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Vista is 'more secure' says Gates
BBC ^ | Tuesday, 30 January 2007, 15:33 GMT | BBC Staff

Posted on 01/30/2007 1:08:55 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach

Vista is 'more secure' says Gates

Bill Gates


Windows Vista is "dramatically more secure than any other operating system released", Microsoft founder Bill Gates has told BBC News.

Mr Gates said the security features in the new operating system were reason enough to upgrade from Windows XP.

Microsoft launched Vista in London, with more than 100m computers predicted to be using it within 12 months.

Mr Gates also defended the pricing of Vista, which is twice as expensive in Europe compared to the US.

The technology leader called the launch a "big day" that would bring a new digital workstyle and lifestyle.

HAVE YOUR SAY

I beta tested Vista and, yes, it pushes a few of my buttons

Gordon MacDonald, Hawkinge


The new operating system (OS) boasts an improved interface and security tools.

Mr Gates said security in Vista would mean it would be "much, much harder" for malicious hackers to attack computers running the operating system.

"For anybody worried about safety, whether it is phishing or malware or parental control type issues, Vista brings that to a whole new level of capability," he added.

Security analysts have praised the improved tools in Vista but many feel that holes in the operating system eventually will be exposed and that Microsoft will continue to need to update it through online patches.

WHAT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM?

It is the program which manages the hardware and software resources on a computer.
It also forms a platform on top of which other programs can run.

Microsoft will come under fire if Vista proves to be the popular target of malicious hackers exploiting flaws, said David Mitchell, the software practice leader at analysts Ovum.

"It's crucial for corporate reputation and revenue that Vista proves more secure and stable than XP," he said.

Not all PCs will be able to run Vista - Microsoft recommends machines have at least 512Mb of RAM, a 800Mhz processor and 15Gb of hard disk space.

Microsoft has pledged to continue support for XP users until 2011.

The company launched Vista for business users two months ago. Now Vista has been released to consumers, who can buy four home versions.

There is also a stripped down version of the OS, Vista Starter, which is aimed at customers in developing countries. It will be available in 70 languages and will run on slower and older PCs.

VISTA PC SPECIFICATIONS

VISTA CAPABLE

800MHz processor

512Mb memory

DirectX9 capable graphics processor

PREMIUM READY

1Ghz processor

1Gb memory

128Mb graphics memory

40Gb hard drive

DVD-ROM

Internet access


But Microsoft could face a backlash from consumers over its pricing plans - with the cost of Vista versions in the US roughly half the price of equivalent versions in the UK.

Prices for the OS in the UK range from about £100 for an upgrade version of the Basic package to £249 for a copy of the upgrade to the Ultimate version of Vista.

In the US prices start from $100 (£52) for an upgrade of Vista Home basic to $249 (£127) for the equivalent Ultimate version.

Mr Gates defended Microsoft's pricing plans: "We try to keep our prices largely in line from country to country... but with price you do generally get some things that get a bit out of alignment as currencies go up and down.

"Our goal across our product line is to largely have a global way of looking at things."

Mr Mitchell said there was pent up consumer demand for Vista.

VISTA HOME VERSIONS

Vista desktop - aero interface

Home Basic - improved search and security but no Aero interface (pictured)

Home Premium - As above but with Aero, Media Center options, back-up tools, DVD burning software

Vista Ultimate - All home and business features, plus a series of downloadable Ultimate Extras


"In the consumer space there has not been any new release of a Windows operating system for five years," he said.

Ovum predicts that 15% of XP machines will be running Vista by the end of 2007.

"Part of the appetite is 'something new for something new's sake'," said Mr Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell predicted that the new graphical interface, called Aero, improved desktop search tools and a promise of more robust security would appeal to many users.

But he predicted some consumers could be confused by the minimum specifications for PCs to run Vista and by the different versions on sale.

Users can visit the Microsoft website to check if their hardware will run Vista and some new machines are being labelled Vista Capable or Premier Vista Ready, for those PCs with higher specifications.

"There's been an attempt to demystify what the minimum specifications are," said Mr Mitchell.

"Undoubtedly some people - as in any industry - won't read the instructions."

In his interview with the BBC Mr Gates also predicted that school children would be using tablet PCs rather than text books in 10 years time.

"We will have an inexpensive tablet-like device that lets the teachers customise things.

We enjoy having them in the business

Bill Gates on Apple's iPhone

"Hopefully the cost of that isn't much more than textbooks have been so that's a big change."

He also welcomed the arrival of Apple's iPhone into the market calling it "a great new entrant"

"What we are seeing for all these products is that software is increasingly important. If you look at a phone of five years ago it was really about the hardware only.

"But now as you are browsing and managing your calendar and having lots of music or photos, the software is the thing that counts and there are very few companies to do great software."

Microsoft produces software which runs on millions of mobile phones and portable devices.

He added: "We enjoy having them [Apple] in the business."




TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: chromeplatedturd; microsoft; operatingsystems; vista; windowsvista
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1 posted on 01/30/2007 1:08:59 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

More secure....than what?........


2 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:20 PM PST by Red Badger (Rachel Carson is responsible for more deaths than Adolf Hitler...............)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

ROFL.

I have a bridge in Brookly that's available for a good price.


3 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:23 PM PST by garyhope
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

I believe Gates as much as I believe Baghdad Bob


4 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:28 PM PST by JohnSheppard
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Vista is "more secure". My doghouse is more secure. Tell me there's more Bill.


5 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:36 PM PST by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: rdb3; chance33_98; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Bush2000; PenguinWry; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; ...

6 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:37 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

over/under on first major hack within 2 weeks?


7 posted on 01/30/2007 1:10:58 PM PST by pipecorp ( Al Lahsucks boat steersman hell)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Is this an Onion article?

MS Vista, secure? (chokes with laughter)

Wasn't this hacked 'before' release?

I'll stick with Knoppix, thanks.


8 posted on 01/30/2007 1:11:17 PM PST by ASOC (The phrase "What if" or "If only" are for children.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

It's more secure because now they know how long your porno videos are.

And who stars in them, where they were filmed, and who put them on the Internet in the first place.

If you enjoy freedom, boycott Windows Vista.


9 posted on 01/30/2007 1:11:30 PM PST by wastedyears ( "Gun control is hitting your target accurately." - Richard Marcinko)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Vista is so wonderful that when my current PC craps out I'm getting a Mac.


10 posted on 01/30/2007 1:12:27 PM PST by Rudder
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Hackers will break the code in six months and eliminate Microsoft's carefully wrought DRM licensing scheme in half that time. Secure, indeed.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

11 posted on 01/30/2007 1:12:52 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: wastedyears
If you enjoy freedom, boycott Windows Vista.

That's the real rub. In order to protect the movie studios, personal privacy is out the window, so to speak.

12 posted on 01/30/2007 1:13:24 PM PST by Always Right
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
More secure for the music (exploitation of artists) industry.

Less secure for the poor sucker who bought the op-sys for hard cash only to have it lock him out of resources he paid for, because of some imagined DRM threat.

13 posted on 01/30/2007 1:13:56 PM PST by capt. norm (Liberalism = cowardice disguised as tolerance.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

It'll be secure from everybody but Microsoft. This thing is going to be incredibly invasive, there's been several threads here recently talking about just what the EULA for Vista lets Microsoft do. That's up to and including having the OS delete what *IT* considers to be "malicious" programs off your computer. It also has the "phone-home" XP-style validation that you have to do if you make major changes to your PC's components.

If I didn't need Windows for a few games, and IE for one particular web app that I run from home occasionally, I'd go Linux in a heartbeat. Vista's going to be buggy, bloated, invasive, and massively overpriced--$200 for a single operating system license for a home PC that only costs around $1000?

}:-)4


14 posted on 01/30/2007 1:14:04 PM PST by Moose4 (I don't speed in Durham--if I get pulled for 65 in a 55, Mike Nifong'll have me doing 15 to life.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
"Part of the appetite is 'something new for something new's sake'," said Mr Mitchell.

Which, if true, is really really pathetic.

15 posted on 01/30/2007 1:15:02 PM PST by SteveMcKing
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To: All
Well.....Gates is in sell mode....

Available by internet here:

Newegg---Today's Operating Systems Deals

16 posted on 01/30/2007 1:16:25 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The DemonicRATS believe ....that the best decisions are always made after the fact.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Windows Vista is "dramatically more secure than any other operating system that we have released"

Fixed.

17 posted on 01/30/2007 1:16:35 PM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: SteveMcKing
Let's see: bloatware written for machines that have yet to be built to run it, that comes with plenty of eye candy but comes with a lot of content restrictions and installation limitations. If you go for that kind of thing, Vista's your next-generation operating system.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

18 posted on 01/30/2007 1:18:03 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
VISTA CAPABLE

800MHz processor

512Mb memory

BULL$#|T!

19 posted on 01/30/2007 1:20:28 PM PST by Jaxter ("Vivit Post Funera Virtus")
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To: Moose4

I read about that courtesy of a thread on here. Needless to say I won't EVER purchase Windows Vista or a computer with it as the OS.


20 posted on 01/30/2007 1:21:02 PM PST by wastedyears ( "Gun control is hitting your target accurately." - Richard Marcinko)
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