A study in blue: welcome to Windows Vista

Windows Vista is Microsoft’s latest operating system. It presents users with a very nice interface and some whizzy graphics. But the real work is going on in the background. Nick Saalfeld dons his deerstalker and goes sleuthing to find out more.

If you’ve seen the buzz about Windows Vista in the press, you’ll have seen screenshots of its very cute graphics. They are all very well, but the really good stuff lies underneath. Let me explain.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes novels will remember that Holmes had a housekeeper, Mrs Hudson. Whatever Holmes got up to, 221b Baker Street was managed quietly and faultlessly by the redoubtable Mrs Hudson, who could take it in her stride and rustle up a full English breakfast at a moment’s notice.

Windows Vista is an operating system. Just like Mrs Hudson, it efficiently supports all the things you want to do. Whatever programs you run on your computer, from basic word processing to clinical applications, the operating system keeps house and makes sure they run smoothly. "You don’t have to remember folder structures any more, and almost all documents can be previewed before opening, rather like riffling through a giant filing cabinet."

For all we know, Mrs Hudson might have had a sideline as a music hall performer, but that’s not her function in the stories. Similarly, Vista has a sideline in great graphics, but its real job in life is to be your computer’s unflustered housekeeper.

Stay organised with Instant Search

Housekeeping begins with keeping things tidy, and the most satisfying new development in Vista is Instant Search. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what a file was called and where you put it, those days are over.

Vista searches filenames, content within files, data buried inside emails, information across local networks and even on the Internet. It also supports metadata - the equivalent of the sticky-note tabs you put on documents. You want to find all references to osteopathy? No problem. All documents written by Brian Smith? A doddle.

You don’t have to remember folder structures any more, and almost all documents can be previewed before opening, rather like riffling through a giant filing cabinet. "Vista is up-to-the-minute secure, and above all approaches security from the perspective of computing online."

Find out more about Instant Search

Safe and sound

Vista is also the most secure version of Windows to date; naturally a concern for anyone in healthcare. Windows XP (Vista’s predecessor) does have effective security measures, but is now old enough that even a brand new computer running XP will need several security updates to stay the right side of safe.

Vista is up-to-the-minute secure, and above all approaches security from the perspective of computing online. When XP came out, only a minority of us connected to the Internet (and all the nasties to be found out there). Vista assumes you’re online by default, and is well equipped to deal with this brave new world.

A software firewall blocks intrusions. Programs themselves run in ever-changing ways, making it harder for hackers to gain a foothold. Hard drives can be encrypted and locked to prevent unauthorised access if your computer is physically stolen (great for laptops). And the web browser, Internet Explorer 7, features a highly-visible colour-coded bar to show whether websites are genuine or not: green is good, red is risky. "Along one side of the screen are a bunch of Gadgets. By default, these include such essentials as a calculator and clock, but you can bolt on as many extras onto your desktop as you want."

Find out more about Security in Windows Vista 

Cleaning Up

Vista is also good at maintenance. It features a new Backup and Restore function, making it less likely that you’ll lose essential files. It won’t do away with the threat entirely, but you only need some very basic good practice to banish those “oh-my-goodness-it’s-all-gone” moments for ever.

Similarly, System Restore has been improved. This rolls your computer back to its previous best-performing state if a new software installation goes wrong. It didn’t always work in previous versions of Windows - and could take some time - but Vista resolves many of these niggles, so there’s almost always a system backup if you need it.

Find out more about Windows Vista backup

Oh alright, there’s glamour too…

Vista does indeed include some exciting new developments. It includes speech recognition tools that allow you to speak instructions to your computer - it’s not just a gimmick, it creates entirely new opportunities for people who are physically disabled or those who just prefer language to clicking a mouse.

Along one side of the screen are a bunch of Gadgets. By default, these include such essentials as a calculator and clock, but you can bolt on as many extras onto your desktop as you want. These can include online tools (such as the weather in your area) or professional tools - a shift rota, for example.

If you get to use Vista away from work, Windows Media Centre turns your PC into a multimedia powerhouse, including playing DVDs and CDs, and managing your media library.

Play with some Gadgets!

Why move to Vista now?

There are lots of reasons to move to Vista now. Firstly, if you buy a new PC, the chances are it will come pre-loaded with Vista. Secondly, a version of the new operating system is included in Microsoft’s Enterprise Agreement with the NHS, meaning that trusts and other healthcare organisations can create a more coherent desktop environment and move all their users onto Vista applications over time.

Finally, the best new computer applications being designed around Vista, and it makes sense to use the best tools for the job. Mrs Hudson would expect no less.

Find out more about Windows Vista