WINDOWS VISTA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Windows Vista is the latest version of Microsoft Windows operating system. Vista comes in six different editions and has many new and updated features.
The first thing you'll notice about Vista is that it has a new "glass-like" graphical interface called Aero (similar to the Apple Mac OS X graphical interface).
Vista also comes with improved security, an expanded backup/restore utility, and performance enhancements to make your computer run faster. For more information on Vista's features, visit the UIS Vista Features web page or Microsoft's Vista Features web page.
According to Microsoft, Windows Vista be available to the general public on January 30, 2007. (Note: Microsoft Office 2007 is expected to be released on the same day as well.)
For members of the Georgetown community, Vista will be available for purchase through CDW-G (the Georgetown portal page of CDW, the computer hardware and software retailer.) Departments will get Vista through the UIS Computer Replacement Cycle. Hoya Computing will have copies of Vista available for borrowing once UIS tests it for compatibility with various applications and Georgetown electronic services.
Yes, but not until UIS completes testing of Vista. Once Vista has been found to work satisfactorily with UIS-supported and other frequently-used applications, UIS will officially support it.
Note: UIS will officially support only Vista Enterprise and Vista Business.
There are six different editions of Windows Vista. The edition you should get depends on your computing needs. Keep in mind that UIS will be officially supporting only Vista Enterprise and Vista Business.
Unless you have a specific computing need that only Windows Vista can meet, you do not need to get Vista at this time. Faculty and staff will get Windows Vista as part of the UIS computing replacement cycle.
This depends on how old your current computer is. Vista has hefty hardware requirements, so you may need to upgrade your computer so that it can run Vista.
If you're not sure whether your computer can handle Vista, download the Microsoft Vista Upgrade Advisor on your current PC. The advisor recommends the best suited edition for you based on your current hardware setup. It also tells you what you need to do (which components you need to upgrade) to run other editions, if your computer doesn't make the cut.
UIS will officially support Vista once we've tested it to ensure that it can be used on the Georgetown computing network and that it's compatible with the applications used at Georgetown.
Vista will be available after it's tested by UIS and certified for use on Georgetown computers.
Most likely it will. With the release of Windows Vista in January 2007, PC Manufacturers have now begun offering it on most of their models. Check with the manufacturer for details.
Yes, if you own an Intel-powered Mac computer. Parallels, a program that enables you to run Windows Vista on a Mac computer, is available for discounted purchase from Hoya Computing.
UIS is currently testing all Georgetown standard applications to make sure they run on Windows Vista Enterprise and Business editions. Refer to the Vista Application Compatibility Chart for a list of applications that can run on Vista.
In summer 2007, and will be available for use in fall 2007.
