Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista, User Interface

Small Software Developers: Get Flying with Windows Vista

James Senior — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:02:00 GMT

Project codename "Glidepath" is an Evangelism initiative targeted at helping MicroISVs get started and be successful with a focus on Windows Vista.

Project Glidepath includes a free software factory add-in for Visual Studio 2005 that delivers, via RSS, guidance, content, code samples, step-by-step instructions and even custom tools that help MicroISVs take full advantage of Windows Vista including .NET 3.0 (WPF, WCF, WF, and CardSpace) as well as many non-technical aspects of being a MicroISV.

Project Glidepath also features the Windows Vista Spotlight highlighting MicroISV applications available worldwide that are compatible with Windows Vista.

Full information plus community forums and a blog are available via www.projectglidepath.net

James’ Go Do: Create some of your own WOW!

Understanding the Feature Design Process at Microsoft

Nick White — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 11:27:00 GMT

Yet another fantastic post from Vinny Pasceri, Program Manager for the Windows Shell Team, appears over at the Windows Shell blog. Vinny sheds some light on what is involved in the feature design process here at Microsoft. He separates the process into three different parts: Page 1, The Spec and Building the Feature. Definitely a great way to understand the process we follow here at MS when designing and developing the features in our products.

Even better: Vinny's post actually includes a real feature spec for all to see! Check out the original feature spec for the Windows Aero Wizard UI.

Update on Ability to Mute the Windows Vista Start-up Sound

Nick White — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 02:01:00 GMT

We heard you loud and clear when it came to discussing our plans to include a default start-up sound that plays as you boot-up Windows Vista: you said you wanted to have the opportunity to mute it if and when you felt it necessary. Your collective voice truly made a difference in this matter, as we've incorporated a way for users to turn off the start-up sound when it's more appropriate to boot silently -- be it when you're mobile, at home or in the office.

Here's a shot of the control panel that will allow you to enable/disable the start-up sound:

Putting the Final Touches on Windows Vista's "Fit-and-Finish"

Nick White — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:25:00 GMT

Over at the Windows Shell blog, Program Manager Vinny Pasceri explainsthe balance necessary to be struck in order to complete the UI polish, or "fit-and-finish", of Windows Vista's UI. Questions like "will it affect the user’s habits in a bad way?" must always be faced when changing any part of the user interface -- a UI to which Windows users have grown much accustomed.

Don Vronay, Research Manager for the Windows User Experience Compliance Team, is taking feedback on the "fit-and-finish" of Windows Vista. If you want to add your two cents to the on-going Windows Vista UI discussion, head over to their "Rants and Raves" forum and share your side of the story.

Windows Client Team Launches the Windows Shell Blog

Nick White — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:42:00 GMT

The Windows Shell Team, responsible for Windows' core user interface, has launched a blog called shell: revealed. This new site has blogs from several team members and also includes galleries and a forum to discuss Windows shell-related topics, such as Windows Aero and organization.

If you are one of those who is concerned with the user interface in Windows, this blog is for you. Keep your eye out as the team has some cool things planned.