When an application requires the ability to write to the Program Files directory, Vista places those files into a virtual location in the user’s profile without the application ever knowing that this has happened. For example, let’s say there’s an application that needs to write to C:\Program Files\My Application\configuration.ini. In previous versions of Windows, unless the user explicitly has write access to that file or has administrative rights, the application may fail. In Vista, the OS will place the configuration.ini file in C:\Users\username\AppData\VirtualStore\Program Files\My Application\configuration.ini so that the application can write to the file without failing. The application won’t even know this has happened as Vista takes care of this all behind the scenes. This new feature makes an administrator’s life easier by being able to keep the Program Files directory secure.

Outlook is probably the most important of all the products in the Office Suite simply because it handles all your tasks and communications.  While Outlook’s interface hasn’t changed much, I do like the small differences that do exist.  I think the best part of the new Outlook interface is that on one screen, I can see my email, upcoming appointments and tasks.  In previous versions, I would have to open two windows to accomplish this.

One issue with Outlook is speed.  When you first setup Outlook, it is very, very slow.  This is because Outlook is going through all your email and cataloging it to make it faster for searching.   Once this has been completed, Outlook’s performance does pickup, but it is still a bit slow.

Now, in all fairness to Microsoft, I am using Beta code.  Once the final release is available to me, I am sure my opinion about Outlook’s speed will change.  But overall, I have to say that I am pleased with the new version with Office 2007.  Let’s see if I continue to say that after I start supporting it for our end users.

What’s your opinion?

Windows 98 was released in 1998 making the Operating System (OS) 8 years old at the time it was dropped. I for one am glad to see the old OS go. After all, most versions of Linux don’t stick around for more than 2 to 3 years. Okay, I know what all you Linux people are saying. You can upgrade the kernel of Linux for free where as with a Microsoft product; you have to spend money to get an upgrade. It’s actually worse than that. Windows XP probably won’t run on that old computer that you bought with Windows 98, so you’ll have to upgrade the hardware too.

So should Microsoft still support Windows 98 for those people that can’t afford to upgrade? I still say no. Anything older than 5 years needs to be retired. The reason simply put is security. For one, Windows 98 and Windows ME have virtually no security built into them. With that in mind, I think they should have been retired a long time ago. With the growing number of threats out there, it’s time for home users to either unplug from the Internet, or upgrade to a different OS (notice I didn’t say a Microsoft OS).

For those users that just simply can’t afford to upgrade, try Linux. While I usually recommend Debian for the server world, Ubuntu seems to growing in popularity, especially in areas where users are not technically savvy. I have downloaded and installed Ubuntu and found it surprisingly easy to install. If all you do is word processing, email and surfing the web, Ubuntu might be your “free” answer. If you are feeling adventuresome, check out Debian.

For more information about Microsoft dropping support of Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows XP SP1, please visit Microsoft’s web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx

For more information about Debian Linux, please visit: http://www.us.debian.org/

For more information about Ubuntu Linux, please visit: http://www.ubuntu.com/