Apps not 'certified' for Vista may still work on the OS
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(InfoWorld) - Although some widely used applications from top software vendors haven't been certified for use with Windows Vista, they may nonetheless work with the MicrosoftÂ OS. Major applications from Symantec, Adobe Systems, Apple, and IBM aren't included on an official Microsoft list of applications that qualify for a "Certified for Windows Vista" or "Works with Windows Vista" logo. However, chances are they could currently be involved in the testing process to achieve those logos, Microsoft and its partners said. That's the case with Symantec's security products, according to a company spokesman. Though Symantec's software is not listed on the site as having achieved either of those designations, company spokesman Mike Bradshaw said Wednesday that Symantec's Norton 360, Norton Antivirus, and Norton Internet Security are already compatible with Vista. "It's just a matter of paperwork," he said. The products are going through a lengthy certification process and should be eligible for the label soon. Adobe's Acrobat Reader 8.0 also runs on Vista even though it is not listed on Microsoft's site as one of those applications certified for or working with Vista, according to Adobe spokesman Matt Rozen. Tom Caputo, group product manager on the Windows Vista partner team, said the list of vendors that have applications that have achieved either the "Certified for" or "Works with" Windows Vista designations is by no means the entire list of applications that actually work on Vista now. There are about 800 applications on that list, but "tens of thousands of applications" already can run on Vista, he said. "The goal of the logo programs is to give ISVs the opportunity to indicate to their compatibility status to the market using those two logos," he said. That said, there are still applications from top vendors that aren't available in a full compatible version for Vista, such as iTunes from Apple and Lotus Notes from IBM, among others. And according to some, this lack of compatibility is making it difficult to use Vista as their full-time OS. Microsoft blogger Chris Pirillo, founder of the Lockergnome technology portal, described the lack of compatibility with applications and hardware devices in a humorous blog entry "Windows Vista: Why I'm Breaking Up With You." The entry describes how Pirillo will "upgrade" from Vista to XP because he couldn't get some devices and applications he needs on a daily basis -- such as the software for his HP Laserjet 3052 scanner or his IPFax software-- to work on the new Windows client OS. "I gave Vista a real chance," he wrote. "I just can't use it as my primary OS anymore.... I'm still more than willing to help Microsoft improve Windows and get the message out to users, but I simply can't sacrifice my own time and productivity without benefits in clear sight. I'm begging Microsoft and all of my hardware and software vendors to make Windows better for me."
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Microsoft is fighting back against those attempting to distribute a cracked version of Windows Vista. It has issued an update to detect use of a tampered build which mixed files from test and final versions of the OS.
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The software maker erroneously posts a note on its developer site saying a "release candidate" version of the Vista service pack was being made available. Microsoft does plan one eventually, but it's not imminent.
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Microsoft&#39;s Virtual PC software has been lauded by critics as a convenient way for Mac users to run Windows applications on their Macs, but what if you need to do the opposite?
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Vista's bug count so far is OK with the Windows security manager.
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Now that Vista and Office 2007 are officially out the door, Windows enthusiasts have been busy scrounging up what they can about the next versions of both products. Not much has turned up besides code-names and potential features, but a number of blog posts prompted Microsoft to say publicly that it's not saying anything.
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Tycho:  If you would like to know if the iPhone is great, well, it is great.  Worth waiting in line?  There's no question.  Yes, once you realize that iTunes simply doesn't work correctly on 64-bit Vista, and once you agree to eject yourself from your negotiated Business Plan and pay twenty times more, you will be able to see a map that displays nearby sushi.
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A pilot program at the Microsoft Download Center will require users to validate their Windows license in exchange for access to file downloads. Users with counterfeit software may find themselves locked out altogether.
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While Gates closes up on Â£ for $ pricing Two controversial aspects of Microsoft's Vista were conspicuous by their absence at yesterday's launch event - neither digital rights management nor the way Microsoft will shut down or reduce the functionality of software it considers to be an illegal copy were mentioned.â¦
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InfoWorld - Although Microsoft may not have the first service pack for Windows Vista ready at the end of this year as some expected, financial analysts say that a delay should not have a negative effect on enterprise adoption of the OS.
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(InfoWorld) - AfterÂ several delays, it appears Microsoft may get theÂ next generation of its Windows operating system to customers according to its current schedule. As was expected, the company made Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 available on Friday, which means the OS is in its final round of bug fixes and tweaks before it will be ready for release to the general public. Windows Vista RC1 is available to TechBeta and Technology Adoption Program (TAP) program subscribers Friday, but MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) and TechNet subscribers won't get the OS until next week, Microsoft said. Microsoft has said since March that Vista will be available to business users in November and consumers in January 2006. With the last major upgrade to Windows, Windows XP, it was about two months between RC1 and the product's release to manufacturing. If Vista follows a similar schedule, with RC1 out Friday, the release to manufacturing -- and a release to business customers -- could happen as soon as early November. OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) typically need about six weeks to get the OS installed and tested on PCs before putting those machines on the market. If Windows Vista makes it to manufacturing by the end of November, it could hit its January release date for consumers. Online retailer Amazon.com isÂ already taking pre-orders for Vista, and has listed availability of the OS as Jan. 30, 2007 on its Web site. In a letter to TechBeta subscribers on Friday, Jim Allchin, Microsoft co-president of the Platforms and Services Group, thanked them for their support and feedback, and mentioned several improvements to the OS that have been made since Beta 2 was released in May. "Weâve made some UI [user interface] adjustments, added more device drivers and enhanced performance," Allchin wrote in the letter. He added that Microsoft will continue to work on Vista's "application compatibility, as well as fit and finish" until its release to manufacturing, which is yet to be determined. Allchin also advised ISVs (independent software vendors) to use RC1 to certify its applications to run on Windows Vista, and asked for more feedback from testers to improve the OS before its final release. "Windows Vista is going to touch hundreds of millions of lives all around the world," he wrote. "Thanks for everything youâre doing to help us give them the best experience possible." Allchin's letter is available on theÂ Windows Vista team blog .
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Many security software vendors have yet to make some or all of their products available on Windows Vista, which includes new features that are complicating the task of porting the tools to the operating system.
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InfoWorld - Although some widely used applications from top software vendors haven&#39;t been certified for use with Windows Vista, they may nonetheless work with the Microsoft&#160;OS.
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If you're hesitant about making the leap to Windows Vista, expect a hassle trying to find a Windows XP PC on store shelves.
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For a lot of users, the cost of upgrading to Windows Vista could be the first of many outlays needed to bring their system up to date. You've also got to update all those programs -- and a lot of vendors may not offer free compatibility updates.
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If you're putting Vista on a PC yourself, you need to read this.
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InfoWorld - The honeymoon ended early for Microsoft's Vista operating system, after word spread Wednesday about a flaw that could allow remote attackers to take advantage of the new operating system's speech recognition feature.