Windows For Windows - Which Release Is Right For You?
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Microsoft does not need me to point out the lackluster response seen with their latest Windows release. As many others before me have stated, apparent sales hardly translate into people happy with the product. Despite most of the compatibility issues being addressed, a clear reason to upgrade is apparently not being seen by the typical consumer on the level that Microsoft would have liked. Now I would point out that there is no question that Vista is more secure than XP, however most people still have reservations with regard to compatibility and even seeing a clear benefit to going through the hassle of actually upgrading.
Upgrading any OS is a royal pain. This includes OS X and Linux as well, as there will always be some compatibility issue that will eventually rear its ugly head. I have seen ongoing evidence as Vista is being labeled Windows Me Part 2. Even worse, Microsoft has not done enough to clearly provide a reason to undergo the switch to the new OS.
So what is the fairest way to look at whether it is really worth upgrading? I see a few different ways to look at it. If the user is a die-hard Windows user, has issues with malware sneaking onto their system, Vista makes a lot of sense. However for many power users and enterprise users alike, the value is still being defined.
Is Vista worth it? I found this to be a balanced view on the situation. I think this piece by InfoWorld nails it:
At the end of the decade, when Microsoft’s executives look back at the debacle that was Windows Vista, they’ll see that simply slapping a fresh coat of paint on an otherwise aging Windows architecture wasn’t enough to fool anybody. Let’s hope they also realize that, as with any major update, they needed to make their case to IT. Focusing on consumers while ignoring their enterprise customers, and assuming IT shops would simply fall in line, was no way to execute a platform migration.
Ouch, here is to hoping some lessons were learned for Windows 7…
6 Comments
the oracle
June 12th, 2008
at 5:36pm
But they won’t be, if we are to believe what has been officially released thus far. It is simply more of the Emperor’s new clothes - hopefully with a better fit this time around.
leftystrat
June 12th, 2008
at 6:28pm
I disagree.
My last three or four Xubuntu upgrades were relatively painless.
I have yet to discover a compelling reason to `upgrade’ to Vista. In fact, Dell is selling new pc’s with the imaginative little trick of paying for Vista but installing the XP Downgrade.
XP works, more or less.
Sid Gilbert
June 13th, 2008
at 12:40pm
Vista was a huge mistake. Microsoft needs to re-evaluate the decision on retiring XP and pull support for Vista instead. I would love to see them release another service pack for XP instead of continuing to throw resources down the drain on Vista. They could even change the name slightly and charge for it like Apple does. I think people would be more likely to buy XP 2008 as an operating system than Vista.
Linda
June 13th, 2008
at 1:40pm
I just bought a new Toshiba laptop with VIsta Home Premium on it, so far I’ve had to purchase THREE of my frequently used programs just to use this thing.
I hate all the security crap, wish I could have gotten it with XP but they said it would void my warranty…GRRRR!!
Tom Smith
June 13th, 2008
at 2:09pm
Microsoft has an easy option. Simply make it almost impossible to use old versions of Windows. This can be done a multitude of ways, such as introducing a new processor that requires the new Windows and then stop producing the old processors. This is a time honored method of creating the most misery for everyone and profits for the vendors. They can also require new versions of MS Exchange, server software and Office. It has been used since I have been in computing (1959). Cynical, huh?
E2001
June 14th, 2008
at 4:49pm
I won’t upgrade to Vista, until there is some compelling reason to do so. So far, there isn’t one. Security? I’ve never caught a bug I couldn’t squish. Anyhow… Microsoft isn’t who I’d call upon if I felt “insecure” about something getting onto my machine.
If M$FT had taken Windows 98 and updated it with the NT kernel, thrown in NTFS and SFC (and called it, oh I dunno, Windows XP); they’d have made the perfect operating system.
But, NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! That’s not good enough!
Their idea is to throw in a bunch of flashy eye-candy so that we can all go “Ooh” and “Ahh”, as we watch our unresponsive applications flip and spin around the desktop in glorious 3D. They also thought it prudent to integrate a bunch of infuriating DRM crap, so that we can’t pirate rented DVDs though our TiVos, or watch true HD content without executive approval. But, I suppose their best idea was that they only intend to offer DirectX 10 EXCLUSIVELY for the new OS,thereby strong-arming the gaming community (their biggest customer base) into upgrading (like it or not) come time for the next big video game release.