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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.