News, Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself. (CD, hard drive, operating system)

[JD59]

While Vista was originally touted by Microsoft as the operating system savior we've all been waiting for, it has turned out to be one of the biggest blunders in technology. With a host of issues that are inexcusable and features that are taken from the Mac OS X and Linux playbook, Microsoft has once again lost sight of what we really want.

As we're more than aware, Vista Ultimate comes at a premium. For an additional $160 over the Premium SKU price, Ultimate gives you a complete backup and restore option, BitLocker Drive encryption, the ever so popular Windows Fax & Scan, and the "Ultimate Extras." But what started with a promise of "Extras" by summer, quickly turned into an apology from Microsoft and the eventual release of DreamScene and Windows Hold 'Em (among others) today. And while each of the "Extras" runs just fine, Microsoft's "Extras" blunder is just another reason why the company must abandon Vista before it's too late.

Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

[Magnum Mike]

Generally, especially with Microsoft, you have to forgo the initial releases of an operating system or any software, and wait until they've addressed the issues.

There are those who claim that Vista is the best thing Microsoft has ever come up with, well maybe there's some validity to their claims, probably because they had good luck with the hardware compatability, but for the most part, I've heard plenty of people express the same negative opinion on Vista.

The company I work for, as well as the majority of corporate America, will refrain from getting Vista for their employees and their servers for the same reason I mentioned above.

I think Vista will eventually catch on in about 2-3 years or so, but for the time being, I think I, and the majority of consumers will stick with XP. Heck, I still know some companies that are still using Windows 2000!

[BrianH]

I would be the one still using Win2k for business Hell, it dosent crash and dosent have any of the 'flowery' BS that XP and especially Vista has that people love.

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by John1960

While Vista was originally touted by Microsoft as the operating system savior we've all been waiting for, it has turned out to be one of the biggest blunders in technology. With a host of issues that are inexcusable and features that are taken from the Mac OS X and Linux playbook, Microsoft has once again lost sight of what we really want.

As we're more than aware, Vista Ultimate comes at a premium. For an additional $160 over the Premium SKU price, Ultimate gives you a complete backup and restore option, BitLocker Drive encryption, the ever so popular Windows Fax & Scan, and the "Ultimate Extras." But what started with a promise of "Extras" by summer, quickly turned into an apology from Microsoft and the eventual release of DreamScene and Windows Hold 'Em (among others) today. And while each of the "Extras" runs just fine, Microsoft's "Extras" blunder is just another reason why the company must abandon Vista before it's too late.

Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

Well it will get better- yes I know that doesn't help *now*. But historically it gets better. I've been watching this closely since the 32 bit windows came out (Windows 95...well not all the way 32 bits, but that's a different discussion ). Anyway, I remember when Win95 came out, and MS had to tripple it's support staff. Here we are 12 years later (wow has it been that long?), the same pattern. Release 1.0 of something (or major point release) knowning there are issues, plan on fixing most of the bugs that should've been fixed by the second service pack.

Incidentally the cash cow for MS is Office- that's the bad boy that can't mess up

[southernlady5464]

Incidentally the cash cow for MS is Office- that's the bad boy that can't mess up

Wanta bet???? I suspect many people will resist switching there too. And stay with Office 97 or Office 2000 or 2003 as long as they can.

I know *I'VE* switched to Open Office. Liz

[MacFan]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

Wanta bet???? I suspect many people will resist switching there too. And stay with Office 97 or Office 2000 or 2003 as long as they can.

I know *I'VE* switched to Open Office. Liz

I think some businesses will wait to upgrade to Office 2007, but that is not unusual. Most businesses wait a while before jumping on the latest and greatest bandwagon, however they will eventually upgrade to the current version.

Microsoft Office currently has a 90-95% share of the business market and about the same market share for the home consumer market.

Unfortunately, until OpenOffice, StarOffice and the other office alternatives can ensure 100% compatibility with MS Office, Microsoft really doesn't have much to worry about whether the rest of us like it or not. The fact is there are a lot of individuals and business that can't risk using an alternative product that can't guarantee 100% compatibility for formatting, etc.

[BrianH]

Its just typical. Although Ive hasted every OS before and after Win2k Pro, I have to admit, its just ssdd. People will whine and moan about Vista being terrible, they wanna stay with XP. They say that with every new OS that comes out. And they after a while its like the previous OS never existed.

[southernlady5464]

I think some businesses will wait to upgrade to Office 2007, but that is not unusual. Most businesses wait a while before jumping on the latest and greatest bandwagon, however they will eventually upgrade to the current version.

My husband's previous company was using Office 97...then IT decided they needed to upgraded to 2003 (this was before 2007 was released). It screwed up so many documents that were critical to NRC regulations that my husband told the IT people they were NOT to touch his computer until HE had had a chance to convert all his documents himself. Took almost 4 months and screwed with their schedule but since it was NRC related not a blasted thing they could do but wait it out. He also had them install a back up computer that maintained Office 97 on it to maintain copies of all documents just in case. They had no option but comply. Sometimes newer isn't better. That computer was still running Office 97 when he left per NRC request. Liz

[tee-tee]

Originally Posted by MacFan

Unfortunately, until OpenOffice, StarOffice and the other office alternatives can ensure 100% compatibility with MS Office, Microsoft really doesn't have much to worry about whether the rest of us like it or not. The fact is there are a lot of individuals and business that can't risk using an alternative product that can't guarantee 100% compatibility for formatting, etc.

Microsoft is playing hardball in this arena with their OOXML vs ODF proposed standard for document storage. This, of course, is an end-run around a true open standard for document storage, which everyone *but* Microsoft is pushing for.

MS will do anything it can to lock you in: IE, Media Player, file storage, etc. This is to ensure the continued revenue stream, not because of any technical superiority. They are using their market penetration to force a standard that is best for them, not that which is best for the consumer.

Fortunately the EU and numerous countries around the world have already discovered and exposed MS's tactics. The ISO OOXML vote is going down the tube, country by country. The recent EU fine for abuse of monopolistic powers.

If you care at all about being able to access your documents in the future; or your personal records housed by a governmental authority; or any documents, period, without having to pay the MS Tax every few years, move to OpenOffice and ODF and start weaning yourself from the MS teat. It may be a bit painful now, but in the long run we will all be better off for it. (Of course MS doesn't want this to even start.)

It is patently absurd to keep paying one company over and over for the privilege of running your computer and accessing your documents, esp when that company is so inept at producing quality products.

There is no argument which OS is superior, agreed. Hint: the answer is NOT MS.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by BrianH

Its just typical. Although Ive hasted every OS before and after Win2k Pro, I have to admit, its just ssdd. People will whine and moan about Vista being terrible, they wanna stay with XP. They say that with every new OS that comes out. And they after a while its like the previous OS never existed.

I have to disagree:

I entered the online world via Windows98 back in 1999; had to upgrade to Windows2000Professional due to my losing the Product Key to my Win98 CD ca. 2003.

Win2000 I could tolerate due to it being very similar to Win98.

Computer died in late 2005 (hard drive) so I bought a machine powered by WindowsXP.

I did not like and still do not care for it.

That computer died as well (it was a homebrew that I built [motherboard went out]).

My G/F has a Vista machine; tried it, and immediately bought a Mac Mini-------as far as I am concerned, Microsoft has lost me as a consumer.

Had they simply updated the old Win98 (even having to pay $300 for a fortified version of it); I would have stayed 'in the family'.

Oh well.