From the ashes of Vista, what might rise?

Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:45AM EDT

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Amid an overwhelmingly negative presentation from analyst group Gartner that claims "Windows is collapsing," many are beginning to wonder what is in store for Windows 7, and how radical a departure from its current code base W7 might be.

Vista is clearly the straw that has broken the camel's back. Years and years of bloated code and a failed attempt to support 20 years of outdated software and ancient peripherals have left the operating system a total mess. Vista is so big and complicated that attempting to build additional code onto it is futile.

Is it back to the drawing board for Microsoft? Signs seem to indicate that, yes, Windows is headed in a whole new direction now.

The most popular notion is that Windows will go "modular," offering an operating system that you'll buy in pieces, and possibly pay for on a month-to-month or year-to-year basis.

What does "modular" mean? Look at Windows Vista itself to see a primitive version of modularity in action: Vista comes in (at least) four major flavors, each of which contains different features that the other versions lack. Want Media Center? Upgrade to Home Premium. Want hard drive encryption? You'll have to upgrade to Ultimate Edition.

Windows 7 would likely take this even further. Instead of offering four pre-packaged versions, you might start with a relatively cheap Windows Basic setup, then start adding modules as you need them. Photo management may run you an extra few bucks. You might even have to pay extra to get a media player or a web browser (though that seems unlikely).

The next question is how you might pay for this, which is a bigger question mark. Some speculate that Microsoft may move toward a subscription model, charging you by the month or the year for your computer to keep working. This would be great for Microsoft, as it could force you to upgrade -- and pay -- whenever it wanted simply by pulling the plug on old apps. It would be considerably less great for consumers, for exactly the same reason.

Still, it may very well be an improvement over what we're stuck with now. Even Gartner seems to think so; it says right in the title of its aforementioned presentation that "what comes next will improve." Let's hope so.

Comments on From the ashes of Vista, what might rise?

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  • 66 Posted by topcircuit on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    Who's kidding who ??? Microsoft is only interested in revenue period.... They have spent millions of their dollars and megabites of our systems only for their war on piracy. The hackers still get solutions and we pay more and more for bloated software using up our money and memory. Anyone that thinks the next windows has them in mind is WRONG... You can bet there will never be an add on for just $ 10.00. You have to add another zero. Even now Microsoft feels that they must scan your Windows before they will upgrade anything. If you will pay attention, Microsoft wants more and more $$$$$ for their war and their Mercades type of vehicals. If man can make it man can break it. yet they must fight on at our expense

  • 67 Posted by solopassenger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well let's see here, I use to have XP and hated it. PC's are ubiquitous but that does not mean they are better. Yes, of course Apple's crash, duh. But, since switching to Apple three years ago ( I currently own a Macbook and the new Imac) I have yet to have the system crash, and all the software you get is awesome. I swear to Christ the Dell I had with XP on it was such a pain in the butt that I had to look else where. Sure Apple fans talk tons of smack but to be honest I see why now. Leopard has been great to me and Time Machine is a no brainier. Why Microsoft is so slow to offer a operating system that actually works is beyond me.

  • 68 Posted by jerry_dec7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have already switched to OS-X and Leopard late last year. My computing life has never been more pleasurable. Exactly were my words too. "Vista was the straw which broke the camel's back", for me. Since Apple adopted the Intel Core processor as it's main processor line, since core2duo is 64-bit, and OS-X Leopard is 64-bit, and because Windows runs on Intel, and now so do Macs,Macs can run Windows, but Windows machines will never run Macs. I can have my Apple and eat it too. I run Windows in a Window, only when I have too, and then in a virtual machine (VM). Other then that, tuck it away, out of sight and do 95%+ of my productivity in OS-X. And, on those very few occasions I need to run Windows, I can tuck it away, out of site and have the particular Windows app run side by side the OS-X apps, pretty much smooth as silk. Since both machines now run on core2duo processors, there is no emulation to have to contend with either for the windows machine. Just make sure sufficient memory and hard disk space on the host mac machine to accommodate the overhead.

  • 69 Posted by kaktuskilr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I guess ole Billy Gates just isn't rich enough yet, or is he ? Well in my mind windows is already over priced and has been since '98. If Billy G wants to start a war on PC use this will do it and I forsee a whole lotta folks going to MAC.

  • 70 Posted by rainbow_all on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hi, people! (Sorry for bad English) I think all (almost) of you from US. In Ukraine there is no problem with Windows-it's FREE AT ALL! (Only big companies buy it) I know only one person who have a legal Windows (he is stupid) at home. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE TO PAY FOR SOFTWARE. WHY? FOR WHAT? When you buy new computer-just ask a version with no OS or Linux and install Windows yourself!!! No such a PC that you want with no OS/Linux----make it yourself! I not only can't understand WHY I NEED TO PAY FOR OS, I also don't understand why I need to pay for brand PC. Buy all what you need and make yourself - IT'S MORE CHEAPER! If you don't know PC architecture ask somebody do it for you! AMERICANS DON'T BE STUPID! You have a great country but a lot of people willing to pay money for air!!! I know, somebody can say %

  • 73 Posted by dhiran_singh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    WOW!!! Window's 7 thats gonna be alot faster!!!!!!!

  • 74 Posted by jemmikah on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm over 50. Thirty years ago I said "I'll never pay to watch TV." Now, who can live without cable? When high def becomes the standard we will all have to pay and it will be even more expensive!

  • 75 Posted by birdman_5589 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have no idea about why everybody bashes on Vista so much. Sure there are some problems out there but I have never faced any. I for one like Vista a million times better. The problem with Vista is that is was rushed to the market. MS should just fix the problems with updates and Vista would be a great OS. I'm no expert but it makes sence.

  • 76 Posted by blackdeath_02142008 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had no problem with the XP's interface. Why change something stable, with another complex OS? I cannot see the point..

  • 77 Posted by toolazyk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yikes. I think I want a Mac. It's quite funny, this sort of reminded me of the 1984 commerical Apple put out so long ago. :)

  • 78 Posted by cataractmoon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Though a linux user, Vista functions well and holds up to most security issues as long as you have updated hardware. As a home user, Vista is a decent product, and it is nothing like the instability of ME. However, Microsoft has no earthly idea how to persuade corporations to upgrade to Vista when XP works extremely well. I think Microsoft may even be losing business in the corporate market, and they are looking for a method of attracting this market. In the next few years, linux has the opportunity to make strides in the corporate market as yahoo and google and other software companies already use various versions of linux. However, when XP support terminates, Linux companies may just be in a place to make their move into educational and corporate arenas. However, Novell, Sun, and other corporations using linux better make their move now and have a thorough marketing campaign ready to go. Otherwise, Microsoft will continue to lead in ALL areas of operating systems.

  • 79 Posted by intimidator2u on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    Goi ahead let microsoft do somtething like a subscription serivce i'll throw my PC away first.

  • 80 Posted by norwood36344 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    Whats the problem with Vista? Maybe you just need to learn how to use a computer. I have Vista on 2 different machines and have never had a problem. You're probably the same malcontents that are always complaining about Internet Explorer and how great FireFux is.

  • 81 Posted by jenniab91 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    what's with all this stuff? and btw, it's true, many have gone with XP in favor of vista. i know i have. when i had my pc hd cleaned out and reformatted, i told the tech to put xp2 on it even tho he would've put vista on it. why mess with what works? xp service pack 2 works just fine. my pc isn't lagging or bogged down, and it's simple and easy to navigate. i for one won't be buying another OS anytime soon.

  • 82 Posted by pmbrent on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    Vista (ME@) may be replaced by W7. I have used XP since before it became available ( a friend was an eval for his company and he asked me my opinion) I wont touch Vista, If MS tries to clip us with upgrades I will use my other computer system Ubuntu, works fine. But after XXP was out 6 weeks it ran great, no problems, Ubuntu, is simple and easy to use. Give me the best for a fair price and its a deal. I live on disability and business pricing is to high for users.

  • 83 Posted by isaac555 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    now im not a writer for a major media outlet so i have no need create panic amongst the heard when it comes to commenting about windows ... i think the "model" that is most likeliest to happen is that the selection process will stay as it is now ... you select the one you think you need (one of the 4 offerings via dell, gateway, hp, etc.). im not sure why everyone assumes M$ wants to get consumers to subscribe to their updates ... it hasn't worked for them yet ... so what makes people think they would try it again? however ... i do think M$ will prob build more stable one size fits all apps (browser, media player, email client, etc.) and charge for "new releases", but not for general updates ... so once the products lifecycle is over ... you'll either be left with old outdated paintbrush or you can pay your $20 for the new and improved version ... no subscription ... it puts the power in the hands of the people, but still gives us the option of upgrading without buying a whole new machine or OS. now lets address all of those comments about people who are "so upset" that "all of their computers are going to run linux" from now on ... like jon stossel says ... GIVE ME A BREAK ! no one threatens to switch to linux and does ... you run linux because you truly understand how it works and are willing to make your own tarballs to make your printer, speakers or cd rom work ... not ... oh i hate M$ and now im going to run UBUNTU because M$ is a big greedy corporate giant and im sooo against giving them money, but i'll continue to pay my isp tons & tons of cash as my upstream/downstream speeds continue to be restricted and run at a fraction of the speed they give other countries ... like japan. im so tired of those whiners who rale against M$ like they dont know how to run their billion dollar business ... if they x-out Vista i'll be disappointed because i personally don't see what the problem is with it ... i have never had a problem with it and i migrated over from XP ... all of my external "items" worked out of the box with Vista ... laser printer .... check .... external HD .... check .... ink jet scanner/copier/ fax ... check .... mouse and keyboard ... check .... monitor ... check ... nikon d40 ... check .... nikon coolpix ... check ... sony cybershot ... check .... cheap video camera ... check ... the list goes on and on. i have yet to encounter a device that Vista has not been able to work with. maybe that's because i don't use printers from 15 years ago ... who knows. alright ... im tired of typing

  • 84 Posted by pinkyladytruckergo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally, now that I've gotten used to it, I love Vista. And, I agree that no matter what, I would not pay for an operating system subscription. The idea is ludicrous! If they feel the need to satisfy the masses, then they should go with a "modular" concept, and only make pc's build-to-order. That way, you get what you want and nothing more. A pain in the neck when you need a sudden replacement, but I think it makes more sense than some of the alternatives.

  • 85 Posted by malexander4444 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    It seems to me Microsoft is trying to milk the cow till it runs dry. LINUX is the way to go and run the wine for windows aps.

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