Zweli Mokgata

Zweli Mokgata

The much-anticipated all new operating system from Microsoft has been approved for commercial release tomorrow.

Microsoft Windows Vista was originally meant to be launched in the second half of last year, but the launch was delayed to the beginning of this year.

Microsoft cited efforts to improve security as the major reason behind the delay.

The company made a version for corporate clients available in November, but held back on the consumer market until several "design issues" were ironed out.

Microsoft client business development manager Jonathan Hatchuel said that the product would be worth the wait.

"You just have to see it to believe it, words can't really describe it. Its just really cool."

The Vista project has been in operation for about five to six years with the Beta version known as Longhorn.

Vista promises to provide more clarity, integrated search features, enhanced user-friendliness and a more secure infrastructure. According to Microsoft the programme has hundreds of new features.

But some IT professionals don't think Vista will be the revolution it claims to be.

"There's a woman I work with who had a copy of the beta version, and I wasn't that impressed," said Software Consulting Services systems administrator Thabang Legoale.

"Of course there'll be updates, but they are all stolen inspiration from existing technology. I'd love to install it and play around with it when it's done, but I don't expect to be too shocked," said Legoale.