Microsoft Should Abandon Vista?
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Over at C/Net a writer by the name of Don Reisinger has written a scathing article in which he documents why he believes that Microsoft should abandon Vista. Some of what Don says has been batted around the Internet ever since Vista was released such as a high price tag, DRM and lack of Extras for Vista Ultimate. But he adds some other issues that he feels may also “bring the software giant to its knees–not Bill Gates’ departure.“
Some of the issues he cites are:
With each passing day, it’s becoming blatantly clear that Microsoft released Vista too early and the company’s continual mistakes and promises that can’t be kept are further annoying the Windows faithful.
Much talk has been given to Service Pack 1 and how this update should address many of the issues users have with Vista, but I simply don’t agree. Will SP1 eliminate the ridiculous Microsoft licensing schemes? Will SP1 drop the price on the higher-end versions? Will SP1 eliminate the need for users to buy a new computer just to use the faulty OS?
SP1 will do nothing but fix the holes and issues we currently know about and create even more. As we all know from the days of Windows ME and even XP, Microsoft is not the best company at finding and addressing security issues, and chances are, Vista will be no different.
And also:
Never before have I seen such an abysmal start to an operating system release. For almost a year, people have been adopting Vista and becoming incensed by how poorly it operates. Not only does it cost too much, it requires more to run than XP, there is still poor driver support, and that draconian licensing scheme is a by-product of Microsoft picking on the wrong people.
WOW! Don doesn’t pull any punches. But is everything he is saying reason enough for Microsoft to drop Vista? I don’t know. I can only rely on my own personal experience with Vista Ultimate, and also now that I have tried SP1 beta, to give a personal opinion on it.
Out of the five computers I use for home/business use, only one had the poop required to run Vista Ultimate. This is my test system which I have used to not only test Vista Ultimate, but also Linux and Windows Home Server as well. This is also the same system I am using to test SP1 beta with. The machine is a dual boot XP/Vista. I did this originally because some of the software I use would not work on Vista, and also to compare the two operating systems side by side on the exact same computer. When I test Linux or other operating systems, I swap out hard disks. I have had to many bad experiences using boot mangers that have failed to try any of them.
I received my copy of Windows Vista for free from Microsoft as a gift for being a beta tester prior to Vista’s release. So I need to ask myself this question? Would I of purchased Vista? I would have to answer this question as yes, since I need to keep current on the latest and greatest so when I go to a clients home or business I don’t look like a total idiot. 
But would I have purchased Vista Ultimate? I doubt it. I most likely would of bought Windows Vista Home Premium for System Builders which seems to be the least expensive.
I read over Don’s article three times. Some of what he states I agree with. Some I don’t.
I think what is most important is that each of us must make our own decision whether to switch to Vista. Not Microsoft, not Don, not me nor anyone else should make that decision for you.
My problem is that I personally find that Windows XP for me is kind of like a pair of old shoes. After years of use, it just feels good. That new pair of shoes may be more stylish and shiny, but your feet are going to scream when you first start to wear them.
What do you think? Should Microsoft abandon Vista?
Comments welcome.
Also Chris has posted his take on Vista here.
Full C/Net article here.
[tags]microsoft, vista, operating system, abandon, security, apple, [/tags]
17 Comments
AMD Talk » Microsoft Should Abandon Vista?
September 29th, 2007
at 10:07am
[...] Brian White wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
Gary
September 29th, 2007
at 11:04am
When you’re a monopoy you don’t have to admit or fix your mistakes. M$ is still in the take it or be left behind mode. I don’t see any reason that what was done about the illegal immigration issue by “We the people” couldn’t be done about Vista. The only clinker in the deal is getting a large number of business users to join the revolt. Due to that it would probably never happen. Sigh.
Ron Schenone
September 29th, 2007
at 11:43am
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the comments.
Ron
Xbox » Microsoft Should Abandon Vista?
September 29th, 2007
at 7:37pm
[...] Chris Gilmer wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptOver at C/Net a writer by the name of Don Reisinger has written a scathing article in which he documents why he believes that Microsoft should abandon Vista. Some of what Don says has been batted around the Internet ever since Vista was … [...]
Kawa
September 30th, 2007
at 2:38am
In my early years I was programming with clipper. I needed a menu system for my applications and after much search I found one with the source. Almost 2000 lines of code with no support for mouse and capable for bar / level and a sub level only. And it was slow (at least for my amiga with at-once modification).
So I made my own from scratch. 500 lines of code, multi-level, with support for mouse and very easily configurable.
Why I am telling you this? Because ms produces software like the first menu… Big, slow, not enough…
Abandon Vista, no, make it better than xp, yes (hell, if you want us to pay for it make it better than linux too!). Make it faster, less resource hungry, kill drm(!), make it more compatible, create winFS. Make Vista run better than xp. Make us want to buy it, not because it’s black but because we will work better/faster/smoother. Or else, why bother?
Ron Schenone
September 30th, 2007
at 5:25am
Hi Kawa,
Good points. I think this is where MS has stumbled a bit. XP for the most part is stable for most users. We all expected Vista to be a vast improvement over XP. As you stated ‘why bother?”
Don Naphen
September 30th, 2007
at 6:33am
The most interesting comment I read was: “Why bother?”. For me, that expresses my feelings 100% Ron. I am quite happy with my 6 year old Gateway desktop, running XP Pro. If I even remotely considered going the VISTA route, I’d either have to sink some heavy bucks into upgrading the pc or opt for a new one. Why should I ?? I was never impressed with the glitter default settings (a.k.a “The comic book look”) on any Windows OS and always reset it to the so-called “classic look”. I look for functionality first & foremost Ron … it either works for me or it doesn’t.
After playing with my sons Gateway lappy that came thru with VISTA Home Premium, I was convinced that it was indeed the biggest resource hog I’ve ever experienced in any OS.
Another thing to consider: many software offerings are NOT as yet VISTA compatible, even fairly new programs! Why, almost after one year is this true? Probably because companies are sick & tired of investing tons of money into their current products to appease MS. Until MS changes its policies and begins partnering up with these companies to make things WORK right for the consumer, then I can’t see the logic in anyone even considering this OS Ron.
I’m still waiting for my son to say: “Ok Dad, please install that OEM version of XP Pro you bought me. Can’t stand Vista anymore” !! LOL
Don Naphen
September 30th, 2007
at 6:36am
P.S. Have a great weekend Ron. Your articles always capture my attention and provide great info to all of us.
Ah, shades of Fred Langa, wherever he is!
Ron Schenone
September 30th, 2007
at 8:15am
Hi Don,
Thanks for the comments. I was thinking about Fred Langa this AM wondering how he was doing. I don’t subscribe to Windows Secrets any longer, so I have lost touch with their publications.
I just went over to WS and Fred is back after a 5 month stink touring the US & Canada. His columns will now appear in the paid subscription part of the WS newsletter.
This was interesting concerning Fred’s trip:
“Wallpaper of the Journey — 25 high-quality images by Fred for use on your Windows desktop. Free subscribers can get the bonus by upgrading to the paid version. And anyone can purchase the entire set of images for U.S. $9.95″
Ron
Don Naphen
September 30th, 2007
at 2:02pm
Ah, “Wallpaper of the Journey”, huh! Geez, talk about the all-time sleezy move from Fred. He sold out the subscribers to the Rag Column, and now he’s trying to raise money to cover his expenses. Does he really expect those he screwed to now subsidize his vacation? I know this is off-topic Ron, but the guy does have a lot of balls expecting anyone to drop a few bucks into the hat he’s passing around!
Hell, for 10 bucks, I’d rather make a donation to some shareware author to help offset his/her contribution to the software community.
Don Naphen
September 30th, 2007
at 2:24pm
Just a passing thought on Fred Langa and Windows Secrets Ron … a newcomer that happens across that newsletter might never have heard of Fred. If he/she doesn’t pony up some bucks then Fred will never be seen or read! Fred used to limit the contents of his original newsletter to the freebie version, but apparently he’ll be completely omitted this time around.
I’m not the brightest bulb in the room Ron, but if I was running the show there, I’d want all readers to at least get a sample of his input to the newsletter. I just don’t see myself making the same mistake twice, and I doubt any of his former loyal subscribers will either. He just burned too many bridges when he took the money and ran. His credibility is ZERO in my opinion.
Paul
September 30th, 2007
at 2:29pm
Tried it. Removed it after 2 weeks.
Back to XP and HAPPY.
Linux is nearly ready for me to switch to. I tried it but it is still too far to jump for a windoze user but it is getting closer with every new release.
I think M$ has a limited life with me as I am getting more and more disillusioned with the company. Vista is a disgrace and should never have been released.
Linux is built by the people for the people. If the people do not like what is offered then the distro dies. M$ would not survive if it were not for the sheep that know no better. I admit to being one (sort of) but am aware enough to know I want to switch. In a way it is a shame that the Linux community has to cater for the likes of me who find Linux a bit daunting. It is a vast change from the familiar world of M$ but once they can cater for us I think the flood gates will open.
Mike
October 1st, 2007
at 8:24am
Why is everyone amazed at how many issues there are in Vista? It was the EXACT SAME WAY with XP, NT, 98, 95, etc…. AND… it wasn’t until several service packs later that these OSes actually became reasonably stable and working with most, if not all, apps.
Having worked in the IT business now for 13 years none of this Vista business is “new” and is wrought with the same issues its predecessors experienced.
Personally, and this is not a business perspective by any means, Microsoft should slow down the releases and work on something that can be secure, stable, etc. rather than just pushing all the bells & whistles of each new OS they release.
Also, would be nice if they stopped moving/removing menus, tools, and such for us admins. We’ve finally become efficient at XP and 2003 and now not only do we have to re-learn things M$ has changed core items to the point where there will be productivity issues.
It’s difficult enough having to deploy new Client and Server OSes but when they change core features or replace familiar tools with new ones the learning curve is exponentially increased and it WILL affect the speed at which these new releases can be implemented. In other words, if I have to take a large amount of time to learn how to use new tools just to perform deployments I can tell you that the deployments themselves will be delayed. That’s simply because as an admin or network person you MUST use due diligence so as to not affect the business as a whole and deployments of OSes without fully testing them AND these new tools would be asking for problems.
For those “cowboys” out there who have secure jobs and can afford to botch things up without consequences they can learn as they go…for the rest of us M$ has made our jobs not necessarily more secure but definitely more difficult to accomplish.
Just my opinion…
peace
Ron Schenone
October 1st, 2007
at 2:33pm
Hi Mike,
“Also, would be nice if they stopped moving/removing menus, tools, and such for us admins. We’ve finally become efficient at XP and 2003 and now not only do we have to re-learn things M$ has changed core items to the point where there will be productivity issues.”
I agree. It takes me 3 or 4 more clicks to find stuff in Vista and is a PITA!
Thanks for the comments. Ron
Anonymous
October 4th, 2007
at 1:36pm
I agree with many of the comments posted here. Overall Vista has been a failure in comparison to some Linux distros and Mac OS X (from 10.4.x Tiger onwards, including Leopard). Vista has been anything but a “Vista” - more like a train wreck if anything. What’s amazing (or perhaps not amazing) is that I’ve found some Linux distros easier to use than Vista. Sad that a multibillion dollar company can’t outdo a free OS done by mostly volunteers.
Ron Schenone
October 4th, 2007
at 4:22pm
Anonymous,
Thanks for the comments.
Ron
Ryan
July 11th, 2008
at 11:17pm
I personally love vista. I have been using it for a few weeks and it is a great OS. I used to use XP Home Edition, system was done which is why i went to vista. I like it better than XP. Its more stable with much better security, a major problem with XP. I do understand the new OS feeling. However, vista is not that different from XP. New graphics yes and some things switched around yes, but overall a good, fast working system that should be tried at least. SP1 has fixed many issues.