Microsoft has really done a nice job of putting together
some very valuable information about Windows Vista that will not only be of
benefit to those actually testing the product, but also to those who are
sitting on the sideline. Here’s a list of some of the most interesting articles.

Windows Vista Product Overview for IT
Professionals
This very detailed article covers, in overview fashion, just about
everything you’ll want to know about how Windows Vista will be of benefit to
the entire enterprise—from the IT group down to the end users. Topics in this
article cover security, data protection, reliability, performance deployment,
manageability, and productivity.

Ximage and WIM Image Format
This article by Jerry Honeycutt, a writer,
speaker, and technologist, goes into great detail on XImage,
which is Windows Vista’s built-in disk-imaging tool that is designed to vastly
improve the deployment of the new operating system.

Get
Home Earlier with Windows Vista
This article by Tony Northrup, a networking
consultant and writer, begins by reminiscing about the days of deploying and
managing a Windows for Workgroups (WFW) 3.11 network
and uses that memory to contrast the benefits of deploying and managing Windows
Vista.

Windows
Vista Self-Guided Tour
This document, from the Windows Team, provides a high-level step-by-step
introductory guide aimed at IT professionals who are going to be building and
deploying desktops with Windows Vista Beta 1. It includes scenarios,
step-by-step instructions, and screen shots. Topics in this article cover
security, deployment, desktop management, end-user productivity, and mobility
features.

Windows Vista Ready PC Hardware Guidelines
This article will help ease your concerns over Win Vista’s hardware
requirements by providing you with details about how the currently available
Windows Vista Ready PCs will allow you to make the transition from Windows XP
PCs to Windows Vista PCs and easy one.

Deploying
Windows Vista
This page features a number of articles on the best practices for deploying
Windows Vista, including tools for application compatibility, and recommended
strategies for a smooth deployment.

Security
and Protection in Windows Vista
This page features several articles providing you with in-depth information
regarding system isolation and resiliency, the hardening platform, access
control and other security management topics.

Windows
Vista Desktop Management
This page features articles that explain how you can reduce the cost of
desktop support, simplify desktop configuration management, enable better
centralized management of the desktop and decrease the cost of keeping systems
updated.

Windows
Vista Virtual Pressroom
In this little gallery on Microsoft’s PressPass site, you’ll find some
official screen shots of various Windows Vista features.

Microsoft
Windows Vista Beta 1 Fact Sheet
This descriptive fact sheet on Microsoft’s PressPass site provides you with
a ton of information in a very digestible portions.

Windows Vista FAQ
While the Microsoft site contains a lot of valuable Windows Vista
information, I really like the tidbits presented in this FAQ by Paul Thurrott.