Perhaps you have heard about the next new version of Microsoft Windows, called Vista? The Vista operating system has many promises to one great, stable and dynamic operating system. Not only will this operating system have the .Net framework built into the core of the operating system it will also feature some other key communications, user interface and security breakthroughs.

For instance Vista will utilize the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) which will greatly increase the aesthetic value of each application. Perhaps you may be familiar with a website developed with Flash animation software. Now picture the same type of functionality and aesthetics however instead of being restricted to a website format having the freedom to develop the interface so it is a true Windows application. Further, this WPF will allow for much easier and faster deployments of these applications through the use of "one click deployment" technology. If you are familiar with the updater application block and the BITS service then you are already familiar with innovation. However, instead of being some cumbersome application block you will be able to easily deploy these applications with just a few clicks from your development environment.

Secondly the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) will provide a secure and reliable messaging platform which will allow for a new era in the creativity of application developers. This WCF will bring in a new time when true service oriented applications will become commonplace. This will make it much easier to connect businesses to each other and their customers.

The in built security mechanisms will make for a much more secure platform as well. Since this operating system is built around the .Net framework Code Access Security will be much easier to enforce and maintain. Code access security is when the author of the program can specify exactly what the program is allowed to do based upon the role of the user who is accessing the software. This will allow for a much finer grained security mechanism which will make software much more trustworthy by the end user.

Another feature of Vista is called SuperFetch. SuperFetch seems to be a caching mechanism for frequently used files so that the end user experiences fast response times and is not hindered by the background tasks that the operating system is performing. This will greatly speed up and perhaps cause less system crashes thereby making the OS much more stable.

One other great feature of Vista is its use of the sidebar and gadgets. Gadgets are small programs that either you or someone else has created that performs some frequently used task such as viewing the latest weather or traffic information from your desktop. Now this might seem to be a small feature but I am sure the general public will eat this feature up and it is one place where some new innovative software inventions might take place. It might even make managing your life that much easier.

Perhaps the best feature of Vista is its new ability to easily search through and organize your files for later retrieval. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to search my own hard drive for a file that I knew I created but could not remember where I stored it.

Let’s face it Windows XP and Windows 2000 are by now old fashioned. The public needs a new operating system simply because the other’s are beginning to show their age. It is time for an upgrade.

Richard Callaby is a Independent Computer Consultant, Writer, Author, Speaker and Instructor. More articles from this author can be reached at his blog at http://blog.richard-callaby.net

Using professional icons in your application or website can bring a modern and aesthetically pleasing appearance to your product or service. This will not only help you to attract potential customers but also give you that "edge" you need to stand out from your competitors. In an internet age, it’s important that your interface looks professional or your potential buyer might move on without really giving your product a chance to prove itself.

Besides a professional appearance, relevant XP style icons can greatly increase the usability of any software application or website. Icons are just one of the many communication tools you have to guide a user. With good free icons few and far between, professional icon collections are a cost effective investment and can be purchased for just around $100.00.

For an example check out http://www.VirtualLNK.com/icons.asp

Here are some of the groups that would benefit from using professional XP style icons:

Software Developers

Like I said before, your user interface is your user’s "first impression". Your program must look professional if it’s going to sell, making the quality of your interface one of your most powerful and important marketing tools. A program with a bad interface will appear of poor quality no matter how good the functionality is.

Relevant images simplify the user experience and create a sense of comfort for the user by providing them with images that they are already familiar with or can easily identify. Making your program easy to understand and pleasing to the eye can increase sales as well as improve your return customer base.

Making use of free or badly designed icons can lead to numerous headaches along with possible licensing issues when icon designers have found their "not so free" icons are being posted on free sites. With professional icons being so affordable, it’s best to leave icon design up to the professionals.

Web Designers

With so many internet based businesses, your website can make or break the success of your company. Web designers are faced with the challenge of building a website that is both highly useable and visually appealing. With the right icon collection, it’s easy to find common themes that will be readily identifiable by website users. Icons can ease the task of creating navigation and toolbar buttons, and most of all give a unique "personality" to your site.

XP style icons are highly stimulating with their beautiful gradients and 3D appearance. A nicer website means more return visitors and more sales. Professional icons can help your website stand out from the thousands of others selling similar products and services.

Marketing and Documentation Professionals

Marketing and Documentation Professionals can make use of XP style icons in their company brochures, documentation, multimedia presentations, and other marketing materials. Icons can easily spruce up boring text and turn a once simple piece into a colorful and professional looking document. Having unique, professional looking documentation can give you a competitive edge in the eyes of a potential customer.

Finding Quality Icons

So why not look for free icons? Well, if you are one of the many people who have spent countless hours searching all over the internet for good icons, you might already be familiar with a few of these reasons:

They don’t show up well or sometimes not at all.

They are targeted for different operating systems (Mac, BeOS, Beta XP, etc.).

They don’t match in style, color, and are generally inconsistent.

They don’t look professional.

It’s hard to find useful icons that match common functions found in most programs.

Sites often contain viruses and require active-x controls to be installed.

Making professional icons requires expensive tools and true artistic talent, so finding quality ones is not easy; that’s why VirtualLNK has made the process of finding the collections you need as painless as possible.

.NET Developer and avid writer from Orlando, Florida