A “release candidate” is the penultimate step in beta testing. Next comes the RTM (release to manufacture), considered “going gold.”
Enthusiasts will grab the 500MB file as soon as they can in the week of 12/10/07 at www.microsoft.com/downloads/ — look for prompts to install Microsoft File Transfer Manager, which makes it easier to resume interrupted [...]
By mjh on 07 December 2007
A “release candidate” is the penultimate step in beta testing. Next comes the RTM (release to manufacture), considered “going gold.”
Enthusiasts will grab the 500MB file as soon as they can in the week of 12/10/07 at www.microsoft.com/downloads/ — look for prompts to install Microsoft File Transfer Manager, which makes it easier to resume interrupted transfers.
Those less enthusiastic should wait until this service pack (SP1) is available through Windows Update within a few months, unless you’re having problems with Vista you *hope* will be resolved with this update.
I downloaded the x86 EXE file in about 4 hours over a slower DSL connection. Installation involved five screens, though no real options. The first phase ran for about 25 minutes. The last reboot completed nearly an hour after I began. Everything seemed fine and underwhelming. The System screen notes Service Pack 1. There is a note on my Desktop about this being an “evaluation copy.”
Next day, after a cold boot, my tablet driver failed to load until a second boot. If this is consistently a problem, a new driver is required. Ironic, that, but let’s wait to judge. peace, mjh
Windows Vista Team Blog : Announcing Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC)
Today we’re making available the release candidate (RC) of Windows Vista SP1 via Microsoft Connect, and tomorrow subscribers to TechNet and MDSN will have access to those RC bits too. In addition, the RC will be available to the public next week via Microsoft’s Download Center. The release candidate phase of beta software is typically the final phase before the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) of a product and indicates that the code has attained a significant level of performance and stability.
Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta Whitepaper
Brief Description: This white paper presents an overview of Windows Vista SP1 and the improvements it contains.
Review: Vista SP1 Release Candidate targets performance, reliability, security by Preston Gralla
The just-released Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC), like the previous beta, does more to improve the internal plumbing of Windows Vista than it does to make any major changes to the interface. SP1 RC targets performance, reliability and security, leaving the operating system’s features and functionality largely intact, with the exception of allowing users to substitute an alternate search tool for the one built into Vista, and removing the Search link from the Start menu.
Review: Vista SP1 beta’s biggest mod is to the search function by Preston Gralla
With SP1, third-party search technologies — think Google Desktop Search — can now be easily integrated into the operating system and used as the default search engine. And it’s a change that’s apparent as soon as you click the Start button. The search link, which was on the right-hand side of the menu pre-SP1, has been taken away. If you want to search from the Start menu, you’ll now have to use the Start Search box. Otherwise, you can use the Search box embedded in Windows Explorer.
Note: This blog entry was originally posted on www.mjhinton.com. View original post
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