Waiting for Vista SP1?

In a previous article, I wrote about how to sound stupid by saying "let's wait for Service Pack 1 before we deploy Windows Vista".

Now here are a few ways to sound clever, by pointing to specific issues that will be fixed by Windows Vista SP1.

  • GPMC.MSC (the Group Policy Management Console) gets removed, and the Group Policy Editor will default to editing the local group policy only. Okay, that's not really an advantage - but you will be able to download a newer group policy editor later.
  • Allows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) files to be signed. Complains when they aren't (though this does cause a problem for Remote Web Workplace users in SBS land, because there's no way to actually sign the RDP files!)
  • Improved cryptographic random number generator, leveraging the TPM if you have one on your computer. (Not sure there was that much wrong with the old one... but this one's better, and more ... cryptographicky)
  • BDE + TPM + USB + PIN - need I say more? Oh, okay then - for the truly security paranoid, you can use Bitlocker Drive Encryption with the Trusted Platform Module, and have it require a USB key and a PIN before the system will start.
  • Also with BitLocker, there is support for encryption of drives other than the main boot volume (which is the volume that has the system software on it, not the system drive, which is the one you boot from). Still can't encrypt the system drive - because that would be just plain stupid.
  • Performance improvements - really, what's not to like with an update that makes your computer go faster?
  • exFAT file system for flash memory storage - you probably haven't exactly been drooling about this.
  • SSTP - allows VPN over HTTPS to Windows Server 2008 systems. Yeah, because if you're holding off installing Vista until SP1 ships, you've got loads of those ready to use, right?

I don't know - were any of those features worth waiting for? I know there's performance and reliability improvements, but those are somewhat nebulous and indistinct.

My advice is still to test Vista as it shipped, test Vista with the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate - report bugs to Microsoft quickly, before they lock it down - and then when SP1 releases, and then test with Vista SP1 RTM when it comes out... and stop letting vendors get away with saying that "all you need to do to run our software on Vista is to disable UAC, or make all users administrator" - that's just plain bad.

What do I wish was in SP1?

  • Some provision for solving the EFS incompatibility between XP and Vista (maybe XP SP3 will help, I don't know)
  • The ability for a standard user to back up his own files, including EFS encrypted files, so that a user can export encrypted data to removable physical media (like a CD-R). Too much data still travels unencrypted, and it might help to have the ability to put encrypted files on CD-Rs using only what comes with the OS.
  • A server administration toolkit that allows me to administer Windows versions 2000, 2003 and 2008 from Vista.
  • An ability to switch sound output devices on already-running applications. When my wife comes into the office, I want to stop using the built-in speakers and start using the Bluetooth headset, so that she can't hear me playing Halo.

So, tell me, what are you waiting for?

Published Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:24 PM by Alun Jones
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Comments

# re: Waiting for Vista SP1?

And RWW folks in Home Server as well.

Friday, January 18, 2008 1:47 AM by bradley

# Vista sp1 coming out sooner for Techys

Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista SP1 availability for technical customers: http://windowsvistablog

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:04 AM by The Official Blog of the SBS "Diva"

# re: Waiting for Vista SP1?

Your question: "So, tell me, what are you waiting for?"  

By experience... I'll wait for SP1.  Microsoft has been issuing lots of software with different bugs such as; memory leaks, different security flaws, executables that don't release memory when closed etc. etc.  I am not a perfect tech, but I'll tell you that I saw so many different bugs with different Microsoft applications, that I know today that jumping on the bandwagon as soon as the software products hit the market, is a bad mistake... I consider that until the first SP is released, the product (no matter which it is) is still under beta testing.  I am not bashing Microsoft, I'm just saying that it releases software before it should come out.  Probably for marketing issues.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 3:02 PM by Jim

# re: Waiting for Vista SP1?

If you're waiting until SP1, how do you know that Microsoft released Vista before its time?

If you're not testing Vista RTM, how do you know what issues you need SP1 to fix?

Are you simply setting yourself up to treat SP1 like the release code, and find yourself up against bugs that you didn't anticipate?

Wait for the product to have what you need - and test it early to find out what it's missing.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:26 PM by Alun Jones

# re: Waiting for Vista SP1?

In my organization, I am the only IT resource available.  I do everything from setting up PCs, change management, connecting remote locations to our fibre optics network, budgeting and just about everyhing that relates to technology.  To come to the point, I just don't have the time to spend on testing software.  When I purchase it, I want it to work as "we" (RE: My organization) expect it to work.  When people complain about different drivers not fully released, I can't take that chance especially if it will impact on productivity.  I leave the testing to people who have more knowledge and time than I have.  When I'll hear and know (through other techs in who I have confidence) that Vista is a more mature and stable product, then I'll consider testing the OS in our environment.  XP was sure hell before SP1 and really got better with SP2.  I know through Microsoft's "Roadmap - Directions on Microsoft" (march 2007 issue - Page 9) that there will be a SP3 for XP (expected in 2008).  That is good news to me because it means that I can delay the deployment of Vista until my jugement says "OK Jim, Vista is as stable as you'd expect it to be and is ready for a test deployment in our organization."  

I've been in this business for almost 20 years now.  I still have a good souvenir of what was called "Vaporware".  Remember ?  Promises were made about new software releases, its features and when the products came to market, lots of the items claimed by customers were either missing or buggy !  Today, I still feel the sting when I hear about new software releases.  It's not because of Microsoft.  It's not just Microsoft.  It's just the way it is (for now) in the software market and I don't have to accept that.  I have the same problem with other developpers such as Adobe, Network Associates and many others.  Well, enough for now.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to express my view on the subject.  Your comments are welcomed

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:11 AM by Jim

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