Comments on: VMware fires broadside at Microsoft

The up-and-coming virtualization specialist says Microsoft is using its Windows clout to restrict customers choice. Sound familiar?

[rstinnett]

Wah, wah, wah

Basically they are throwing a fit because Microsoft is giving something away and they want to make money selling people VMWare. I'm sick of all these companies telling me what is "good for me" is to spend money on their product. If Microsoft wants to give away a product, then I say more power to them. If it helps me work better and more efficiently then that is all that matters to me.

[Jeruvy]

If only you had a clue....

Your comment would have been meaningful. However it was completely backwards. Microsoft is trying to convince people to buy their 'server' software to get virtualization.

They already GIVE AWAY FOR FREE VMWare Player, and VMWare Server. And for far less than the price of Vista, you can buy a license for VMWare Workstation.

Personally I think VMWare is a much better buy than any version of Windows.

[calpundit]

Not quite

The problem isn't that MS wants to give it away for free. It's that
MS wants to keep VMWare from selling it now, so that MS can
lock people into their system later on.

If MS has a better widget, they should compete straight up. They
shouldn't use the legalese of their EULA to stifle competition
until they have time to catch up.

If it helps you work better and more efficiently, and you have
access to it now, you shouldn't be blocked from that access by a
predatory competitor abusing their monopoly power.

[unknown unknown]

Consumer should dictate what they're ready for

not Microsoft and their thinly veiled attempt to extort more money from users who want virtualization. It's frankly rather insulting for Microsoft to presume to know what method of running an OS is best for consumers. It was bad enough they turned Vista into Hollywood's wet dream for DRM and pulled most of the compelling features.

[adkero]

Microsoft EULA restrictions - virtual environment

Considering that Microsoft is in the process of working on it's own
version of 'virtual environments' the restrictions in their eula for
Vista would constitute restraint of trade and would almost
definitely violate, if not in fact, then in principle the anti-trust
agreements reached with the federal and state governments as
weill as the European Union.

[dotmike]

Dept of Justice didn't go far enough, and probably won't

Clearly the penalties placed on Microsoft for its extreme
antitrust behavior through the 90s have done nothing to curb its
behavior.

If anything, because it got off so lightly, it's validated an
effective business practice.

So, it's doing it all over again: locking Symantec out of the Vista
security market, disadvantaging VMWare as reported here,
forcing a switch from Google Search to MSN Search for average
IE 7 users, etc, etc.

These are all clear cut cases of a monopoly using its dominance
in one area to unfairly favor its other businesses.

What is the most worrying though is that Dept of Justice activity
seems to be heavily influenced by the reigning political power,
which means that further action is unlikely to be taken until the
Republicans are removed from office.

However, by 2009, many companies may have already
succumbed to Netscape's fate...

And still consumers continue to pour money into Microsoft's
bulging coffers.

[unknown unknown]

RE

"So, it's doing it all over again: locking Symantec out of the Vista security market, disadvantaging VMWare as reported here, forcing a switch from Google Search to MSN Search for average IE 7 users, etc, etc."

Symantec wasn't locked out of the market for security software, they through a tantrum because they actually change their software for a new OS. To be honest keeping developers out of the OS kernel is probably a good thing, and the enforcement is much better on the 64 bit version because of hypervisor technology. That and Microsoft doesn't have to be tied down with legacy support under 64 bit version so it was good opportunity to make changes to the kernel. They did cave a little with 32bit versions.

When I installed IE7 it was really a big deal. I clicked the drop down arrow next to the search button and selected "cahnge search defaults". There is link on the resulting dialog that says "Find more providers", and one of the options is Google. It actually pretty simple compared to previous versions of IE.

[bradyme]

What happen to web app technology?

were we supposed to have by now web based apps? I mean a slew of applications you buy in on a monthly scale to use online? Did that just die out or what?

The Idea of VMware seems like a cost effective way to reduce having a computer per desk, when all many people might just need is a terminal for work, and just a CD drive and usb ports to export data.

Why are we wanting to stick to somthing that could also bridge out to homes. AOL Anywhere terminal displays, ETC... you know

The ideas are good, but I guess hardware manufactures would lose out and software companies might as well. pfft Forget them!

If I could build one machiene here at home and all five of us in the family could get on terminals .... oh hmmm..... (get's paper out and starts writing...

BAH! I'm not going to give away another million dollar idea... LOL!

[Llib Setag]

Vista GUI slows down creativity

I.Y. ENQUIRER NEWS ARTICLE:

Full path to this article, including comments: http://www.it-enquirer.com/main/ite/comments/944/

Windows Vista Hinders Creative Users? Efficiency Even More than Windows XP Did
Created: February 26, 2007 - By: Erik Vlietinck

Guess what? Despite Microsoft?s efforts to provide for a more fluid and agreeable interface with Vista?s Aero, Pfeiffer Consulting found Vista to be even worse than Windows XP (SP2) --and of course Mac OS X. Their conclusion is backed with cold, hard research. Pfeiffer Consulting conducted the research based on an independently financed series of benchmarks that establish how Vista impacts User Interface Friction (UIF) and user efficiency.

Pfeiffer Consulting, a Paris/France based international research and consulting operation specialised in technology and media, just recently released a report on Windows Vista User Interface Friction (UIF). UIF is a Pfeiffer concept, which describes and quantifies the perceived differences in efficiency and user experience between operating system, applications, and digital devices. UIF defines the fluidity and productivity that can be observed when performing the same operation on different computer systems, programs or devices.

Pfeiffer Consulting looked for a specific number of issues that it knew under-performed in previous versions of Windows. With Windows Vista, Microsoft claims to have re-invented the Windows interface, making it simpler and more efficient to use. Some Mac users pointed out from the beginning that Aero looked suspiciously close to what Tiger has to offer. With Pfeiffer?s report in mind, their observations seem to miss the point. Even if Microsoft has been playing copycat all over, the results are simply lousy --there?s no other word for it.

The benchmarks run on Vista?s performance were a selection of what Pfeiffer can measure. The results of this new report are therefore nowhere near a complete assessment of the Windows Vista environment where it matters for creative professionals. The first benchmark Pfeiffer measured is Mouse Precision Mouse precision is essential for those who use the mouse to accurately position elements: CAD, graphic design, page layout, web design, etc.

Lack of Precision, Slow Menus and Desktop Operations Rule in Vista/Aero
The lack of precision is detrimental to such work, but can also affect daily tasks on a subliminal level. Pfeiffer says it may go unnoticed for many users, but can have a significant ripple effect in terms of efficiency and computer-related stress. In the area of Mouse Precision, Windows Vista scored worse than Windows XP. Where Mac OS X scored 0.08, Windows XP scored 0.40 and Vista/Aero 0.52. The lack of precision has worsened, but perhaps not by much.

However, other User Interface Friction has worsened by a substantial amount, even when compared to Windows XP. Pfeiffer?s report also covers Menu Latency --the slight lag that Windows imposes when displaying menus and submenus. Here, the report concludes Vista/Aero has worsened by no less than 20% compared to Windows XP.

Finally, Desktop Operations --such as opening folders, deleting elements, etc) also show Vista/Aero has become worse than Windows XP. The lag has increased by 16%.

Pfeiffer Consulting advises to think very carefully before migrating or upgrading to Windows Vista in the creative department. Their benchmarks show that creative professionals will actually become less productive than they would be when using Windows XP. Of course, Mac OS X remains a clear winner in this area. The reasons why that is so is explained in Pfeiffer?s full report on the matter.

[Llib Setag]

Vista GUI slows down creativity

I.Y. ENQUIRER NEWS ARTICLE:

Full path to this article, including comments: http://www.it-enquirer.com/main/ite/comments/944/

Windows Vista Hinders Creative Users? Efficiency Even More than Windows XP Did
Created: February 26, 2007 - By: Erik Vlietinck

Guess what? Despite Microsoft?s efforts to provide for a more fluid and agreeable interface with Vista?s Aero, Pfeiffer Consulting found Vista to be even worse than Windows XP (SP2) --and of course Mac OS X. Their conclusion is backed with cold, hard research. Pfeiffer Consulting conducted the research based on an independently financed series of benchmarks that establish how Vista impacts User Interface Friction (UIF) and user efficiency.

Pfeiffer Consulting, a Paris/France based international research and consulting operation specialised in technology and media, just recently released a report on Windows Vista User Interface Friction (UIF). UIF is a Pfeiffer concept, which describes and quantifies the perceived differences in efficiency and user experience between operating system, applications, and digital devices. UIF defines the fluidity and productivity that can be observed when performing the same operation on different computer systems, programs or devices.

Pfeiffer Consulting looked for a specific number of issues that it knew under-performed in previous versions of Windows. With Windows Vista, Microsoft claims to have re-invented the Windows interface, making it simpler and more efficient to use. Some Mac users pointed out from the beginning that Aero looked suspiciously close to what Tiger has to offer. With Pfeiffer?s report in mind, their observations seem to miss the point. Even if Microsoft has been playing copycat all over, the results are simply lousy --there?s no other word for it.

The benchmarks run on Vista?s performance were a selection of what Pfeiffer can measure. The results of this new report are therefore nowhere near a complete assessment of the Windows Vista environment where it matters for creative professionals. The first benchmark Pfeiffer measured is Mouse Precision Mouse precision is essential for those who use the mouse to accurately position elements: CAD, graphic design, page layout, web design, etc.

Lack of Precision, Slow Menus and Desktop Operations Rule in Vista/Aero
The lack of precision is detrimental to such work, but can also affect daily tasks on a subliminal level. Pfeiffer says it may go unnoticed for many users, but can have a significant ripple effect in terms of efficiency and computer-related stress. In the area of Mouse Precision, Windows Vista scored worse than Windows XP. Where Mac OS X scored 0.08, Windows XP scored 0.40 and Vista/Aero 0.52. The lack of precision has worsened, but perhaps not by much.

However, other User Interface Friction has worsened by a substantial amount, even when compared to Windows XP. Pfeiffer?s report also covers Menu Latency --the slight lag that Windows imposes when displaying menus and submenus. Here, the report concludes Vista/Aero has worsened by no less than 20% compared to Windows XP.

Finally, Desktop Operations --such as opening folders, deleting elements, etc) also show Vista/Aero has become worse than Windows XP. The lag has increased by 16%.

Pfeiffer Consulting advises to think very carefully before migrating or upgrading to Windows Vista in the creative department. Their benchmarks show that creative professionals will actually become less productive than they would be when using Windows XP. Of course, Mac OS X remains a clear winner in this area. The reasons why that is so is explained in Pfeiffer?s full report on the matter.

[technewsjunkie]

Yet another app to be bundled/integrated/comingled into Windows

And none of the others were Microsoft's ideas either.
Powerpoint, the web Browser, antivirus, media player...

Same old Microsoft, same old DOJ "NO-versite".

[thedreaming]

It's about the money

Whether the copy of windows is on a pc, mac or a virtual enviroment, Microsoft wants you to pay for that unique copy.

People that run windows on their system and on a virtual system will have to pay for two copies of windows.

Microsoft is in heaven while everyone else is in hell.