(5 votes, average: 7 out of 10)
Loading ...A user’s take on XP and Vista
I got the following comment from a guy named Bob recently that I think is worth sharing.
“I have seen Vista work on an HP laptop fairly well. The owner explained that HP would accept nothing better than the finest tuned drivers or a component would not be added to their machine.
“I have read many of the valid complaints over at the savexp.com site of those not fortunate enough to own an HP PC and I’m truly amazed at how MSFT has had little regard for its customers. Steve Balmer’s statement: ‘I… love… this… company…’ reflects, in my estimation, the base problem: a self love. It’s not really surprising that he didn’t say: ‘I… love… our… customers…’ It just wouldn’t be true.
“Microsoft wants to keep its cake and it wants to eat it too. They want Windows to be the world’s standard operating system. But they also want to decide, for themselves, when a particular flavor of Windows stops receiving support. Odd that, eh? XP’s going to get a shiny new service pack. Just in time for the end of its support? Isn’t that a little weird?
“Shouldn’t things work more like this with MSFT? If a Windows release is shaky to begin with (example: Millennium) and ending its support causes few or no ripples then fine — they should be permitted to do so. But if a release is still functional and strongly supported by software companies, then the arbitrary termination should be stopped by the powers that be.
“While not perfect XP does what many people expect of Windows. Vista, on the other hand, appears to be a conglomeration of cool ideas dreamed up by the Windows team in order to satisfy their particular idea of what Windows should be. The department heads sign off on any of these guys’ proposals and the world is expected to obediently dump the previous release for what we’re TOLD is… mmm… better.
“That’s bad enough. But browse through the posts at SaveXP.com and you’ll see a bit of a disturbing trend. Namely, that the clearly described reasons given by ex-Vista users are arrogantly shrugged off by apparently satisfied Vista users. Reasons to switch are replaced with rhetoric and ridicule. We are basically told to shut up and just ‘do it.’
“Imagine if an automotive company likewise decided to stop making parts for a model that currently fills the highways and city streets. This was done simply because that industry redesigned their car (with a new logo) and put it into production. We’d be up in arms! We’d picket, we’d boycott, we’d give them what for! The law itself would quickly intervene telling that automotive industry to cease its irresponsible behavior and start making parts again.
“Let’s compare. Is XP still the main ‘car’ on the highway? Is it still the main Windows distribution being used? Then where’s Microsoft’s right to cease it’s support? Because it’s 6 years old? And who dreamed up this arbitrary number? Was it pulled out of a hat?
“And where are the statistics and figures revealing how many Vista computers were downgraded to XP once the machine was brought home? Where are the percentages of customers who’ve tried over and over again to get a new XP PC only to be turned down by the sales staff? Ahh. Now HERE we have a lot of silence. Silence as we turn a blind eye to MSFT’s responsibility. Silence as we walk past customers while store clerks refuse to sell XP.
“XP is an obvious problem for MSFT. Vista sales will always lag as long as XP takes up shelf space. MSFT feels it has the right to cease support whenever it feels like it. Satisfied Vista users bray loudly when someone brings up valid complaints. Others, like myself, have come to a realization that MSFT’s abysmal treatment of its customers can be stopped when one ceases to be a customer. And I’ve voted with my dollar. I now own a Mac. My second PC runs Ubuntu Linux. And while I don’t use XP anymore MSFT still needs to hear this message: that it cannot have its cake and eat it too. XP’s life should be extended indefinitely. They’ve no right to decide how long a version lasts based only on years. They have a responsibility to support what is popular and (obviously through sites like this one) clearly seen as still in demand.”
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March 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Hello Shane,
just to let you know: I would have signed the Save XP petition, but cannot speak in the name of the large multinational I work for… too bad the company name is a mandatory field for anyone to weigh in.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I work in the healthcare industry and a number of our key, critical, 24/7 applications will NOT work with Vista. Hell, we’ve still got Windows 2000 and Windows NT system in our environment. Forcing Vista upon us will simply not work. Want to see Healthcare come to a screeching hault? Force them to install Vista.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Okay; I understand why “New” versions of things are important, but I am NOT an imbecile when it comes to recognizing a “Good” thing. I just spent $400 on XP pro, to “Upgrade” my HP PC, not to mention that I have been told it will cost me ANOTHER hundred to upgrade my memory/ motherboard to accomodate,and I often help out others with their inability to cope with PC issues. Now that I have gotten to a point where I can answer their “Issues” with simple fixes, MSFT chooses to yoink it, . Can I get a rebate, or do I just go MAC? I am one to go with instinct, and after ALL I have heard from new PC buyers (VISTA being an excrutiatingly user unfriendly headache), I JUST WANT MY XP!!!!!!!!!!! I gues you could say that 3 things in life could now be sure; Death, taxes, and PC users going MAC! MSFT; Please hear, not just listen to those who wish to keep you.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I run Vista, XP and Linux and the one I like using the least is Vista.
I only maintain having Vista at all so I can understand and support it with my customers.
A very large percentage of my customers who purchased and switched to Vista, switched back to XP. Mostly due to simply not liking Vista, rather than hardware/software compatability issues.
Many of them that bought a computer with Vista installed were willing to spend the extra money to buy XP and switch it over to XP.
As it stands my XP machine is running fine and as long as it contues to do so I’ll stick with XP. When the time comes that I have no choice but drop Vista, Linux is my second choice. Frankly I am tired of the ‘control’ Microsoft enjoys.
One of my biggest peeves with Vista, too many versions. A Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate makes a lot more sense. All the others should be abolished and whatever features they have should be have been incorporated into Vista Home Premium and/or Vista Ultimate. Frankly Vista Home shouldn’t even have made it to market and is a waste.
Vista’s biggest advancement…Microsoft profits increased.
Vista’s biggest disadvantage…Micosoft takes stronger control of users computers and what they can or cannot do with it.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Vista has to be one of the best things to happen for Apple.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Funny you should say that. One of my die-hard Windows fans just got himself a new laptop a couple of weeks ago. His first MAC.
He is already talking about switching his computers over to MAC as he upgardes and simply run XP in a window.
May be some truth to what you say John.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Microsoft needs to build a real business operating system. That is, a platform to run our business applications. One where we don’t have to strip out all the “distractive” applications that keep our employees from being productive, or expose us to the insecurity of the internet. It would also be nice if software developers made their applications work with “user” security instead of forcing us to break security for the pleasure of using their software.