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May 19, 2006

Windows Vista - here comes Beta 2 finally!

Microsoft is poised to release Windows Vista Beta 2 at the WinHEC conference next week, and then shortly after, should make it available to the public. Is it ready for prime time? Looking at the latest Tech Beta release, build 5381.1, there have certainly been some major improvements over some of the previous builds. The features are more complete, and as this last build was not even a CTP, it is expected to have some issues.

If Microsoft follows previous guidelines, hopefully the Beta 2 release will be the most stable and bug free release to date. This Beta release will certainly come under heavy scrutiny from the press and the public, so I really hope this is more ready for my machine. I just want to play games, watch TV, use the new Media Player, surf the web with better security. Oh yeah, I want my drivers to work, and most of my software to work as well. I don't think that's asking too much.

Of course I know that when I install Vista Beta 2 in my multi-boot configuration, I certainly won't be having to muddle through Microsoft's BCDEDIT to manage my boot entries - that is what VistaBootPRO is for. I was lucky enough to be able to help with the planning and testing of this software, and I must say that I have become quite attached to it - because it WORKS!

One litte rant from the latest news - I just have to laugh at Symantec. Talk about a power play. Of course they do stand to lose even more of their share of the security market, but perhaps if they focused instead on making software that was less bloated, consumed less resources, and actually worked the way the user wants it to, instead of trying to hold Microsoft hostage, they would be better off.

Posted by jrfree1 at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)