Microsoft's not going to repeat the mistakes of Vista, at least that's how it appears given Microsoft's Windows Logo requirements for Windows 7. While it might appear that Microsoft is playing hardball with hardware manufactures, the opposite may be the case. Microsoft is learning it can't just slam a new operating system out into the market and expect users and vendors alike to put up with compatibility problems for two years following its release. Microsoft's also still smarting from it's Windows Vista Ready logo debacle.
Microsoft's putting clearer expectations out there and hopefully it will stop Microsoft itself from putting a product out in market too soon. The rest of the world has to work with partners, make sure products are compatible, hardware is supported, and partner supply chains are ready before we launch products. Microsoft's learning that while it might be able to throw it's weight around like Wal-Mart, Microsoft is still ultimately accountable to its customers. Even Apple has stooped to jumping on the Vista bashing bandwagon. Then you know it's bad.
But the real proof is in the pudding, as they say. Will Microsoft be disciplined enough to hold back Windows 7 until all the elements needed to launch are really ready? Hardware and software compatibility in particular. Given the user community and market response to Vista, I suspect there's a chance we'll see Windows 7 released with these lessons in mind.
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Mitchell Ashley is principal consultant at Converging Network LLC where he provides product, technology and social media consulting to emerging technology companies. A successful CTO and product innovator, Mitchell has created many successful, award winning products in the networking, security, convergence, Internet and IT industries. In addition to blogging for NetworkWorld, Mitchell regularly blogs at TheConvergingNetwork and co-hosts the widely popular StillSecure After All These Years podcast.
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Windows 7 intro
The root problem here is Microsoft's very large mistake to "market" an operating system to end users as would be done with an application. The values for choosing an OpSys - by OEMs, IT depts, serious techies etc - are far less glamorous than fading menus, bundled media players, and cooler icons. This mistake is not only fundamental to the Vista fiasco but also the long-term schizoid management UI that is too technical for many users and too constraining and tedious for many techies.
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