Omens

Via Scott Feldstein (known, Bond-like, as S in the comments here), I see that Microsoft has released a test version of its new Longhorn Vista OS, which might--might--be available by the end of 2006. Scott also points us here:

An Austrian hacker earned the dubious distinction of writing what are thought to be the first known viruses for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Vista operating system. Written in July, the viruses take advantage of a new command shell, code-named Monad, that is included in the Windows Vista beta code. [. . .]

Most security experts had not expected to see a Windows Vista virus so soon, Hyppönen said. “The only surprise here is that it came so early,” he said. “It’s been eight days since the beta of the operating system was out.” Monad was released several days prior to the Windows Vista beta. [. . .]

Microsoft “got burned,” by including similar software, called Windows Script Host, by default in its Windows 2000 operating system, he said. “Since it was on the system, all the virus writers were exploiting it,” he said.

Duh. Just, duh.

Oh, and get a Mac.