| Microsoft has tried to put "active" items on the | | | | watch out for the digital rights |
| Windows desktop for nearly a decade. Finally, with | | | | Microsoft Windows Vista provides several |
| Vista's Sidebar success seems within grasp. | | | | accessories for Tablet PCs, including Input Panel, |
| Stability problems that dogged previous versions | | | | Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal. |
| aren't as readily apparent - which is to say, | | | | All of these accessories use Tablet PC pens, |
| Sidebar doesn't crash nearly as often as, say, | | | | which improve accessibility by making it easier to |
| Active Desktop in Windows XP - and the items it | | | | work with computers. Additionally, people who |
| offers actually help. | | | | might not be able to use a computer keyboard |
| The items in the Sidebar, termed Gadgets, can | | | | and mouse might be able to use a Tablet PC pen |
| interact with you, with Windows, with files and | | | | as an alternative input device. |
| folders, with your network, and with other | | | | As in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, |
| Gadgets. Vista ships with a handful of moderately | | | | Windows Vista includes many other features that |
| interesting Gadgets - a clock (you can put more | | | | improve accessibility, including the Filter Keys, |
| than one clock on your desktop, each set to a | | | | Sticky Keys, and High Contrast functions and the |
| different time zone). | | | | Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard |
| Many other features - Put Vista head and | | | | utilities. In Windows Vista, these features have all |
| shoulders above XP. The standout features include | | | | been enhanced, and most have completely |
| the following:o Improved backup (although no | | | | redesigned interfaces. Windows Vista also includes |
| backup exists in the Home Basic Edition).o Photo | | | | speech recognition software. Using speech |
| management (via Photo Gallery, not in Home | | | | recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mail |
| Basic).o Second monitor supporto Easy wireless | | | | messages, and you can use your voice to control |
| networking.o Vista also helps you burn DVDs, but | | | | programs and browse the Web. |