[Infowarrior] - Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself

[Richard Forno]

September 26, 2007 9:05 AM PDT
Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself
Posted by Don Reisinger
Windows Vista

http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13506_1-9785337-17.html?tag=blg.orig

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.

Originally posted at The Digital Home.