Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself
The Microsoft albatross
(Credit: Microsoft)While Vista was originally touted by Microsoft as the operating system savior we've all been waiting for, it has turned out to be one of the biggest blunders in technology. With a host of issues that are inexcusable and features that are taken from the Mac OS X and Linux playbook, Microsoft has once again lost sight of what we really want.
As we're more than aware, Vista Ultimate comes at a premium. For an additional $160 over the Premium SKU price, Ultimate gives you a complete backup and restore option, BitLocker Drive encryption, the ever so popular Windows Fax & Scan, and the "Ultimate Extras." But what started with a promise of "Extras" by summer, quickly turned into an apology from Microsoft and the eventual release of DreamScene and Windows Hold 'Em (among others) today. And while each of the "Extras" runs just fine, Microsoft's "Extras" blunder is just another reason why the company must abandon Vista before it's too late.
The first indication that Microsoft should abandon Vista is its poor sales figures. According to a recent report titled "Windows Vista Still Underperforming in U.S. Retail" from NPD, Vista sales are significantly behind XP sales during its early days. Even worse for Redmond, some are reverting to XP, citing issues with compatibility and overall design. And if that wasn't enough, Macs continue to surge and with the impending release of Leopard, Microsoft may be in for a rough holiday season.
With each passing day, it's becoming blatantly clear that Microsoft released Vista too early and the company's continual mistakes and promises that can't be kept are further annoying the Windows faithful.
Much talk has been given to Service Pack 1 and how this update should address many of the issues users have with Vista, but I simply don't agree. Will SP1 eliminate the ridiculous Microsoft licensing schemes? Will SP1 drop the price on the higher-end versions? Will SP1 eliminate the need for users to buy a new computer just to use the faulty OS?
SP1 will do nothing but fix the holes and issues we currently know about and create even more. As we all know from the days of Windows ME and even XP, Microsoft is not the best company at finding and addressing security issues, and chances are, Vista will be no different.
One significant problem that I have with Vista is its inclusion of new DRM, specifically the company's decision to install Protected Video Path. To prevent a person from copying (or in most cases, backing up) a movie, the operating system provides process isolation and if an unverified component is in use, the operating system shuts down DRM content. For the first time on any operating system, we're not even allowed to backup our favorite movies? Come on.
I also find it interesting that Microsoft decided to take the user access control concept from Mac OS X and make it much worse. Can someone please explain to me why I need to be asked if I wanted to do something entirely innocuous like open a third-party app from a well-known software company?
Never before have I seen such an abysmal start to an operating system release. For almost a year, people have been adopting Vista and becoming incensed by how poorly it operates. Not only does it cost too much, it requires more to run than XP, there is still poor driver support, and that draconian licensing scheme is a by-product of Microsoft picking on the wrong people.
The road ahead looks dangerous for Vista and Microsoft must realize that. With Mac OS X hot on its tail, Vista is simply not capable of competing at an OS level with some of the best software around. If Microsoft continues down this path, it will be Vista that will bring the software giant to its knees--not Bill Gates' departure.
Of course, categorically dumping an operating system is quite difficult and with millions already using the OS, chances are Microsoft won't find a good enough reason to do it. And while I can understand that argument, there's no reason the company can't continue to support Vista and go back to the drawing board for its next OS. Even better, go back to XP--it's not nearly as bad as Vista.
As a daily user of Mac OS X, Ubuntu and Vista, I'm keenly aware of what works and what doesn't. Mac and Linux work.
The time is up. Microsoft must abandon Vista and move on. It's the company's only chance at redemption.
Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
True, they have the financial reserves to make it possible. Yes,
they could just turn on the necessary security measures in XP to
bring it to parity with Vista. Absolutely, they could add some eye
candy to XP.
But they won't.
It's too big a pill to swallow at a time when OEMs and corporate
clients are asking to reinstall XP on their machines.
MS cannot have doubt growing about its abilities to compete on
a level playing field with its OS and Office Suite products in the
corporate arena as upgrade cycles occur.
It will spread the usual FUD about upcoming releases and the
patent liabilities of alternative OSes to forestall any of those
purchasers sitting on the fence.
The bigger questions are: How much more patience do you have
with Microsoft? When will you finally say, "Enough is enough?"
When will you seriously explore alternatives that are cheaper and
arguably more productive?
And another thing. MS needs to stop treating consumers like idiots and being 'big brother' on what we should do on our computer systems. You already got our money, so let us enjoy our freedom with the product. So think about that on your NEXT windows operating system.
never had a problem with it. You know MS won't
stand back and let things go. They will pump out
something fast and screw it up again. Go Macs!!!
"As we all know from the days of Windows ME and even XP, Microsoft is not the best company at finding and addressing security issues, and chances are, Vista will be no different."
Microsoft is WAAAY better these days than Apple and your Linux pals at addressing security vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Not perfect, but no vendor is.
Thanks for wasting 5 minutes of my time reading this tripe.
To prevent a person from copying (or in most cases, backing up) a movie, the operating system provides process isolation and if an unverified component is in use, the operating system shuts down DRM content. For the first time on any operating system, we're not even allowed to backup our favorite movies? Come on.
End Quote
You don't even have a clue do you?
Your story is riddled with FUD.
And yes, you CAN backup any movie you want in Vista
I like how you ended that statment with a question mark LOL Becuase you don't have a clue?
CNET editor:
Don't you read what's posted to your site any more?
I upgraded to Vista Ultimate about 2 weeks ago and have had no problems whatsoever. I do agree, though, that $160 to upgrade was a crap, but love that Virtual PC was free! Now, I can still test my apps in XP Pro without the need for another PC. I do wish that Virtual PC 2007 was compatible with Vista Home Premium.
I feel that Office 2007 Pro has very usable features for those who do not already have 3rd party graphics and design programs.
In addition, Microsoft Accounting Express is a great program for those who need a professional-looking accounting program for FREE! I submit all my invoices via email and it's a snap with this program's direct integration with Outlook 2007 w/ Business Contact Manager.
Linux and Mac can't hold a candle to spread of market that Microsoft is in and maybe that's why MS is under so much more scrutiny; they have a bigger target. I'm in no way bashing Macs because I LOVE the programs that Apple develops too! I just know from my own personal experience that I haven't had any major problems by switching to Vista or Office 07.
OSX over Windows??
You may have a quick smart-butt answer to this just to satisfy
yourself, but seriously... users of both OSs heavily lean Mac
because it is solid and secure.
Give it a shot sometime. You can even boot Windows as your
security blanket of insecurity...
I can barely buy an iPhone for that, much less a Mac.
If five years late was too early, then MS needs to get out of the OS business.
That being said....This article stink in the same way that a John Dvorak article about Apple abondoning
the software business did not more than a year and a half ago.
Sure there are issues with Vista, but the suggestion that MS should abandon it is absolutely absurd.
I know MS has deep pockets and we all have been hearing a lot about Vistas issues but, it's always the unhappy and those with an ax to grind that makes the most noise.
It has been my experience that MS isn't that good at writing solid code but, there are plenty of reasons for that. (having to support a myriad of software and hardware combinations.)
Their efforts with Vista may have been mediocre to all of our likings but this should come as no surprise. MS has always been a "good enough" developer.
The problem is, now that real alternatives exist, "good enough" is no longer good enough.
Will they abandon Vista? No..Should they? Nope?
The suggestion they should is just as annoying to me (A Mac Fan) as the ridiculous articles suggestion by Anti-Apple folks that Apple should abandon OSX.
Think about it...companies had YEARS to update their device drivers for Vista, but fell behind.
I don't think MS did anything 'wrong' w/ Vista except that they should have done a "soft release" for a solid year or two alongside XP. Let the customer decide which OS s/he wants, then eventually phase out XP.
If you want to debate it, then there are two problems....one is Microsoft's fault, the other is sorta Microsoft's fault.
a) XP was probably more successful than even MS ever imagined--think about it...released in Oct. '01 and will be supported far into the next decade. 500+ million computers worldwide are using it, not to mention all the PCs sold just before Vista was released. This is a *good* problem for Microsoft b/c it's pretty much guaranteed Windows as the most popular install base worldwide. Like it or not, that's the truth--however, people who keep their PCs for more than 2-3yrs are not profitable for PC makers or Microsoft--MS wants you to buy a new license every 2-3 years, if not sooner. It is simple economics that they lose money supporting the OS, so to support the same OS that someone bought in 2001 until 2016 by making new patches and security fixes is EXPENSIVE. This is Microsoft's problem--a good one, but still their problem.
b) Vista is new....too new. New to computers...new to end-users....and even newer to business. It's not as flawed as it is new--it has changed the familiar Windows desktop of Win95 into something completely different, and thus hightened the learning curve. The issue is that the thousands, if not millions of developers and PC makers out there staggered until the last minute to make Vista-compatible device drivers, and it's far easier to blame MS for their own failures.
Microsoft should have required Vista-compatible drivers for any hardware that PC makers planned to sell a year before Vista was released. The Vista Capable sticker worked but wasn't very clear...i think in the end, MS 'assumed' that PC and accessory makers would take the lead but dragged their feet (and their knuckles).
As far as buying new hardware to run it. Boo-hoo. Name a major release of any operating system or even software that didn't require newer hardware to run. People are mad because they cannot upgrade their 486 to run Vista.
I'm glad that MS is cracking down on WHQL testing for Vista drivers--say bye bye to about 98% of BSODs
Those obsessed with hating Microsoft can't stand it, but Vista is clearly a success that is not going anywhere.
Are you kidding me? Fact: Vista is installed on more computers than Mac OSX only 6 months after being released.
However, you're required to buy an Apple to run it. If I don't like Dell, I can buy a Sony, HP, or Lenovo--plus, my software is not 'tied' to one PC maker...I can still run Elements 4 on my old IBM and on my new Lenovo.
I'd rather have PC makers compete over hardware than software--the quality gets better and the innovation goes up.
Disagree? www.appledefects.com
- Unrational idea wrapped in fake rationality
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by The User
September 26, 2007 1:39 PM PDT
- What author is trying to say is "Mac is cool". I find no rational explanations but "Ha-ha, MS sucked and Mac will take over!"
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