Posted on 05/08/2015 3:24:04 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Internet woke up to a shock this morning. Microsoft MSFT +2.18% has used its Ignite 2015 conference to declare Windows 10 will be “the last version of Windows” . The reaction has been predictably alarmist, but what exactly does it mean and is this really the end for Windows as we know it?
First some context. The statement came from Microsoft employee Jerry Nixon, a self proclaimed ‘developer evangelist’ who stated: “Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10.”
If this sounds strange, Microsoft didn’t help. The company today stepped forward to defend Nixon’s comment to The Verge saying it was “reflective” of the company’s opinion. So what is going on? Is Windows 10 really the end?
It’s Windows, But Not Like You Know It
The simplistic response is: No. Windows is not going anywhere. What is now clearly and undeniably changing, however, is how Microsoft will brand, develop, update and expect us to pay for Windows after Windows 10.
“Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers,” explained Microsoft in its full statement to the Verge. “We aren’t speaking to future branding at this time, but customers can be confident Windows 10 will remain up-to-date and power a variety of devices from PCs to phones to Surface Hub to HoloLens and Xbox. We look forward to a long future of Windows innovations.”
Extract the marketing speak and what the future appears to be is ‘Windows’ – no version number, just ‘Windows’.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Darn I was hoping we were going back to DOS...
A lot of it on the server side is going back to the command line, it just isn't DOS any more.
No deal.
“Darn I was hoping we were going back to DOS..”
C:PRINT “SOME OF US HAVE NEVER LEFT”
Exactly. Um....no.
Now it's
C:> “SOME OF US HAVE NEVER LEFT" | out-printer
RE: A lot of it on the server side is going back to the command line, it just isn’t DOS any more.
POWERSHELL. That’s the new and more powerful version of the command prompt.
That will be like the Linux Shell.
I am on XP still. This would be the final straw as far as my ever updating or buying a new Windows machine. I can do everything I need (and that is a lot) on Linux.
To the surprise of many, including myself, Adobe was successful in changing its software from a purchase to a rental model. I guess the cost of nearly eternal upgrades outweighed the accounting value of the upfront payment.
Whether that will work for MSFT remains to be seen.
Oh great!
Isn't that what made Win 8 such a wretched mess? Worst interface ever..............
Will probably be available from the cloud only, which is where MS is pushing everybody. I think have have a Commodore 64 and a real IBM 86 out in the garage.
with opposable thumbs.
XP was going to be the last version of Windows. Then everybody freaked out about the end of downward compatibility and Longhorn changed. Of course now with VM technology as it is a not-Windows OS shipping with Windows VM capability can fix that.
Microsoft realizes that we are in the End Times! ;-) In the Millenial Kingdom Apple will rule! ;-)
So you will have to rent the operating system because far too many people just bought their computers with the OS and have the nerve to never pay Micro$oft again.
I kept my Office 2000 goign for about 15 years before I had to upgrade to Office 2013 and pay rental for it.
All clients, and no servers? That sounds like fun.
““Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers,” explained Microsoft”
My butt is sore already. Don’t service me, just get off my back.
Boy I guess after Windows 8 Microsoft is still completely brain dead to the reality of don’t try and jam your customers into something they don’t want.
Microsoft is determined to destroy its business customer base ...what fools.
so Linux will become the operating system with choice for business.
Apple dominate the consumer oriented market
And Microsoft will be a dead company they’re freaking idiots...I’m going to start selling Microsoft stock short because they have just shot their foot off and are about to bleed to death
My primary home office computer is XP. I run some old applications that I love. It’s completely disconnected from the internet. I also have a Windows 7 PC that serves an adjunct role to this one.
My email/web browsing computer is Linux Mint Debian Edition.
I have a number of Windows 7 computers that do single tasks but I’m slowly removing the HDDs and replacing them with SSDs with Linux. I keep the Windows HDDs in a safe place.
My goal is that by the time Win 7 is no longer supported, I’ll be completely on Linux. Most of my old Windows stuff that I depend on will run fine under Wine.
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