Microsoft TechNet has published a high-level introduction to some of the new features and capabilities of the next release of Windows focusing on security, deployment, desktop management, end-user productivity and mobility.
Microsoft TechNet has published a high-level introduction to some of the new features and capabilities of the next release of Windows focusing on security, deployment, desktop management, end-user productivity and mobility.
Hmm nice article, lots of detail and a nice writing style – need more like this
Also funny to see that in the very latest version of the leading OS (userbase) the command line is prominently used to good effect (fine with me), yet whenever Desktop Linux pops up the command line is seen as the spawn of satan…
How is it that MS claims to have improved security in Vista, and the first thing they show you how to do is create a passwordless account
It’s Beta 1, which is intended mostly for developers, NOT end users. That’s why.
It’s Beta 1, which is intended mostly for developers, NOT end users. That’s why.
So, they want to encourage developers to handle security in a sloppy manner?
If not, I’m not sure what your point is.
Accounts without passwords require physical access to use.
Accounts without passwords require physical access to use.
That’s interesting. I didn’t know that.
I realize that you’re not the person I responded to, though I’m not sure if your comment was ment to answer to my comment;
‘So, they want to encourage developers to handle security in a sloppy manner?’
That was posted as a reply to sappyvcv’s comment;
It’s Beta 1, which is intended mostly for developers, NOT end users. That’s why.
I must be missing something, or is this kind of thing just a given to those using Windows? (Passwords are optional if the release is a pre-release.)
I must be missing something, or is this kind of thing just a given to those using Windows? (Passwords are optional if the release is a pre-release.)
Whether a pre-release targeted at a trained audience or an end-user release, the use of passwords is ultimately up to the user. Most average users would use the Accounts wizard which walks them through the process. They’d also be prompted to enter a password for the initial account created during setup’s “Out-of-the-box Experience”. The OOTBE is not included in current builds (which is common at this early stage).
There are limitations if passwords aren’t used. As in XP, if you do not create a password for an account, you cannot remotely connect to the computer using that account. You are limited to local access only. You can setup a policy enforcing password use and complexity if you so choose.
There are limitations if passwords aren’t used. As in XP, if you do not create a password for an account, you cannot remotely connect to the computer using that account. You are limited to local access only.
I believe it also prevents you from using the “Run As” command to run an app as a passwordless user, you have to log in directly.
…Move along. Seriously, in the past i used to be quite interested in this crap. Wow, I guess the joke really was on me all that time.
I know what you mean, if that’s OS development over at Redmond then God help them. I liked the presentation settings though. Nothing really to get worked up about though.
Beta 2 is the real deal. So yes, the joke is on you.
Get some knowledge.
I have a bet with myself: There will be at least one article per day here touting Vista. It’s the Microsoft hype machine running in full gear.
yeah, okay. So get a job.
With Mac OSX hitting the x86 arena, who is actually giving a dime about this new thingie???
Give us a break Bill..
or at least, hire a better dev-team 😉
1) OSX ain’t that great.
2) OSX still requires Apple hardware, just as it does now. Just because it will be on x86 doesn’t change anything.
So when is Microsoft going to make the windows look better? Yes I know it’s a beta for developers, but this thing has to get released eventually.
Actually, from what was depicted, the dialogue boxes do look a little less cluttered. The theme is ugly, though.
“This document is a high-level user’s guide for information technology (IT) professionals who are building and deploying desktops by using the Beta 1 release of Microsoft Windows Vista delivered as part of the Beta 1 program.”
Beta 1 is just the first simple things added to Vista. The things you are asking for comes in Beta 2.
From TFA:
———-
Creating an XPS Document
1. Open any Word document on your PC. Go to the File/Print menu. Within the available printers box, you should see a selection for Microsoft Digital Document Writer. Select it and click OK.
2. The File Save dialog box should pop up. Name the file and save it to the desktop.
———-
This is the most innovative feature I’ve ever seen in any OS. Now we don’t have to exchange Word documents with each other just to convey information. Absolutely brilliant.
I wish OS X and Linux had something like this, and would use an open format like, say, PDF.
I’m looking for documentation on XPS so I can build read/write features into my OS as well, enabling me to communicate with my Vista colleagues. Any ideas where I can find such documentation?
Replying to myself here. Apparently my sarcastic post above about XPS (metro) is a little misleading. From this site:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/integrated/
“To ensure cross-platform portability and device independence of XPS-based packages and XPS Documents, the XML Paper Specification is open and publicly available.”
Kudos, Microsoft. I suppose Adobe would have come down hard on you for providing a “Print to PDF” option in your Print dialog boxes instead.
PDF is an open standard. Adobe should have no complaints about it. I still don’t understand WHY they didn’t just support the Portable Document Standard, rather than creating a new one though. Is it just so that Windows is, at first, the only operating system that supports this “universal standard”?
No, it’s because XPS builds off of the technology of the Windows Presentation Foundation (Avalon) and fits better than PDF in that context. It’s a replacement for several existing Windows technologies (GDI, WMF/EMF) more than a replacement for PDF. It’s positioned as a PDF-killer by the press mainly because of the fixed document reach format. That is only a small part of what the XPS technology is used for.
“I wish OS X and Linux had something like this, and would use an open format like, say, PDF.”
Um… hate to say this but OS X does this already. Just tried it even in the browser i’m using (Opera, so not even an Apple product). Just go “File… Print” and click “Save as PDF”…
Even if some random application can’t for some reason access this underlying presentation layer, you still can still setup a virtual printer to produce PostScript files that Preview will pickup and convert to PDF.
And theres always CutePDF for the Windows crowd too. Which provides exactly the functionality described. And for free too.
Btw, I’m not a Mac zealot (though it might sound it). Just have to use one for work…
Yes, my sarcasm wasn’t obvious to you. Printing to a PDF file is so common in OS X and linux/unix, I thought the capability would appear in Microsoft’s OS well before 2006.
I see that exchanging Word documents to convey information is incredibly common for MS users, and incredibly lucrative for MS. This is akin to handing out a memo at a boardroom meeting but requiring everyone to have a $300 typewriter to read it.
Lame.
Still no advanced guide on secutiy 🙁
//Give us a break Bill..
or at least, hire a better dev-team ;-)//
Maybe you should apply for the job …
Oh wait. That would mean you’d have to move out of your parent’s basement. Nevermind.