what is windows vista?
535670
Windows Vista is the next version of the Windows operating system after XP.  It is due to be released early in 2007 and is currently in limited beta testing.  It was intended to be released before the end of this year, but instead it is delayed to 1Q 2007.  Instead PC manufacturers will be selling 'Vista Capable' machines with a little Vista sticker and possibly a free upgrade with the PC.\n\nThe main features are added security, new hardware accelerated translucent UI, new digital rights management, etc.  You can read more about it on the Microsoft website.\n\nI'm currently running the beta version and so far I'm intrigued but not necessarily sold on everyone needing the new version.  It requires that you have a video accelerator as a minimum to do most things, and a relatively fast processor.  Most likely you'll need new hardware to run it unless you bought your PC very recently.
827348
You need a gig of RAm to run Windows Vista...download the Beta here (you have to burn it to a disk)...\nhttp://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/downloads/default.aspx\nOtherwise, you can download over fifteen different Windows operating systems here...\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/products/info/default.aspx?view=22&pcid=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df
65588
I tried Windows Vista.  I think it is better to wait for a sp to install vista. Most improvements made on Vista were on the Interface (how it looks) rather than features and stability.  Therefore I think I will stick to Windows XP.  You can also get the nice vista theme on XP using programs such as WindowBlinds 5 without slowing down your computer.  The biggest problem of Vista is compatibility problems.
68471
vista is in beta now. you can use the technology previews of the different vista technologies (winfx, indigo etc) but it will help mostly developers and not end users. go to msdn.microsoft.com and search its downloads section.
1086808
Download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft website. Then install it onto your computer. Run the application and it will let you know if your current good machine is good enough to run Vista.\n\n\nNote: Vista will be available in 5 flavours. Basic to Premium.
243077
1st. windows vista will take some more time , its not yet available , also with that ram even xp-sp2 is not enough
117683
Software that you install onto your pc.  \n\nLike, Windows.
988488
I am running Vista Beta2, and are very satisfied with the whole consept. I would recommend it for all. The biggest change that is the security issues,which you may change. The desktop is great!
1182059
Windows Vista is the latest release of microsofts OS series. Now you can only find the beta version, later on jan or feb2006 it should be ready.
306860
Its a virtual floppy disc drive.\n\nYour HDD is partitioned with a blank 1.4Mb section so that when WIndows does its patented "accessing the floppy drive and making a weird noise for no apparent reason other than to irritate the user" function it has something to grind on.\n\nMicrosoft took this approach because removing that particular user irritation function would have required the entire code to be re-written on a more stable platform such as UNIX.\n\nRumour has it that Windows Vista will remove the need to access the virtual floppy disk drive and that is why it has been taking so long to release it.\n\nBut you wait... Vista has a whole suite of newly developed user-irritation functions that you are sure to enjoy!
72567
Windows Vista is the next version of Microsoft Windows operating system, superseding Windows XP. It was previously known by its codename Longhorn, after the Longhorn Saloon, a popular bar in Whistler, British Columbia (see the other Microsoft codenames). The name "Vista" was unveiled on July 22, 2005. According to sources, the scheduled release date for Windows Vista is July 23, 2006. That release date is only scheduled for PC vendors so that systems will be made Vista-ready before Christmas. The general public availability is projected to be around late September to early October 2006, five years after the release of Windows XP, making this the longest time span between releases of desktop versions of Microsoft's Windows operating system.
377377
windows 2003 is for servers. vista will be for home computers . like xp and of course there will be a pro version as well.
11570
The latest commercially available version of Windows is Windows XP Service Pack 2. As mentioned above, the next generation of Windows, Windows Vista, is currently in beta testing, but is not available to the general public. The last reports I saw had it due out for general sale in mid-to-late 2006.
254038
It's slated to be released in late 2006 or early 2007. I'd bet late 2006, around the same time Windows Vista will be released.
1033012
Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta to help get your PC ready for Windows Vista.\n\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx
426834
Windows Vista is currently scheduled to be released to the broad public in January 2007.  Apple is currently offering a program named Boot Camp that will allow Apple users to load Windows XP on their system in addition to Apple's operating system.  As of yet, the Apple/Mac operating system or software cannot be used on a PC.  The exception is software that Apple develops for both PC and Mac use, such as iTunes and QuickTime.
680152
Windows Vista is the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Just like Windows 98 replaced Windows 95 and Windows XP replaced Windows 2000/ME/etc., Windows Vista will replace Windows XP. And soon too.  It is supposed to release in January 2007.\n\nWhat is so special about it?  That depends on what you are looking for in an operating system.  The short answer, for home users, is the graphics capabilities will make it possible for software developers to create "eye candy" for users.  Things like 3D effects, transparencies, etc...  Add to the visualization, a new version of Internet Explorer (tabbed browsing. think Firefox.) and huge improvements to searching the contents of your hard drive and in my opinion most Windows users are going to find the upgrade useful.  \n\nThat being said, Mac OS X users are likely to point out that Mac has had these features for a while now. To each their own.\n\nIf you would like a more independent approach to Vista and it's new features, check out the entry in Wikipedia.  It is a pretty good one.