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Windows Vista: Will it be good or bad?

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Windows Vista: Will it be good or bad?

from WinCustomize Forums
Well to see things in perspective. Microsoft made her first really impressive appearence in Operating Systems with Windows 95,which was a pretty stable and well designed OS in its own time. Some say it was the most stable ever OS, by others it was characterized as a radical evolution in the world of PCs. Since then Microsoft has launched a series of OSs into the market. Some where good and found a grandiose appeal amongst PC users (Win 98),some of them have not been so good (Win Me,Win NT) and some of them are still being fixed (Win XP). If we see things in timeline perspective it took three years for Win 98 to be developed into a functional well-organized system,whilst the rest not so good OSs where made into less than two years time distance between them. Now MS is in the labs again working on a whole new OS,Windows Vista (leaving Longhorn in the shelf for another couple of years). What do you think about it? Will Vista be the next generations reavolution? The evolution to a revolution as promised? Or just another OS amongst the others?

Another interesting is whether Vista will be good for the skinning world?

Any opinions?
11,141 views 39 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You can get VS2005 Express for $49. It's meant for beginning and hobbyist programmers

I mean't VS 2005 being $199 not $1999 btw.  It's the Expression Suite that matters more though. It's not going to be practical to make MS gadgets without it (unless you get DesktopX Pro of course).

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think Vista will be incredibly good for skinning. The types of programs we can make for customization is severely limited under windows XP for performance.

But in Windows Vista, it's all a 3D surface with 3D acceleration. So we'll be able to create all kinds of things.

I'm very excited about Vista and skinning, espesially form what I've heard from your PDC reports.

I mean't VS 2005 being $199 not $1999 btw.

heh! I found that one a bit odd. I was wondering if you where talking about a Super Ultimate Enterprice Edition or something. ;(

It's the Expression Suite that matters more though.

What's the Expression Suite?



I'm very excited about DesktopX 4. Will DX support then gadgets you can use on displays embedded on laptops and such?
And in Vista you can put gadgets in the sidebar, but can it also be added to the taskbar? Like for instance a toobarband that enables you to add gadgets to it.
(I know OB can add gadgets to it, but I don't really feel like replicating the entire taskbar just to add gadgets...)
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One possible benefit to Microsoft gadgets would be all the people out there that are anti-microsoft and refuse to use their software because of some personal issue, will now be exposed to gadgets but want a non- MS proogram to do it. Simply put DX can thrive from the competition.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But in Windows Vista, it's all a 3D surface with 3D acceleration. So we'll be able to create all kinds of things.


Yeap i agree totally with this. BTW is Avalon going to be implemented with the first Vista Beta edition,or it will come later alongside with WinFS?
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What's the Expression Suite?


It's a new graphics suiite MS is preparing. It'll be consisted of three proggies:

1. Acrylic - A raster graphics program,with many capabilities,it was rumored that it'll be the future opponent of Photoshop,but i guess rumors are just rumors (Adobe is years of developing ahead). I think it will come with a new file format called Metro,something like Adobe's pdf file format,it'll support layers,but you won't need any excuisite program to open it.

2. Sparkle - A vector graphics designer,with ability to add media elements such as vectors, pixel images, 3-D content, video, high-quality text, and animation for rich, cinematic user interfaces. Content can be contextualized by applying custom styles and layout to assist end-user interaction and comprehension. It's the one in which gadgets can be created.

3. Quartz - An advanced web page creator with many features.

For more info:

- By Microsoft: Link

- Expression Suite Home: Link

- Article by Brad: Link
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Will DX support then gadgets you can use on displays embedded on laptops and such?
And in Vista you can put gadgets in the sidebar, but can it also be added to the taskbar? Like for instance a toobarband that enables you to add gadgets to it.


As Microsoft says:

Gadgets come in three flavors:

- Gadgets for Windows Sidebar will run on your desktop or dock into Windows Sidebar, an upcoming feature in Windows Vista alongside other applications. Desktop Gadgets can developed using Windows Presentation Foundation, DHTML/Atlas, and even ActiveX controls. The beauty of Desktop Gadgets is that they are visually and programmatically rich – scaling from vector-based graphics and managed code to standard techniques you’d use for the Web. You’ll be hearing more about Windows Sidebar over the coming months here as we approach release around Beta 2 of Windows Vista.

- Gadgets for Start.com (a.k.a. Web or Server-based Gadgets) provide a fast, customizable homepage with a clean user interface – putting the user in control of more of their online experience. Currently in incubation/public preview, Start.com is a place where consumers can customize the web to their liking by adding their own sources of content including RSS web-feeds and web-based Gadgets that extend functionality of their site- anything from custom calendars to service integration. Start.com demonstrates the use of DHTML and ASP.Net Atlas, which separates the data from the UI resulting in significant performance improvements. In addition, Start.com Gadgets can easily support docking into the Windows Sidebar.

- Gadgets for Windows SideShow(tm) (a.k.a. Auxilary Display Gadgets) allow users to view their information on devices. Users can view their data where they want it, whether it is for instant access on the lid of a laptop PC, for notifications on a keyboard display or for convenience on a detached device like a cell phone. Gadgets for Windows SideShow run on the PC and use COM interfaces to send data to devices. This Windows SideShow platform combined with the power of desktop applications allows for new scenarios and opportunities.

Infosource: Link
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually i read that Vista took the place of Longhorn,whilst Longhorn still remains in the projects,but it has been moved to some years later,maybe in 2008 they'll release Windows Lognhorn.


No, the next version of Windows will be called Sooner.

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually i read that Vista took the place of Longhorn,whilst Longhorn still remains in the projects,but it has been moved to some years later,maybe in 2008 they'll release Windows Lognhorn.


again from WIKI

CodeName: Longhorn
Final Name: Windows Vista

(period)
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No, the next version of Windows will be called Sooner.


again from WIKI

CodeName: Longhorn
Final Name: Windows Vista


You are right Frogboy,only the magazine i read writes that Longhorn has been postponed.All others say that Vista IS Longhorn. My fault i guess...man is sooo difficult to find a decent PC Magazine in Greek.


I believe i corrected myself already once.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As Microsoft says:

Gadgets come in three flavors:

- Gadgets for Windows Sidebar will run on your desktop or dock into Windows Sidebar, an upcoming feature in Windows Vista alongside other applications. ...

I read that, but I was donering if DesktopX will support gadgets for Windows Sideshow. And if it would be possible to put gadgets in the Taskbar, not only the sidebar.
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was donering if DesktopX will support gadgets for Windows Sideshow.


That is a site mod or Stardock employ to be answered.

And if it would be possible to put gadgets in the Taskbar, not only the sidebar.


Like what kind? Already Media Player integrates in the taskbar and you can have all sorts of toolbars inside it (Google,MSN,etc),you can modify the clock to display any font you like,can have shortcuts on it. Only ones i can think of are an RSS Feader,a stock or news ticker and maybe a weather gadget. But dunno if DX is planned to do that. OB does a pretty well job as you already know.
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think that windows vista will be a good step into the future. One thing that Windows XP lacked of to me was that it offered security but not enough for me. Windows Vista needs to offer major security I think. The vision of Windows Vista is "Bringing Clarity to your world". They need to follow by that name. Clarity means clear. So there basically saying that they are trying to do a better job with this Windows by offering better things on the software. So as long as they will follow by their vision, I won't have a problem with it.
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windows Vista needs to offer major security I think.