Menu
30/01/2007
Microsoft Vista goes on sale in UK
Microsoft has placed its latest operating system incarnation on sale in the UK.
Vista is expected to be in use on around 100 million computers worldwide within a year. The OS, which is available in four versions - Home Basic , Home Premium, Business and Ultimate - boasts new features and promises improved security.
But Vista will require a modern system on which to run, one with at least 512Mb of Ram, an 800MHz processor and 15Gb of hard drive space. Microsoft recommend a 1Ghz 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1Gb of memory, and 128Mb of graphic memory, for Vista Premium.
The price of Vista in the UK has come under fire as the top flight Ultimate Version is on sale in the US for $249 (£127) but is priced at £249 in the UK.
However, Vista is Microsoft's first major OS release for five years and Windows XP has been criticised for serious security flaws and the myriad of patches needed to close the holes exploited by hackers and virus writers.
But the most serious concern raised about Vista relates to the implementation of Digital Rights Management, which has the capability to block or downgrade access to the system hardware to prevent the copying of protected software, including HD video titles.
The cost of this improved content protection is to be passed on to consumers, amid concerns that some computer systems may be blocked if they prove insufficiently secure at a later date.
Microsoft say that the DRM features built in to Vista have been requested by content providers to prevent unauthorised copying of premium content such as Hollywood movies.
Microsoft also released the latest version of Office today. Support for Windows XP is expected to be withdrawn in 2011.
(SP/KMcA)
Vista is expected to be in use on around 100 million computers worldwide within a year. The OS, which is available in four versions - Home Basic , Home Premium, Business and Ultimate - boasts new features and promises improved security.
But Vista will require a modern system on which to run, one with at least 512Mb of Ram, an 800MHz processor and 15Gb of hard drive space. Microsoft recommend a 1Ghz 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1Gb of memory, and 128Mb of graphic memory, for Vista Premium.
The price of Vista in the UK has come under fire as the top flight Ultimate Version is on sale in the US for $249 (£127) but is priced at £249 in the UK.
However, Vista is Microsoft's first major OS release for five years and Windows XP has been criticised for serious security flaws and the myriad of patches needed to close the holes exploited by hackers and virus writers.
But the most serious concern raised about Vista relates to the implementation of Digital Rights Management, which has the capability to block or downgrade access to the system hardware to prevent the copying of protected software, including HD video titles.
The cost of this improved content protection is to be passed on to consumers, amid concerns that some computer systems may be blocked if they prove insufficiently secure at a later date.
Microsoft say that the DRM features built in to Vista have been requested by content providers to prevent unauthorised copying of premium content such as Hollywood movies.
Microsoft also released the latest version of Office today. Support for Windows XP is expected to be withdrawn in 2011.
(SP/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 August 2005
Microsoft wins $7m spam fine case
Microsoft has succeeded in a legal case brought against a company considered to be one of he world's top three spam e-mailers.
Microsoft wins $7m spam fine case
Microsoft has succeeded in a legal case brought against a company considered to be one of he world's top three spam e-mailers.
18 June 2013
ISPs Head For No 10 For Internet Porn And Child Abuse Talks
No 10 will meet with a number of internet service providers (ISPs) to discuss concerns surrounding children accessing pornography online and the availability of child sex abuse.
ISPs Head For No 10 For Internet Porn And Child Abuse Talks
No 10 will meet with a number of internet service providers (ISPs) to discuss concerns surrounding children accessing pornography online and the availability of child sex abuse.
27 January 2006
Global TB fight receives $600m from Gates
The global fight against tuberculosis has received $600 million (£337 million) in funding from Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Global TB fight receives $600m from Gates
The global fight against tuberculosis has received $600 million (£337 million) in funding from Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
19 February 2004
Beagle.B virus linked to online gamers
Yet another Microsoft Windows worm is about to start e-dropping into computer users mailboxes. Beagle.B is triggered when a user attempts to open the attachment on an email. This then runs malicious code that not only harvests email addresses from Outlook, but sends information about an online computer to a number of German website addresses.
Beagle.B virus linked to online gamers
Yet another Microsoft Windows worm is about to start e-dropping into computer users mailboxes. Beagle.B is triggered when a user attempts to open the attachment on an email. This then runs malicious code that not only harvests email addresses from Outlook, but sends information about an online computer to a number of German website addresses.
13 April 2010
PM Backs BBC 6's Retention
Gordon Brown has joined the call to save threatened BBC radio station 6 Music. The digital station is facing closure as part of a shake-up of the corporation, which will divert an extra £600 million into programme-making. But the Prime Minister told the Radio Times that the BBC should not have "succumbed to pressure" to axe some of its output.
PM Backs BBC 6's Retention
Gordon Brown has joined the call to save threatened BBC radio station 6 Music. The digital station is facing closure as part of a shake-up of the corporation, which will divert an extra £600 million into programme-making. But the Prime Minister told the Radio Times that the BBC should not have "succumbed to pressure" to axe some of its output.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
