ZDNet UK


Skip to Main Content

ZDNet.co.uk - Winner of Best Business Website 2007
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Blogs
  4. Reviews
  5. Prices
  6. Resources
  7. Community
  8. My ZDNet

 

ZDNet UK RSS Feeds


IT Jobs

Desktop platforms Toolkit in association with http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;205413468;14699245;m?http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/2397-58840-22058-14

Microsoft Windows Vista

Windows Vista is in sync with your files

Robert Vamosi CNET

Published: 01 Feb 2007

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly
  • Post Comment

File sharing has both a good use and a questionable use. For businesses, the ability to access files remotely and also to collaborate on files easily is a good use. For businesses concerned about digital rights management, the ability to share copyrighted material without control is a bad use. Deep within Windows Vista, Microsoft hopes to be able to address both of these issues.

One of the four layers of the .NET Framework 3 within Windows Vista is the Windows Communications Foundation (WCF), formerly known as Indigo. Similar to the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), which handles all the graphical elements within Windows Vista, WCF is specifically tasked with handling all the communications elements — from basic networking to syncing files and folders with local mobile devices or remote servers. In Windows Home Premium, WCF can be found in the Sync Center, Windows Meeting Space and within basic file- and folder-sharing capabilities within Windows Explorer. In Windows Business, you'll find the same features plus Offline files and folders, Roaming User Profiles and Folder Redirection.

By default, all but password-protected sharing is turned off within Windows Vista. Home users enable and then limit what is shared among users on the same machine by adding or removing files from the new Public folder space. By combining digital rights management features within Office 2007 with group policy available in Windows Vista Business, businesses can limit who has access to share specific files and what permissions they also might need to update, copy or even print the information. It's a sophisticated approach to what might otherwise seem a very simple problem. Now, instead of saying remote users have access to this drive or this file folder, you can restrict what is shared down to a specific file, and even then restrict how the user ultimately views or uses that file.

Next

Previous

1 2 3 4


  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly Print with Kyocera

Did you find this article useful?


Full Talkback thread

0 comments


More in this Special Report

  • Windows Vista overview

    Video Find out what's new in the latest version of Windows, and what you should be aware of before you buy

  • Windows Vista Business

    Review Windows Vista Business is essentially warmed-up Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use

  • 10 things to consider before taking the Vista plunge

    News If you're planning a rollout of the latest Windows operating system, certain factors need to be evaluated first

  • Bill Gates talks Vista and Linux

    News Bill Gates is pretty confident that when he spots an emerging technology, it will emerge. Exactly when that happens, though, is sometimes an open question

  • Vista launch kicks off in New York

    News Microsoft has begun two days of events celebrating the consumer launch of its latest operating system

  • Why you should care about Vista

    FAQ  It's finally ready, so here's what you need to know about Microsoft's latest operating system

  • Peace in our time for Vista?

    Opinion Jim Allchin's comments that Windows Vista doesn't need any extra security software could stir up further confrontation with antivirus companies, at a time when Microsoft needs all the friends it can get

  • Should businesses upgrade to Vista?

    Buyer's Guide IT managers need to consider whether Microsoft's new Vista operating system is worth installing — and if it is, when the roll-out should begin.

  • A quick guide to Windows Vista's new file system

    Tech Guide Windows Vista challenges how we think about files and file storage, allowing users to tag, organise and search content in new ways.

  • Windows Vista is in sync with your files

    Tech Guide Need to synchronise files and folders with local mobile devices or remote servers? Our guide explains how Windows Vista users go about it.

New Products

Acrobat 9 Pro Extended: a first look

Acrobat 9 Pro Extended: a first look

Adobe's Acrobat 9 document-creation software is adding dynamic features such as animation integration, dynamic maps, 256-bit encryption and improved forms.

What we know about Windows 7

What we know about Windows 7

Microsoft is remaining tight-lipped about the next version of Windows, due in late 2009 or early 2010: ZDNet.com's Redmond-watcher Mary Jo Foley summarises what we do know.

SQL Server 2008: a first look

SQL Server 2008: a first look

Microsoft has made some big promises for SQL Server 2008, a major update of its enterprise database product. Here's an outline of the key new features.

Internet Explorer 8 beta: a first look

Internet Explorer 8 beta: a first look

Can the latest version of Internet Explorer arrest its declining market share? We examine the first beta of IE8.

View all Previews

Featured Talkback

So if you upgrade to XP SP3 you can't uninstall Internet Explorer, I'm quite sure I'm having a Deja-vu feeling about MS preventing people from uninstalling Internet Explorer in other Windows products.

By: TheKLF99

Read full story:
Upgraders to XP SP3 warned over IE downgrades

Desktop Management Benchmarking

Test Your Desktop Management Systems

How good are your company's desktop management solutions? How do they compare with those of your peers?

Take two minutes to complete our new Desktop Management and Energy Consumption benchmark, and find out what issues your business needs to focus on.