Atta VISTA!

Microsoft has rolled out Beta 1 of its next operating system Windows VISTA (formerly codenamed "Longhorn". Most of the initial reviews that I've perused are positive - okeh, at least they aren't negative!

I found Paul Thurrott's review quite detailed and incisive. Click here to read it.

Here are some of the features / enchancements that the VISTA promises:

• The DotNet-based WinFX platform, as different from the existing Win32 platform which will go into maintenance mode
  
• A greatly improved user experience - we need to catch up with jargon like Aero, Avalon, Indigo and Palladium
  
• A ubiquitious search bar. Press the Start button, and there is a small search bar there too!
• Virtual folders
• Lots of new security features (which some reviewer called as a UNIX clone)
• A much-needed (and long overdue) IE7, which features tabs!!! Ironically, when introducing IE7, Microsoft's website is silent on tabs whereas a one-click-erase-cache button is touted as a salient feature! Bof, losers!!
  

VISTA reiterates the fact that adoption, rather than innovation, is Microsoft's forte. However who will complain if provided get neat, fast and comprehensive operating system? Or a they put it a clear, confident and connected OS? It may be too early to judge, but I think Microsoft has a winner here. Let's wait for Beta 2.