Comments on: Vista Views: Time to delay Vista again?

Readers respond to bloggers' call for Microsoft to postpone the release and put out another beta.

[Llib Setag]

VistaVoice Bombs @ Redmond

Windows Vista Voice Recognition software demonstration in Redmond at Microsoft more like a "voice - wreck"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_Jp6PxsSQ&%20eurl=

[n3td3v]

Its all about SECURITY FLAWS

Security flaws keep getting released (For XP) that affect the core code in Vista, they don't tell the public that, they just delay so they can re-code sections of Vista, so its as secure as possible before first shipment to the best of their knowledge. The problem is, after they've re-written Vista, another flaw (For XP) is released that affects Vista core code, so the delays continue.

[robert1275]

Vista needs patience

Vista looks promising in Beta 2 but I would much rather have Microsoft change the timetable from January 2007 to 'sometime in the 1st quarter' just to give everyone a little leeway to make sure everything is stable. There is also the possibility to have a RC2 as well as RC1 if needed

[Peter Bonte]

Another beta won't help

Users will find so much bugs and software that won't work that MS
would have to delay onto 2008. Microsoft can't afford such a big
delay so jan 2007 it will be with loads of updates afterwards.

If Vista is a bugfest then i really hope Apple will bring osX to the
other side and go for the kill, XP and osX on one machine is a much
better solution then Vista will ever be. Be it a Dell or a Mac.

[Hep Cat]

Exactly...bit the bullet, MS

Microsoft should just bite the bullet and do what worked so well
for Apple - let go of their entire legacy codebase. Seriously.

My advice to Microsoft is to buy or develop a new operating
system with a provision for Windows compatibility, but that
compatibility layer should be partitioned from the new OS and
deprecated quickly.

Sure - put a few people on a team to make sure that legacy
codebae will run in the new OS, but kill that insanely complex
and increasingly bloated monster now, so we can all move
forward. Win32 and the NT Kernel are suffocating security,
innovation, and style on the Wintel platform - which could
develop into the MacTel platform more easily than I think people
can admit at this point.

[open-mind]

Windows and OS X on a PC. Already exists.

Hope Apple will...? The PC's that can do this use Intel chips and
are already sold by Apple.

They can boot directly into Windows...
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

They support Windows/Linux virtualization...
http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/

They even run Windows apps without Windows...
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/


Now, someone will probably say "Macs cost more." That's true,
unless you compare equivalent quality/features/software. Macs
include lots of extras that are often ignored in such
comparisons.

[palavering]

A Delay May Be Virtuous

In my view, it is imperative that Microsoft releases a secure and nearly(major)bug-free Vista. If the new Vista OS is released prematurely, with faulty drivers (or unavailable drivers), crash-prone OS applications, or it doesn't deliver on proper function and form the Redman-based company will suffer Media and enterprise retribution of all sorts, as well as lose whatever credibility it has managed to sustain in the market. A failure to make decisions based on long-term consequences will be expensive for Microsoft, in every sense imaginable.

[Björn Lundahl]

Yes, quality is the essence!

If quality is bad during its release, reputation will be hurt. It will be difficult to come back. People will not upgrade. There is a lot of stake here. Better to wait another six months, than to get a bad reputation. I think it is very important not to do anything hasty. Quality should be the very essence!
Björn Lundahl,
Göteborg Sweden

[Mothra]

Why not just postpone for Christmas 07?

Why not just postpone for Christmas 07?

I think such a move would please PC companies allowing them to capitalize on the holiday season.
Intel just released the Core 2 and AMD will undoubtedly release a competitor, waiting to next Xmas will be pleny of time for PC companies to adopt either of these newer processors and build machines better suited to handle Vista.

That should also be plenty of time to finish the OS, i think everyone agrees that it needs more work. And maybe even let Microsoft put some things back in that they took out to speed it along. More features would give consumers more of an incentive to upgrade.

Personally, i need a bit more time and money to upgrade my own PC.

[blognroll]

Christmas song attacking spirit of PC still going strong in 07

Speaking of a PC Christmas, this song, released in '06 struck back at all of the PC of that season, and, based on ongoing downloads of the song, it appears it will be a hit again during the 07 Christmas season:

Best Buy Inn
Dr BLT
words and music by Dr BLT c 2006, 2007
http://www.drblt.net/music/BestBI.mp3

[stagetek]

100 percent polished product?

"Since Microsoft isn't going to make the holiday season anyway, I think they'd be a lot better off if they took the extra time and delivered a 100 percent polished product."
-Mark Casazza

Since when has MS ever released a "100 percent polished product"? Even Apple, praised for their sucurity and clean UI, just released 26 new updates for OSX. The best we can hope for from Redmond is an OS that will run long enough to download the updates without crashing. I've always been Windows person, but Macs are looking more and more appealing.

[befuddledms]

polish this

"Since Microsoft isn't going to make the holiday season anyway, I think they'd be a lot better off if they took the extra time and delivered a 100 percent polished product."
-Mark Casazza

You can't polish a t*rd.

[ServedUp]

A Lost Cause.

Vista's already a lost cause.

Microsoft should, for the interim fine tune it as much as
possible. If that means delaying it a third or fourth time, then so
be it.

If there is one thing about Microsoft, they were smart on
monopolizing Windows earlier in the game when they could,
cause its buying them time with releasing Vista. Obviously all
this time their spending, working on it, it will be a great product.
They've bought their get out of jail card and their using it to
thier advantage. Thats the mastery of Microsoft PR.

And as such..

they are such a goliath in the industry, no one can take them
down. How do I know this? Despite fierce competition from its
competitors and despite their competitors clearly having better
products, they have such a strangle-hold on this industry that I
can only conclude that this industry is Microsoft.

[mmarinello1]

Not much support for any x64 OS

Problems: I installed Windows Vista x64 and my mouse stopped working. I needed to unplug and reconnect my USB mouse to get it to work. Windows Vista 32 bit version, my keyboard stopped working so I had to unplug and reconnect the USB keyboard.

Useless Software: I have a lot of software that I cannot use on any x64 platform. Realplayer, Nero, PowerDVD, and many other software programs aren't supported. I don't see how Vista x64 is of much use until more software support is available. Only a computer wizard can install and make these software programs work, but this is of no use for the average consumer who would never figure out how to install them.

Hardware Support: It's almost 2 years since the promise of a x64 OS, yet good luck in finding hardware support. I still have not found any support for Intel Viiv, on either Vista x64 or 32 bit.
Windows XP has 100% support. Most manufactures like Dell and HP aren't interested in any x64 OS. After a year and a half I gave up....for now.
In the meantime I am runnig Windows XP Media Center with Intel Viiv.

[jimjv2005]

Vista delay again?

Is Bill Gates steeling Vista to prevent dumes day for people who can't afford to purchase computers to upgrade to Vista?

[qwerty75]

Does it really matter?

Whenever it is released, it will be buggy, unstable and still very insecure.

It is based on a flawed foundation, and many of the security "improvements" are half-baked, at best.

The worst thing is that whenever it is released, it will still be years, and in a few cases decades behind other OS's.

Vista may not nail the coffin shut on MS, but it will surely slam the lid on it.

[qwerty75]

Another point

I recently read a comment in a magazine recently(can't remember which) about the january release date.

Tons of people will be getting computers for xmas. Most of these have never bought a retail box OS, and will be shocked at the size of the MS tax when they decide to upgrade.

Regardless of the quality waiting till september 2007 to release this POS, will make it easier for MS to keep people fooled into believing that wondows is cheap, just because it comes on the crappy Dell or HP they just bought.

[chintoo2006]

FIRE BILL GATES AND THE SOB BALMER

FIRE BILL GATES AND THE SOB BALMER

[agent V]

gates is stepping down

and i'm sure they haven't typed code in years, so blaming them is useless

[garretbyrne]

Vista Push Back

Yes a 3rd Beta is needed. I mean I?ve tried the betas and as soon
as i put them on i put them back off, lol. I have read some of the
features and it sounds like it's going to be great but reading
something on paper and seeing it live is two different things. I
use both Mac OS X (Tiger) and Win XP on my laptop. And found
that the great amount of power that would be required to just
run Vista never mind apps, I'm sure they have to change this
because in all fairness who would really waste 300 and then buy
a new machine just to run it. Or buy the whole kit in one go. I
know I?m not I'm happy with XP at this time, but i would like
another beta because friends the Vista is not no where even
close to being released and if they do release it they'll just drive
that last spike into Microsoft driving a few more people away.

So Microsoft can you send yet another Beta please. I really don't
think anyone would care it's not ready for January if it's stable
that?s worth the wait.

Garret

[Seaspray0]

Comparison to 95 release

When windows 95 was released, it was compatible with over 80% of existing PC's, it introduced revolutionary features (plug and play is my favorite), and over it's lifetime, it only went through one major update (which also introduced FAT32 as well, another favorite). It was truely extraordinary. When I compare it against what I'm seeing for vista today... I'm not impressed. One Mac user said it right about every new release chewing up more resources. How very true. I think many of us are tired of seeing the cycle of new windows requires new computer to run it. If I compare the broad spectrum of all microsoft windows operating systems, I'd have to say 98SE is the highlight. Think about what you can do with windows now compared to what you could do with 98SE. Is it really all that much more? Compare the resources 98SE took compared to now. What a difference! I wonder if anyone who works for microsoft reads these comments. If so, then "quit trying to give me whistles and bells, and give me something that runs more efficiently on the resources I currently have." I have no plans to upgrade my OS until you can. BTW, my old laptop is still running 98SE just fine and it gets lots of use. The desktop runs XP.

[Macsaresafer]

LOL! Win 95 = Mac 86

Plug-n-Play, what a joke! As a Mac user, I didn't know what they
were talking about when it first came out. Weren't devices
SUPPOSED to work when you plugged them in? They did on my
Mac IIci, which was 6 years old and still running current software
in 1995. How was Plug-n-Play considered a feature in Windows?

I do agree with much of what you're saying about the bloatware
though. Most (all?) of the upgrades since OS 10.0 have made the
Macs running them faster, not slower.

[ichoi1]

Too many "editions"

I think there are six different editions of Vista and it's probably part of reasons MS can't deliver Vista on time. They should make one solid client product that can work for every user. Of course, they are probably making more profits by introducing so many "editions".

[js92930]

Why Vista is a Total Failure

The problem with Vista isn't that it's late or that it needs more beta testing. The problem is that it's flawed in concept. Consumers aren't asking for more features. They're asking for a smaller, simpler, faster, more secure OS. Microsoft isn't listening.

[bryanl.hearn]

Vista....A positive review

Ok...I am not a proven IT bigwig, I am not a microsoft lover, I am not even a computer geek. I am computer power users, that knows how to do more then the average just web surfer, so from my perspective of using Beta 2 - build 5472, here is what I think. As for application support, the public release of Beta 2 was bad nothing worked, but with the build 5473, I have now started running it as my only OS. Most software companys are not releasing Vista Compliant versions and have not had any problems running core apps. As for Games, I can not comment.

First a much improved GUI. It has a much sleeker design, and I love the new start menu. I liek the Ctrl-alt-del features and how when I roll my mouse over taskbar itmes it shows me a preview. I think the Areo glass feature is great. there is much more I like too, just don't want this to get to long. Also the new file menu system is awesome, took a litle getting use to, but now that I am I love it.

Second, Stability....I have not had the OS crash on me once. NOT ONCE, been using this current build for 2 weeks now and have installed everything I can. No OS crashes. Yes, some apps wont install and work, but thats not MS's problem, thats the app companies issues.

Third, Performance. I get the same performance if not better on my machine then I did with Win XP. I have a Dell 8200 with a 2 Ghz chip and a gig of RAM with a ATI Radeon Video Card and a Audigy 2 sound card. Also with build 5472, installation time was the fasest of any MS OS I have ever installed.

Does MS still have work to do, yes. But overall, Vista a great improvement over XP. I use XP at work and really love using vista at home. Now I havent used Linux, or Mac OSX, but what MS has over all the other is that it is easy to use, and very intutitive. I play with a mac or linux and I am lost. I know if I used it for a few hours, I would be fine, but why, MS has the most supported apps and I can do everything I need to.

[mxrss]

Finally a Fair Review

I have used the build and they dont seem that bad, they are getting away from a lot of thier old code which is good, they are finally starting to divide abstract COM systems and are using a unified development technique to get a OS done. I have used MAC its ok but it takes a lot of getting used to and if you trully know how a mac works (mac only invented a GUI thats nice) system stability comes from BSD core a true proven package they just arranged it to play nice. If MS did the same thing it would be equivoccal instead of working on the kernal they could work on the GUI, but you inovate by competition. Every platform has its own unique strengths and weaknesses and eventually the people who will benefit are the consumers.

- Mike roth

[mxrss]

Finally a Fair Review

I have used the build and they dont seem that bad, they are getting away from a lot of thier old code which is good, they are finally starting to divide abstract COM systems and are using a unified development technique to get a OS done. I have used MAC its ok but it takes a lot of getting used to and if you trully know how a mac works (mac only invented a GUI thats nice) system stability comes from BSD core a true proven package they just arranged it to play nice. If MS did the same thing it would be equivoccal instead of working on the kernal they could work on the GUI, but you inovate by competition. Every platform has its own unique strengths and weaknesses and eventually the people who will benefit are the consumers.

- Mike roth

[qwerty75]

Forgot a few things

It is still very lacking in security.

It is extremely bloated. Look at the system requirements. Other OS's have better looking and more features available on far less resources.

It will be extremely expensive.

"Now I havent used Linux, or Mac OSX, but what MS has over all the other is that it is easy to use, and very intutitive."

Re-read that and see if it sounds as stupid to you as to me. It has ease of use over OSX and Linux, yet you haven't used them?? Nice. Use either of them and you will see where the MS "innovations" came from.

Vista is a bad copy of OSX and Linux, with security and performance issues added in, and some very nice and important features added in.

Vista is garbage and already a huge failure. End of story.

[Macsaresafer]

Vista doesn't have a spell checker?

If you're going to review anything, you first need to learn to
write in complete sentences, with correct spelling an
punctuation. I thought Word had a grammar checker built-in.
Have you turned it off?

Some of your mistakes, with corrections in brackets [] follow:
I am [a] computer power users [user]
that knows how to do more then [than] the average just [don't
use 'just'] web surfer

'the public release of Beta 2 was bad[,] nothing worked, but with
the [use as of, or starting with, but not with the!] build 5473, I
have now started running it as my only [primary] OS.'

'Most software companys are not releasing Vista Compliant
versions and have not had any problems running core
apps.' [This sentence makes no sense. I think you're trying to say
that most applications run, but I'm not sure if you are saying
that developers are writing code for Vista or not.]

'I liek [like] the Ctrl-alt-del features and how when I roll my
mouse over taskbar itmes [items] it shows me a preview.'

'there [There] is much more I like too, just don't want this to get
to [too] long.'

I've corrected only a portion of your 'review' so that you
understand what I have to say about this next piece:

'Now I havent [haven't] used Linux, or Mac OSX, but what MS has
over all the other [others] is that it is easy to use, and very
intutitive [intuitive].'

When you have this much trouble putting your thoughts into
coherent arguments on paper, you should question the origin of
those thoughts. You claim Windows is easiest to use and most
intuitive, but your writing indicates that you have spent a great
deal of time and effort learning to use Windows. You now find
anything else difficult by comparison, because you really don't
understand how to use Windows so much as you've memorized
how to navigate through it. The clincher: 'I play with a mac or
linux and I am lost.' pretty much sums up your abilities. When it
comes to ease of use, the Macintosh is the standard by which all
things are measured. That you could get 'lost' using it means
that you are not qualified to review any user interface, including
Windows.

[Kings X Rocks!]

Still trying to get a Mac-like GUI...

I'm not a Mac user, but I do have the luxury of a Mac at work for R&D and support. [I've invested too many years in the Windows family to switch now]

IMO, Vista is simply an attempt to get a classy Mac-like interface, not to improve on OS efficiency. I doubt if Vista was *completly* reworked from the ground up, which means plenty of "bolt-ons" to accomplish the changes, which just add to the hardware requirements.

You gotta admit that the Mac inteface has always shown what a really class-act GUI should be.

Go ahead, admit it.

[Macsaresafer]

Make the switch!

You haven't invested too many years in Windows. Here's why:

1. Most software developers will allow you to 'upgrade' from
their Windows software to the Mac version at either no cost or
the cost of a normal upgrade.

2. You can take it with you. Using Boot Camp or Parallels, you
can always boot back into Windows if you really need to.

3. Your experience will help you on the Mac. Think of Windows
like basic training in the military. It's hard, dirty work, and you
feel like your feet are dragging, but it makes you stronger. When
you finally leave basic training, everything else feels so much
easier by comparison. Like most switchers, you'll feel the weight
lift off of you when you finally rid yourself of Windows.

[sleepingcobra1]

Hurry Up.......................For More Problems!

I can't believe some people will think Vista will be better than other OS. Vista will have problems and you wil have to start downloading patch after patch after pach if not "patched patches" I don't even want Vista. I have Windows XP Pro and i don't want Vista "untill" i absolutely have to use it. Stay with the OS you have now. Robert

[cyber_rigger]

More vendors have preinstalled Linux now

http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/