Channel9: Developing Windows Vista

section: windows, for your questions: KezNews forum, 6.1.2006

The folks over at Channel9 lead by self-proclaimed 'Microsoft Geek' Robert Scoble have posted some great videos as of late concerning the development of Windows Vista. The amount of work that goes into creating a software product like Vista is staggering. These videos really put into perspective the problems and challenges faced by Microsoft in developing their next generation OS.

Recording Sounds for Windows Vista

"Robert Fripp was on the Microsoft campus a few weeks back. He's the famous guitarist and composer, known for his founding role in the band King Crimson. So, what was he doing on campus? Recording the various sounds we'll all hear in Windows Vista."

Windows Vista Kernel Architecture

"Rob Short is the corporate vice president in charge of the team that architects the foundation of Windows Vista. This is a fascinating conversation with the kernel architecture team. Out of all the interviews we've done this one is the most interesting because this team has such a deep impact on how reliable, scalable, secure, etc Windows Vista actually will be."

Windows Vista Sidebar and Gadgets

"Gadgets are a new category of mini-application designed to provide information, useful lookup, or enhance an application or service on your Windows PC or the Web. Examples might include a weather gadget running on your desktop or on your homepage, an RSS Gadget that pulls in your favorite feeds, or an extension of a business application providing just-in-time status on the pulse of your business."

Redesigning the Vista Audio Stack

"Much of the guts of Windows audio have been moved up into the land of the user and this has consequences for both Windows audio developers at the API level and for Windows at the general programmability, reliability and stability levels."