With computers being a topic of interest to me, I thought a few others might find this interesting.
About 3 years ago Microsoft launched Windows Vista, the 6th version of their operating system for PC. It was supposed to be the mother of all operating systems, offering revolutionary graphical interfaces (in other words, copying Mac Cover Flow), side bar gadgets (copying Mac's Dashboard), and unrivalled protection against viruses and computer swine flu (what a load of tosh that ended up being). Microsoft had a business plan far longer than 3 years for Vista, but alas the public all over the world overwhelmingly loathed it and didn't take well to it, so much so that Microsoft were forced to reinstate old XP licences for many users.
Well folks, Windows 7 is on the way, and in traditional Microsoft style it is going to be the "best ever" and will fix all the problems that Vista had (even though Vista was supposed to fix all the problems of XP and be the ultimate computer experience). Public BETA testing of W7 is under way and the full commercial release will be in 9 - 12 months or so.
Already - even in its BETA phase - Microsoft have announced officially that W7 will require the same sort of hardware configuration that Vista demanded. In other words, one of Vista's biggest and most stupid problems has NOT been resolved. Hardware problems await W7 users just like they did for many Vista users. Also, "the Windows 7 Starter Edition will have limitations on how many applications can be used concurrently on a machine in order to preserve performance" (quoted from the BBC technology site) - in other words, W7 will be a bloated operating system that runs so inefficiently that it will actually impose limits on what users can do to stop it slowing down or crashing. When will Microsoft learn?
And according to the theinquirer.net, Microsoft will still be offering downgrades from W7 and allowing many OEMs to continue offering XP - yes, not Vista but XP - licences which tells me that Microsoft have very little confidence in their new product. A reviewer on pcadvisor.co.uk has used W7 extensively (BETA test copy) and claimed it is nothing more than a "tweaked version of Vista". He sums up W7 as like "putting lipstick on the pig".
And finally, the number of versions of Vista was confusing to a lot of users. W7 is said to have 5 versions (so far). Back in the good old days you had either "Home" or "Professional" but these days they offer so many versions that people often don't know which one to buy. Home Basic, Home Premium, Starter, Business, Business Plus, or whatever... can too much choice with technically complex mass-market products do more harm than good with users who just want a computer that works?
Some retailers have already responded to W7 negatively, many stating that they may use the release of W7 to explore other desktop technologies such as Mac OS and Ubuntu Linux. Microsoft's dominance is wobbling and it is looking like Windows may well have had its day. If they mess this up, there may well not be a Windows 8. If Microsoft starts to lose its place, not only will Mac OS grow and grow, but Linux will too and you can bet your last penny than Google will release a new operating system for PCs. Computer users will have something they've had very little of since 1995 - CHOICE!!!
I know I do a lot of Windows-bashing on here and much of it is probably a bit juvenile (hey it's the only fun I have in my busy working life) but this is pretty serious. Microsoft are going to expect many of you to part with another £200-or-so for another sub-standard operating system which, even at this early stage, is looking like complete tat.
Will you upgrade?
Will you stay with XP or whatever you've currently got?
Will you convert?
I'll certainly be watching this with interest.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
you are a bit behind rick im being offerd ie8 at the moment.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Oh noooo Rick! Im not sure if this is good news or bad in my case. My new Dell arrived yesterday about 1pm, its over there lying in a brown box on the floor. No doubt its running with Vista. I dont have Vista and have never used it but here we are...Im getting it now and its already out of date. Oooh noooo I think I'll have a lie down!
Come back CPm - it was the best..
Never, never buy a PC with Vista - I got my dell laptop with Xp Paul.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Good luck PaulB. I have had many problems with Vista and some of the so called security measures are a menace, best turned off. The one thing I do like though is its back-up programme (I back up onto an external hard drive every evening).
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
both my pcs are running on vista no problems at all,i found xp rather nasty and full of bugs.
Guest 668- Registered: 13 Apr 2008
- Posts: 91
I used Vista today for the 1st time, I've heard all the stories and complications about drivers and security. I've got to be honest I was pleasantly surprised, as an IT professional I've stuck to XP and different flavours of Linux until now, but due to problems with XP Pro on my laptop I decided to move to Vista, once I'd turned the UAE security settings off everything ran really smoothly.
Hey it's not all bad!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Ah ChrisK good to hear a positive note there re Vista..just when I was going to stick my head in the oven. When you get something new you like to think its going to do the job so hopefully it will work out. By the way I took onboard what you said previously about getting a Dell but not the basic type models. All the models have changed now recently and I went for a better type of one..I think so anyway, sort of a mid range one.
My experience with Dell up to now has been good.
Guest 668- Registered: 13 Apr 2008
- Posts: 91
Good luck with the Dell Paul, they generally work well and have a good after service policy if you get any problems.
