Both Microsoft and Apple are releasing new operating systems in 2007. Microsoft Vista has already hit the market and Mac OS X Leopard promised to hit the shelves in the spring. In this episode, we look at some of the features of these new operating systems and what you will need to know before you upgrade.
Guests
Kevin DeJong
Kevin DeJong
Kevin works in Academic and Distributed Computing Services at the University of Minnesota. He provides desktop support for several departments and supports the University-wide implementation of Microsoft's Active Directory.
Colin McFadden
Colin McFadden
Colin has worked for the College of Liberal Arts TV Studios at the University of Minnesota for over six years, helping students learn video production. He follows emerging trends in video technology, with a particular focus on the ways in which user interaction can be made easier and more understandable. He recently attended Mac World and has worked on projects as a Mac developer.
Links
Windows users who want to see what Windows Vista has to offer can experience Windows Vista online on the Windows Vista Products page. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, also available on that page, can help you make sure your computer can run Windows Vista.
For information about some of Mac OS X Leopard's new features, go to the Mac OS X Leopard Sneak Peek page.
Extra Video
We couldn't fit everything into one episode, so we made some additional footage of Susan and Kevin continuing to discuss what Windows users need to know before they upgrade, and of Susan and Colin talking about Colin's trip to Mac World. Select the links to these clips in the sidebar to the right.
Windows Upgrade Considerations
Colin's Trip to Mac World
API
Application program interface, a set of routines, protocols and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks. A programmer puts the blocks together.
Gadget
Another key component of the new Windows Vista is Gadgets. They are developed using HTML and script. Each gadget has access to information about itself and about Windows. This enables a gadget to interact with Windows files and folders. For example, a gadget can show images from a user's Pictures folder, or display information about network connections. Gadgets can also display settings dialog boxes and store user settings using the System.Gadget object.
Widget
In computer programming, a widget (or control) is an interface element that a computer user interacts with, such as a window or a text box. Widgets are sometimes qualified as virtual to distinguish them from their physical counterparts, e.g. virtual buttons that can be clicked with a mouse cursor, vs. physical buttons that can be pressed with a finger. Widgets are often packaged together in widget toolkits. Programmers use widgets to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Live Icon
Key components of the new Windows Vista Explorers, Live Icons display a thumbnail image of the actual contents of every file, making it easier to select a given item.