New Windows operating system

[burton2019]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Microsoft announced Friday that it will call its next-generation operating system "Windows Vista."

The much-anticipated operating system had formerly been code-named "Longhorn."

Microsoft also unveiled the Windows Vista Web site and said the first beta test version of the system, which will be targeted at developers and IT professionals, will be available by Aug. 3. The system is scheduled to be released late next year.

Previous Windows releases have been named by year number or by a moniker -- such as Windows XP -- to describe the release itself.

But with Windows Vista, Microsoft wanted the name to focus more on the product, and how it brings clarity to users, said Greg Sullivan, group product manager at Microsoft.

"We each have our own unique view or vista of this digital world. Windows Vista is going to bring more clarity to that," he said.

Microsoft (Research) has promised that the new system will have several improvements, including better security features, more comprehensive search capabilities and a friendlier user interface.

Specific features include a new way to manage files involving the use of virtual folders, which will make storing and finding information easier, Sullivan said.

Several privacy capabilities, such as protected user accounts, have also been built into the new system, he said.

In a Microsoft video of the name announcement, the new system is described as "Clear. Confident. Connected."

Licenses for operating systems and related software still account for the majority of the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant's sales and operating profits.

[imported_mega]

Linux>Anything MS has ever made.

[Veritas]

I've been curious about linux for several years Mega...Isn't it a bit like having to relearn DOS??? How difficult is it to learn the commands?

[imported_mega]

linux in its current form is basically the same as windows but there are no known security issues at this point....they have the same programs as well, msoffice just named different, firefox as a browser, and about all the other programs are just knock off versions of windows programs as well, they even have an ipod program. Linux is extremely good, it doesnt use much harddrive space at all and its so quick and easy to install that it takes all of maybe 30 mins and that includes all drivers and programs. I guess if there is one negative to linux, it does take a little bit longer to boot up than windows. It goes through a series of checks that makes it a little slower, but to be honest, its a lot less buggy all the way around the board. Its nothing like DOS but it is behind windows in program development....Actually i cant even say that, but being that I havent used Linux a ton in my life, there is still alot that I dont know about it.....Best of all though, Linux is a free operating system, I think I paid like 10 dollars to get it on a disc but its distributed for free unlike a copy of windows xp(which i would never actually buy) will cost you a couple hundred dollars.