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While five years in the making, Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, is finally near. A Microsoft representative recently announced that the new OS will be available to business clients through its volume licensing program in November of this year, while consumer versions will follow in January.

When Vista -- once known by the codename "Longhorn" -- arrives, it will mark an end to the longest span ever between complete Windows upgrades. While rival Apple has been turning out new versions of its OS at a reliable pace, Vista has been plagued by delays as new features were added and older ones were scrapped. Microsoft is betting the delays have been worth it, claiming that the finished product will be more stable and feature packed than its predecessors.

There will actually be five flavors of Vista in the U.S., three for consumers and two for business. The consumer offerings include Vista Home Basic (safe, reliable, and simple), Vista Home Premium (with more mobile and entertainment options), and Vista Ultimate (like Home Premium, but with business features). The two business versions are Vista Business (with an emphasis on safety and security) and Vista Enterprise (for securing and deploying to large firms).

(A sixth version, Vista Starter, will be available only to emerging markets and is designed to help stem software piracy.)

To help you decide your own rollout plans, here's a preview of business version features that should make life easier for intranet professionals. Check back later and we'll let you know what else to expect from Vista as the launch date nears.

Search

The Windows search functionality that's now available as a free download will be improved and moved into the operating system, letting users search through their local files or even through the corporate intranet in seconds. Users won't need to call up an Internet browser to search through your intranet, but will be able to do so directly from the desktop. The search should index attached files, as well. This integrated desktop search will work for Internet queries, as well.

Windows Explorer will now include a toolbar that allows you to perform the following: instant search, navigation, command bar, live icons, preview pane, reading pane, and enhanced address bar.

Spyware protection

If you're responsible for managing all your office's PCs, you know how hard it is to keep spyware off of your network. For that reason alone you'll want to upgrade, gaining spyware prevention that some would say should have been built into Windows long ago.

Vista will reduce spyware in three ways. First, it will require users to authorize program installations, so that malware apps can't install themselves in secret. Users could still allow dangerous software by accident, but this will give them a heads-up that something is being loaded onto their systems. Second, the browser will now only be able to write to a temporary code folder unless it gets special permission. This will prevent sneaky installs that ride on Web pages. And third, a utility called Windows Defender will regularly scan the system for spyware and will update itself with new spyware definitions.

Phishing protection

The installed version of the Internet Explorer browser will use a whitelist to keep track of sites that are safe from phishing traps, and will let you know when a page might not be secure.

Handwriting recognition

If your job has you roaming from workstation to workstation, you've probably already considered getting a tablet PC for ease of mobility. A feature in Vista will improve tablet handwriting recognition by letting you personalize the recognition alphabet, showing the computer how you write each letter.

Instant conferencing

There are no cables or networks needed with Vista's built-in collaboration tools, which let up to 10 people with mobile computers link up to create an ad hoc network, then view a presentation together or share resources. You'll be able to meet with clients in any spare office or coffee shop and not worry about how to connect.

Strong encryption

BitLocker, a feature in the Ultimate and Enterprise version of Vista, will let you encrypt all the data on your hard drive. You won't need to worry as much about lost or stolen notebooks when the drive is secured with BitLocker.

It appears that benefits of Vista should more than make up for the hassle of a company-wide rollout. Check back to see how the improvements pan out.

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Other Resources

from Intranet Journal

Intranet Journal Discussion Board Microsoft to Tackle Office 'Overload'

from JupiterWeb

Taking Vista for a Test Drive (CIO Update)

from the Web

Microsoft