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Tuesday, June 2
VISTA SERVICE PACK 2 ROLLS INTO STATION
With Vista service pack 1 having arrived just over a year ago, it’s surprising that Microsoft have released the beleaguered operating system’s second service pack with such efficiency. The beta version of Vista SP2 has already been available for nearly 6 months, allowing Microsoft plenty of time to address toothing problems. This latest service pack doesn’t come stuffed to the gills with new features, however, and seems to only include various fixes and updates released since service pack 1.
While there may not be much in the way of new features there are great improvements in the wifi, Bluetooth and Blu-Ray support, allowing users fortunate enough to own Blu-Ray hardware to finally record with Blu-Ray media.
Anyone wanting to upgrade should be aware that if they are currently running the SP2 beta it will need to be removed before installation. SP1 must also already be installed. The release will at first be limited to just five languages - English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese - with 31 other languages to follow at an as-yet unknown point. Automatic upgrades to the new service pack will begin in June and those unwilling to upgrade at this point can block the auto-update as they could with SP1.
(Source: The Register)
Epicentre Says:
“The service pack 2 upgrade will surely benefit many users, offering them greater connectivity and media production than has previously been possible. Despite this, with little in the way of new features included, the upgrade may not seem entirely necessary for many. Early adopters are encouraged to vigorously check for any compatibility issues that this new service pack may trigger.”
Tuesday, December 23
VISTA SP2 BETA OPENS UP
After announcing the initial Beta release of Vista SP2 to a small group of tech developers back in October, Microsoft are now widening availability to anyone interested in trying out the service pack in their development environment before SP2 is fully rolled out in 2009. The beta release is intended for technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT Pros who want to try out their applications under Vista SP2 prior to final release. MS recommend that most customers should wait until final release before installing the service pack.
(Source: The Windows Blog)
Epicentre Says:
“As recommended, this version of SP2 is intended to help Microsoft iron out any outstanding problems via testing feedback and for developers to ensure that major issues don’t arise when the final release of Vista SP2 is made available to the public in the first half of 2009. At this stage, it would be unwise to install SP2 Beta on anything other than development test kits.”
Thursday, November 20
WINDOWS VISTA DIFFERENCES
Microsoft’s latest Windows operating system is available in five different editions ranging from Vista Home Basic to Ultimate. The idea behind the range is to give users a choice depending on whether they use their PC for basic home entertainment tasks or business productivity applications. To help illustrate the main differences between the versions, see our attached features table.(Source: Microsoft Windows Vista)
Epicentre Says:
“Although uptake of Vista has been slow to start with, the majority of new PCs will now be pre-installed with the OS so it’s important to check your software will run without issues. At Epicentre, we can test your software against the complete range of Microsoft, Apple and Linux operating systems.”
Wednesday, November 12
RINGING IN THE NEW WITH VISTA SP2
The second service pack for Microsoft’s Windows Vista Operating System should be available early next year, according to industry sources. As well as all the usual fixes and patches the pack is expected to offer new features for both the Vista OS and Windows Server 2008, including extra support for cutting-edge hardware like Bluetooth Wireless and Windows Search 4 for improved search functionality.
(Source: ars technica)
Epicentre Says:
“Microsoft seem confident that Vista’s new service pack will address all of the most serious issues reported to service desks since the original OS’s release; with any luck, then, Vista will soon be almost as stable as XP. But by then we’ll have Windows 7 to worry about…!”
Thursday, August 28
VISTA: UPTURN IN DOWNGRADES
A recent survey suggests that around 35% of PCs shipped within the last six months were downgraded from Vista to XP – either by vendors eager to distance themselves from the troubled OS or by users desperate to escape its many bizarre bugs and compatibility issues.
The survey, conducted by Devil Mountain Software, will come as yet another blow to consumer confidence in Vista, at a time when Microsoft appears to be shifting its PR focus from Vista damage limitation to the promotion of its next OS, Windows 7.
(Source: The Register)
Epicentre Says:
“It’s hard to believe that Microsoft is already promoting its next OS when the last one is still surrounded by confusion and distrust. Still, maybe next time around they’ll allocate more time and money to testing and usability studies.”
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