Microsoft’s latest OS, Windows Vista, was released this week after over five years of delays and setbacks. Despite the large number of promised features that didn’t make it in (WinFS, for example), Vista actually looks pretty decent. The interface is nice (unless you go for the Home Basic edition, more on that later), security has been beefed up, and a Spotlight like search feature has been added. They’ve also done something similar to Expose, which seems less that ideal to me - you can only see one window at a time rather than all at once - but it’s a good step.
I don’t actually care any more how many of the features they’ve ripped off from OSX, it goes both ways and that’s how it should be. The better Microsoft makes Windows, the better Apple is going to have to make OSX to compete. Hopefully, MS has gotten enough of a scare recently that they know they can’t sit back any more as if they’re untouchable (their leaked internal communications speak to this), so they’ll react by making Windows better. And so it will go, we all win.
Since I use Windows a lot (I have to professionally, there is no Mac version of AutoCAD) I’ve considered upgrading - Vista really does offer a lot over XP - but I think I’m going to hold off for now and stick with what I’ve got. There are a number of reasons for this decision, despite being a bit taken with the beauty of the new Aero UI and the lure of having a “new shiny” to play with.
First of all, using version 1.0 of any program that you’ll depend on is a bad idea, no matter who makes it. The same goes for brand new hardware. Apple, in particular, is notorious for getting things right at version 1.1 (version 10.3 was the first really good version of OSX), as is Sony. There are already Vista bug reports, and virus warnings, and all of that cropping up. I want no part of it. By the time service pack 1 is released (I hear they’re already working on it), most of the initial growing pains will have been addressed and then I’ll consider again.
I also don’t like what I’ve been reading about the DRM (digital rights management) and other limiting “features” they’ve added. I know that it’s not nearly as bad as some claim, but I don’t like the idea of having to prove to my computer that I’m not doing something wrong. It’s my computer and as far as I’m concerned the RIAA, MPAA, etc. don’t have any say in what I do with it. The fact that Vista will purposely degrade image quality on “unapproved” monitors is a concern, as is the fact that MS can lock Vista remotely if the software thinks I’m doing something wrong. These features are not there to improve the user experience, not matter what MS claims. I’m going to hold back and see what develops once real people start using the final version of Vista every day. No doubt someone will figure out how to disable these features before too long, and with any luck people will get upset enough that MS will pull the DRM out itself. Though I doubt that last scenario.
Finally, there’s the cost and the number of variations. Say what you will about it, but OSX is relatively cheap ($130 for the regular version), and comes in two versions, regular and server. Simple. Vista, by contrast, comes in four different versions (not counting the version intended for developing countries, and the Enterprise Edition, and the upgrade version of each of these): Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate.
These range from $200 to $400 (knock roughly $100 off for the upgrade versions). Home Basic seems a little too basic, so I would imagine that most people will want Home Premium, which is $240, or $160 for the upgrade version. Business has a few nice features, but to get those without losing the Home Premium stuff you would have to go for the Ultimate edition at $400, or $260 as an upgrade.
I don’t understand why MS is doing this, both in terms of cost and the multitude of choices. Personally, I think there should be two versions, Home (equivalent to Home Premium) and Pro (equivalent to Ultimate), just to avoid confusing people. That’s the scheme that XP has used successfully for six years, so why make it more confusing now? One note on upgrades too, you have to have the previous edition actually installed to upgrade. Right now, to use the upgrade edition of XP you have to insert a valid Win98, 2000, or ME disc during install and you’re all set. Now you’ll have to actually install XP before installing Vista to use the upgrade version. Apparently there’s a way around that, but it’s a bit convoluted, and shouldn’t be necessary at all.
Anyway, I figured I’d note this release and give a few of my thoughts on it. I’ll be eager to upgrade once the initial bugs are ironed out, and the restrictive DRM is loosened up (or hacked out). Though it’s no secret that I prefer Apple’s OS, I’m not trying to start any arguments or debates here. I’ve tried my best to be even handed and fair, there’s a lot to like about Vista, it’s just not quite there for me yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment