A window into Vista

Representatives from Microsoft Corporation gave UB a taste of the future of Windows this past Tuesday. During the Windows Vista Pre-Launch event, 230 students, integrated technology (IT) professionals and local software vendors were able to learn about the new operating system's features and network with each other.

Microsoft Student Partners Program, infoTech Niagara, UB and the Management Information Systems Association sponsored the presentation.

"The event was a huge success," said Karthik Kathiresan, Microsoft Ambassador and a junior computer science and engineering major.

According to John Rajunas, Microsoft's senior technology specialist, the long awaited Windows Vista program will be available to the public at the end of January.

The up-and-coming "people ready" operating system is guaranteed to make computers faster, easier to use and more efficient, according Gus Weber, regional academic relations manager for the corporation.

"The goal is to have technology benefit the user without them knowing it," he said.

Windows Vista was formulated to reach this goal by focusing on two specific points, performance and security. The inconsistency of the current way Windows uses memory is a problem that results in slowness, he said.

This problem fueled curiosity about Vista for some students.

"I was interested in how Vista implants and uses memory, because that's what I found most annoying about Windows XP," said Sean Buddy, a senior computer science major.

Performance will be enhanced by optimizing memory usage. The proactive "Superfetch" technology will allow uploads from the cache memory as much as possible, because it's faster and more efficient than uploading from the disk. "Superfetch" observes usage patterns to speed the uploading process.

According to Weber, if a user logs on to the Internet, Word and Outlook every morning at a certain time, Vista will upload these programs beforehand so they're already in the cache memory by the time the user is ready to open them. This is what allows the computer to run noticeably faster, he said.

In addition, the new system makes it easy to extend memory by plugging in a USB drive. Vista also supports other performance technologies such as ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive. ReadyBoost supports the computer's infrastructure by relieving memory pressure. ReadyDrive allows for a faster boot and hibernate to resume transition, which is especially important for laptop notebooks.

According to Weber, Vista can only make computers more secure. The program detects network changes and sorts them based on three categories: domain, private and public. Then, it examines all of them and changes the security settings accordingly.

Vista also addresses wireless network security.

"If someone connects to your wireless network, you can check their computer to make sure they have up to date virus programs," Rajunas said. This will enable users to choose who can use their network.

The presentation also gave an overview of the upcoming Microsoft Office 2007. According to Rajunas, it was formulated to simplify computer use, while still providing more options than ever - over 5,000 to be exact. He calls this "productivity software."

"It's about helping people meet their goals," he said.

The events are also a way for students to become more aware of current software.

"I'm going to be in IT after I graduate, so I want to know the features of the new Vista so I'll be able to help people troubleshoot," Buddy said.

The "hugely hyped" operating system is sure to become a standard in computer software, Kathiresan said. "It's taking customer interaction with the computer to the next level."

Rajuna believes that change is necessary with time so current needs can be met.

"Software can empower you to reach your full potential," he said. "Software needs to change; software needs to evolve."

Computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering students can download Vista for free by subscribing to the Microsoft listserv or emailing an administrator of Microsoft's Academic Alliance Program, including Kathiresan. Vista will be available for purchase at UB Micro at a discounted price once it's released, according to Kathiresan.