Technology: Windows Vista

Before the release of Windows XP in 2001, Microsoft was talking about Windows Vista, which was a small step between XP and another project, Blackcomb (which was later renamed Windows Vienna. The original release date set for Vista was 2003, but as more features planned for Vienna were implemented into Vista, that date was set back several times. In 2004, Microsoft announced that they were going to significantly change Vista's design to help them release it sooner. Basically, they started over using the Windows Server 2003 code. Among the changes announced were the dropping of WinFS (a new file system that was going to include a faster indexing system, along with major changes to UI format), and the renaming of the project to Vista from Longhorn.

The project was delayed several times later on, and has recently been set to January 2007, (upsetting the market and causing the computer industry millions) although CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that if more bugs appear, Vista may be delayed into the second quarter of 2007.

The estimated system requirements will be high for the Areo experience (which Linux has countered already with XGL), including a gigabyte of RAM, a dual-core CPU, and a fairly modern GPU. The basic Vista product (called Windows Vista Home Basic) will only require 512mb RAM and a 800mhz+ CPU.

Windows Vista will be available in the infamous 6 versions:

1. Windows Vista Starter


• For emerging foregn markets. Limited to 256mb RAM


2. Windows Vista Home Basic


• For budget home users


3. Windows Vista Home Premium


• For advanced home users


4. Windows Vista Business


• Like Windows XP Professional


5. Windows Vista Enterprise


• A special version not avalible OEM or retail. A more powerful version of Vista Business. Includes the ability to run UNIX apps


6. Windows Vista Ultimate


• Merge of the ubove versions (except Starter and Basic), and includes podcasting support, a proformence tweaker, and more support.

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista
http://www.playfuls.com/news_02745_Windows_Vista_vs_Linux_Why_Vista_Might_Lose_the_Battle.html
http://www.microsoft.com/Windowsvista/
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1148681733480&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851

Questions about Vista? Post it in the comment area and I'll see what I can drudge up. You might have to wait a while for a answer; I'm taking a vacation to Ireland.