Sekerob,
I have just re-read your chart and I have found two places which need improvement or correction.

In the comment for "Display styles/GUI" you should say which one has a display mode suitable for visual impaired. I think it is Boinc but that may not be obvious for everybody. (Joke on: anyway, visual impaired are probably not able to read this chart... Joke off).

For Boinc in the topic "Installation styles" the third line "service" has disappeared.

And finally a question about service installation (not related to the chart): I have started to install as a service with 5.10.7 and I have installed 5.10.13 yesterday. None of these betas have graphics when installed as a service (not a problem for me). Is it related to the beta status or has it always been like that before? I am not too inclined to re-install 5.8.16 to find the answer.

Cheers. Jean.

Jean, I'll clarify based on your comments. As for absence of graphics on service installs, there is somewhere a 'how to' to get graphics going none the less. With 6.0 there will in fact *only* be a services install for windows (?). Here's the link to the development roadmap: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/trac/roadmap . It does not say how 6.0 clients attached to projects that distribute pre-6.0 apps will deal with graphics. WCG will have their hands full with the transition.

Added: Here the instructions to get graphics on a service install: http://www.boinc-wiki.info/Enabling_The_Graph...Service_Type_Installation

Edit: Comparative table in this thread has been updated per July 19, 2007

A word of caution: that method has a few security implications, so don't use it on important systems. Because of this vulnerability, Vista won't allow the workaround at all.

Sure.

The Local System account can do just about anything. On the local machine, the account is God. Now, if you attach BOINC to a rogue project containing malicious software, then their malware is running as God on your machine. Not good! Also, if a major vulnerability is found in BOINC, again, the BOINC process is running with elevated privileges - much higher than it really needs.

Now, in true Microsoft style: mitigating circumstances.
If you commonly log in using an account belonging to the Administrator group (perfectly normal in XP) and run BOINC in the standard single user mode, then you are already exposed to a similar level.

Also, if you only attach to WCG the risk is less. All downloads come over a secure connection, and the WCG applications have been security audited by IBM.

For version 6.0
BOINC will run as a special, limited user and as a service. BOINC applications will be run in a sandbox, again with minimal privileges. This way, users will be protected as much as possible against rogue projects. Still, this is no replacement for good computer security. Users should use a firewall and antivirus software. Today, I'm recommending Avira AntiVir.

God, root, what is difference? -- Pitr

Yesterday 5.10.13 has moved from the "beta" status to "recommended version" (together with 5.8.16) for Windows on Berkeley's download page.