Comments on: Vista debut hits a delay

Microsoft puts back release date, meaning PCs with the Windows update won't go on sale in time for the holidays.

[originalbitman]

And this is news?

How many delays has VISTA seen?

[BogusName]

That and it has to be intentional

They must know that noone is going to buy it anyway and this is some strategy.

[R. U. Sirius]

Am I the Only One...

...who is bored over these Vista stories? Is there really a big demand for Vista?

[Jonathan]

Yes...

Because XP is running out of steam fast. It?s a 5-year-old OS. (As of October.) There are so many technologies that need to be updated, replaced, or just outright thrown away that it?s not even funny anymore. Vista is LONG LONG LONG overdue.

[Lindy01]

like I

got tired of hearing about the release FirFox and daily updates of how many people downloaded it?

Like it or not Windows rules the desktops and when a major new version comes out with major new componets its news. Lots of people stand to make money off of Vista in one way or another. A dely is felt on Wall Street.

In two years Vista will be on 50% or more of all desktops (80+% of corporate desktops)....in 5 75% or more.

[JJWhitney]

Just give up

Seriously... who cares at this point. I have no faith at all in this company of delivering anything that actually helps the consumer. 6 versions of Vista and that worthless browser duct-tapped to the OS is all you need to know about what the company thinks of the end user.

If they had any type of leadership that represented the users, knew computing and didn't need to be shown "trends" like the internet then we might get a decent new OS.

[libertyforall1776]

Mac x86 & 10.5 Leopard in 2006, Forget Vista!

Just get an x86 Mac and run Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), which IS
due in 2006, plus if you really need Win XP, you can run it:
http://onmac.net/

Also, a Mac version of VMWare is due soon...

M$ already chopped out the three major Longhorn features, so
now Windows VISTA (Viruses, Infections, Spyware, Trojans,
Adware) will be even later...

[Jonathan]

Leopard FUDness

NO one at Apple has set a release date for Leopard. With WWDC set for August that leaves just over 4 months for developers to get their wares up and running on Leopard all the while still converting their stuff to universal binary.
Sorry dude but Leopard isn't shipping until 2007. My guess is early spring 2007. Just in time to steal some of the limelight away from Vista.

[Lindy01]

Sure

Move over to a more closed, less industry supported, WAY over priced, NON buisnes standard, ZERO game playing platform.

I get on that right away. Hey maybe I-tunes will be less buggy on the MAC?

[mortis9]

nail on the head

x86. Apple has been so kind as to screw a generation of customers with 32bit processors. No thanks. I like OSX, but at this point in time I'd rather use a G5 machine than get stuck with a revamped Pentium 3. They should have waited for Conroe and the mobile variants. When those hit the market I'll consider upgrading. I don't plan on buying a product that will become obsolete in less than half a year (Conroe should hit shelves in July). Good business, but bad for the customers.

[Seaspray0]

Just another MAC Fanboi

That's right... don't bother to post anything relavent to the story. It hasn't even been released, yet you personally have decided it will contain "Viruses, Infections, Spyware, Trojans, Adware." Do you have apple write your advertisements for you?

[Jonathan]

volume licensing customers

Any VLC with any brains what so ever won't go near Vista for a year at least. All this does is get vista in the HANDS of their VLC and even then most of those people who are really large VLC already are getting monthly builds of Vista. All this is, is a way to put their best face forward.
Seriously any company that touches Vista in 2007 deserves all the headaches that come with it. Now 2008....that's another matter altogether.

[Lindy01]

What if...

your company gets crazy discounts (CRAZY) to install it early.....and they have working builds for their hardware/software right now?

If you have a plan....a real plan and its tested...really tested and it works then it can be done.

[ServedUp]

Vista Problems

I won't buy it then either... I'm not going to buy another
Windows machine until I absolutely have too!.. But if you were to
ask me what I'm going buy next, with my hard earned money? ..
I'm going to check out an IMAC... it makes sense to buy an
Apple in this day in age...

Why?

Apple is the only company that is delivering on their promises,
even sometimes ahead of schedule!!.. Plus they are working so
hard for consumer's dollars these days, not like the Apple I knew
from the past. It makes sense to buy from a company that has
innovative products with vision.. and stop buying from (or
rewarding) a company that provides mediocre products with
unrealistic goals.

MS has huge eternal issues within.. They made a pile of money
since '95 they have amassed a totally monopoly over the PC
Industry.. and in feeling over-confident in this they think they
have the right to dictate how the computer industry should be
run..

I say no way..

Besides have you seen the pricing model MS released for Vista??
What a mess!! Its absolute nonsense! That pricing model alone
shows how MS cares for consumer's money and not consumer's
needs.

Also whats with that whole Origami fiasco.. when are we going
to see results in this..

I also think Jim Allchin should retire now.. to save face from
Vista.. I think its going to turn out embarassing in the end.
Vista was a mess from the very beginning. Delay after Delay
after Delay after Delay. MS lately hasn't Walked the walk just
Talked the talk.

[City_Of_LA]

You sound brainwashed

And extremely boring and very unoriginal. And guess what...nobody cares! Vista will sell more copies in the first 3 hours of release than OS X have EVER sold.

now get lost.

[technewsjunkie]

Bwa ha ha! LOL

And they had to squeeze it into January in order to make it a virtual
2006!

It's not ready.

[NeverFade]

Boy, didn't see that coming! <insert sarcasm here>

n/m

[booboo1243]

Delaying any MS product is a gift.

It is that much longer until the next big wave of system downtime, viruses of mass destruction, etc.

[Llib Setag]

Jurassic Park + Dinosaurs

Jurassic Park (Redmond One) at its' finest!!!
HAHAHAHAH!

IRONY: The Microsloth commercials of the "dinosaurs-in-the-Office" who have NOT upgraded for an eon, but still are lumbering around in the past, banging their heads against the walls...

THAT commercial was the REAL MS VISTA OS commercial we've been hearing some much about...!
=8-P

2003 & counting for promise after promise after promise, delays after delays, all the while the Windows Developers & customers are holding the bag of dinasaur bones & praying for no more patches & viruses & Trojan Horses & worms & blue screens of death...

Everytime Mirosloth & Jurassic Park stumble I get a ton of people wanting an escape hatch out of their dungeon of doom from Gates & Co.

Thank you Citizen Gates & Big Brother Ballmer!
LOL
=8-)

P.S.: I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! Jurassic Park is secretly working on their AstalaVista Micro OS for those $100 MIT computers & Origamis for the Gates Foundation to hand out for the Holidays to all of his friends in the Third World.
What a nice bunch of guys...

That's what caused the delay in AstalaVista OS for the masses. Right?

[Stating]

Why Can't They Do An In-place Upgrade?

If I were Microsoft, what I would do starting in Q2 of this year would be to provide computer manufacturers with a binary image of Vista that would be pre-loaded on new computers in anticipation of the launch date. Let's say the launch date ends up being January 2, 2007. Customers who purchased a new Vista-certified computer between Q2-06 and Q1-07 would simply click a Windows Vista update icon on their computer which would:

a) Backup current XP config to create an undo
b) Download Vista code changes from update.microsoft.com that occurred since Q2-06 (rollforward)
c) Perform an in-place upgrade to Vista
d) Archive XP to a DVD ROM and remove it from the HD

This is similar to what a number of computer mfgs. did when transitioning from Windows 98 to Windows 2000. When the customer first turned on their new computer, it asked them if they wanted to install Windows 98 or Windows 2000. I don't see why Microsoft, which hires all those smart "why are manhole covers round?" people doesn't do this. They claim to want to sell more "software as a service" anyway, why not use microsoft.com as a true software distribution mechanism?

[neocliff]

Not Everyone Has Broadband Access

One thing I could see keeping them from doing this is not
everyone has broadband access. I know MS has gotten smarter
about how they download (such as doing it when your Internet
connection isn't in use), doing a Vista update could be
gargantuan especially if you had a Vista image build now. When
SP2 was rolled out, Update advertised an image of about 75MB
as I recall. That hurts on a 56KB line.

Also, what about recovery images? If I have a Vista image
generated now, activate/update it with a Vista image in Jan '07,
and then have to recover my PC, things could get messy.

Bottom line: Why have half-baked software out there? If they
have as much trouble as they claim getting users to patch their
systems, this sounds like a real nightmare.

C. A. Williams
www.cawilliams.us

[DickJones]

wow

this is the first intelligent non arguementitive constructive post i have seen so far (and probably likely to be the only one)

great idea there Keith you should send it to MS maybe they will implament it.

[ChazzMatt]

buyers remorse?

so.... corporate version will still be released in November 2007, but consumer versions are in January 2007? That makes no sense. How is one version going to be ready before the other -- don't they all use the same technology?

Also, the reason they are giving for the delay is to improve security. Does that mean the (on time) corporate version won't have any security? :)

Also, does that mean computer manufacturers are going to make one last push to clear the decks of underpowered computers before Christmas, then launch Vista computers in January -- making all those new Christmas computers obsolete?

[ChazzMatt]

OK

I just read more on the story. Apparently the dealy is to protect HP, et al from Dell. Dell can make Vista computers in 2 days from a gold copy but it takes HP 2 months to ship on a slow boat from China to retail stores. So, nobody gets Vista to sell until after the holidays. Otherswise HP/Compaq might have to declare bankruptcy.

[ejpasseos]

Just when a corner was turned...Billy strikes again

There are many important aspects of this story, so it's hard to know where to start, but I'll begin with Billy.
After a hugely positive couple of weeks for Mr. Softie, this story is absolutely devastating to Microsoft, computer users, and MSFT shareholders.
First, on the timing, I know many people who have set "Christmas" time as the approximate time they would purchase a new computer. The timing here is appalling, unacceptable, and worth of heads rolling. After the XBox 05 fiasco, how, HOW! could they allow this to happen. Oh, that's right, we all asked that about the XBox (I'm not a gamer, but if I bought a box, it would be XB) when inexplicably there were horrific shortages for the holidays.
If this is such a promising and safer OS--and I truly believe it is--then someone must be held accountable here. For shareholders living with this long-time, non-moving stock, this should be the final straw. Somebody must be held accountable. Should it be Billy? The newly fit Mr. Ballmer? Running a corporation is about more than tossing chairs over losing employees to the don't be evil boys. It should be about accountability...and this is where Microsoft seems to answer to noone.
Just as the immensely impressive Live is getting rave reviews and even speculation of a spin-off, Billy drops this on our laps. Mr. Gates has been talking a good game about security, and Microsoft Defender has received positive reviews.
With Google receiving constantly fawning press coverage (another example today with the coverage of Google finance, and how it will hurt the big players, Yahoo Fianance, MSN Money,CNN Money, etc. This assumes that everyone will just switch to Google Finance, a suggestion I don't accept), it is very important to have competition in the tech field.
I'm anxious to see how MSFT and the media covers this story. At microsoft.com, not a mention of this debacle.
Mr. Gates, Stevie, et.al, I've trashed IE7 as slow , ugly, bulky, and unimpressive, yet love Live (but decry the beta only of an attractive free e-mail service for it), so I try to be fair, as I admire your company and its employees.
You have disappointed a lot of computer users and profoundly let down your shareholders.

Thank you.
EJ Passeos

[microsoft slayer]

Who Cares?

They can delay it until 2010 and I still would not care. Screw MS!

[alba tross]

Ye what?

So its not good enough for general release until january '07 but they will release the crap onto volume license purchasers in november this year? Surely it`s just as not ready for them as for everybody else?

Working on security what??

What on earth does Micro$oft care about security?
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SECURITY!

You can delay forever and I don't care.

Use Fedora 5! or Mac OS!

[rslavelle]

The Sorrow and the Pity

Well, the torture never stops. Bulkier and unwieldier the Jabba
himself, Microsoft is its own worst enemy. What if they broke
themselves into industry specific segments that could move
more quickly and efficiently? For example, they could custom
develop applications and aspects of the OS for financial services,
for government, for audio and video finishing, and so on. This
would potentially foil malware makers and address the needs of
a growingly disparate marketplace. It might also create TRUE
innovation, an quality that currently eludes them. Living in a
shop which utilizes Apple and Microsoft products, I must assert
that I pity those stuck in the MS trenches 24/7. Apple is agile.
MS lumbers, a victim of its own "success."

[Llib Setag]

Pity they did not listen to DOJ...

The US Department Of Justice was attempting to mandate a systematic division of Macrosloth just as you stated & for the very same reasons, albeit their goal was to break down the solidarity of the illegal monopoly by having smaller divisions they would in essence be competing on their own as seperate companies under the MS umbrella. (MS-OS division + MS Hardware division + MS Internet / multimedia division)

It's getting harder & harder to manage the Empire isn't it Darth Gates?

[mrwavetheory]

Delay may be bad for Google and Apple

http://mrwavetheory.blogspot.com/2006/03/why-windows-vista-delay-is-bad-news.html

[Earl Benser]

Skip the link....

.... and just say your piece.

[TigerG]

That's just silly

Longhorn has been delayed for years. Major feature after feature has been stripped out to make never ending release dates. But suddenly it will all magically work so well in just a few more weeks that will be bad for Apple?

This is nothing but good news for Apple. Consumers buy for Christmas, those considering switching around Christmas time will not be prone to being dissuaded by the Vista advertising blitz that would have been but now will not exist.

Will it be a dramatic difference? probably not, but it certainly can't be construed in anyway as bad news for Apple

[Nobody9999]

Apple Users (please read)

While I appreciate what Apple users love about the entire Apple phenomenon I'm perplexed by their visceral hatred towards everything Microsoft. Though I use a PC every day I've used Macs and I think they have some very innovative products. For my own personal uses I prefer the PC to a Mac but I don't spend my days bashing Apple. Personally I think the computer someone chooses is as individual a choice as which car they buy or what color they paint their house, no right or wrong answer, just personal preference.

That being said I have the following request of the Macintosh majority amongst the Cnet posters:

Please stop the senseless bashing of Microsoft in every article related to the company or the PC.

For those of us who are PC users it makes it that much harder to get a feel for actual user opinions and experiences when 75% of the posts are simply "Windows Sucks". Assuming you all believe what you preach on the boards and posts can't you just sit back, enjoy your superior OS and hardware, and SILENTLY mock us poor stupid fools who us PC's and Microsoft's software?

[nmcphers]

Good Post

But there is no way you'll be able to really understand or stop the bashing anymore than I can understand or stop the bashing of Democrats vs. Republicans.

Truce

We'll leave you alone if you leave us alone.

Like you, I am tired of hearing the bashing, from your side I hear -
"Why is Apple getting news, they are only 5% of the market?"

Although a truce would be nice, I have to be pessimistic about it. I
don't think some on either side will let go of getting a quick jab in.
It would be nice to try though.

[herkamur]

bashing is old hat

Nothing is new about OS/hardware bashing. It's been going on since the dawn of the PC. I remember the huge flames between Amiga and Atari ST supporters in the late 80's. Believe me, the Mac/Windows conflict of today has none of the visceral hatred of those Amiga and Atari ST folks.

I just look at the comments, shake my head, and move on. It's not worth the effort to try and figure it out.

[TyTyson]

Entirely missing the point.

(for me) it is not about relentless M$ bashing for the sake of it.
(get a sense of humour before you post people) Microsoft have
done some pretty amazing things as a business and have one or
two good products (none of which is Windows BTW). I have huge
respect for Bill Gates.

What is IS about, and what prompts posts is the seemingly
neverending FUD and urban myth spouted on here time and
time again by PC users who clearly haven't a CLUE about what
Apple is offering. THAT is what prompts repeated educational
posts and heated debate - nothing to do with Microsoft bashing.

With the ASTOUNDING amount of ignorance shown day in day
out on these boards there is no wonder it invokes Mac users to
set the record straight - despite some of them, not mentioning
any names, who are almost as clueless as some PC posters.

Time and time and time again I have sat down with the most
hardened Dell worshipping slaveboys and watched their mouths
fall open and swap over to Macs, some instantly, some in a few
weeks, after seeing what all the fuss is about. They will never
buy a Windows PC again. Few people have this opportunity and
it is not suprising so many people don't know any better.

But times are changing, and the future will speak for itself.

I will not stand by and have some chump say to my face
Windows does a particular thing better than OS X when it
blatently does not. I will correct them. I will concede to any well
written debate on a function OS X does NOT do as well as
Windows. Fat chance of THAT on these boards, but still, I await
the day.

Some mindless M$ bashing will always go on, those at the top
put themselves up for it, like anything. I am sure they can look
out for themselves though John, so in the meantime how about
learning a few things eh? :)

http://www.apple.com/macosx/quicktours/viewall.html

[freemarket--2008]

Blame MS...

"Please stop the senseless bashing of Microsoft in every article related to the company or the PC."

I don't see how it's senseless if it's well-deserved. MS is the consumate corporate bully. They have tarnished their own image time and again. If they would focus on product quality and customer satisfaction instead of screwing over competitors and having to settle countless lawsuits, may be people wouldn't have such a low opinion of the company and it's leaders.

I don't care how much Bill Gates donates to charity, it will never undo the harm his shoddy business ethics have done. When foreigners complain about the evils of capitalism, Bill is their poster boy.

Good points...

I use both OS's (XP and Tiger) EVERY day. At work it's XP, at home it's OS X. I can tell you, with many years of experience for both, that my hatred for windows comes because of it's inept interface, the fact that drivers have to be installed on "plug and play" devices such as external drives, card readers, etc.

With OS X, I've never had these problems.

This is why I hate Windows, and always will. Vista will nto correct these issues, as MS has never set a Developer STANDARD like Apple has. With Windows, nearly every app has a different UI, functions, short-cut keys... There's no standard.

I'm not the militant Mac Fanatic, though I will defend it when the MS nazi's come swinging their poor attacks.

But, I agree, people should just shut up and leave it alone. Makes reading CNET's (lack) of stories much more entertaining.

[Frogfart]

Tweaks in the works

I hope MS use the time to reconsider including a DRM off function. Nobody wants DRM and it is putting people off upgrading from XP.