With Vista, Microsoft jacks up tech support costs for consumers

ComputerWorld ^ | 02/05/2007 | Eric Lai

[darkwing104]

Damn, I am in the wrong line of work....

[ShadowAce]

[steve-b]

customers contacting Microsoft for help with Vista will pay $59 per incident, up from $35

"I'm gonna write me a minivan!"

[ShadowAce]

"I'm gonna write me a minivan!"

I believe that is the best panel ever written. :)

[jdm]

Is anybody even using Vista yet?

I mean, for real?

[roaddog727]

More and more, Linux looks more attractive.

[Always Right]

One more reason not to upgrade and possibly dumping MS completely. Microsoft is really opening up the door for competition. I may have to try Linux or something.

[ShadowAce]

Is anybody even using Vista yet?

Echo Talon claims to be using it.

[ShadowAce]

More and more, Linux looks more attractive.

I've been using it exclusively since 2003. In fact, this laptop has never booted anything else.

[wizecrakker]

Ubuntu, Linux for Human Beings.

[KoRn]

I remember showing a Microsoft "consultant" how to map a network drive. I wonder if they have people like that to answer their support calls.

[paudio]

More and more, Linux looks more attractive.

Linux may be more attractive to customers who are savvy enough to figure out how to use it. Customers with problems in installing Vista or Office are less likely to use Linux.

[L98Fiero]

"Microsoft is really opening up the door for competition."

If they'd lay off all the glitter and candy aftermarket and concentrate on their OS kernel it wouldn't be so. I hate to say it but it appears as though MS is more interested in trying to put software companies out of business than making an improved product.

I'll be hanging on to XP.

[Echo Talon]

yes, Vista is great. Don't believe all the negative BS about it...

[ShadowAce]

Linux may be more attractive to customers who are savvy enough to figure out how to use it.

That's changed. Linux can actually be easier than Windows to install. Once installed, it's merely a matter of learning the new menu layout.

[Echo Talon]

Customers with problems in installing Vista or Office are less likely to use Linux.

LOL! If someone has a problem installing Vista they don't have a prayer using Linux! LOL! I use both, and love both but all ALL know Linux isn't Windows easy yet not even PCLinuxOS or Mepis or Even Mint you still have to use #

[Echo Talon]

That's changed. Linux can actually be easier than Windows to install. Once installed, it's merely a matter of learning the new menu layout.

uhhh, not really... try to install something... not with synaptic either... actually install it...

[Echo Talon]

open a terminal type ./configure "blah blah blah"

[Always Right]

I hate to say it but it appears as though MS is more interested in trying to put software companies out of business than making an improved product.

That's been true for a while. Lotus 1-2-3, Wordperfect, Quicken, Netscape, etc. They gain market share by bundling them with other products or by including them with windows. It's tough to compete with them. You come out with an innovative product, Microsoft copies it and usually improves upon it, and then uses their leverage to win. Intellectual property is not all that well protected in the software world. It is so easy to impliment the same idea in a different way.