Vista to help better manage digital media

New York/London: Microsoft Corp rolled out Windows Vista at retailers in 70 countries on Tuesday, delivering a new computer operating system that aims to better manage the explosion of digital media and protect users from the dangers of the internet.

The world's biggest software maker marked the launch of its first all-new Windows operating system in five years with a marketing blitz including commercials featuring basketball star Lebron James and appearances by Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates.

"It will take entertainment to a whole new level. Even education will be changed dramatically," Gates said at an event at the British Library in London, where he used Vista to electronically bring together Leonardo da Vinci's two notebooks, one in the British Library and one in the US owned by Gates.

Windows runs on more than 95 per cent of the world's computers, and the long-delayed new version is the first major release of a new Microsoft operating system since it introduced Windows XP in 2001.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft called Vista the most important release of its dominant operating system since Windows 95 more than a decade ago, when shoppers waited for hours to be among the first to run the new software.

Consumer fanfare of that magnitude seems unlikely since Vista is not the dramatic leap in technology of past releases, but the new Windows could ultimately be just as successful.

"Vista will be successful. It's been a long time since Microsoft introduced a new operating system. There are a lot of nice features that people will like," said Morningstar analyst Toan Tran.

The most obvious change is the new look. Vista's 'Aero' interface uses 3-D graphics to create translucent windows that appear to float above the background screen.

Other changes are more subtle such as improved security, search bars to help users find information easier and a new multimedia platform for digital video, music and pictures.

Apple Inc. calls Vista a copycat version of its Mac OS X Tiger operating system, which introduced many of those new features. The iPod maker plans to introduce a new operating system of its own later this year.

Microsoft also drew criticism from environmentalists and consumer interests groups that Vista would force unnecessary purchases of computers that need more energy.

Because only about 15 per cent of existing computers have memory and graphics cards powerful enough to run premium versions of Vista, most users will have to buy a whole new computer if they want to upgrade.

"There is a pent-up set of consumers who are going to get new PCs," Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said in an interview on Monday. "We will see an uptick (in PC sales). Sales will be stronger than they otherwise would have been."

Vista also allows Microsoft to disable types of computer parts if such a component is used to violate copyrights.

Many 'firsts' make it more attractive

- New look: Vista's 'Aero' glass interface opens in translucent panes that show information below. The upgraded 3-D graphics allow users to flip through open windows. (Not available in basic versions of Vista.)

- Easier search: New search bars can be found inside the start menu and within many applications. Searches look across the computer, throughout folders and documents.

- Gadget sidebar: Mini-applications can run on the side of the desktop screen. Web services feed news updates, weather information, stock prices or traffic maps in real time.

- More security: Account controls limit the ability to make changes that could threaten a machine's stability or safety. Vista comes with Windows Defender to protect against spyware and other unwanted software. However, it does not come with anti-virus software built into the operating system.

Pirated version already on sale in China

As Microsoft kicked off the global launch on Tuesday of its long-awaited Windows Vista, the software giant's new operating system also hit the streets of China in pirated form.

In an electronic market in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, scores of sellers were offering the brand new software for as little as 10 yuan ($1.3), along with Microsoft Office, anti-virus software and others.

The sellers said Vista was available even several weeks before its launch, although they would not say how they got hold of the version.

Described as the "official version of the new generation operating system" on its cover, the pirated copy offered an identification code at the back of the disk for downloading the software.

New system ruins computer games

Computer game publisher WildTangent accused Microsoft's new operating system of ruining many common computer games.

The US firm WildTangent alleged that the world's largest software maker "has gone overboard" by making Vista so secure it blocks or disables play.

Vista "breaks" games from Microsoft's online MSN service as well as from game websites operated by Yahoo, America Online, and RealArcade, according to WildTangent chief executive Alex St. John.

Vista parental controls that enable adults to restrict what children access with computers also will block downloads of family-friendly games not rated by the Electronic Software Ratings Board, St. John alleged.

WildTangent said it spent a year crafting game console software that was compatible with Vista. The 'Vista Ready Console' was available for free download at wildtangent.com.