IT Professionals

A Revealing Holiday Weekend

Posted by on Nov 26, 2007 | 4 Comments

I had to smile when I first read about this as I am beginning to see XP as just one of Microsoft’s challenges to furthering Vista adoption. How about Windows 2K? Yes, in banks, mobile phone kiosks among other places, Windows 2K is alive and well. So why have they not bothered to upgrade? Likely the same reason why an ex of mine (and a web designer) who works for a design firm that even to this day requires they use Win 2K – with proper precautions, they see no reason to upgrade.

It’s not like the different versions of Vista had people confused, right? Yeah, exactly. Call me crazy, but I suspect that we are going to see a real turn around come the release of Windows 7. Not because Microsoft wants to do better. Simply because they have to provide a clear, compelling reason why users should upgrade. Despite proven security improvements with Vista’s UAC and compartmentalized handling of protected CPU processes, many businesses remain unimpressed? I don’t understand it? Geeks know that despite early bugs with Vista, it is frankly more secure than either of the two older OS’! Surely Vista’s marketing team was making this clear, right? Apparently not as the site is now down and used by something else it seems.

Maybe it’s time to just get back to basics? Even with a hint of comedy to it? Could Microsoft eventually find themselves understanding that a back to basics approach with explaining features might be the best bet? I think so, yet with a slightly less irritating spokesperson at the helm. What is perhaps most interesting about looking at that old commercial is how much more value one got for their money back then vs now…

[tags]Windows, freeware, software, security[/tags]

  • http://www.calcresult.com Mike

    I quite agree about using Win2k – I can see no real advantage in moving to XP let alone VISTA. Certain applications now demand XP, but the OS itself is no better; quite the reverse: much newer, more expensive hardware is needed for either.

  • http://www.ebookarama.co.uk/blogitmyway Vince Andrews

    Hi, Matt

    I think that you have hit the nail on the head with this post. Maybe you should take over the helm for microsoft and show them how to promote their software…

    Vince

  • Dave

    With any OS both old and new, their’s always a level of risk relative to security and stability. I mention stability as a risk, because of past experiences implementing Windows 95 and Windows ME, and I’m sure that everyone will agree the stability was gruesome! Most companies are weary about jumping on the bandwagon of any new OS release until the guinea pig companies have published their experiences.
    As for security, many of the issues are addressed from within the organization through the practice of well documented business processes. If you don’t keep up with the latest Anti-Virus and Windows Updates, then your risks become greater. With respect Microsoft’s OS vulnerabilities, we have only a few methods of control. First, keep your machines updated with the critical patches. Second, wait a few years after the new OS has been released to make sure that the OS is really secure. Here lies the real reason why our companiy and most companies haven’t migrated to Vista!
    Windows XP is low risk and very stable from a business perspective, so we can afford to wait a few years. The only way we’ll upgrade any sooner is if Microsoft halted any future security update releases for XP, or if our Software Vendors stopped supporting XP or 2000. According to your “X”, she’s in the same camp as most all other Software developers……Why bother!!!

  • http://askthegeek.kennyhart.com The Geek

    Hi, Matt,

    Vista is probably here to stay, even if it’s just a bloated version of ME (JK…) I won’t (down)upgrade to it until it’s as stable and fast as XP on regular hardware, which will probably be never.

    Win2K was good, but XP is probably the best OS they’ve come up with. MS needs to continue to patch XP until it’s hardened to the point where it’s truly safe to use. Unfortunately, I doubt that will ever happen. They’ll just keep chasing the bucks instead of coming up with a truly stable, secure, and hassle-free OS.

    For my money, go get a Zonbu.

    Cheers!
    The Geek