Since the advent of Microsoft Windows as a graphical overlay to the original Microsoft DOS… Since the advent of Microsoft Windows as a graphical overlay to the original Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System), Microsoft has desired a seamless, attractive operating system.

In many ways, Microsoft has wanted what Apple computer has already achieved with Macintosh OS X: an excellent, beneficial balance between user-friendliness and attractive effects.

Up until now, Microsoft Windows has somewhat failed in doing that. Microsoft Windows 95 had its distinct reliability issues. Microsoft Windows XP, although a reliable improvement on the Windows 9.x series, attempted to include too many graphical effects and thereby became a memory hog – as a result, Windows XP did not quite attain the level of sophistication Macintosh OS X enjoys.

Microsoft hopes it will hit the mark with its new product, however.

The much-anticipated new Windows operating system is finally here. Microsoft recently announced the release of Windows Vista.

According to Microsoft’s Web site, Windows Vista is designed to create seamless integration of common applications along with additional reliability, security and graphical effects. What seems first and foremost in Microsoft’s mind is, of course, the appearance of the Microsoft Windows Vista user interface. It is designed, in many ways, similarly to Macintosh OS X, with the additions of the standard Microsoft features.

The start bar is more integrated with the background and overall look of the environment than in Microsoft Windows XP. Along the side or top of the main desktop view (depending on user preference) is a dock (of sorts). With customizable widgets, Windows Vista users can add a clock, instant weather and environmental reports, and news to the dock for instant access on the desktop.

Also available for Microsoft’s Windows Vista are better integration techniques for common applications. An integrated Windows Mail application is an excellent example. With Vista, Microsoft hopes users will be become “productive” right out of the box. Better integration with the newest versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player also are big selling points for Windows Vista.

Security-wise, Vista boasts increases in security to Internet Explorer 7, in addition to expanded virus, worm and parental controls. Internet Explorer 7 has the ability to catch “reported phishing” sites, as well as sites that are known virus-distributors and adware portals. With an integrated parental control system, Microsoft allows parents to budget computer time, limiting the amount of time children can log on and utilize a Vista-enabled computer.

For gamers, Vista boasts significant improvements on graphical capabilities. Of course, this always depends on the graphical capabilities of the computer hardware running Vista. On Microsoft’s Windows Vista Web site, the company makes quite a big deal about Direct X 10, which is included with Vista, pre-installed.

Gamers who enjoy Microsoft games written originally for the Xbox 360 may wish to take advantage of Vista’s capabilities of recognizing and utilizing the Xbox 360 controller – games such as “Halo 2” will benefit greatly from this capability. Gamers who enjoy tamer games, such as card games, chess and checkers, may enjoy Microsoft’s new Games Explorer, included with Vista. Like the network games included on Windows XP, Games Explorer allows gamers to download and play cooperative parlor games online.

The main drawbacks of Windows Vista are its system requirements. Microsoft rates the Ultimate edition (which includes all the gaming, productivity and business capabilities described above) as requiring a one-gigahertz processor. Celerons and Pentium III processors are not supported. In fact, Microsoft suggests Vista be run on a computer equipped with a dual-core Centrino Duo, the AMD dual-core equivalent or 64-bit processor.

Vista is also rated at requiring one gigabyte of system memory. Although this is certainly not uncommon in recently marketed computers, it may require many users who were comfortable with 512 megabytes to spend the money to upgrade. Also, for good graphical performance, Vista suggests 128 megabytes of graphical memory (either shared or on-board) and 15 megabytes of free hard-disk space.

Overall, Vista continues the Windows XP tradition of being system-resource hog – it will certainly force many people to scrap perfectly workable computers in order to run the latest version of Microsoft Windows.

Also, some may find the Microsoft strategy of multiple “editions” somewhat frustrating. Microsoft is releasing Vista in Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Business and Enterprise editions. For the average user, the choice is only between Ultimate, Home Premium and Home Basic.

For users who wish only to surf the Internet and check e-mail, Home Basic is an excellent choice. For more advanced users who wish to have more productivity and graphical capabilities, Home Premium is the only choice. The frustration comes in upgrading to Ultimate. The increase in graphical capabilities and productivity software will cost a user an extra $100.

Overall, it has yet to be seen if Vista will be a true, popular replacement for Windows XP, or if it will bring some die-hard Macintosh OS X users to the Windows world. As with all new products, Vista is bound to have its initial reliability (and unfortunately security) issues.

Whether these issues will be fixed and patched in a timely matter is a source of uncertainty. No matter what happens, though, it will be interesting to note how many students decide to upgrade when the University of Pittsburgh begins widely distributing Windows Vista.