Why Microsoft Must abandon Vista

[Jeanette]

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9785337-7.html?tag=nefd.only


September 26, 2007 9:05 AM PDT
Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself
Posted by Don Reisinger
Windows Vista

The Microsoft albatross
(Credit: Microsoft)

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?

 

[Not Me]

I told them I thought it was a total flop from the very first BETA build
that I installed.
I haven't liked it from day one and after using many different builds, my
opinion hasn't changed.
With the RTM build, I don't have any driver or hardware issues, and my other
software is new enough to function properly.
I just find the layout and the supposed security updates to be backwards at
best, draconian at worst.
I gave my grandkids the 'Built for Vista Ultimate' machine to destroy and I
built myself a new system with XP.
My Built for Vista machine works OK; I just don't like the look & feel of
the OS, even after major tweaking, it doesn't feel right.
UAC acts like it was written by AOL, are you sure, really, really, REALLY
sure?
Vista may be a little slower on some things, but overall I find it about the
same as XP on most programs.
If Vista is the future of MS, they should shutter the place quickly, before
they bleed all their cash reserves to nothing.
I avoided Linux like the plague until I saw what Vista would be.
Now I have spent the time to learn and migrated 30+ machines to it and plan
to do the same with the other 200+ machines.
Hardware upgrades have been delayed to avoid Vista and I expect to be MS OS
free in 4 years unless they come up with something that is actually an
improvement to XP.

 

[Charlie Tame]

I told them I thought it was a total flop from the very first BETA build
that I installed.
I haven't liked it from day one and after using many different builds, my
opinion hasn't changed.
With the RTM build, I don't have any driver or hardware issues, and my other
software is new enough to function properly.
I just find the layout and the supposed security updates to be backwards at
best, draconian at worst.
I gave my grandkids the 'Built for Vista Ultimate' machine to destroy and I
built myself a new system with XP.
My Built for Vista machine works OK; I just don't like the look & feel of
the OS, even after major tweaking, it doesn't feel right.
UAC acts like it was written by AOL, are you sure, really, really, REALLY
sure?
Vista may be a little slower on some things, but overall I find it about the
same as XP on most programs.
If Vista is the future of MS, they should shutter the place quickly, before
they bleed all their cash reserves to nothing.
I avoided Linux like the plague until I saw what Vista would be.
Now I have spent the time to learn and migrated 30+ machines to it and plan
to do the same with the other 200+ machines.
Hardware upgrades have been delayed to avoid Vista and I expect to be MS OS
free in 4 years unless they come up with something that is actually an
improvement to XP.

I wouldn't use the term total flop, but agree with much of what you say
and I certainly think that calling legitimate users "Thieves"
periodically and then foisting unannounced "Updates" via "Backdoors"
upon them is counter productive.

I entirely respect Microsoft's right to protect itself from theft, no
problem with that, and if WGA / Validation is the way they want to go
that's fine with me, it is their right, just as it is my right to say
"Enough" and look elsewhere. This is a pity because I quite like Vista
except for a few things I don't like, which I REALLY don't like.

I'd most likely not have bothered much with Linux if I hadn't felt
"Pushed", but after a few "Your hardware has changed" messages forcing
me to reactivate I sure felt pushed. None of the hardware had changed

In your position, with so many machines at risk from this gung ho
vigilante attitude, I have to say your planned course of action is very
understandable indeed. I think many will do the same.

Also, of course, Vista adds little to your operation that could not be
achieved using XP, W2003 or even W2000 come to that, so there is a
secondary issue of why spend money upgrading at all. That being the case
if MS intend to kill support for XP you virtually "Have" to make a
choice. Forcing people to make choices is never a good idea, often they
make the one you don't want.

I certainly am not Anti Microsoft, quite the opposite, but I can't in
all honesty support many of their recent decisions, it appears to me
that somewhere they have almost completely lost the plot.

I wonder what they mean by "Trustworthy Computing".

 

[Jeanette]

I published this on Microsoft's site in July last year
"I have now had the opportunity to begin Beta testing the new Microsoft
OS - Vista. I must say I find it's initial cimpact rather
dissappointing. I cannot see how the bad poiints (at least, those I
think are bad points) can, or will be, remedied before the final
release. ... blah ... blah.."
Later
" Two more Betas of Vista have rolled past me now. Are you guys
listening to us Beta testers? Are we really expected to pay so much
money for a geat deal of eyecandy and little performance improvements?
The whole navigational structure has been moved around quite needlessly
and, itself, will be a re-learning experience. If it is intended to
direct the OS at the business market, forget it. Companies will not be
willing to invest wholesale in a product which offers little new, so
that their employees can sit in front of glorious technicolor screens.
In anticipation of your next plea - all of the so called tricky add-ons
can be made to work through third party software, in XP - a truly
magnificent OS.
Your (too often) quoted comment "there is a lot more under the
hood...." doesn't wash with me or, as you can read (I presume you have
people on these pages with that attribute) many testers feel the same.
If there are no rather dramatic improvements in the OS between now and
it's final release, then I am afraid I have already put it firmly into
the Millenium category!"

Shortly after this, which was towards the final release, Microsoft
announced the development of their next OS, pretty much supporting my
Millenium jibe.

As a result of the Beta testing, I received free copies of 32 bit and
64 bit. Mainly for that reason, I am using Vista as my main OS. Once you
have found your way around the new geography, it is marginally inferior
to XP but certainly no better. A huge disappointment.

Jeanette wrote: as a former long time beta tester for Microsoft I can
tell you this is often the case where they ignore what the testers are
saying.

I was one of the Windows Me beta testers.

 

[MICHAEL]

* Charlie Tame:

I wouldn't use the term total flop, but agree with much of what you say
and I certainly think that calling legitimate users "Thieves"
periodically and then foisting unannounced "Updates" via "Backdoors"
upon them is counter productive.

I entirely respect Microsoft's right to protect itself from theft, no
problem with that, and if WGA / Validation is the way they want to go
that's fine with me, it is their right, just as it is my right to say
"Enough" and look elsewhere. This is a pity because I quite like Vista
except for a few things I don't like, which I REALLY don't like.

I'd most likely not have bothered much with Linux if I hadn't felt
"Pushed", but after a few "Your hardware has changed" messages forcing
me to reactivate I sure felt pushed. None of the hardware had changed

In your position, with so many machines at risk from this gung ho
vigilante attitude, I have to say your planned course of action is very
understandable indeed. I think many will do the same.

Also, of course, Vista adds little to your operation that could not be
achieved using XP, W2003 or even W2000 come to that, so there is a
secondary issue of why spend money upgrading at all. That being the case
if MS intend to kill support for XP you virtually "Have" to make a
choice. Forcing people to make choices is never a good idea, often they
make the one you don't want.

I certainly am not Anti Microsoft, quite the opposite, but I can't in
all honesty support many of their recent decisions, it appears to me
that somewhere they have almost completely lost the plot.

I wonder what they mean by "Trustworthy Computing".

Charlie,

This phrase really stands out for me, "I certainly am not Anti Microsoft".
It's a shame that those of who aren't anti-Microsoft feel compelled
to say that at times. A lot of us use Microsoft products every single
day and for the most part, we enjoy using the software. However, if you
dare say anything negative about Microsoft around these parts, there
are those idiot fanatics who try to attack you. Their tactics are always the
same- "you must be retarded because everything works perfect on my
machine".... always blaming the user and *never* holding Microsoft accountable.
Of course, I've heard similar screeching from some Linux loons, too.
I'm not anti-Linux, either. See, I had felt it necessary to put that in there.

I want Microsoft to be successful, but I also want them to do better
by their paying customers. Not criticizing and remaining silent
will not help make Microsoft a better company. It will not help them
make better software, more reliable and secure software. Silence will
not help them to stop making software that is punishing their paying
customers. Of course, if you criticize then you must be "anti-Microsoft".
It's really all quite silly to simply pathetic how some goobers react.

Unfortunately, it may be getting close to a time when the only thing
that actually has any impact on Microsoft is losing enough paying
customers. I really believe Microsoft has reached a precipice, and they
are coming close to falling right the he!l off.


Take care,

Michael

 

[Guest]

i went out and bought this vista full version,because i thought after all of
these years,just maybe microsoft was going to get one right.but this is the
worst.nightmare big time.how does bill gates sleep at night knowing that he
has cheated us like this.cant some company.build an os for the people.vista
is set up to fight you on everything.it does not help you install,but stall
you from installing.none of my software is any good now.the greedy asses have
it fixed,where you have to get new software.my cd and my dvd burners would
not work.i had to go out and buy a new dvd burner,with a new software.so my
old drives would work.anything made before vista 2006,want work.and they have
it set up where it has to keep going for updates,never ending.the updates do
not fix any thing..its just a disater and gives you grief to no end.its just
a totall shame,that a big company can get away with.makeing and selling a
defective product like this and you can not get your money back and our
goverment protects them.i would give it back right now.if i could get my
240.00 dollars back..are we ever going to get a decent os from any company,in
our life time..

 

[MICHAEL]

http://writingforcollege.blogspot.com/2005/04/sentences.html
Good writing is about writing good sentences.
If you can't build a good sentence, you can't write. Paragraphs are built from them; ideas are
presented in them; an entire essay can be captured in just one of them. It's critical to use
and spell words correctly and it's certainly essential to build proper paragraphs; however, the
words must form coherent sentences or all is lost.

http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/units/paragraph.htm
How to write a paragraph.

http://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/cyberseminar/paragraph.htm
This page was created for all students who find themselves at a loss for
words when they are asked to write a sentence or a paragraph!

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/tutor/problems/paragraphs.shtml
Paragraphs

http://www.gsw.edu/~wac/good_writing.htm


* wheelman:

 

[Lang Murphy]

* Charlie Tame:

Charlie,

This phrase really stands out for me, "I certainly am not Anti Microsoft".
It's a shame that those of who aren't anti-Microsoft feel compelled
to say that at times. A lot of us use Microsoft products every single
day and for the most part, we enjoy using the software. However, if you
dare say anything negative about Microsoft around these parts, there
are those idiot fanatics who try to attack you. Their tactics are always
the
same- "you must be retarded because everything works perfect on my
machine".... always blaming the user and *never* holding Microsoft
accountable.
Of course, I've heard similar screeching from some Linux loons, too.
I'm not anti-Linux, either. See, I had felt it necessary to put that in
there.

I want Microsoft to be successful, but I also want them to do better
by their paying customers. Not criticizing and remaining silent
will not help make Microsoft a better company. It will not help them
make better software, more reliable and secure software. Silence will
not help them to stop making software that is punishing their paying
customers. Of course, if you criticize then you must be "anti-Microsoft".
It's really all quite silly to simply pathetic how some goobers react.

Unfortunately, it may be getting close to a time when the only thing
that actually has any impact on Microsoft is losing enough paying
customers. I really believe Microsoft has reached a precipice, and they
are coming close to falling right the he!l off.


Take care,

Michael

Inversely... if one says just ONE THING positive about MS, one is labled an
MS Fanboi forever. It goes both ways and it's only the fanatism of the
players, pro or con, that cause the accusations against either side.

Quite boring, actually.

Lang

 

[MICHAEL]

* Lang Murphy:

Inversely... if one says just ONE THING positive about MS, one is labled an
MS Fanboi forever. It goes both ways and it's only the fanatism of the
players, pro or con, that cause the accusations against either side.

Quite boring, actually.

Lang

Well, I go by what people post, and I can certainly spot those who
consistently attack the user and refuse to hold Microsoft accountable
for anything. You're right, it is quite boring.


-Michael

 

[Telstar]

This was really dumb, Michael. Just tell the guy he can't write....it's
obvious!

 

[MICHAEL]

* Telstar:

This was really dumb, Michael. Just tell the guy he can't write....it's
obvious!

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today.
Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”


-Michael

 

[Stephan Rose]

This was really dumb, Michael. Just tell the guy he can't write....it's
obvious!

Actually he might just simply not know any better, nothing to do with
being able to write or not. I have a friend from Japan that does almost
the exact same thing. While she does a better job at putting things into
Paragraphs, I absolutely can't get her to put spaces behind her periods
and commas.

Judging by his writing, I wouldn't be surprised if his native language is
Asian where things that we take for granted in English don't exist (nor
are needed) in their language. That includes spaces between the words.

I agree though, paragraphs would have made his post more readable. =)

--
Stephan
2003 Yamaha R6

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å›ã®ã“ã¨å¿˜ã‚ŒãŸã¨ããŒãªã„ã‹ã‚‰

 

[MICHAEL]

* Stephan Rose:

Actually he might just simply not know any better, nothing to do with
being able to write or not. I have a friend from Japan that does almost
the exact same thing. While she does a better job at putting things into
Paragraphs, I absolutely can't get her to put spaces behind her periods
and commas.

Judging by his writing, I wouldn't be surprised if his native language is
Asian where things that we take for granted in English don't exist (nor
are needed) in their language. That includes spaces between the words.

I agree though, paragraphs would have made his post more readable. =)

Or, his writing skills are simply a byproduct of growing up in
the texting generation.


-Michael

 

[GTS]

Good post. MS spent 18 months and millions of dollars on the 4 seconds of
the "startmeup" sound clip. That says it all about the change in MS over
the years into a stultified mainstream corporate culture.

 

[David]

* Telstar:


“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today.
Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”


-Michael

Boy, are you full of yourself! All you did was teach the rest of us
here that you are a condescending twit with a superiority complex. Get
over it. If someone's writing skills are so offensive to you, how about
just skipping their post. ie use a little restraint next time. sheesh!

Dave

 

[MICHAEL]

* David:

Boy, are you full of yourself!

I really only feel overly full early in the morning, that is until
I drink my first cup of coffee, my bowels move, and I dump out.

All you did was teach the rest of us
here that you are a condescending twit with a superiority complex.

Did you and Gallup take a poll? Or, are you another wanna be
Professor X?

Get over it.

Nothing to get over.... I feel quite content at the moment.
However, it seems you may need a Valium.

If someone's writing skills are so offensive to you,

Not offensive, just hard to read. Offensive would probably
be your smell.

how about just skipping their post.

The OP would more than likely get his point across better
or get his questions answered if he posted something that
could actually be easily read.

ie use a little restraint next time. sheesh!

I did show restraint.
I did not insult anyone, as you have done. I simply pointed
him to some helpful pages. Perhaps, you felt insulted yourself
because you feel your own writing skills are inadequate.

Please, have a lovely day.

Take care, goober.


-Michael

 

[Jeanette]

http://writingforcollege.blogspot.com/2005/04/sentences.html
Good writing is about writing good sentences.
If you can't build a good sentence, you can't write. Paragraphs are built from them; ideas are
presented in them; an entire essay can be captured in just one of them. It's critical to use
and spell words correctly and it's certainly essential to build proper paragraphs; however, the
words must form coherent sentences or all is lost.

http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/units/paragraph.htm
How to write a paragraph.

http://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/cyberseminar/paragraph.htm
This page was created for all students who find themselves at a loss for
words when they are asked to write a sentence or a paragraph!

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/tutor/problems/paragraphs.shtml
Paragraphs

http://www.gsw.edu/~wac/good_writing.htm

Jeanette wrote:

I was hoping the debate would not degenerate to this level.

Ad Hominem (Argument To The Man):

attacking the person instead of attacking his argument. For
example, "Von Daniken's books about ancient astronauts are worthless
because he is a convicted forger and embezzler." (Which is true, but
that's not why they're worthless.)

Another example is this syllogism, which alludes to Alan
Turing's homosexuality:

Turing thinks machines think.
Turing lies with men.
Therefore, machines don't think.

(Note the equivocation in the use of the word "lies".)

A common form is an attack on sincerity. For example, "How can
you argue for vegetarianism when you wear leather shoes?" The two
wrongs make a right fallacy is related.

A variation (related to Argument By Generalization) is to
attack a whole class of people. For example, "Evolutionary biology
is a sinister tool of the materialistic, atheistic religion of
Secular Humanism." Similarly, one notorious net.kook waved away a
whole category of evidence by announcing "All the scientists were
drunk."

Another variation is attack by innuendo: "Why don't scientists
tell us what they really know; are they afraid of public panic?"

There may be a pretense that the attack isn't happening: "In
order to maintain a civil debate, I will not mention my opponent's
drinking problem."

Sometimes the attack is on intelligence. For example, "If you
weren't so stupid you would have no problem seeing my point of
view." Or, dismissing a comment with "Well, you're just smarter than
the rest of us." (In Britain, that might be put as "too clever by
half".) This is related to Not Invented Here, but perhaps it is more
connected to Dismissal By Differentness and Changing The Subject.

Ad Hominem is not fallacious if the attack goes to the
credibility of the argument. For instance, the argument may depend
on its presenter's claim that he's an expert. (That is, there is an
Argument From Authority.) Trial judges allow this category of attacks.

 

[MICHAEL]

* uhaligani:

Bit out of hand and context now -this thread.

Welcome to newsgroups.

Maybe it should be closed.

A thread will die when the replies do.


-Michael

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

Boy, are you full of yourself! All you did was teach the rest of us
here that you are a condescending twit with a superiority complex. Get
over it. If someone's writing skills are so offensive to you, how about
just skipping their post. ie use a little restraint next time. sheesh!

Dave

I for one applaud Michael's effort and support the idea of a community
approach to cleaning up the grammar, punctuation, and spelling of future
posters here.

--
Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

"Fair use is not merely a nice concept--it is a federal law based on
free speech rights under the First Amendment and is a cornerstone of the
creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of this country. Consumer
rights in the digital age are not frivolous."
- Maura Corbett

 

[Frank]

The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'
wrote:

I for one applaud Michael's effort and support the idea of a community
approach to cleaning up the grammar, punctuation, and spelling of future
posters here.

Maybe some of us suffer from dain braimage!
Frank