catastrophic failures that require the user to reinstall windows are
far too common. if you have to call microsoft, you're likely already
screwed - at least for me - but i'm in IS.
there should be a better way for the masses to "reset" their systems
and maintain their settings and data without reformatting and
reinstalling.
maybe some MS guys around here can comment on the progress they are
making toward that aim?
a possible start toward that goal is the backup utility i use in
windows onecare live. it automates the backup of important files. if
MS could provide easy, no worry backup for users, then it wouldn't be
much of a step to repair the OS and/or lay down the image of what the
user needs.
system restore is good, but it's hard to use for most people, and it
negatively affects system performance. to top it off, it's disabled on
many enterprise networks via group policy.
i have faith MS will make progress on these goals, but i noticed that
fancy 3D interfaces seem to be the priority. i think apple has a great
opportunity here to fill the need.
my grandpa used to have an IBM that litterally had six buttons on the
screen - files, spreadsheet, word processor, help, prodigy only, and
something else. god he loved that thing.
