting the standards for users whether they like it or not?
or maybe you just don't like roj cause he was right on alot of points.
point being, your rant is no better.
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|afaik they once said they'll open the beta again, so is there/will there be any way to join the beta programme ?
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|I think they are going to make RC1 a public release later on so you'll be able to download it.
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|I am running build 5536 on my main comp and it is working great!!! The only thing right now that it is lacking which isn't MS fault is it is not compatible with Avast or Kerio yet!!! Other than that it works great!
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|Microsoft broke compatibility with Avast antivirus software between Vista Beta 2 and Vista RC1? Avast worked perfectly with Vista Beta 2.
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|Those programs probably use undocumented or unsupported methods of accomplishing their goals in pre-Vista Windows. Microsoft intentionally broke support for these methods to improve security (malware can use those same methods). The programmers will have to rewrite their programs to use official APIs.
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|Running build 5536 Pre-RC1 here, and whilst it's a massive improvement over beta 2, there is still a long way to go
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|