Explanation of TAP

Technology Adoption Program (TAP )

- The granddaddy of Microsoft's beta programs centered on a core group of key customers and partners who are early adopters of key Microsoft technologies;

- Not a replacement for Microsoft's mega-beta tests (public and private) for products such as Windows, Office and Visual Studio. Instead, it's more of an "elite" beta-test program;

- Launced Winter 2003 which supersedes Microsoft's Early Adoption Program (EAP), Joint Development Program (JDP) & Rapid Deployment Program (RDP);

- Reserved for a select group of customers and partners with whom Microsoft is interested in holding "an ongoing dialogue on pre-release code," according to the company;

- All TAP participants are those who plan to put the beta code into early production;

- "TAP is a framework that gives customers a consistent view of pre-release customer programs," said Linda Apsley, lead program manager with Microsoft's Customer Experience Team;

- It is currently consists of four different programs namely: 1) Product validation (similar to the JDP); 2) Product evaluation (like a traditional beta program); 3) Rapid deployment (akin to the Microsoft RDP); 4) A new "solutions implementation" program that covers the post-RTM product phase.

Explanation of Aero, Aero Glass, Aero Express, Aero Diamond.

Aero (code-name) – an acronym for
Authentic,
Energetic,
Reflective,
Open.

Aero Glass
The full Windows Vista desktop experience. Built on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) previously known as DCE (Desktop Compositing Engine), it adds support for
1) 3D Graphics,
2) Translucency,
3) Animation & other visual effects.
I explained, tested and distributed the whole concept as
Slow Motion "Sticky Mode" Revisited (Flip3D) dated Dec 29, 2005.

Aero Express*
AeroExpress, lacking many features of the highest level code-named Aero Glass. However, in December 2005, Microsoft announced that there would only be two levels available, "Windows Vista Aero" and "Windows Vista Basic", with the previous "Express" level integrated into the new "Windows Vista Aero" level. A control panel was added to enable the user to fine tune this functionality, such as being able to turn off the "glass" translucency effect. These levels are provided so that the Aero interface (to some extent) can be used with a relatively low-end graphics card.

*Aero Express does not use DWM. There is no SDK interface for changing from Aero Glass to Aero Express.

Aero Diamond
A variation of Aero, code-named "Aero Diamond", is slated to be the user interface for the Windows Vista Media Center Edition experience.