Text 24898, 87 rader
Skriven 2006-12-07 09:49:00 av TOM WALKER (1:123/140)
Ärende: MS Hype, Another Opinion
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Looks like I am not the only one tired of al lthe Hype out of MS to
sucker people into Upgrading.

I found this editorial right on.

*****


Full Disclosure: Windows--New! Improved! Yada Yada Yada!
Every Microsoft upgrade sets a new standard--in hype.
Stephen Manes
Friday, November 17, 2006 01:00 AM PST
Every Microsoft upgrade sets a new standard-in hype.

"This is the easiest-to-use version of Windows yet, and will help bring
the power of the PC to new users worldwide," Bill Gates announces. The
press release goes on to claim that the operating system "dramatically
improves the key areas that keep users waiting on their PC today,
including opening applications, accessing the Internet, and shutting
down the PC. This enhanced performance, along with powerful new
self-maintenance and update features, empowers users to spend more time
enjoying their PCs and less time managing their system."

Windows Vista? No, Windows 98.

"Today we unveil the future of computing," trumpets Bill Gates. He cites
a reliability report from an independent laboratory: "According to the
test, with constant and intense use" in 90 workdays the operating system
"never failed."

Windows Vista? No, Windows 2000.

"We are entering an exciting new era of personal computing," declares
Bill Gates. "This powerful new version of Windows offers so much to
customers--it unlocks the full power of the PC and enables them to enjoy
the best of what the digital world has to offer."

Windows honcho Jim Allchin adds that "customers will experience a much
more enhanced yet simplified computing experience. Customers can do
things they've never done before with a PC; likewise, business users can
work smarter and faster with more productive tools to meet the demands
of any size company."

Windows Vista? No, Windows XP.

Beginning to see a pattern here? Microsoft introduces new operating
system. Microsoft promises great benefits. New operating system doesn't
deliver.

Less time "shutting down the PC"? To this day my XP machines often hang
until I hold down the physical on/off switch awhile. A Windows that goes
90 days without a single crash? Yeah, right. Hey, XP won't go even a
month without a forced reboot to install security fixes!

Apart from Microsoft hype, one thing never changes when the latest
version of Windows arrives: the time you have to waste coping with the
peccadilloes of the new regime. Will the upgrade really deliver
productivity increases that let you get that time back? Not bloody
likely.

When you switch to Windows Vista, you'll be figuring out how to cope
with questions as little as why 'My Documents' turned into just
'Documents' and as big as where to get a new driver for your old
printer--if you can get one at all. Your old security software won't
work, so you will have to find, pay for, and install replacements.
You'll be tearing your hair out every time you encounter new features
that work differently from the old familiar ones for no apparent reason.
And if you're a particularly early adopter, you'll probably be googling
frantically in search of others who have run into problems similar to
yours.

I'm not masochistic enough to test Microsoft's betas and release
candidates. The final product is usually rough enough; and as I write,
that's not yet available. But I've seen the demos and read the
propaganda and first looks. Vista promises a lot of potentially useful
new stuff. But for now I can think of only one reason to worry about the
thing: It will come with your next PC.

Unless that machine is a Mac, in which case you'll be offered a new OS
every year or two with a couple of modest features that pretend to
change the world and claim to be worth $130. But at least you'll waste
less time in the upgrade process.
Contributing Editor Stephen Manes is cohost of PC World's Digital Duo on
public TV.
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