Posted on 06/01/2009 10:14:20 AM PDT by JoeProBono
According to NetApplications, Windows XP is still the OS of choice for users out there in ComputerLand, with some two-thirds of users still making use of the aging OS. By comparison, Vista is struggling to capture a quarter of the market share. Vista’s “WOW!” failed to capture the attention of users, as many chose to stick with their older OS.
If you are an XP user, has what you’ve seen of Windows 7 made you willing to ditch XP?
The way I see it, Microsoft needs to be putting effort into marketing Windows 7 to those currently using XP. After all, those already using Vista have shown a willingness to switch OSes already, and moving from Vista to 7 isn’t that much of a leap. It’s those entrenched XP users that present a problem for Microsoft. These people, for whatever reason, turned their backs on Vista, and it’s these people that Microsoft needs to win back.
But it’s not going to be easy.
While Microsoft tried to convince people that Vista wasn’t really as bad as they thought it was by resorting to a web ad campaign that was thinly disguised as an “experiment”, those still using XP weren’t buying it. In fact it wasn’t until Microsoft’s “Laptop Hunter” ad campaign that the Redmond giant started seeing its ad dollars really having an effect. Problem for Microsoft is that these ads spend their time selling Windows-based PCs rather than Windows itself. It seems that Microsoft knows that selling Windows is an uphill struggle.
Another problem for Microsoft is that there’s no easy upgrade path for XP users wanting to move to Windows 7. While I usually hate doing in-place upgrades on an OS (that’s where you apply the OS over the top of the existing one and keep all your old settings and programs) because it leads to more problems than it solves, I know that there are a lot of people out there who like this method because it saves them a lot of time and effort. You can’t do this going from XP to 7. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to move your stuff (data, not apps), which is probably the safest method, but it’s a multi-step hassle that many won’t bother with.
As I see it there’s another obstacle in the way of XP users adopting 7, and that is the fact that if you peel away the Windows 7 veneer, what you end up with resembles Vista. A lot. Sure, it’s Vista SP2, and not the poor quality RTM code that Microsoft shoveled into user’s faces, but it’s still Vista. There may be fewer comparability roadblocks than there was for those who tried moving from XP to Vista, but users going from XP to Windows 7 are still going to stumble across roadblocks. XP Mode will help, but ultimately it’s a kludge. A kludge that’s only available to people who buy the most expensive versions of Windows 7.
It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft tries to win over the entrenched XP user. Microsoft may decide to throw ad dollars at the problem. Alternatively, Microsoft might stick with the current “Laptop Hunter” style ads and rely on user’s PC growing obsolete over time.
My point exactly.
My first Linux Mint test:
Downloaded the ISO with torrent, attached it to the VM, booted. Boots quickly for a live CD.
It is more eye-pleasing than any other Linux, and without being gaudy.
Mouse is SLOW, unusable. Finding the settings was quick. They don’t speed up my mouse.
Try installing VMWare Tools. Oops, this is a live CD. The full install option should be in a more obvious place. Installs fairly quickly.
Reboot, try to install the tools. The Perl script doesn’t work. Mouse still slow.
Giving up for now.
This is my complaint with MS. They're trying to exert the same power. I don't want another entity (MS or Apple or anyone else) to have control over my systems.
You mean ME. 2k is stellar, and *still* widely used.
Heckuva marketing slogan:
As rivals eye market, Microsoft preps new operating system
*****************************EXCERPT INTRO ***********************
Microsoft on Tuesday set the October delivery date for a new version of its Windows operating system, which is designed to help it better exploit the rapidly growing market for netbooks.
A Microsoft representative acknowledged that the company plans to announce the October availability date for Windows 7 at a conference in Taiwan on Wednesday.
While Microsoft enjoys a dominant position in providing operating-system software for netbooks, the no-frills version of Windows it currently makes available for the devices provides a relatively meager financial return.
But by initially making a constrained, "starter" version of Windows 7 available for netbooks, with an option to upgrade to a more costly variety on the same machine, Microsoft hopes to reap more profits from an increasingly important market.
download sun virtualbox and you can test it fairly easy.
I’ve been enjoying it and think I may actually switch. My current computer suits my needs right now but maybe next time I reinstall.
“XP with SP 3 is the best system out there.”
No it isn’t.
You'll have to upgrade your MS Money to handle millions, billions and trillions of dollars through Obama style hyperinflation or South American style currency revaluation chopping off a stack of zeros. To run the MS Money HI (hyperinflation), you'll need Windows 7. It's all part of the Obama/Geithner/Bernanke/Gates conspiracy.
Get Linux Mint....seems to handle the Media stuff...Ubuntu requires additional downloads.
What is it that requires Windows that you are wired around?
An hour , tops.
Once you learn the different names for the similar programs you are used to using it's simple. iPhoto, Safari, Pages,etc.
You'll be amazed how easy computer use can be.
I switched about a year ago and I have had to do ZERO maintenance on either Mac. No defrag, scandisk, anti virus, blue screen of death, etc. Don't have to go out and find add-on programs to edit photos, erase sensitive stuff, etc. It's all included in OSX.
I have to work on and fix my daughter's PC often. I hate it. ,
At that time, you identify the hardware and peripherals you use, and other user information. Microsoft takes all these selections and information, and creates what is a unique OS, fully compatible, just for you. Third party software might even be part of the game, by providing Microsoft with a list of their module needs.
And *that* is the OS downloaded to your computer. But there’s more.
Every time you add new hardware or software, Microsoft performs OS maintenance to integrate and optimize how it fits in your particular system, with additional modules as needed, replacements and upgrades for existing parts. And this maintenance is a separate payment to MS.
Great idea! Shame on all of you anti-Microsoft fanboys for saying that Microsoft is nickeling and dimeing their customers to death! /sarc
Of course Microsoft really does nickel and dime their customers to death. Even though I don't use Windows I still care enough about my fellow FReepers to warn them before they buy one of those intentionally CRIPPLED Windows OSes. I really do hate to see people being ripped off.
Before anyone says that the "Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate versions of Windows are different that's why there is a price difference.", I remind you that they are ALL the SAME DESTKOP OS just crippled in different ways.
Anywho, XP Pro was the best OS Microsoft ever released. If they'd get rid of the activation crap, DRM, stop modifying the add-ons/settings in non-Microsoft software and create a better permissions/security system (to help prevent malware, spyware, viruses, etc) in all current and future versions of Windows it wouldn't be as bad.
p.s. I really did enjoy reading your post, it appeared that you placed a lot of thought into it. :)
BS.
No, incredibly crude BS!
The hardware overhead to constantly check on DRM violations has been well documented. As has been the stupid permissions from Microshaft necessary to upgrade hardware.
Right on!
What I’ve really been pondering is a non-Windows OS other than Linux.
Best of all worlds. A partially proprietary software created by the open source community but to produce dividends for its own development. Lots of ways to go with this, but the concept if for the OS to fund itself, yet to be protected from corporate theft of its innovations. It is developmentally only open source.
This was in a way how Microsoft was built. It never paid dividends, but its profits were all plowed back into expansion and development.
Best of all worlds. A partially proprietary software created by the open source community but to produce dividends for its own development. Lots of ways to go with this, but the concept if for the OS to fund itself, yet to be protected from corporate theft of its innovations. It is developmentally only open source.
This was in a way how Microsoft was built. It never paid dividends, but its profits were all plowed back into expansion and development.
Sounds like your talking about something like the BSDs.
I knew I forgot to do something. Sorry this took so long.
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