Microsoft Issues Two Vista Updates
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“In retrospect it becomes clear that hindsight is definitely overrated!” - Alfred E. Neuman
While many would applaud the release of these updates, the majority opinion of the Vista users I connect with is that this is too little, too late.
Many of the users who have been trying to give Vista a decent chance at working are fed up, tired of the FUD from Microsoft, tired of the assault on the operating system by every magazine, blogger, and self-proclaimed tech authority.
Just today, along with these updates, are articles announcing the problems with the BitLocker drive encryption that is so highly touted by Microsoft, and paid for dearly by those who think they need it. The odd behavior of the operating system to update without warning, and make reboots impossible for the user to delay, along with the many difficulties of using the Internet Explorer application, are just a few of the many problems in the spotlight.
For me, it is funny that no one seems to just let it all go, knowing, from past experience that one of two things will happen. Microsoft will get its collective stuff together, like back in the days of DOS, when it whipped out DOS 4.01 and DOS 6.2, when it was quickly revealed what bungled efforts DOS 4.0 and DOS 6.0 were - or - Microsoft will decide to go its own way, much like the current political administration, and criticize those who criticize them, arguing that we, the public don’t know when we have it good. Unlike the administration, Microsoft needs our votes (purchases) more often than every four years, and will be wanting re-election for more than 2 terms.
In the midst of all of this, I went to the web site, following the links from an article I read, and sure enough, I was not the least bit surprised to see that, in order to download the updates, it is necessary to validate the operating system. What a joke, for a couple of reasons. First, it is tacit admission that all the blocks to piracy put in the operating system are not working - the uncrackable OS has been cracked. Second, is it not adding insult to injury to make a customer submit to validation online, when as the update is installed, it will ask to validate again. It seems Microsoft is less than positive about their online checking method.
It seems that Microsoft has lost direction and focus, and something the apologists cannot deny is that in the past, it has never taken this long to repair so many problems. Also, it is not so far from anyone’s mind that much of what was promised with this operating system was left out (can you say WinFS, boys and girls?). This begs the question: What the hell have they been doing? It sure wasn’t getting all the bugs worked out.
Trying to be all things to all people isn’t working out for them, and they need to take two things to heart…all the people in the Zune program, and every other non-operating system person, needs to be re-purposed, with all hands on deck to fix this disaster (let those who cannot code keep the coffee, Jolt, and pizza flowing). Also, they should learn to promise little to nothing, and deliver a lot, so we will be pleasantly surprised when they release, and simple word-of-mouth will spread the possible WOW.
In closing, let me suggest that Microsoft needs to obtain the rights to the Alfred E. Neuman character from Mad magazine, and instate ‘What, Me Worry?’ as the corporate logo.
Tags: microsoft, vista, zune, dos 4.0, dos 6.0, the wow has yet to begin, uncrackable os, winfs, bugs, updates, fud
4 Comments
John Augustein
August 9th, 2007
at 6:04am
My computer was 3 yrs old when I Installed Vista Business.Absolutly not one problem including with IE 7. Yes I had to download a new driver for my Video Card and for My printer. And I stopped using my previous firwall (at the time it wouldn’t work with Vista). But I already had my wireless router already locked down with new pass word and all. Vista found it imeditly and no problems. One of the big complaints I here is it pops up when a program tries to run, do you know how long it takes for me to “look at what program, and click allow”, I can’t belive that people don’t want to know what programs are running on their computer. In my opinion they are the same people who yelled the loudest that XP was too open. Also as you stated your article They will get it right. And as apple is finding out the more systems you have out there with your operating system the more little and big holes show up..
the oracle
August 9th, 2007
at 8:43am
John - I didn’t say they would get it right, I said they might. At this point, it is getting more doubtful, with all the efforts to block the adoption of Linux, force their ’standards’ upon everyone (Open XML), and make silly efforts to try to control picture standards.
The company is running around like the proverbial chicken, trying desperately to find its head. Unfortunately, one of the heads is busy being ‘magnanimous’ and the other is too busy trying to catch some air in between top-of-the-lung rants.
The fixes offered are but a small start to what is needed. For any real progress there would need to be a couple of these offerings per week.
I do think that there are many people like you, who will not experience many problems with their systems, as they never push the system to the limit where it breaks. (This is like giving a new BMW to your grandmother, or to Mario Andretti. Which do you think will find the limits and point out the failings first? Unless Granny is from Pasadena, Mario is going to be more useful as a guide to what can go wrong)
Micah
September 3rd, 2007
at 8:57pm
I upgraded my laptop from Windows Xp home to Windows Vista Home Basic. Now, my computer won’t shut down properly, and I have to manually hold down the power button on my laptop. Microsoft says it is a hardware compatibility issue and referred me to the manufacter. If it was incompatible why did it have a vista ready sticker on it?
Also, after I initially installed the upgrade, I updated my bios and sound card drivers the next day. I had already activated windows, and I got a message saying I needed to activate it again with a new code. I called tech support and could barely understand a word the lady said. The first time she gave me all the numbers she missed a sequence. I noticed I needed some more numbers, so I was like “excuse me mamn, but can you repeat the sequence because you didn’t give me enough numbers.” She literally was trying to get me off the phone like somebody was bleeding to death beside her. “I’m sorry sir, but if that doesn’t work you’ll have to call us back.” I said in a rather harsh tone, but one I had to resort to, “LISTEN TO ME! I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH NUMBERS. YOU WILL NEED TO REPEAT IT.” After all the arguing we did and her repeatingly telling me I’d have to call back if the first set of numbers didn’t work, she finally decided to take 10 seconds and give me the set of numbers I was missing to activate windows.
I’m tired of messing with them about my computer not shutting off properly. I’ll just manually turn it off until it stops working, and I’ll buy a Mac.
the oracle
September 3rd, 2007
at 9:58pm
Micah, I suspect that lots of others are quietly doing the same, as Mac is growing steadily ahead of the rest of the market. I wonder what percentage of the market Apple will have by the time MS fixes the problems.
Thanks for the comment, I feel for you.