My oldest daughter just went through "a circle of Dante's hell" trying to get SPSS 15 to run on Windows Vista. Eventually, she was able to create a login on the SPSS site and download their recent Vista compatibility patch, which did work well, but they sure didn't make it easy to get that far.
I have to be sympathetic to all sides here. Microsoft broke more than the usual number of applications and device drivers with the changes to the Windows Vista system, in the interest of improving security and creating a more robust system. While there's a Microsoft effort that's supposed to help vendors achieve Vista compatibility, they sure haven't made it easy to find them or to go through the process.
The Vista compatibility information on MSDN is only the beginning. There's additional information at www.InnovateOnWindowsVista.com. I recommend following both "find out more" links and downloading all the requirements documents.
There are actually two Vista certification programs: the Work with Windows Vista initiative and the Certified for Windows Vista initiative. What's the difference? The Works with Windows Vista Logo is a free self-testing program, intended to get XP applications over the basic hurdles of running on Vista. Once you do the required testing on 32-bit and 64-bit Vista and make any necessary changes, you can get this logo within a few days of submission.
The Certified for Windows Vista logo requirements are much more stringent. Your application doesn't just have to work: it and all its components have to be digitally signed, and need to have a Vista manifest. You must install using MSI. There are 32 test cases to pass. And you have to pay a third party to test your application. Supposedly, it takes about a month. Software vendors who need to do this should join the Microsoft Partner Program and register with Windows Quality Online Services.
A word to the wise: do all the testing and make all necessary changes yourself, before submitting your application. Every time you submit an application for testing, you have to pay a sizable fee.
Posted by Martin Heller on May 7, 2007 07:24 AM
