About-face: Microsoft makes new Vista SP1 test build public
Summary: After saying it planned to make its latest test build of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 available to a private group of testers only, Microsoft has done an about-face and made the code available to the public.
After saying it planned to make its latest test build of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 available to a private group of testers only, Microsoft has done an about-face and made the code available to the public.
Late in the day on January 11, Microsoft posted the new Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC) code -- which it rolled out a couple of days ago on its password-protected Web site -- to the Microsoft Downloads site.
Microsoft released the newest update of its Vista SP1 RC build on January 9. At that time, Microsoft made sure to note that the build was not available for public download.
According to a company spokeswoman, the build includes "a number of bugs that testers encountered in previous pre-release versions of SP1." She declined to be more specific.
On the Microsoft Downloads site, the company notes that "systems running on Windows Vista RTM typically require two or three updates before SP1 can be installed. These updates are permanent on your Windows Vista systems." Two of the updates "service specific Windows components prior to the installation of the service pack and a third update which services the installation software built into Windows Vista."
The three prerequisites, according to Microsoft:
- KB935509 This updates is only required on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate editions (which have Bitlocker capabilities).
- KB938371 This update consists of fixes for several components (including the TrustedInstaller), increases the success rate for installing the service pack and enables the service pack to be uninstalled successfully.
- KB937287 This is an update to the “Servicing Stack” or the Windows Vista component installer technologies built into Windows Vista.
Unlike the case when it released previous Vista SP1 builds, Microsoft did not release simultaneously a new build of Windows XP SP3, the spokeswoman confirmed.
Microsoft confirmed this week that Vista SP1 is still tracking toward first quarter 2008 availability. (February is the target month, my sources say.) Windows XP SP3 is due in the first half of 2008, according to the company.
(Thanks to Winbeta.org for a heads-up on availability of the public Vista SP1 RC download.)
Update: Here's Microsoft's statement, relayed after I posted on Friday, about the SP1 Release Candidate buil:
"In the interest of gaining additional tester feedback, on Thursday, we made the Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh available via Windows Update to interested beta testers on the public TechNet site. We are still on schedule to deliver SP1 RTM in Q1 CY08. The final release date is based on quality, so we will continue to track customer and partner feedback from the beta program before setting a final date."
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Talkback
Britain Doesn't Want Vista In Their Schools
Guess they are smarter than we are.
And that had what to do with this article?
And BTW, a singular government agency ADVISING schools to stick with Windows XP on existing PCs and going with Vista on new purchases of PCs is hardly the same as "Britain Doesn't Want Vista In Their Schools".
They aren't ADVISING schools to stick with XP
Their main reason, Vista and Office 2k3 offers ZERO benefits over currently used software/OS, cost double to purchase and requires new & more expensive hardware. To top it off, many 3rd party programs don't run well under vista (including anti-virus and other security software) forcing the additional cost of having to upgrade perfectly good software to the latest version.
Anybody with a brain, even hard core MS lovers have to agree with their findings. Vista and Office 2k3 offer NOTHING really worth the upgrade cost.
Reread it
[i]The agency that governs educational technology in the United Kingdom [b]has advised schools[/b] in the country to keep Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system and its Office 2007 software out of the classroom and administrative offices.[/i]
And
[i]Becta officials said a study the group commissioned found that [b]upgrading school systems from Windows XP to Vista[/b] and Office 2007 would increase costs and create software compatibility problems while providing little benefit.[/i]
It's not that I disagree with you about Vista, I do not use it, nor do I intend to ever do so, but your posted comments are contrary to what the article actually reports.
You call better security not worth the upgrade cost
Since I installed Vista, I haven't gotten hit with ONE virus while web surfing. Not ONE, at least that I know of, and I scan my computer fully EVERY DAY!
Vista is so much more secure, that the cost for it is worth it right there.
What were you doing?
Also Vista isn't that much more secure yet than XP SP2. At least from the enterprise level. Home users sure because Vista by default is more secure but in the enterprise we secure XP. Going to Vista doesn't buy us anything security wise yet.
not worth the upgrade cost
2 words (VIRUS PROTECTION) .. Once a shill alwasy a shill
Windows vista virus attack
Disagree: Vista worth upgrade
My biggest beef with Vista has been the removal of Expanded Memory Support for legacy DOS applications. This has killed some games I still love to play. And I would love for the UAE to remember the last privilege elevation for 5 minutes or so rather than popping up for each and every instance or at least make this configurable.
DOS-based games
The only gripe I have, is that you have to mount the drive your games are on everytime you open the box. It doesn't remember it from time to time, but that works out okay if you are actively adding and subtracting from the collection, because you would have had to perform the drive mount to locate new additions anyway. Oh yeah, sometimes it shows full screen, sometimes it's a little box inside a black background...I think it depends on the game itself, but haven't been annoyed enough by it to investigate further.
Other than that, no problems, perfect functionality. great fun.
Yes! (sort of)
the Fundamental differences are discussed here:
http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/whitepaper.aspx?&q=linux&docid=289362
and stated succinctly here:
http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/thankyou.aspx?&q=linux&promo=100511&docid=166160&view=166160
"Security?Like UNIX, Linux was built from the ground up to enable multiple users to access the system simultaneously. To protect each user?s resources, every file, directory, and application is assigned sets of read, write, and execute permissions that define who can access them. In a standard Linux system, the root user has access to the entire system, some special logins have
access to control particular services (such as Apache for Web services), and users can be assigned permission individually or in groups. Recent features such as Security-Enhanced Linux enable more refined tuning and protection in highly secure computing environments."
-Mike
I'd say "RTFA" but that would be impolite.
this has what to do with vista sp being released to the publicit analyst
Sad little fellas jump at any opportunity to rant
Is that where you hide when someone asks you a question?
So we would find you hiding in your car trunk?
KIND OF LIKE THE DRM STORY LAST WEEK?
Sad little fellas jump at any opportunity to rant
how does someone get the same word wrong
Why SAY the same thing in the title if you're just going to put it in the first line of your post? Say something worthwhile rather than repeat yourself.
who cares about stupid schools?