Dave's Download

Microsoft Likens Vista’s Bad Rep to Flat-Earth Theory

By David LaGesse

Posted: July 22, 2008

Microsoft appears ready to launch an ad campaign to buff the reputation of Vista, the latest and beleaguered version of its Windows operating system. When it recently stopped selling Windows XP, the company at least acknowledged the slings and arrows and suggested that some Vista complaints were valid. But all is better now, and Vista's bad reputation should go the way of the flat-Earth theory, according to a Microsoft teaser that Ed Bott describes at his "Microsoft Report" blog.

REAL users of Vista never complaint

...because they know that this operating system is superior to Windows XP. Only those who failed to make it work, mostly because of lack of knowledge and/or appropriate hardware whine and complaint to the point of throwing tantrums. After using Windows XP for more than 6 years, and Windows for more than 15 years, I believe my switch to Vista is worthwhile. Oh, and it was installed in "old" Sony VAIO desktop computer. I stopped listening to people who don't know what they're talking about especially when their "opinion" is fed by the rumor mill and media mantras. I was so well impressed by Vista's performance, features and a nicer user experience that I decided to create a blog to promote it:

ilovewindowsvista.blogspot.com. Thanks.

Gruffydd of NY @ Jul 25, 2008 15:41:46 PM

If the shoe fits...

Microsoft has the power to force everyone to NOT use XP. Vista is a barely decent operating system IF the computer it's on has the horsepower to run it. The fact it comes in too many flavors, has such high hardware demands and is fraught with many (acknowledged) issues (if not flaws) tends to make people look at XP with nostalgia for a venerable operation system that, after it's own shaky start, became the most used, bought, accessed and supported OS in history. Microsoft should take a lesson from human psychology: People loathe change unless that change brings about substantial, obvious improvements.

Vista didn't.

It's hoped that Windows 7 will, but given the information about that OS I've read, I'm inclined to think Microsoft is still forgetting the human factor in dealing with the man/machine interface. If an operating system doesn't bring about substantial, obvious improvements (as XP did over Windows 98 and - laughably - Windows ME), it will be a commercial failure. Vista didn't and it's a failure nearly two years after its release (By this time after XP's release, most people were satisfied that XP was probably better, even if it had issues of its own - a sentiment not shared by most Vista users).

Change is not taken well by people. Trying to balance the improvements needed for change with Microsoft's eye toward the bottom line may well be an impossible task. As for Vista, no amount of ads, spin, hype and hyperbole will negate the fact it's not a substantial and obvious enough improvement over XP to the average user to ever be attractive.

Even if Microsoft forces it on us unwanted.

No wonder Apple became the #3 computer maker in the world recently.

Fatesrider of CA @ Jul 23, 2008 00:27:36 AM

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Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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