As I am sure you are now aware, the Vista Ultimate edition is Microsoft’s high-end release that has all of the bells and whistles and which includes a fairly steep price tag of $399 for the full version and $299 for the upgrade.
Ultimate will also include what Microsoft has labeled as Ultimate Extras. What are Ultimate Extras?
No one knows for sure. But here is an excerpt of an email I received from Microsoft requesting applying for the Ultimate Extras:
What are Extras?
I must be vague because most of the details about Ultimate Extras are still secret. However, if you visit the Extras control panel in Windows Vista Ultimate, you’ll read that Windows Ultimate Extras are programs, services, and premium content for Windows Vista Ultimate.We think they are cool, and some of the Extras are almost ready to go, but first we want the help of some seasoned Vista users. Therefore we’re creating a limited-enrollment testing program, and I encourage you to apply.
I have applied, but whether I am selected or not is anyone’s guess.
Some of the rumors that are floating around the Internet is that Ultimate Extras may be similar to the Plus packs that Microsoft has previously released for some Windows versions. Other rumors are that it may include a Motion Desktop that will allow for the end user to run an animated or interactive desktop wallpaper to complement the UI already present in Windows Vista. This was previously known as Desktop Aurora.
So the rumors continue and we won’t really know what Microsoft has up its sleeve until the Ultimate Extras are released.
[tags]ulitmate extras, vista, microsoft, aurora, desktop, secret, [/tags]
[...] We think they are cool, and some of the Extras are almost ready to go, but first we want the help of some seasoned Vista users. Therefore we’re creating a limited-enrollment testing program, and I encourage you to apply. Source: The Blade [...]
Don’t worry you won’t get in.
Didn’t you read the line that says Secrecy Details?
[...] Windows Vista – Ultimate Extras [...]
Not a clue. Maybe I should of read the secrecy details.
In fact I just checked my version of Ultimate for the Extras and none were available as of yet.
Didn’t ‘extras’ before mean ‘features’ which were actually bugs in the system? lol
Actually a lot of the terms we used for XP have been changed.
Bugs are now code replicators
Patches are now code modifiers
Friday Jan 12, 2007, no Ultimate Extras available yet.
If it’s ULTIMATE, why are extras needed?
Hi Marc,
Enhancements to justify the higher cost.
Extras supposedly will be added during the lifetime of the product.
Most ultimate extras do not exist yet. There are some games, and future additions such as media center.
Games are available in almost all versions.
Click Start – Control Panel – Programs – program options
Place a check mark in the games section and select OK.
They will come available on finish.
I am sure Microsoft has future plans for the extra section, but as of now not much exists.
Tks
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your comments.
Ron
You got lucky that your client did as you suggested. Having worked in tech support before…found that you can tell the user who contacted you to never open attachments or do other things till you’re blue in the face. They will do it again…since it’s their computer and they “know” better than someone with years of experience and training.
Too bad that some users computers don’t have shockable mice/keyboards. They do something stupid…they get a shock. The downside is you get a user like Moe who enjoys the pain.
Hello, Sherman. I’ve commented before here – I always check the hard disk drive with the manufacturer’s diagnostic software first. Always. Even if I hear a story like your customer’s…About 10% of the time it’s a bad hard disk drive, and I’ve wasted no time/effort on software (Windows) diagnostics. (Heard same kind of story last night – asked them to drop off same night – diagnosed bad drive – up and running today with new drive from stock. All the data was recoverable(!) ).
If customer elects to get new computer (exceedingly rare), I try to keep old computer to properly recycle, or re-use for a low-income customer. The bad hard disk drive gets destroyed here – they are taken apart and scrapped for the aluminum. BillP
Ok so other then pretty picture advertisements and eye candy, what are the supposed ‘extras’?