Windows And The New Coke Syndrome

Whether we like it or not, Microsoft is going to continue to be just fine. No thanks to Vista, mind you; rather because of what I call the ‘New Coke Syndrome.’ When it comes to offering a new version of your OS — offer one that is so beta, so poorly thought through — that people are ecstatic about the previous release.

Across The Pond, They Want Nothing To Do With It.

Overseas, some citizen groups have balked at the idea of using Vista at all. Some have begun exploring Linux options, while others feel comfortable with sticking to XP. Aside from random blue screens and the lack of drivers, Vista has been charged with a largely overdone UI, as well. So in the end, seeing so much of Europe bucking the idea of the move to the new release is quite understandable.

Reliving Windows 98 All Over Again.

I have heard a number of people state that Windows XP has become the new 98SE due to its persistence and the slow adoption rate for Vista. But unlike the point in time when XP was released and users were still clinging to the speedy Windows 98, this time Microsoft has to compete with the Mac mini and Ubuntu Linux on Dell PCs.

Because Vista left the home user wondering what all the fuss was about and the business owner feeling unsure about compatibility, now more than ever we are seeing a chance for alternative operating systems to grab some of the market share. And even considering Vista’s saturation point, people are beginning to take those funny Mac commercials just a little more seriously. At the same time, more and more PC power users are giving Linux distributions like Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS a very serious consideration — despite any perceived rough edges.

Does this mean trouble for Microsoft? No, not any more than the last time it released a really bad OS (Windows Me). Windows 7 will one day roll out; it will likely be filled with some hard-learned lessons that Vista has taught its developers, despite their ongoing denial.

Saturation + The Enterprise Market = Windows Not Going Anyplace.

As much as it pains me to say it, society will always go with the path of least resistance. So rather than collectively dumping something that all of us are growing sick of, we will continue supporting the Microsoft Windows ecosystem like a battered spouse working to please their significant other. Because even though we could stop this cycle of abuse and break up the monopoly, dependence is a powerful force, even to the point of making us believe we need something that we honestly do not.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at OSWeekly.com. For more computer news, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to OSWeekly.com’s RSS Feed!

Related Articles @ OSWeekly.com

• Surfing the Web On a PC Without An OS
• Why Gphone Will Use Ubuntu
• Bootcamp License Means Nothing to Users
• Windows vs. Linux Compared With Mixed Results
• Ballmer Amuses With Hilarious Statements