Latest on Windows Vista

		Guillermo Munro / P-I

This story today by the P-I's Dan Richman examines the possibility of heightened competition between Microsoft and Adobe Systems, as the Redmond company incorporates features into Windows Vista that could rival widely used Adobe software. (The illustration at right accompanied the story in the newspaper.) In the story, a consultant explains the connection to Microsoft's broader business goals.

"For Microsoft to continue to grow at the rate it wants, it needs to be conquering new markets, and Adobe's is the biggest, juiciest prize right now," said Jesse James Garrett, a director at consultancy Adaptive Path.

Meanwhile, Ina Fried of CNet News.com reports today on some underlying Windows Vista features meant to optimize PC performance over time: "Vista will automatically de-fragment hard disks, make better use of memory to more quickly load programs, and include a new performance control panel that will identify performance bottlenecks, according to the company."

Catching up from last week, here are two Vista-related stories that ran in the newspaper: Microsoft's choice of 'Vista' draws more fire; and an AP review, Beta version of Microsoft's Vista shows a lot of potential.

And finally, on Microsoft's Security Response Center, security program manager Stephen Toulouse had this response to recent articles on what was reported to be the first Windows Vista virus:

First of all, in examining the details of the reports, there is no Windows Vista virus described in them. Instead, the reports are regarding potential proof of concept viruses in the form of malicious scripts that are developed to affect a new interactive shell codenamed "Monad", which is currently in early phase of beta testing.

Now to be clear, these reports pose no risk for Microsoft customers. The viruses do not attempt to exploit a software vulnerability and do not encompass a new method of attack. Furthermore, “Monad” is not widely available for general use. It’s a beta, and we do not recommend or support the use of beta software in a production environment. Microsoft continues to analyze the feedback from testers as Monad continues to be developed.

But most important, “Monad” is not included in the beta release of Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2003 R2.

Toulouse's explanation prompted this initial Slashdot post: "According to Stephen Toulouse at Microsoft, because of the possible virus threat that targets Monad the shell will not be included in Windows Vista."

That also was incorrect, Toulouse wrote in this follow-up post, saying the potential viruses and the decision not to include Monad "had nothing to do with the other." He added: "Monad is probably going to be a longer term project than Windows Vista, and we didn't just decide to remove it today or yesterday."

Slashdot corrected its post, with a mea culpa.

Ah, the joys of the information age.

Posted by Todd Bishop at August 8, 2005 01:22 PM