So Windows Vista and it's brand new Aero user interface blew in yesterday....get it.....Aero...blew in.....God I'm not funny. Anyway. Microsoft launched its much hyped new operating system to the public Jan. 30/07.



So what does this all mean? Well, apparently our minds will be blown with the features this thing has and the improvements it makes over Windows XP. Microsoft has been running a massive advertising campaign that is focusing on the "WOW" factor that Vista will bring to consumers. To demonstrate this, every media outlet has been provided with a clip of Vista's new user interface which has a neat 3D flip feature that lets you cycle through all your open documents.



Fancy, you betcha, wow factor......7 maybe 8.....practical?......I don't know about you but judging from the picture above it may get annoying flipping through all those windows to find the one you want after the novelty wears off but I don't have Vista so I can't really tell.

Vista also has all these little apps that they're showing people called "gadgets"



These are simply small apps that don't take a whole window and can be beneficial and save time if used properly. Not to mention as you can see in the picture above they really show off the new transparency features in Vista which again play up that "WOW" factor Microsoft is selling to everyone.

I know I haven't gone into any great detail but I doubt people would want to read about an operating system for a long time and as I mentioned above, I don't have Vista so I can't do a real review but I can summarize what the media is reporting which is basically what Microsoft is marketing.

First, they want you to be wowed by the new Aero user interface. Then they want you to know that you'll get an app that will manage your photos and new digital lifestyle (if you don't understand that then maybe you don't need to get Vista). Next they're telling parents that you have beefed up internet security features which is good cause kids these days are too stupid to access the internet at school or the library or other places which don't control content (detect any sarcasm there?). Lastly they want you to think this is a huge step forward and that games will be better, things will look prettier, security will be better and everything will work smoother........All you need to do is buy the new software $$$ and then upgrade your computer $$$$ or buy a new one $$$$ so that it can actually run the damn thing.

Will people go out and buy Vista because of the hype? Some will. Will Vista solve all your computer problems? Ask yourself when's the last time a Microsoft operating system was really easy to use and ran without crashing at the most annoying times.



There's no denying that this new operating system will look better, it'll probably be safer, it will hopefully be more user friendly...but will it innovate enough to charm the masses? Who knows but it won't matter much as every new computer will be bundled with Vista anyway but remember not to cheap out on the Home Basic version cause that one doesn't have some of those cool new interface features (will the average joe really understand more about Vista than this cosmetic change?).

As a final thought, I'd like to leave you with this link to a reporter from the New York times who did a little video describing Vista. After watching you may have some new thoughts about Microsoft's latest baby.

http://www.tuaw.com/2006/12/15/video-david-pogue-proves-vista-doesnt-copy-os-x/

Cyber Jock