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 DOES
THE WORLD NEED VISTA? by Onuora Amobi 7/18/2006
Here I go
again...
So, let's talk about a sacred topic. An Item that is whispered but
RARELY openly discussed by the larger websites.
DOES THE WORLD NEED VISTA?
I'm not so sure that Vista is even necessary at this point in time.
As I continue to use Vista and Microsoft continues to refine their
betas (Currently
at 5472), this has been a question
that has been nagging at me.
The biggest reason that's offered
up when I take this topic to the
forums is that Microsoft needed to
create a new OS because of security concerns with XP. That there is
a void for a really secure Microsoft OS.
Does any mature Microsoft user REALLY think that with all the
new code being introduced
into this OS, it's going to be much more secure?
Ummm it's going to be different..maybe a little more secure but much
more secure?? I doubt that.
Why do I doubt that? Two fundamental reasons.
1) History (look at all the releases that have come before)
2) The beta process. This open beta process has been
interesting and along with all the good civil people helping to beta
test, hackers now have a head start on exploring and cracking this
O.S.
So we can argue security (especially for the enterprise) and Vista
all day long but I would also like to explore another angle.
If you take a look at the features that Vista is offering, you'll
see a lot of stand alone products.
Microsoft Mail (Basically Outlook express)
Microsoft Defender
Windows Media Center
Windows DVD Maker
Windows Fax and Scan
Windows Calendar
Windows Meeting Space
People near me
Windows Photo Gallery
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Contacts
Windows Sidebar
It can be argued that these and several other Vista offerings could
have been offered as updates to XP and/or separate products. This is
where the concept of Microsoft as a monopoly comes in. These
products (if released separately) would probably not be able to
dominate their respective markets.
For instance:
Media Center
is cool but there are much better media players (WinDVD etc).
Defender is cute but there's
Spysweeper, Adaware and Spyware Doctor.
Meeting Space would face stiff
competition from several collaboration software vendors.
You get the picture.
BUT, if you had a new Operating System, well, instantly you
have millions of customers who would not ordinarily have touched
these products..
Now, I like Microsoft. I also think the idea of a new O.S. is
healthy and exciting for the marketplace. It keeps Apple (the
competition) on their toes and thus fulfills the mandate of a
capitalist market.
I wanted Vista to be exciting and offer exceptional value but it
seems to me, Vista should have had one major objective:
To be MUCH MUCH better than
XP and Windows 2003.
Windows XP and Windows 2003 were really good Operating Systems and
it would be hard to claim that they didn't provide overwhelming
value compared to their predecessors.
Today, I use a dual boot PC with Windows 2003 and Windows Vista
(5456) installed.
It's a testament to Microsoft that today I can dual boot into Vista
beta and use it for days on end. It is a solid beta. It is a strong
product. It is very stable. It's pretty.
Unfortunately, I know this for a fact:..... I can live without it.
Till next time...
Onuora
WindowsVistaUpdate
P.S. I want to get your feedback
about this article. Please send me your thoughts and be as candid as
you want to be, I can take it. :-)
Please use the feedback form
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