Windows Vista Beta 2: The key word is 'Beta'

I did try installing Vista on two other laptops. One, it turns out, needs a new Real Time Clock battery (a trip to the manufacturer is needed) and another which had a massive hard drive failure at the beginning of the installation process.

I did not try to install the Vista Beta on the computer I’m using to write this. I'll bet you can figure out why.

After a weekend of frustration — more than 30 hours of my time — and some help from Microsoft — I have Vista almost Beta 2 running (somewhat) on a laptop.

Beta 2 is a good looking operating system with a number of new features, which will be familiar to you if you’ve played with recent versions of Apple’s OS X. And Vista seems to be a competent operating system when it’s running. Here are some highlights in this early version:

• A streamlined Start menu.
• Instant Search in every Explorer window.
• Search Pane lets you organize information by author, date, or type of document.
• Windows Sidebar puts frequently used information and tasks right on the desktop.  This feature will remind OS X users of that system’s Dashboard feature.
• Network Explorer puts all network connections — like printers, other computers, and devices - into one centralized location.
• Sync Center helps users manage all their devices from one place.
• Tablet PC functionality is integrated into most versions of Windows Vista.
• Windows Media Center 11, also standard in Vista, includes live and recorded television, music, photos and videos.
• Improved Windows Media Player.
• New power management features for mobile computers to optimize battery performance.
• Windows Defender regularly scans and removes spyware and other unwanted software.
• Classic Windows games, as well as several new ones.

Microsoft Windows Flip lets you browse through the programs and dociuments you're currently using.

Think of Vista’s new features as similar to what you might find on a new model car — shiny new mag wheels, a finely tuned suspension and a set of high-performance, all-season tires.  It still looks like a car and you’re still going to know where the pedals are and how to drive — but you will find that you’ll be able to push it to a new set of higher limits.

The Vista Beta I got to play with over these past few days is definitely a work in progress. Microsoft, though, still has time to improve it.  By the time it is released early in 2007, it's likely Vista will be a lot more stable on any hardware you can throw its way. 

At least, I hope so.

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