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Windows Vista, the long-awaited new operating system from Microsoft, is finally available to the public Tuesday after more than five years in the making.
With few stores staying open for midnight launches Tuesday, Microsoft said they wern't pushing the late-night events because, for the first time ever, Vista is also available by download.
With five years, $6 billion and 8,000 workers invested, the industry giant is hoping its slogan for Vista -- 'The "Wow" starts now' -- proves true.
"This 'Wow' thing is a great way of describing what we've got here," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates at a media launch event on Monday. "There are chances for wows all over the product."
The company is hoping the 'wows' will come from users impressed by Vista's 3D graphical user interface, quick search program and security features.
Another highlight of Vista is not having to search for minimized programs as live mini-previews of each window pop open when the cursor is moved along the task bar.
Vista also contains small programs known as gadgets which display headlines, weather, microprocessor loads and memory utilization.
Gates spoke Monday about Vista's importance saying that as the PC has evolved from a glorified typewriter to a networked entertainment system, personal media library and portal to the Internet, the operating system has become a crucial element.
"When people think about their PC, they think about Windows even more than who the manufacturer is. That determines how it looks, how you navigate, what the applications are that are available,'' said Gates.
Despite the buzz, Vista seekers should make sure that they have a fast enough computer to run Vista before installing it.
Even then, most security experts advise waiting to buy Vista because hackers will be trying to find holes in the new system.
"Microsoft owns 90 per cent of the operating system market and when you're big, you're a target... just by installing it you are going to be putting yourself in front of the firing squad that's going to be going after Microsoft," Digital Journal Editor-in-Chief Chris Hogg told CTV.ca.
Hogg suggests waiting at least a year until Vista gets the go-ahead from IT professionals and after patches have been released to fix any bugs.
Another reason PC users might not rush out to buy Vista is because they don't know which version they need. With six versions, choosing the right one may prove to be a daunting task.
At $299 retail, 'Vista Home Premium' will likely be the most popular as it features digital media capabilities that allows users to author DVDs and burn in high-definition.
The six versions are:
Windows Vista Starter is designed to allow families and new PC users to learn how to use computers to maximize educational benefits that PCs and the Internet have to offer.
Windows Vista Home Basic will cater to users who only browse the web or check email. (Upgrade: $129; Full Retail: $259)
Windows Vista Home Premium will add on to Basic by offering a whole bunch of digital media capabilities including DVD authoring software that lets users burn in high definition. (Upgrade: $179; Full Retail: $299)
Windows Vista Ultimate will take Home Premium and Business tools so that a user's PC can be geared toward use at work, home or when travelling. (Upgrade: $299; Retail: $499)
Windows Vista Business is the new version of XP Pro, but Goffe says the company learned that people didn't like the word "pro" in the title of the previous OS because it made small business think it would be too powerful or complicated. (Windows Vista Business: Upgrade: $249; Full Retail: $379)
Windows Vista Enterprise will cater to the more complex business segment that needs an OS that can mange complex IT structures and file management.
With few stores staying open for midnight launches Tuesday, Microsoft said they wern't pushing the late-night events because, for the first time ever, Vista is also available by download.
With five years, $6 billion and 8,000 workers invested, the industry giant is hoping its slogan for Vista -- 'The "Wow" starts now' -- proves true.
"This 'Wow' thing is a great way of describing what we've got here," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates at a media launch event on Monday. "There are chances for wows all over the product."
The company is hoping the 'wows' will come from users impressed by Vista's 3D graphical user interface, quick search program and security features.
Another highlight of Vista is not having to search for minimized programs as live mini-previews of each window pop open when the cursor is moved along the task bar.
Vista also contains small programs known as gadgets which display headlines, weather, microprocessor loads and memory utilization.
Gates spoke Monday about Vista's importance saying that as the PC has evolved from a glorified typewriter to a networked entertainment system, personal media library and portal to the Internet, the operating system has become a crucial element.
"When people think about their PC, they think about Windows even more than who the manufacturer is. That determines how it looks, how you navigate, what the applications are that are available,'' said Gates.
Despite the buzz, Vista seekers should make sure that they have a fast enough computer to run Vista before installing it.
Even then, most security experts advise waiting to buy Vista because hackers will be trying to find holes in the new system.
"Microsoft owns 90 per cent of the operating system market and when you're big, you're a target... just by installing it you are going to be putting yourself in front of the firing squad that's going to be going after Microsoft," Digital Journal Editor-in-Chief Chris Hogg told CTV.ca.
Hogg suggests waiting at least a year until Vista gets the go-ahead from IT professionals and after patches have been released to fix any bugs.
Another reason PC users might not rush out to buy Vista is because they don't know which version they need. With six versions, choosing the right one may prove to be a daunting task.
At $299 retail, 'Vista Home Premium' will likely be the most popular as it features digital media capabilities that allows users to author DVDs and burn in high-definition.
The six versions are:
Windows Vista Starter is designed to allow families and new PC users to learn how to use computers to maximize educational benefits that PCs and the Internet have to offer.
Windows Vista Home Basic will cater to users who only browse the web or check email. (Upgrade: $129; Full Retail: $259)
Windows Vista Home Premium will add on to Basic by offering a whole bunch of digital media capabilities including DVD authoring software that lets users burn in high definition. (Upgrade: $179; Full Retail: $299)
Windows Vista Ultimate will take Home Premium and Business tools so that a user's PC can be geared toward use at work, home or when travelling. (Upgrade: $299; Retail: $499)
Windows Vista Business is the new version of XP Pro, but Goffe says the company learned that people didn't like the word "pro" in the title of the previous OS because it made small business think it would be too powerful or complicated. (Windows Vista Business: Upgrade: $249; Full Retail: $379)
Windows Vista Enterprise will cater to the more complex business segment that needs an OS that can mange complex IT structures and file management.
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