Microsoft Windows 7 ‘wishlist’ leaked!
It appears that, although it is working hard to rectify the multitude of issues with its current Vista platform, Microsoft has largely redirected its focus on preparation and development for its next platform, Windows 7. An indicator of this would be what appears to be a wishlist of changes users want to see for the next platform which surfaced recently.
The full list is featured at NeoWin here: though the list is quite extensive and references both features users would like to see in the next iteration of Windows, it also documents the gripes and complaints with the current systems, according to Engadget.
Some of the items worth mentioning:
- integrated font manager
- network tray – ‘currently connected to’ with context menus
- recycle bin should ‘fill up’ visually
- IE should have a close button on each tab
- drag tabs from one instance of IE to another
- Windows should not need to spin up the cd drive every time you pull down the drive list
- Image (ISO, BIN) support in Windows
- Virtual Desktop Feature
- Multiple taskbars for multiple monitors
- Integrated anti-virus
- Replace error ID number with plain language explanation
I must say, I shed a few tears after browsing this list; most of the features these individuals requested are already built quite nicely into OS X (my OS of choice). My two favorites are the last ones:
There is absolutely no way Microsoft will ever incorporate anti-virus software. Simply put, once it does this, it has to own up for any problems that occur resulting from infections; as it stands, they can blame third party developers. If Microsoft did this, their reputation would be more shot than it currently is.
In regards to the second of the two, I find it sad users should have to ask for plain English messages that relay the problem their computers are experiencing. I would imagine many users have asked why they are given a set of numbers without lingual translations over the years; apparently Microsoft hasn’t deemed it necessary to explain its inconsistencies to customers.
If Microsoft were to adopt all the recommendations made in this form, they’d have…well, they’d have OS X or Linux. Either this list was a poll of UNIX-based platform users, or these are really the problems Windows users want to see fixed. I wonder how many people listed an item called – make Windows not suck so badly overall.
Related Posts:
November 12th, 2007
Triston,
Microsoft will not have integrated antivirus. It’s not because they’re afraid to own up. It more for the legal see-we-are-not-an-antitrust-monopoly-driving-companies-out-of-business-because-we-include-it-for-free.
November 13th, 2007
Are you guys in bed with Apple, or is it just a one night stand?
November 13th, 2007
A LOT of these features are already available through 3rd-party tools. I don’t see the point of having them built into the system.
Every time something like that happened, the integration was worse than the pre-existing tool.
And i love how you call an error an “inconsistency”.
Errors happen, and plain-text error message still help the user jack, he can still only press OK and try again.
Just because kernel panics are hollywood material on mac and on windows you get a bluescreen doesn’t make it better. Your system still crashed.
Everyone who uses a system out-of-the-box and is sorry for the result should try a console maybe.
November 13th, 2007
“Errors happen, and plain-text error message still help the user jack…”
I laugh hard, when I read your arguments. If we apply “logic” to this, there wouldn’t be necessary to show any error at all.
The errors are there so people can now what and where it went wrong, so it can be fixed, or maybe bypassed. The fact that you don’t understand that scares me.
Anyway, the list is great and extremely funny, because everything listed just screams one thing, change OS. The only reason to use Windows nowadays is if you are a hardcore gamer. Most games are made for Windows, but EVERYTHING else works better on other OSs, like GNU Linux, BSD etc..
November 13th, 2007
Sorry little typo there. Should read:
“f we apply your “logic” to this”
November 13th, 2007
I agree with tinkertim. How about you come close to represent an actual journalist and be impartial like any decent journalist is.
I also agree with Ken about anti-virus capabilities. It will never happen as it just gives Symantec and McAfee ammo for anti-competitive law suits. OH and the last time I heard OSX doesn’t have anti-virus software built in either. And don’t be one of those idiots that thinks OSX is perfect and un-exploitable, letting your guard down is the first mistake. Learn from MSes mistakes, don’t just poke fun at them.
November 13th, 2007
I don’t know why people keep complaining about windows. Keep saying, Unix is better, my OSX is better, bla bla bla…. the thing is, Windows is still the most easiest and user friendly desktop OS ever!!! Learning curve for windows’ user for daily usage is much less compared to other, which is why most company willing to use them. I have done a little research on my own (with some of my cousins and nephews), and found that both children and adult with no computer experience learn to use windows much faster than Linux or OSX.
I’m not saying Linux suck, though. I have use Linux for couple of years. Well, i’m sure that Linux is much better for advanced users who need more control over their PC. But that is not what companies or personal users need. Not everyone is Computer Expert who seeks to do advanced tasks. They simply need a simple tool for their daily job or entertainment, and windows fit this very well.
One example, you bought a laptop and you want to enjoy some music (say mp3) on the road. Using Ubuntu Linux, you would have to connect to Internet, searching for correct codec, download, install and play. using windows, you just double click and it plays. Using Linux, you would also have to be careful what codec you install. Playing mp3 could be illegal for it’s a proprietary format. Windows? out of the box support. see what i mean? decent people don’t want to waste their time doing all those Linux thing. They want it easy and they want it now!!
Note : I am not affiliated with windows in any way. I’m just sick of some hypocrite who said “I use Linux and OSX cause Windows suck” just to make others think they are some sort of hacker or computer expert. Most of this kind of people actually use windows anyway. They just don’t admit it.
November 13th, 2007
OS X tastes like cock.
I hate the taste of cock.
November 13th, 2007
my favorite plain text microsoft email message:
“Operation not allowed while cursor is in firehose mode”. Closely followed by(paraphrased) “X occured and should not have happened. Please contact your system administrator”. Because clearly all home users have sys admins on speed dial.
Plain text error messages are a good goal, but clearly some thought needs to go into making them actually useful.
I’m just dreading to discover what simple function they are going to obfuscate with the goal of making it easier for grandma… clearly grandma is just going to call me and ask me how to do it and then I’ll be faced with trying to get grandma to figure out which version of windows she has before I can help her.. then if it’s not the same as mine, try to blindly describe/remember how to do it… ugh.
November 13th, 2007
Actually, Windows Vista had some legal issues with having Windows Defender included (an anti-malware like application), just like it’s had problems with including IE and WMP in the past (and WMP lately in the EU). Microsoft is the one that posts its found vulnerabilities (well, most of them any way) on their website, as well as temporary fixes or links to patches, or information on when it got fixed. Apple doesn’t even tell it’s own community why they removed the JAVA 1.6 DP from their ADC site, when they will have JAVA 1.6, or even if they are working on it! Heck, 1.5.0 doesn’t even work in Leopard, it defaults to 1.4.2! Not to mention, many of those Mac commercials don’t just stretch the truth a little bit, they stretch it A LOT, or even lie out-right. I have no problem with Macs or Mac users as a whole (in fact I own a Mac and use it DAILY, and I have a Vista PC at home, and use it often (my Mac is an MacBook Pro, and I use it at my University, where I’m on campus 12 hours every day, not a lot of time to spend with my PC, although since Leopard, I would rather use Vista)), I just hate that they think they are all secure. Just wait till Mac hits the 25% market share… then it will plummet back to 2% from lack of any protection.
BTW, Leopard has to to be the worst OS I have ever used. It has more bugs and problems than I had with Vista at home, and don’t even get me started on their BootCamp drivers which BSOD my Windows XP partition (and yes, it is the drivers), not to mention the flakey wireless drivers that keep crashing and I can’t get them to restart…
Oh, and BTW, I didn’t have to install any drivers on my Vista PC (except the audio drivers) Vista installed it all for me! So that crap about PC users being forced to hunt for drivers and the whole “just works” crap…. yeah… try again….
November 13th, 2007
What a sad little list. It basically amounts to a few little code tweaks that should all be in a vista service pack, rather than a whole new product.
I mean most of them are just usability issues addressing current crappy design that should be fixed as a matter of course, not sold seperately as major new features.
I guess Microsoft just can’t innovate.
November 13th, 2007
To be fair to Triston, this is a blog. It’s supposed to be commentary on news and articles the authors find interesting. It’s a stretch to call this journalism, this is more like letters to the editor. He’s a college student with a black belt in Apple fanboyism. Reality is checked at the door, unless it bashes Microsoft or breathlessly fawns on all things Apple, factual or not.
November 13th, 2007
>>”I have done a little research on my own (with some of my cousins and nephews), and found that both children and adult with no computer experience learn to use windows much faster than Linux or OSX.”
Where have you seen this? I don’t believe for a second that a OSX has a steeper learning curve than Windows.
November 13th, 2007
tandiond: What happens if you want to read a PDF on Windows? You have to download and install a reader. On Linux or OSX it will work out of the box.
Furthermore, When faced with an MP3, Ubuntu (out of the box) will ask you whether to install the codec: all you have to is click yes and give it your password. Some other Linux distros (e.g. Mandriva) will play MP3s out of the box.
I find it hilarious that so many of the features on the wichlist are already working on my (Mandriva Spring 2007 KDE) desktop.
Windows does suck and I find it positively painful when I have to use someone else’s Windows PC.
November 13th, 2007
>>”I have done a little research on my own (with some of my cousins and nephews), and found that both children and adult with no computer experience learn to use windows much faster than Linux or OSX.”
I don’t believe for a second that a OSX has a steeper learning curve than Windows. I’m guessing your cousins/nephews have seen and used windows at least once before.
November 13th, 2007
“I just hate that they think they are all secure. Just wait till Mac hits the 25% market share… then it will plummet back to 2% from lack of any protection.”
You obviously don’t know much about the differences between UNIX and Windows security models.
November 13th, 2007
this looks more like a wishlist for Vista SP2
most are just small fixes, not whole new OS features
November 13th, 2007
Ick. That list is basically just a bunch of bug fixes and insignificant tweaks. Where is my fully-functional voice interface? I want to quit using keyboards and mice!
November 14th, 2007
> Integrated anti-virus
Multiple viruses found in C:\Windows
Delete the whole folder? Yes/No/Go to hell
November 14th, 2007
peter : Security expert like you must have known that every OSes has security issues, right? The only reason why Windows is more vulnerable is because more people try to attack it. People make virusses and trojans for Windows not unix. Seriously, more people make fortunes if they break windows’ security instead of Linux. It might be because more people store private and important files and data in Windows than Linux.
If some security gurus (probably one like you) spend more time exploring Mac’s security and write some exploits so everybody can use it, Mac won’t be so secure. The problem is, there are anti-Microsoft groups who hate microsoft for not sharing their code and making huge sum of profit from Windows. They just expect to see Microsoft’s market shares fall if windows is not secure. So, really, Mac is not more secure than windows. and also, more and more people have figured out better practise to secure their windows. I’m talking decent people with limited technical knowledge. It might not be perfect but it’s better than switching to Mac. And again, i’m not saying other oses sucks. Every oses have it’s own plus and minus point, and each have it’s own share of satisfied users. I’m just saying more user satisfied with Windows.
November 14th, 2007
OS X is a great OS, but one of your “two favourites”, the inscrutable error message problem is also extremely prominent in OS X. Not to mention a certain pinwheel that isn’t to be named…
November 14th, 2007
“I’m just saying more user satisfied with Windows”
Hah .. haha..
This is only true if looking at the physical number of users. If you break it down to percentage of users, this could not be further from the truth.
People who use an alternative to windows do so because they want and prefer to. Hence, to a greater degree, satisfied.
People who use windows don’t always do so by choice. It was force fed to them because it was/is the majority. Now all they know is windows.
Its like a child brought up in an abusive family. When they later on in life start their own family, quite often it includes the abuse. They just don’t know any better.
November 14th, 2007
Ken, I appreciate your participation as a blorge comment troll, but I’d appreciate it more if you’d not debase me to some low level college kid with a black-belt in apple fanboyism. I will criticize apple when they mess up (and I do..check the articles on displays and problems). You’re completely right though, this is a blog; therefore, I write in a blogging style. However, that isn’t to say I’m not capable of journalism. I prefer blogging. Keep up the posts big guy, and I enjoy your blatant M$ PR work :)
November 14th, 2007
Intergrated anti-virus???
Can anyone say DOJ, Anti-trust?
November 14th, 2007
Triston got angry for being called a bad journalist and now he is accusing Ken of being a “big guy” and a working for Microsoft in PR.
Anyways, this is kind of pathetic Triston, it is your blog, you should not bash people who leave comments. Let people write what they want (as long as it is not offensive) so that they can express their opinion whether you like it or not.
November 14th, 2007
“Furthermore, When faced with an MP3, Ubuntu (out of the box) will ask you whether to install the codec: all you have to is click yes and give it your password. Some other Linux distros (e.g. Mandriva) will play MP3s out of the box.”
If you want to play MP3s out of the box on Windows, just use Windows Media Player *ducks*
November 14th, 2007
Wow, tandiond, it must suck to be so sure of yourself, while simultaneously so wrong. I’m not going to say that Linux is invulnerable – it’s not (no system is), but it’s underlying architecture is inherently more secure than Windows as Peter rightly noted.
Unfortunately, your “market share” argument is flawed. Linux and Apache is the largest web hosting platform by a substantial large margin – between 50-70% of the WWW depending on whose figures you count. Microsoft’s platform is is 25% at most. Given your logic, and the relative power and connectivity of Linux server hardware vs. Windows desktops, you’d think that Linux servers would be the prime target, no? Well, it might surprise you that the largest super computer in the world is the MS Windows Zombie Botnet. By the way, I’m not aware of a single Linux virus. Don’t think your “reasoning” is defensible.
If a Microsoft server’s IIS server is cracked, the cracker has full access to the server thanks to the fact that IIS runs as the Admin user. Yes, some systems are affected by unpatched security vulnerabilities… but if the Apache server is cracked (it’s usually a poorly written script of service like an old FTP server that’s vulnerable), the cracker gets, at most, access to the Apache account. By default, the Apache account can do just about nothin’. The user still needs root access to do any major damage. Of course, most Linux boxes that get cracked are used to supply phishing sites for blissfully ignorant Windows users.
By the way, isn’t it ironic that, if Microsoft actually made an OS with a working security model, they’d be deemed anti-competitive? Funny how companies who exist only to fix fundamental inadequacies of Windows are the fastest growing segment of the commercial software market? It’s a tribute to humankind’s ability to withstand cognitive dissonance that anyone at Microsoft can withstand the shame…
Anyway, I use Linux, and quit my last job (9 years ago) when they told me I’d have to shift to Windows… I started my own Linux company, and business is booming. My hardware suppliers say that our numbers are the only ones growing, and that Vista is a dead duck. Surprise? Not really. Microsoft is a marketing company – and deserve all the respect that entails, i.e. none.
November 14th, 2007
Actually, I’d be happy if they just made devices with WM2003SE again. If they implement half the features of this list the OS will be a resource pig. We’ll need a P4 just to load up Agenda Fusion!
November 14th, 2007
> most of the features these individuals requested are already built quite nicely into OS X
Actually, I recognized _a lot_ of KDE features in there as well. It looks other platforms are innovating really well :)
November 14th, 2007
DangerPossum, stop the FUD already. IIS is approaching 40% marketshare. One of the reasons of its success is that IIS is *more* secure than apache.
http://news.netcraft.com/archives/web_server_survey.html
http://blogs.msdn.com/michael_howard/archive/2004/10/18/244181.aspx
November 14th, 2007
It is a definite possibility that anti virus capability will be built into the next version of windows, Microsoft is already testing this out with its Forefront suite of tools,
http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/clientsecurity/default.mspx
November 14th, 2007
I use to think the whole “wait till linux / osx has x% of the market share”, but then a very good point was made. Unix based systems have a very high market share in the network server and firewall industries, including routers. This would be a very good target for hackers, yet there are still not hundreds of viruses for Unix.
Ok, desktop machines have a higher chance of a user installing some malware, but still if Unix was as insecure as Windows, there would be hundreds of viruses targeting personal routers, web servers etc.
November 14th, 2007
to al the mac os bafoons out there:
THE ONLY REASON why your operating system appears stable(when it crashes you suckers have to go to the mac support guys) is because it works on a closed hardware set, designed or chosen by apple.Windows and linux work on almost all the hardware(x86) out there.so really shut up.If apple ever attempted this they would be bancrupt in a year.
As for all the windows bashing…i do believe Vista sales are way up there…enough said mkay?
cry harder and shit.
November 14th, 2007
Windows sucks!
Sent from my iPhone.
November 14th, 2007
This list looks more like a listing from Microsoft Connect or MSDN than anything strictly internal to Microsoft. Connect uses the same six digit “feedback ID” to identify their messages. HEX
November 14th, 2007
Good lord. I have never seen such vapid M$-fanboi-ism anywhere.
Why do you think people keep asking for Windows XP on their new computers? Why are their sales having to be artificially inflated by the OEMs that are putting Vista on systems that they’re not selling as many of?
Why do you think so many people are switching to OSX? Or Linux? If M$ is making such a great product… people wouldn’t be forced in to switching in droves (because yes, people have to be forced to switch, they don’t just get up one day and say ‘Hey.. You know what? I want a Mac!’).
Before you try to defend your beloved M$ products, you may want to try actually doing some research that isn’t supported by M$ PR/Marketing/Research dollars. You may find something better out there.
…This smacks of a standard abusive relationship. You stay in it because you don’t know that there is actually something better out there, AND you’re trying to defend the abuser! Sheesh!
Oh..yeah..and Lou De Seutehakker? You’re the one spreading FUD. Try using neutral research to support your arguments. “M$ is more secure because they said they are!” is not a valid argument.
November 14th, 2007
DangerPossum: Whoa… peace bro.
Your argument is very interesting and i find it very educating and inspiring.
I admit most of your point is true. However, i would like to comment on some thing.
1. “If a Microsoft server’s IIS server is cracked, the cracker has full access to the server thanks to the fact that IIS runs as the Admin user.” ==> True, It was a vulnerability. Now, only unexperienced web admin would do that. Try to google and you’ll find lots of way to secure IIS and Windows Server. See, my company is one of the largest financial institution in Australia and they uses windows for 99% of it’s server which include a web server with IIS. I am proud to say there has never been a succesful attempt of intrusion for more than a decade. Proactive in securing their server is the key. Seriously, even a Linux server is vulnerable if it is poorly configured.
2. “Given your logic, and the relative power and connectivity of Linux server hardware vs. Windows desktops, you’d think that Linux servers would be the prime target, no?” ==> hmm.. Please check my post again. All i’m saying is, those hacker would be thrilled to see windows’ market shares fall if it’s more vulnerable.
But arguing about which system is more targeted, i would still say Windows, though. Simple example : Some curious mind, sometimes tempted to take a peek at their friend’s personal file or their colleague’s classified file. They then try various attempt to find a way in to the system. And since more home and office users uses Windows, more vulnerability for windows is discovered. It’s everydays life. Just that simple, mate.
Of course, if we are arguing about which system is more secure, Linux is most likely come out as the winner. Open Source model works very well because brilliant minds works together to make sure less hole present, and make sure it is not discovered even if it’s exists while trying to figure out workarounds.
3. “I use Linux, and quit my last job (9 years ago) when they told me I’d have to shift to Windows…” ==> Good for you. Looks like you are one of those satisfied Linux expert. If only everyone is as expert as you are, Linux will rise and Windows will fall badly soon.
4. My hardware suppliers say that our numbers are the only ones growing, and that Vista is a dead duck. ==> Everyone knows Vista is a failure. My friend even replaced pre-installed vista laptop with WinXP pro. It sucks and i couldn’t agree more.
peace bro.. :)
November 14th, 2007
“There is absolutely no way Microsoft will ever incorporate anti-virus software. Simply put, once it does this, it has to own up for any problems that occur resulting from infections; as it stands, they can blame third party developers. If Microsoft did this, their reputation would be more shot than it currently is.”
Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. Before proving your ignorance to the world try doing some research. Microsoft is already deploying thier Fore-front Antivirus suite in large corporations. I know of one very large bank who has canceled thier symantec contract and will be 100% forefront on all corp PCs.
Get a clue and stop spreading ignorance. All OSs have a purpose. When Apple has anything close to group policy and sms to help manage 100,000 + workstations then they can pretend to be ready for large corps.
November 14th, 2007
I am a “long-term” user/developer. I cut my teeth on mainframes (DOS/VSE, MVS) and mini’s (VMS, Unix’s of several flavors, Pick). My first PC’s were CP/M machines and an Apple II. This is my 2 cents worth.
One of the advantages that Unix/Linux (and by derivation, Mac OS/X) has over Windows is the simple fact that multiuser systems have a stronger concept of security than single user systems.
The original Windows was not designed for shared use, and indeed, did not have network support. this would imply that security was not a factor in the original design.
When MS$ developed NT (and it’s descendants), security was deemed not as important as “cool” features (like rendering a web page inside email, including script execution). This might be why a MS$ product manager actually stated in public that MS$ would be more focused on security when customers were willing to pay for it. What is truly ironic – NT was designed by a guy who knew about OS security.
Vista flaws – I just got through tangling with Vista on my daughter’s new laptop. While it will connect to a wide-open access point no problem, after 45 minutes of cussing and muttering, it still would not connect to my home network (no SSID broadcast,WEP enabled). This is the only OS in my home that will not work with a secured wireless network. I am hoping that MS$ releases patches to address this soon (have not had a chance to review yesterday’s patches).
Usability – Among other computers in my house, I have an old Thinkpad running Ubuntu. My 11 year old daughter has no problems with it (other than wishing it were faster – the machine is an old PII 90mhz). My 10 year old son also uses it on occasion. Neither one has really expressed a wish for Windows on this PC. In fact, when it was running Win2K and then XP, they thought it was so slow they quit using it for anything other than playing MP3’s.
November 14th, 2007
“ohmy:
November 13th, 2007
OS X tastes like cock.
I hate the taste of cock.
asfd:”
But you do Know what ‘Cock’ Tastes like?
Uni
November 14th, 2007
“ohmy:
November 13th, 2007
OS X tastes like cock.
I hate the taste of cock.
asfd:”
But you do Know what ‘Cock’ Tastes like?
Uni
November 14th, 2007
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned M$ foray into anti virus and backup with DOS 6.0 that integrated their antivirus into Windows. At that time there was a big hullabaloo about how third party providers were going to be driven from the market. We can all see how successful that was. I agree that these “features” can be fulfilled by third party add ons or service packs by M$, The big picture however is that any OS ideas now will be greatly whittled down before they become integrated into a replacement for Vista. We’re going to be at least 4 – 5 years before the next release.
November 14th, 2007
“Unix based systems have a very high market share in the network server and firewall industries, including routers. This would be a very good target for hackers, yet there are still not hundreds of viruses for Unix.
Ok, desktop machines have a higher chance of a user installing some malware, but still if Unix was as insecure as Windows, there would be hundreds of viruses targeting personal routers, web servers etc.”
I am confident that most/all infected Windows computers out there are used by home users who have no clue what they are doing.
So comparing system administrators to home users with zero knowledge is fair?
November 14th, 2007
I cannot see why any of these features cannot just be added to XP/Vista already . . . such minor mods . . .
November 14th, 2007
I’ve had Vista for a week, so far I’m not liking it at all. I’m having odd mouse problems, Steam (half life 2 etc..) doesn’t work properly, and the security (now turned off) is overly annoying. I may downgrade to XP.
I’m sure Mac is a great OS, it definitely looks gorgeous. However, I’m a gamer. Not all games come out for Mac, and when they do they usually arrive much later.
If Microsoft did anything well, it was DirectX. This is why games are made for windows. This is why Xbox 360 is a much more simple platform to develop on.
If game developers ever decide to ship a PC and Mac version at the same time, every time, I may take a look at Mac. Until then, I’ll stick with Windows.
Oh and they’ll never install integrated Anti-Virus. Symantec, Kaspersky, McAfee would sue.
November 14th, 2007
Jussssst a little anti MS agenda leaked out there
in that article.
I have fairly regular exposure to Win/OSX/Linux at work. AND NONE are perfect in my humble opinion. But I sure get a kick out of listening to the zealous fans of each flavor.
I installed Vista the day it came out on one machine and Leopard the first business day after it came out on another machine. I have installed and enjoyed Ubuntu and Suse. A Ubuntu server I setup at work was rock solid.
Just depends on what you are going to do, your skill level and personal taste. BUT if I could only pick one OS to work with and I was stuck with that,, it would be XP pro.
November 14th, 2007
So plain english messages that your app had a page fault or Exception XXX was thrown… it’s already in plain english. Chances are if this kind of thing happens, and you don’t know what it means, you wouldn’t be able to fix it anyways. This would be a ton of developmental overhead to try to dumb down error messages for lusers.
November 14th, 2007
I am an OsX and windows users. My desktop sytem is Xp/Fedora dual boot, and when I go mobile I use a Macbook pro. Alot of people have been bashing Vista, yes I agree it is a steaming pile of junk (I still don’t understand why there has to be an “analog” clock on the sidebar aswell as a digital one in the systray anyways.) Depending on what I’m trying to accomplish I use a different system Mac for video/audio, Xp for gaming, Linux for dev work.
A friend of mine asked me if he should upgrade to vista for DX 10, I told him not to. I can’t think of an MS OS that right out of the gate was relitavely stable…and yes before the bashing starts again MS systems can be stable if you don’t go crazy with them. Although I do firmly believe that the installation does have a shelf life of approx 6 months. Not to mention DX 10 is a LONG LONG ways away from being the standard when it comes to gaming.
As like most early adopters with anything I told him wait for at least SP1 before jumping to Vista let give them times to sort some stuff out after it gets to the real world. Even the early adopters for OSX leopard had some (major) issues.
Personally I think that MS should adopt the Mac way of doing things rather then dumping a totally new re-written Os that is going to have all kinds of problems due to different system hardware designs. Go with a smaller incremenetal OS updates. And I know what people are going to say here “they do, they call them service packs.”
but looking at this list for the “next gen windows” I’d say it’s more of a major update rather then a new OS wishlist. but who knows Windows 7 is what? 5 years away?
November 14th, 2007
You’re a douche bag for not linking back to the ORIGINAL story which was Neowin’s exclusive.
Engadget at least had the dignity to leak to Neowin’s story (not just the image).
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/07/11/10/suggestions-for-future-versions-of-windows
November 14th, 2007
Are they again going to come out with an entirely new set of API’s that aren’t backwards compatible with previous Windows versions?
Are they going help fatten the coffers of their vendors by again forcing customer’s into cost prohibitive upgrades?
Are they going to finally “close up” all their loose security, and provide the user with a highly optimized, super light on hardware, OS core?
That’s not what Microsoft has built it’s culture around. So that’s not what people are going to get.
I think Apple is great. It’s not a platform I target as an open source software developer, though. I like freedom. I don’t want prohibitive licenses twisting my creative arm.
This OS war is simply moot in the span of a another decade. It will be increasingly commoditized until it won’t matter anymore. The apps will.
November 15th, 2007
Triston,
What’s wrong with being a student? As far as M$, goes I run Linux. I stand by my fanboi comment. I will admit to some trollish behavior, most of the the articles here have no comments unless it links to another blog that linkes to the your articles. Since I’m the troll guy the authors won’t normally respond to, I’ll take my leave now.There goes 30% of the comments.
November 18th, 2007
Jeremy Reimer has no degree or certifications in computers and no professional hands on years to decades of experience in them either.
Jeremy Reimer was caught email harassing, impersonating, & bothering others online needlessly. That ended up having Jeremy Reimer’s website have portions removed and his friends that helped him in it (a Mr. Jay Little of Atlanta Ga. USA) had their websites removed in their entirety. See here for that:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=41095&cpage=212#feedbackAnchor
Also, others from educational institutions where actual professional journalism & writing are taught, are questioning Jeremy Reimer’s validity & credibility as a writer, period, here:
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/node/933
All Reimer does is spit back what others wrote already anyhow. He is an ambulance chaser at best. A mere “hack” reporter.
Jeremy Reimer and his friends were also caught here:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=41095&cpage=213#feedbackAnchor
Posting as others (i.e. same person posting under multiple names/guises/nicks/handles) along with his friend Jay Little above to “support one another” when they were found SO technically inaccurate, they were laughed off that site and both of them outright left & that was after law enforcement were called on them both. Windows IT Pro is a widely read publication in the field of computers.
January 22nd, 2008
“I find it sad users should have to ask for plain English messages that relay the problem their computers are experiencing.”
The OS X approach to errors is WAY more frustrating– simply ignore the fact that an error occurred. At least Windows gives you a fighting chance.
Granted, the Windows way doesn’t look cool and could doubtlessly be improved. And, I’ll even admit the OS X looks way more cool– only the loser kids bow down their head and admit they make mistakes.
But is it really better for consumers? I don’t think so.
January 22nd, 2008
I have no particular love for Microsoft or Windows, but c’mon, the list is a good idea. Why shouldn’t they have lists of feature requests? Who cares if it’s on your other OS? Just because MacOS or Linux has X or Y feature, does it mean Microsoft should give up and never try to implement improvements?
Not to mention the laughable arguments “This list means CHANGE OS!!!” – Yea, everyone using Windows should drop the system because… IE has no “undo close tab” feature? Or because the CD-ROM spins up sometimes when you open “My Computer?”
Get real.
January 22nd, 2008
Microsoft won’t include antivirus software in Windows because that would violate the antitrust agreement that they have. The two major software markets in terms of revenue generation are games and antivirus software. If Microsoft were to include antivirus software, an antitrust suit would follow quickly.
January 22nd, 2008
ok, i have a request, FAST (i dont mean support faster hardware made to run a heavy system; but an efficient OS that will not consume system resources and be annoying [allow] or [deny] USB mouse how can i click that?) Honestly XP runs all hardware (except no DX10) and runs faster than vista, requiring a new platform to use new software is just wrong, specialy since you have to get new hardware to make it run HALF as fast as previous systems. When xp first came out, and upon installing i read the comment “fastest operating system yet” BULL$H!7 my 486 (from 1992 boots windows 3.1 in about 13-16 seconds, where as xp takes about 60. vista (i refused to buy; but on a new PC i saw it take about 30 seconds to boot. (fancy SATA hdd)
Why must new os waste resources and time loading up CRAP that isnt wanted? (damn small linux is spartanic, fast minimalistic, gets the job done, yet still can look verry nice even with VERRY limited resources)
PS. XP was Way more difficult to get running than any operating system i have installed. it was a serious pain, clean install booted to a black screen. its default driver for my vid card wouldnt work, compounded with other various problems. Until windows can run faster than WINE, im sticking with linux… (well, i guess since i already paid for xp, and went though the pain of installation, i may keep it on its own partition… but havent had the displeasure of HAVING to use it, save for at school… (with my linux flash drive… ^^ i can be winbloze free!)
February 1st, 2008
Thanks for sharing
February 4th, 2008
Really, If anyone with any sense and decency would review Microsoft, then the public would find out that OS X and likewise UNIX systems have MORE high risk security vulnerabilities than its Microsoft counterparts. The only reason that people think that Unix based systems (linux, and anything since Mac OS X because it runs a Unix derrived Kernel) are any better is because they have, well, ill be generous here and say that they have about 5% of the market share. If Unix and its derrived systems are so “good” as half you ass holes say they are, then why do they still have 5% or less of the market share? Any answers you may e-mail to ahodacsek@gmail.com.
Ill be waiting for your responses!
February 17th, 2008
I used Mac OS IX for 6 months on a G4 at work in 2006 – my conclusions:
1. Crashed more often than my home Windows XP (on an Athlon 64 platform).
2. Not intuitive (unlike claims by Mac Lovers) – has to be learnt and memorised!
3. Bland display – boring!
4. Slow (contrary to claims)!
5. Expensive rip-off!
You have to be a nerd to be able to work on a Mac or a Linux. You can keep your Mac. I am buying 3 new computers this year – and they will all be Windows!
February 20th, 2008
I used Linux Knoppix, which is the only one that I could boot up from a CD, without trying to understand “Mars-speak”! And that is about it! When I’ve tried to connect peripherals or connect to internet or my home network – well, need I say more?
Linux is cheap and cheerful, well suited for those who understand the “Mars-speak”! But for those of us who prefer things working out of the box, well Windows is still a better bet than most!
As far as Antivirus, Updates etc are concerned, Live Onecare is very efficient and cost-effective when compared to the competitors!
And Mac? I still don’t understand its file storage system, keyboard shortcuts and much of its technical jargon! With any Mac system at least twice as pricey (monopoly manufacturer) as a comparable Windows machine (effect of free market competition), and the fact that it is unlikely that I will walk into any organisation with widespread Mac use, I have no incentive to buy one in the future!
April 7th, 2008
There’s one reason I’m looking forward to Windows 7: I fully expect it will provide an even bigger boost to my business of migrating businesses away from Microsoft to stuff that both works reliably and fits their needs (instead of the other way around). True statistics gained over the last 15 months:
- Vista costs about 9x as much to support as Mac OS X, and about 6x as much as Linux (hardware makes a difference, folks)
- The mean productivity gain from migrating users from XP to Mac OS X after 3 months (with a sample size of ~4,500 users) is 74%. Moving from XP to Vista slightly *decreases* productivity in a corporate environment
I’ve been developing for and supporting Windows literally as long as there’s been a “Windows”; about five years ago, I decided that a) I really much prefer using the computer to get work done reliably, and b) enough other people do that I should be able to turn that into a business opportunity.
Microsoft, as of Vista, is the T. Rex that’s been shot in the head with an M109; the body’s set to keep running for a few kilometers before it falls over. Don’t stand too close when it does; you’ll be just as dead if the carcass falls on you (destroying those business processes you’ve ceded control of to you-know-who) than if you’d “merely” been eaten by the Beast (processes operating but unpredictable due to outside events/inputs).
Bring on the Windows 7 Kool-Aid!
April 17th, 2008
Windows 7? How about we call it Windows XP 2 and call it good?
August 22nd, 2008
Great!! OSX has all these features! These are what people are looking out for!! Then i wonder why there is more windows Pc out there than mac!! Mac and linux are for people technically sound with a computer!!
but there are more common people who jus want to use the Pc for office, people who jus wanna play Games!! And what caters these needs – Windows!!
I used linux for two days – cant find one shit reason y i must use it – the third day it was gone!!
Microsoft always gives wat people want!! Xp rocked, vista rox, Windows 7 will rock!!
November 2nd, 2008
The one thing I don’t see, that is the main reason I’m still using XP, is that the new format is designed to force you to purchase all new software applications. Why can’t Microsoft do what Apple does, and let the new OS run the programs that ran so well on the OLD OS??????