An article by Joseph Moran suggests that it's been a long time coming, but it looks as if the new version of Microsoft Windows is finally just over the horizon. Microsoft's long-awaited and oft-delayed next-generation operating system Windows Vista, is due to go on sale late this year or early in 2007.

What's New :

Since Vista is still in beta, many of it's features are still evolving, and exactly which ones make it into which version of the product is also somewhat still up in the air.

Productivity :

Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of Windows Vista is it's revamped user interface, dubbed Aero. Aero's features which will vary depending on the graphics hardware your computer has include a host of attractive visual effects like windows with translucent menu bars. Vista includes other interface improvements as well, like the ability to see thumbnails of your open application windows when you put the cursor over Taskbar items or switch between programs using the Alt+Tab keys.

Vista's Start menu has also been overhauled and simplified so things are easier to find, and it no longer uses the word "Start". Searching your system has also been greatly improved in Vista. It's now highly integrated into the operating system, and you can much more easily search by keyword. You can also save your search results for later reference.

Security :

Most people would agree that keeping a Windows system protected from online threats is a major headache, so Vista incorporates a number of improved security features designed to allay those concerns. Vista's built-in firewall, for example, can monitor both outgoing and incoming network traffic, and Internet Explorer 7 adds a host of security improvements.Vista also includes a utility called Windows Defender to guard your system against spyware (though not viruses), and BitLocker, which can encrypt an entire hard disk to safeguard data when a system is lost, stolen or intentionally discarded.

The business versions of Windows Vista are scheduled for release in November, with the consumer versions following (relatively) close behind in January 2007.

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