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VISTA Applications
As
most of you already know, there are public releases of a couple of
applications that will be featured in Microsoft's next OS. You can
download their latest browser, IE7, as well as their new and improved
Windows Media Player 11. Downloading and installing both of these will
add to the VISTA experience. In this section, I'll cover both and go
over some of their new features.
1. Internet Explorer 7
I
know that most will simply refuse to let go of Firefox. Heck, I'm one
of those people. However, IE7 is more than just a revamped interface.
It has been vastly improved in the area of security, something that is of
the highest importance over all other features. I'll cover most
here...
**click to enlarge**
IE7
blends in perfectly with Vista, thanks to its improved GUI. One thing
I do not like about Firefox is the lack of appealing skins. The
browser just doesn't "look" as good, no matter how much time you spend
customizing it. IE7 does look quite different and blends in well with
Vista's high-tech look. It's just a more visually appealing browser in
comparison.
**click to enlarge**
New
to IE7, is tabbed browsing which will please those avid Firefox users.
They have apparently taken the time to do some research on their competition
in order to provide many with features that most have now grown accustomed
to. Personally, I love the tabbed browsing on Firefox and I'm glad
Microsoft has implemented this feature well in their latest browser.
**click to enlarge**
Internet Explorer 7 brings in many features for added security, such as an
anti-phishing filter than can be turned on or off easily. Phishing or
Pharming are basically attempts at stealing your identity or getting hold of
personal information. It
may come in as an email with what appears to be a valid link to your bank,
online store, or any other site that has your personal information.
IE7 checks all links visited in the background. While it does slow
browsing quite a bit, it is a tool that many should use if you're one who
isn't too knowledgeable on the subject or one that can identify such a scam easily.
**click to enlarge**
Another new feature is an improved pop-up blocker that let's you define
sites that should or should not be allowed to display them. There's
also a filter level that can be set to your liking.
Internet Explorer 7 is out of beta and the RC1 release, based on my tests,
is quite stable with only some minor bugs I've found that actually are not
present in the build featured in the new RC2 release.
2. Windows Media Player 11
While still in beta, the new Windows Media
Player is impressive, right down to its super attractive interface and file
and device management. It's not perfect, but certainly a major
improvement over WMP 10.
**click enlarge**
I
personally love the new look and has been re-designed to blend in quite
nicely with VISTA as well as all the shell replacement apps covered in this
article. Deviating from the silver, clean look of WMP 10, their latest Media
Player now sports a black on blue theme that blends in well with both the
software and the latest hardware that runs it.
**click to enlarge**
The
Library, while still plagued with some bugs from earlier releases, is a
major improvement as well. I love the way it displays all media in
"groups" based on albums, artists, etc. It does a very good job at
displaying all media more efficiently.
**click to enlarge**
The
latest Media Player from Microsoft also has higher support for devices such
as MP3 or PMP players. Sync lists are easier to create and
transferring files over to the player is significantly faster. Also,
for those who tend to take advantage of downloads from music services, it
has full support for them. While it primarily focuses on URGE, you
have the option to set your own with ease as well.
For those wondering, the new Media Player does
feature the dock toolbar found on WMP 10. However, note that you'll
probably have to disable it first then re-enable it in order for it to work
with these shell replacements.
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