Posted on 05/30/2006 11:51:59 AM PDT by N3WBI3
The opening of Beta 2 testing at WinHEC for Windows Vista has once again raised serious questions about Microsoft's ability to keep its promises. We have witnessed up until now the inexhaustible reservoir of excuses coming from MS's officials, who have continuously fed us with plenty of reasons for Vista's delay: they're working on security, they're trying to make it more reliable for business, etc. Although it was initially destined to make its public debut way back in 2002, following years haven't shown us more than small bits of what was to become Microsoft's best product in more than 10 years.
The Beta 2 testing last week didn't bring much hope for most of us, including software and hardware producers too. Developers' feedback, although not a big surprise, turned out to be more than reserved concerning the overall quality of Vista, inducing the-again-not-so-unexpected idea that there is still a lot of work to do in this domain. Moreover, rumors concerning a yet another delay of Vista, previously announced for public appearance in January 2007, came out from CEO Steve Ballmer himself this week, despite his subsequent declarations that "Vista is on track". Developers that have tested Vista even suggest that it is possible for Microsoft not to reach its goal of delivering Vista to corporate customers in November 2006.
It would be a mistake to consider that we are now heading for disaster. Maybe Ballmer's declarations are true and MAYBE Vista shall publicly appear in January 2007. But what's done is done. Microsoft cannot erase what it has implemented in customer's mind: "the best product in 10 years". All the delays pinpointed to one thing: "we are working at improving Vista". So a public release next year without the superior quality that customers are longing for would be an even harder hit to MS's already shooked-up image. The smallest security flaw in Vista would immediately become a gap of global proportions, capable of allowing all the Evil things in the world enter through it (including viruses of course...). Any oversight of a particular aspect in Vista will have huge repercaussions for the entire OS, casting a dim shadow upon the overall impression. And Aero will definitely not be able to compensate it...
There are other reasons to consider while investigating the possible failure of Redmond-giant flagship product. First of all: the price. Microsoft announced that Vista will not show its beautiful face (Aero) to those who possess pirated copies. So if you want to have 3D windows on your screen you'd have to pay a larger sum than for XP (after all, Vista requires 15 G of free space on your hard drive).
Jack Messman, CEO Novell, had already stated since september 2005, during Novell’s Brain Share, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, that switching from Windows XP to Windows Vista will be more expensive than switching from Windows XP to Linux. So far, Microsoft hasn’t published any details about the price scheme it plans for Windows Vista, but ever since the Redmond company announced the hardware requirements, many experts have started to link the fee for a license with the amounts of money that will be invested in a PC that would allow you to run the OS.
And thus we have reached the second reason for Vista's envisioned failure. In order to run it properly not only that you'd have to license it, but you'd also have to think of spending more money on hardware. And this is bad news not only for retail customers but also for middle to small size companies, that don't possess enough money to change their computers like corporations do. And when we think that Vista might not be as reliable and secure as everyone expects...
This is where Linux comes on stage. It's totally free (well, most of the distros are). It has proven its reliability over time and it has convinced IT managers from large corporations (like IBM) to local authorities (like the French Gendarmerie or the Norwegian and Spanish government)to switch to it instead of Windows XP. Servers or desktops running Linux don't suffer from hoax, worms or spyware and they do not provide BSODs (blue screens of death, typically a source of irony for both Windows and Linux users). As for Aero, KDE desktop did long time ago a lot of the things Aero shall do in 2007, and with a whole lot less hardware resources. Not to mention that Novell's XGL Desktop is already not one, but two steps ahead of Aero: at least 1Ghz processor, a minimum of 256 system RAM and an old GeForce MX 400. And visual effects are staggering compared to Aero (just imagine a cube- which is your desktop- and a film being presented on two of its sides...). And last, but not least, the many "flavors" of Linux, which allow the user to turn freely and with no supplementary cost from one distro to another, or even run it from a live-CD/USB flash. And if that's not enough for you, just think at how much will Vista resist getting its Aero GUI pirated...
All in all, the probably unanimous conclusion is that with or without Vista's release in 2007 the winner is Linux. Paradoxically enough, just as many have suggested before, Microsoft shall boost Linux's popularity no matter what Vista will bring new to the OS market. Still, if rumors concerning a new delay of Vista are true, MS's credibility (already at low levels in recent years) will drop significantly, and with it, the finances too.
I'll stick with 2000 Professional on my Windows partition.
I like Windows 2000 too. By far the best OS Microsoft has ever produced. We have a site license for it at work, so I have several set up to dual boot Win2k and Mepis.
XP was a step down, and Vista looks to be falling off a cliff.
15 gigs? This is getting ridiculous.
Upgrade to SuSe 10.1. It is one of the best Linux distros available, IMHO. It has excellent hardware support, including wireless networking.
What i've heard of SuSE 10.1 from this site does not support that assessment. It appears as if there is a major difficulty with that particular release. SuSE 10.0 seems to work much better.
I've had Win2K Server since 1999. In my opinion, it's the best OS ever.
I hate ME. I tried it when it first came out, discarded it, and never touched it again. I hope Vista doesn't cause the same reaction.
BTW: Congrats on pursuing your degree. Good luck!!
I got stuck with 98 (upgraded to SE), then my folks then-new computer came with ME--and then XP came out.
Never did get a chance to install 2k pro--used it a couple times during middle school though.
BTW--Thanks!!
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
RE: GE
"This account has been banned or suspended."
I really didn't mean to call in a ZOT, but, then, Mod knows best, I suppose.
You never know what to expect when you hit that button! ;)
Yeah, but I didn't hit 'that' button, just included Mod in the normal "Post Reply".
I guess the guy has a history and Mod decided it was time for a stint in the Penalty Box.
Ah, ok.
All of my hardware works well with little to no configuration required. My friend had problems with his broadcom wireless on his laptop with 10.0, but with 10.1 it worked right away. I also downloaded and installed the newest Nvidia drivers from the Nvidia website. It was the easiest compile and install from a shell I have ever accomplished.
GE rode the zot!?! And I missed it completely!?!
That's almost disappointing.
I think I'll install Ubuntu Breezy Badger (5.10) on my 2.4GHz desktop tomorrow...either that or wait until Ubuntu Dapper Drake (6.06) is available for download and just download and install that. I already have Xandros 3.0.3 Business Edition on my laptop. Xandros is one of the most user-friendly OSes I have ever used. Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Ximian/Novell Evolution, and Apple iTunes (using Crossover Office) are my most-used apps on Xandros.
I agree. I just want an OS thar just workk with no memory-hogging stuff like special A/V effects or constant update downloads. That's why I switched from Windows to Xandros.
Did you put it online?
If your post was what got GE dumped, we all owe you a great deal of thanks. He's been stinking up tech threads for ages. He's been banned several times, but always comes back. The threads are much more pleasant when he's not around.
Lots of disagreement, even strong disagreement, but much more friendly and informative.
Thanks again.
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