The long awaited Windows Vista (aka Longhorn) has been released recently. While many consumers will probably be debating on whether to upgrade to it, or just use older versions of Windows, or jump boat to its rivals - OSX and Linux, they cannot deny the fact that Windows Vista is a major, stable, and capabale upgrade to Windows XP. What gives Vista improvements and differences over existing and older Windows operating system? Let us take a look.





Aero
The Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been given a welcome facelift, in the form of semi-transparent windows,shading and border shadows, so now it does not look as horrible as it used to look next to the GUI of OSX.
It should provide a much more pleasant experience when using Windows.

Integrated Search

This feature is meant to replace the slow and clunky way that users of older Windows operating systems used to find files with a lightning fast search engine that returns results on the fly.

Built in diagnostics
A usefull feature that runs a diagnostics on hard drives and memory in an attempt to warn users before it actually happens.
into OSX quite some time ago.

Flip 3D

This is something like an upgraded version of the Alt-Tab shortcut. It is supposed to give users a quick overview of the currently open windows so that users can find their way around
the mess of half-forgotten opened windows.

Security upgrades

Windows Vista has had an all levels security upgrade to it, in a step to beef up security of Windows. Windows Vista was designed with security in mind so that it will be able to turn the tide against
public perception that all Windows operating system are plaque with bugs and viruses.

New Mail/Calender/Photo gallery/DVD maker
Some new basic utilities have been added to this new release of Windows.


Though many of these features are new and appear innovative to current Windows users, many of these features were already implemented into OSX quite sometime ago. For example, OSX already had an
integrated search in the form of Spotlight, which in my opinion much better than the integrated search in Windows Vista. I for one will not be upgrading to Vista until all various kinks and bugs
have been straightened out.