Microsoft released limited new version of Windows Vista and IE7,
Aimed primarily at developers, IT professionals and system builders, the beta period gives those audiences the opportunity to test the core OS technologies as well as provide Microsoft with feedback well in advance of the official release. Another, near feature-complete beta is currently being prepared.

While many new features will be put through their paces (virtual folders, search, Aero GUI, underlying XML to name a few), beta users will undoubtedly pay close attention to Vista’s security enhancements. According to Vista Web site, these include:

User Account Protection allows users to be productive and change common settings without requiring administrative privileges. This prevents users from making potentially dangerous changes to their computers, without limiting their ability to run applications.

Windows Vista’s anti-malware capabilities detect many types of potentially suspicious software and can prompt the user before allowing applications to make potentially malicious changes.

The new outbound filtering in the firewall provides administrative control over peer to peer sharing applications and other similar applications that businesses want to restrict.

Participants are also likely to take a particular interest in the state of security improvements within Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). The browser, which is integrated into the OS, has also been released as a standalone limited beta today for Windows XP SP2. IE7 upgrades include phishing and spoofing safeguards, a protected zone, as well as functional tweaks such as rendering engine refinements and support for newer Web standards and technologies.

Windows Vista is scheduled to ship in the latter part of 2006.

Posted by Dablu as Operating Systems at 8:07 AM PDT

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The $149 Computer-On-a-Stick is a USB flash drive with a bootable onboard Linux operating system and open source office suite.
A company called FingerGear announced today the release of its $149 Computer-On-a-Stick, which is a USB 2.0 flash drive complete with a bootable onboard Linux operating system and open source office suite.
The password-protected “computer” can be used with any Windows or Linux PC with a USB port, according to the company, and will store the user’s address book, emails, and office documents.

The office suite, developed by OpenOffice.org, is compatible with the most common Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

The Computer-On-a-Stick runs the Linux 2.6.x series kernel and Gnome desktop. It also includes the FireFox browser, a PDF Viewer and creator, a data compression utility, and an instant messaging program compatible with Yahoo IM, MSN Messenger, AIM, and Napster.

The device’s storage is divided into a “public” and a “private” partition. The “public” partition is accessible from Windows, Linux, and Macintosh PCs, making it easy to use the product as a standard flash drive for storing files. The “private” directory can only be accessed by booting from the device and after the user enters a login password.

Software bundled on the Computer-On-a-Stick fit easily withing the device’s 256 MB capacity, the currently available maximum. Higher capacities will be available later this quarter, according to a company press release.

It comes in blue, silver or clear and is available now.

Posted by Dablu as Operating Systems at 6:04 AM PDT

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REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. dropped the code name Longhorn on Friday, announcing the next version of its flagship Windows operating system will be called Windows Vista.

The world’s largest software maker also said it will release the first of two test versions to developers and information technology professionals by Aug. 3.

The company did not say when it expects to release a second test version to a broader audience, but said it remains on target to ship the oft-delayed update to Windows XP sometime in the second half of next year.

Microsoft gave an internal gathering of its employees in Atlanta the first word about the new name Thursday.

“The core idea around Windows Vista is bringing clarity to the user so they can focus on what matters most,” Brad Goldberg, general manager for Windows product management said Friday.

Vista’s features will include better ways to visualize data, such as seeing through windows that are stacked atop each other, more natural file organization and faster searching.

The operating system will also be designed to better protect computers against viruses and spyware.

Posted by Dablu as Operating Systems at 5:59 AM PDT

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