I've certainly given them a hard time about it, so it's only fair to point out that as of Friday morning, Microsoft's Vista Compatibility Center Web site is now live.
The site, in beta form, lists about 9,000 hardware and software products and their Vista readiness. Microsoft had planned on launching it on Tuesday, but encountered some unspecified issues.
With that resolved, folks can now feel free to pick on Apple for a while, given that it has had glitches with both its MobileMe service, much of which is still not operational, as well as activating new iPhones.
The Vista Compatibility Center is part of a broader effort on Microsoft's part to try to create positive attention for the operating system and demonstrate to both consumers and small businesses that it is ready for prime time. The company has also launched a separate effort specifically for small and mid-size businesses, offering free technical support for Vista.
Apparently 20 months wasn't quite long enough to wait to introduce an online "Vista Compatibility Center."
The Web site, which was due to launch on Tuesday morning, still hasn't launched as of 2 p.m. PDT Wednesday.
The idea was to offer a Web site where consumers and small businesses could easily check whether their hardware and software are Vista-ready. Since yesterday afternoon, however, the site has greeted visitors with the message "The Windows Vista Compatibility Center will be launching soon, please check back!"
Well, I have been and it hasn't. No word from Redmond on what's behind the hold-up, but it's certainly not helping the company's efforts to put a better face on the oft-maligned operating system.
I'll keep checking back and let you know when it's up. In the meantime, here's a screenshot of what it's supposed to look like.
The Windows Vista Compatibility Center is aimed to be part of Microsoft's case that Vista is ready for prime time. However, so far the site has been down, only adding to the operating system's bad press.
(Credit: Microsoft)Update, 2:42 p.m.:
Well, it's still not up, but recognizing that it's getting some hits, Microsoft has added some teaser text to the site.
"Did you know," the page now adds, "The Windows Vista Compatibility Center will provide information on more than 9,000 products."
It also directs small business customers with compatibility issues to check out its recently launched www.windows.com/assurance page.
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