Datasheet

14
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCING WINDOWS VISTA
group policies, the ADM template file remained with some minor modifications. The problems
with ADM template files include:
◆
ADM bloat that occurs when the template appears in each GPO as a separate item
◆
ADM template version mismatches
◆
ADM template corruption or changes that occur when the administrator installs updates
and patches
◆
Confusing policy and preference settings that depend on the area of the Registry that a
template affects
◆ Lack of control over multistring and binary Registry values
Vista handles the problems in ADM template files by introducing two new features. The first
is defining group policies using XML-based files (ADMX files) that are easy to modify and refer-
ence. The ADMX files chop up the ADM template files into smaller files that are easier to manage.
In addition, each ADMX file can contain multiple languages so internationalization is easier. The
second is using a template repository to store the templates, rather than placing a copy in each
GPO. Using a central repository means that you avoid version mismatches and problems during
to patches or updates.
Windows Sidebar
Windows Sidebar is one of the few Vista features that really do require the Aero Glass to work
properly. This application appears on the right or left side of your display and holds any number
of gadgets. The supplied gadgets include Calculator, Calendar, Clock, Contacts, CPU Meter, Cur-
rency Conversion, Notes, Picture Puzzle, Recycle Bin, RSS Feeds, Slideshow, and Stocks. The
power of Windows Sidebar is that you can add more gadgets to it. Not only does Microsoft plan
to introduce additional gadgets, you'll probably find gadgets from third parties as well. By keep-
ing Windows Sidebar displayed, you can track current events without any disruption of your
work. Since you can see through Windows Sidebar to your application, nothing is covered. Of
course, you need Aero Glass to see through Windows Sidebar. You can learn more about this
product feature in the “Working with Windows Sidebar” section of Chapter 8.
AutoPlay Enhancements
Vista makes it considerably easier to control AutoPlay functionality on your system. You’ll find a
new AutoPlay applet in the Control Panel. When you open this applet, you’ll find a list of all of the
media today; everything from audio CDs to HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc movies appears in the list.
You can configure each entry with a default action or simply tell Vista to ask you what action to take
with each media. You can even choose to turn off AutoPlay should you want to control disc access
manually. The options you can choose depends on the Vista edition you run. However, you’ll find
automatic options to perform tasks such as playing a video in Windows Media Center now.
NOTE
Don't confuse AutoPlay with AutoRun. AutoPlay is a feature that defines which applica-
tion to use to open media when you insert it into the drive regardless of the content of that drive.
AutoRun is a feature that depends on special files that appear on the media. In some cases, the
effects of AutoPlay and AutoRun are the same, but you can control AutoPlay, while AutoRun is
more or less automatic. For example, an application installation CD could contain an AutoRun
file that starts the setup program automatically.
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