Companies should check out the new functionality in the first beta of Windows Vista — but most can leave serious testing until the second beta, according to analyst group Gartner.
Last week Microsoft revealed that the next version of Windows, formerly known as Longhorn, will be called Windows Vista, with the first beta expected shortly.
Gartner said first betas do not usually include many new user interface elements and instead concentrate on building the foundation of the new operating system — and Windows Vista beta 1 is likely to keep to that pattern.
The analyst firm said the initial beta is likely to include long-awaited search and metadata tagging functions but will focus on the new application programming interface (API) set, known as WinFX, and other kernel-level changes.
In a research note written by Gartner vice-president Michael A Silver, the analyst house predicted: "The operating system is likely to change significantly between beta 1, beta 2 (expected early in 2006) and the commercial release, expected late in 2006."
It said Windows users shouldn't judge the performance or hardware compatibility of Windows Vista from the first beta. Instead, companies should use the beta to build an understanding of Vista's search capability, its new imaging and deployment features, and the protected user access.
Companies that have already adopted Windows XP should take a look at the new APIs and try out the new features but, said Gartner, there's no point in thoroughly testing them or checking for systems compatibility.
"You may wait at least until beta 2, if not longer, before beginning testing in earnest," it said.
But companies running Windows 2000 that plan to skip Windows XP need to act sooner.
"After Windows Vista ships, you will have much less time than those running Windows XP to test and deploy the new operating system before independent software vendor support starts waning around 2007 and Microsoft ends all bug-fix support in mid 2010," Gartner said.
These companies should begin talking to the developers of your critical applications and plan on some limited, internal compatibility testing with beta 1, Gartner said.
Talkback
Why in earth continue this endless circle. Since Microsoft started to make OS they have always promied more and better systems. But since the release of Windows 98. Nearly everything have only become wose.
I actually do remember when i did work in Office 95. It worked semaless. Nowadays i can't even create a bullet list. That is only one problem and there are dozens of others that is still not fixed in the 2003 version.
Okey that was the office application not the OS that the article speaks about. Well read everything in the list and compare the spec from Vista to the newest (already reallesd SUSE). Well wow u already got most of the functionality that should be inovative in Vista. What a joke. What more. Why pay for a wannabe Unix OS when u can get one free and a lot more secure....so why way those $200....+ new Office + new devlopment tools + new compiuter. Well if u are not totaly insane u just download the latest from internet and save your company , School several thousands or even millions of dollars.
Its time to demand that the OS shall cost zero. And that is only the consumer that can do that. And that means you.
While you're at it, get serious about testing alternative (almost total) solutions as well. You are bound to get pleasantly surprised if that effort in serious enough. And at the very least you'll have some meaningfull defense then that the first IT strategy reviewing external consultant won't sweep right from the table should things go that far.