The WOW Of Windows Vista

I hope everybody liked my previous post featuring Windows Vista. If anybody didn't like it, we always encourage comments so please send in your views through comments. If you are visiting this blog for the first time, my sincere advice to you will be to visit my Previous Post as you can find most of the features there.

Let me first summarize what I am going to write in this post. As Vista is a new operating system, there is a possibility that many of you do not have hands on experience on it. In this post, I will be describing some of the personalized, application specific features of Windows Vista which I didn’t write in my previous post. You will definitely find this very useful while working on Vista. The topics which I will be covering in this post are the Glass effect, Building RSS applications, User Account Controll, Programming controls, Restart & Recovery, Gadgets and Error reporting. I will also provide links to short duration videos about 10 min or less, in which you can see how these effects look in real time. Mind you, these videos are generated by Microsoft © 2006 , I am just providing the links to view them. So let’s not waste time and start . . . . .



Live Features Of Windows Vista



The best feature which I observed in vista is the drag and drop feature, to view a source code of an html or an XML file, you do not need to click on view source code option which you were doing in XP. Here you can just drag the icon and drop it on a code editor (mostly used is Microsoft Visual Studio) to view the source code.


Glass Effect

We all have noticed that there will be something new in every release of Microsoft’s Windows Operating Systems family. Same way Vista is know for its fast performance and graphical design. But apart from the internal features, Microsoft has worked hard to get that stunning look in this OS which makes it a Brand new piece in the software universe. The crystal effect or glass effect what ever you call it as is one of them, this feature allows you to see the background window with its contents while working on the top window. See how to Create Glass with C# in windows Vista. If you want to download this clip to view it offline Click Here


Building RSS Applications

Windows Vista comes with IE 7 as the default browser and the facility to create RSS feed reader API as mentioned in my previous post. Many companies found IE 7 to be in-compatible with their enterprise level applications like Citrix and few others but the main advantage of using IE 7 is, the RSS compatibility in it. All the internet surfers and casual users can take advantage of this feature, in which you can subscribe to multiple sites or blogs to get updated with their recent posts. See how you can Create RSS Feed API, but be careful when you are working with COM based API from .NET, release the objects if they are not in use. If you want to download this clip Click Here


Programming Controls

Program the Command Controls of Vista, you can create your own task dialogue boxes, save them so that they can be used further. Every thing is by programming the APIs. See how you can Create Dialogue Box. To download this clip, Click Here


User Account Controll

In vista, there is a secure feature called User Account control, this features allows the programs which need admin privileges to run in standard user account. As a result, making your system more secure and preventing the malicious codes to run on your computer if your account has admin privileges. See how this is coded using Microsoft Visual Studio. If you want to view this clip offline, you can Downloadthis clip.


Restart & Recovery

Now your applications are not vulnerable to system crash. When ever an application crashes, the session on which you are working is stored in a temporary file and then the internal system of the OS tries to restart your application. When your application is recovered and restarted, it will begin from where it has left before restarting. Isn’t this a great feature, look how this is programmed using Visual Studio here View this clip offline, Download it here


Gadgets Beauty

Vista is like a gadget guru for users who make use of gadgets a lot, it is in build with so many gadgets and gives the space to download others to add them on your desktop. If you have ever worked with Google Gadgets, you will understand the power of gadgets. In vista, you do not need any third party gadget application to decorate your desktop, Vista itself is a big gadget. See how you can Add Gadgets and modify them according to your use, to view this clip offline, Click Here



Error Reporting

Users who use Microsoft products hates to the wait and same does the developers of Vista. What do you do if you get a display on the task header of an application window as “applicaton (not responding)”? Hanged applications can be closed from the task dialogue box itself within no time, you don’t need to open task manager and kill that application to close it as you were doing in XP. As we all know the Microsoft keeps developing its own OS from time to time by releasing patches and updates to remove its vulnerabilities. This is done by taking suggestions from its users. By sending reports of your errors to Microsoft, you can help Microsoft in filling up the gaps in its softwares. In Vista there is a more advanced error reporting technology. Daniel Moth shows about Error Reporting and winqual technical support for Vista. To view it offline, you can Download it here.




Microsoft’s Web Castes

These free 90-minute webcasts provide an opportunity to interact with Microsoft subject matter experts, to view them you have to get registered with microsoft. Its free, so go ahead and make use of this useful resources.

1) Tips and tricks for targeting native APIs

2) Get your applications ready for Windows Vista

3) Build a sidebar gadget

A Brand New Operating System

Get Your Copy Of Office For Free !!!!!

At a launch event for Windows Vista, 2007 Microsoft Office System, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 you’ll be able to see how to build security-enhanced applications and help ensure reliability. You will learn, how to create engaging, visually stunning, and highly differentiated user interfaces, and how to build applications that connect users to each other and to their data, allowing them to visualize, share, and act on information. You will even receive a free copy of Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and Microsoft Office Groove 2007 at the event. So,go ahead Register today for MSDN event nearby you and get it for free.

Get Vista Tips From Professionals

As Vista is a new Operating system, it is common that we would face some difficulties in understanding it, even if we understand it, effecient utilization of this OS will be a challenge in the beginning. Are you facing any difficulty in using Vista ??? Get the Tips here. Read these tips to train yourself and your organization with tips on Vista from Microsoft.


As you all know that, in my Previous Blog I have promised to write the features of Vista , so get ready to experience the Brand.



Features Of Windows Vista



New Visuals And Display Technologies

Create experience with Windows Vista's new visuals and display technologies, such as Windows Presentation Foundation and XAML, make it simpler to create breakthrough user interfaces with less effort than ever before. Now, themes can be applied within the applications. The 3D design of the icons, a very different look, will make developers feel Vista a very different peace of software compare to others softwares; this can be done by user experience as XAML has replaced the procedural coding language. Existing message box is replaced with task dialogues. View the User Experience Guide here.


Connectivity Is Faster And Safer

Get connected to the network, whether it is a communication around the world or across the table, Windows Vista gives developers the ability to make applications connect faster and safer than it was before. Hosting web services is more flexible now. The token supported are "Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)", "Kerberos", "X.509", and "Username". Now you can register Multiple Names for a single computer using "Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP)." Support for next generation Internet protocols IPV6, the API’s in Vista make the developers build securing web services. Standard name resolution APIs, like "getaddrinfo", can be used to resolve their PNRP names. "Quality Windows Audio/Video Experience (qWAVE)" simplifies the user experience in today’s challenging network and multimedia applications; it is compliant with the "Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)" which can be extended to support future technologies from Microsoft like Microsoft’s proposed "Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)" and "QoS 2.0 messaging".


Auxiliary Display

Quick access to your important information using auxiliary display, the redesigned enhanced kernel power policy manager allows the system to make use of the power in an efficient manner. NLA2 (Network API2) provides a single place where an application can get all the network parameters for a computer and can inform the application of changes to the parameters and network context information.



Now your presentation can be written on a tablet pc, ink strokes can be converted to text.


Data Integration

In particular, the new XPS packages, XPS Document format, and RSS capabilities make it easier for developers to integrate their data and build more data-aware applications. The containers for application data are described by XML Paper Specification (XPS) this is used in vista in creating secure and digitally signed documents.The RSS Support in Windows Vista provides three basic platform services.


Using ClickOnce Utility

Using , ClickOnce you can deploy and update applications to your clients through the Web, or a file share. You can deploy new versions of the applications by copying them to the install points. Clients will receive this version when they next start the application. One of the most important features is about MSI and User Account Protection (UAP). More importantly, Windows Vista makes it easier to create applications that deploy more securely, without requiring users tohave Administrator privileges.


No Need To Re-Boot After Deploying Patches

Now there is no need to re-boot your system after applying patches or updates. Windows Vista provides developers with a set of tools for creating applications that will help optimize system stability and performance.The Windows Feedback Platform (WFP) supports error handling for application crashes and hangs they provide reporting and customer response management for these errors. Developers can view crash and hang Trends by volume and growth over time, download end-user report files such as Mini Dumps, subscribe to events such as Security related issues with their applications, and register responses to connect to their solutions for their customers. With Windows Vista, it is easier for developers to improve their Product Quality , inter anonymous application state information, and connect with their customers, whether they are IT pros or end users, through the Developer Portal for Windows Feedback Platform services.


User Account Control

User Account Control is a collection of technologies in Windows Vista that enables users to run as standard users, with low privilege, while still being able to perform common tasks and enjoy high application compatibility. Download the Standard User Analyzer tool which is used by developers to analyze their code for UAC compliance by using Visual Studio tools . Keep in mind that UAC compliance is all about least privilege. Learn more on how to build User Account Control compliant applications. To ensure the health and security of a network, particularly one supporting roaming computing and the attachment of portable devices, Windows Vista provides the Network Access Protection (NAP) framework. Developers who have prepared their applications for the release of Windows Vista can take advantage of these features to help keep their customers secure and to keep their applications running smoothly.

Vista is all set to be crowned.

Bill Gates Celebrates Worldwide General Availability of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System

January 29, 2007

1:45 p.m. PST / 4:45 p.m. EST

From Times Square in New York City, join Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates for a live webcast celebrating the worldwide launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System. The celebration pays tribute to the millions of Microsoft customers, partners and product testers around the world who provided input and feedback on these products -- helping Microsoft transform the way people communicate, create and share content, and access information and entertainment in the new digital age.


To view on demand webcaste, click here

Visit my next blog for features of vista.

Networking World

Networking is the most important part of IT business, infact most of the business relay to their network connectivity for production. And you see, networking is the most complex but an easy to do job of system Administrator

Easy Job ! ! ! !


Networking is the most complex part

Networking is the most complex part as, it requires lot of calculations (not Maths, but logical calculations). A network administrator must be very careful while patching network cables in hub room ( In MNC's, there will be a seperate room called hub room where all the network cables are terminated which inturn goes to server room lets not get into these details. ). As it is a live business, the network folks must be very careful, somebody might be accessing a very important application when his respective network cable is accidently un-plugged from the switch.


Networking is an easy to do job of system administrator

Yes, networking is an easy job, provided if you maintain all the records in text sheets. All the switch configurations must be saved in a text file and backed up at some safe location. All the ip address ranges assigned to a perticular switch must be pasted in the hub rooms, so that it will be easy for the folks who does patching.


Guide to Network Performance Management

Keeping a close eye on your network performance and throughput is critical. But, as your network grows, managing it becomes more complex. This guide introduces you to the best performance management practices to follow, the pitfalls to avoid and provides troubleshooting help & advice for monitoring and maintaining your network. Also, you'll find articles, tutorials, tips, tools, white papers, expert advice and more to pump up your network monitoring and diagnostic know-how quickly. Get Your Network Running Better Than Ever!