Mikael

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Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself

September 26, 2007 9:05 AM PDT
Posted by Don Reisinger

While Vista was originally touted by Microsoft as the operating system savior we've all been waiting for, it has turned out to be one of the biggest blunders in technology. With a host of issues that are inexcusable and features that are taken from the Mac OS X and Linux playbook, Microsoft has once again lost sight of what we really want.

As we're more than aware, Vista Ultimate comes at a premium. For an additional $160 over the Premium SKU price, Ultimate gives you a complete backup and restore option, BitLocker Drive encryption, the ever so popular Windows Fax & Scan, and the "Ultimate Extras." But what started with a promise of "Extras" by summer, quickly turned into an apology from Microsoft and the eventual release of DreamScene and Windows Hold 'Em (among others) today. And while each of the "Extras" runs just fine, Microsoft's "Extras" blunder is just another reason why the company must abandon Vista before it's too late.

The first indication that Microsoft should abandon Vista is its poor sales figures. According to a recent report titled "Windows Vista Still Underperforming in U.S. Retail" from NPD, Vista sales are significantly behind XP sales during its early days. Even worse for Redmond, some are reverting to XP, citing issues with compatibility and overall design. And if that wasn't enough, Macs continue to surge and with the impending release of Leopard, Microsoft may be in for a rough holiday season.

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.

One significant problem that I have with Vista is its inclusion of new DRM, specifically the company's decision to install Protected Video Path. To prevent a person from copying (or in most cases, backing up) a movie, the operating system provides process isolation and if an unverified component is in use, the operating system shuts down DRM content. For the first time on any operating system, we're not even allowed to backup our favorite movies? Come on.

I also find it interesting that Microsoft decided to take the user access control concept from Mac OS X and make it much worse. Can someone please explain to me why I need to be asked if I wanted to do something entirely innocuous like open a third-party app from a well-known software company?

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.

The road ahead looks dangerous for Vista and Microsoft must realize that. With Mac OS X hot on its tail, Vista is simply not capable of competing at an OS level with some of the best software around. If Microsoft continues down this path, it will be Vista that will bring the software giant to its knees--not Bill Gates' departure.

Of course, categorically dumping an operating system is quite difficult and with millions already using the OS, chances are Microsoft won't find a good enough reason to do it. And while I can understand that argument, there's no reason the company can't continue to support Vista and go back to the drawing board for its next OS. Even better, go back to XP--it's not nearly as bad as Vista.

As a daily user of Mac OS X, Ubuntu and Vista, I'm keenly aware of what works and what doesn't. Mac and Linux work.

The time is up. Microsoft must abandon Vista and move on. It's the company's only chance at redemption.

Curb Zone

 

Alfie

Mac and Ubuntu kick Vista ass!'
It really surprises me that Microsoft are as huge as they are, still they allow themselves to come up with crap like this. Wish I could afford a Mac!

rev

Vista really sucks, especially for gamers! 90% of gamers worlwide prefer to play a game on XP. Too many compatibility problems on Vista. Screw you Gates!

NSL

Wow. I could've said that myself as well . If you look at what Microsoft is still selling you, it doesn't take much to realize DOS is still the hidden OS under all Windows... so basically Bill is still selling DOS.... in contrast OSs like FreeBSD, Ubuntu, Red Hat, all those Linux flavors, and now Apple's Mac OS X, all based in UNIX, you've got yourself the real OS for the 21st century. There is simply no comparison... OS X is soo much more advanced than DOS, er, Vista, that once you get used to its look and feel, and its powerful UNIX based backbone, there is no going back...
Definitely agree, if Microsoft wants to keep its dominance in the PC world, they should literally trash DOS (for real this time) and create their next generation Windows based on UNIX instead.... Steve Jobs did it with Apple... they dropped their old Mac OS at version 9, and re-did the whole thing based on their Darwin project (UNIX Based) for its Mac OS X.
Hmm I've had a Mac Mini for about 2 years now... I managed to crash it only twice, pushing its limits, the little Mac keeps running making less noise than boiling water! and no 'blue screens of death' So smooth!

450SEL6.9

Exactly, millions are using it. I think Microsoft still, despite all the bashing, generates like $1 billion in cash-flow a month! I use Vista, but I've had no problems. Then again I don't play games.

Some of the people in the tech. world, mostly journalists and product critics, who say Microsoft stinks everywhere are probably the ones that think Facebook is worth $15 billion. I think Mr. Softy has gotten too big and/or too corporate to be "cool" in the finicky world of high-tech. If Google keeps growing, who knows if they'll still be favorable.

The Artist

yep vista sucks majorly.. and im jumping ship as soon as Leopard gets released now in oct..
im getting the Imac..and never coming back to this horrific world of PC´s..

Centurion

Most people who bash Vista är Mac fan boys who have based their Vista opinion on hearsay.

I upgraded from XP to Vista and have never been happier. I love with and haven't thought about switching back to XP. Vista is awsome and I do play games without a problem on Vista.

Vista is awsome and MS did a superb job. Now the hardware manufacturers and software development need to do their part and release proper Vista drivers.

The transition to a new OS is a very big step and it always takes a year or so until all parties have caught up. New computers which come pre-intalled with Vista works perfect since they have proper Vista drivers. On my computer Vista runs smooth and almost never crashes.

NSL

Not sure about that, Luw.. I use Vista (and XP) daily....

Centurion

So it's not working out for you? what a the main problems you have experienced, slow performance or that is crashes?

450SEL6.9

I was going to buy a lottery ticket anyway, but now I will definitely buy a bunch today. Luwalira, I think this is one of the first times we agree on anything.

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