Vista Lab I

January 7, 2007 John Obeto

Introduction & Welcome
Nick White, Microsoft

This is the largest Vista Lab ever, with a lot more new faces, even a Microsoft MVP from Nigeria.

Nick welcomed and thanked us for being there.

Thanking us for being there and our contributions? When we should be thanking him, Terri, Brandon, Aaron, and by proxy, Microsoft for this opportunity to get ahead in the game!

Loaded sessions, NDA stuff, lots of information to be imparted, food, contacts, yada, yada, yada...

Session 1: 3P Hardware

The Vista hardware logo certification program.

We were informed of several stats about the logo program: over 2000 devices certified for Vista, over 4000 devices have pass the basic certification process – both certified and basic Ready for Vista. There have been submissions by over 200 device manufacturers for the Vista logo program.

It is pleasing to note that Microsoft has taken the initiative to require a certification process for hardware as opposed to only a 'Works with Vista' logo.

However, I see a fault in this approach, also eloquently asked by attendee Ryan Hoffman, "Are you telling us that a Vista-certified device may or may not work with Vista x64?"

The silence was deafening!

As usual, a trait demonstrated by Microserfs was displayed: the presenter actually listened. I must remember to send a follow-up email to see if this issue has been or will be adequately resolved.

A Day In the Life of A Bug
The Vista beta test program.

Turns out that when Microsoft released stats about the Vista beta, they knew what they were talking about!

For the first time, Microsoft was able to accurately determine just how many Vista™ beta images were actually installed; as opposed to ‘just throwing the beta images over the fence and hoping and praying that they were installed and tested. How beta testers were funneled, chopped, diced, and sorted according to their PIDs.

The presenter took us through the way they were able to accurately note, without PIIs, the total numbers of actual installs of each vista beta, the source of the PIDs, etc.

He also told us how generated feedback was processed and results worked on, with daily shipper meetings, etc.

All in all a very informative session.

3rd Party Software
Speaks basically to why makes Microsoft such a power: the ability to make partners better. Not the cliché, but the real thing.

(Under NDA)

Karsten then demonstrated WPF. A kiosk program currently running in all North Face stores was shown. People, this thing is niiice! The WPF engine and controls makes stuff easy for developers to tap into the power of Vista.

Next, he showed us Expression Blend. This program is so powerful and seemingly easy to use out-of-the-box that it has become my new love.

The ease with which Expression Blend allows both expert developers and mere dabblers to create cannot be adequately described. Indeed, it is a seeing-is-believing program.

It automatically creates XAML code on the back end for designers to use if so desired!

I cannot wait to get back to UniMatrix Zero-1 to try it out.

Vista UX
As with all T's sessions, this is under permanent NDA.

(Under NDA until January 20)