Not sure if this has ever being mentioned, but apparently Windows Vista isn't much chop. I myself am not using Vista as my desktop so I'm not going to comment, but in listening to the experts from both sides, I'm getting the picture that the main issue with Windows as a platform is its market share. It seems that having a large market share and making the odd dollar, makes innovating in a constructive way quite hard.
We can see from history that the best way to rejuvenate a platform may involve the Apple approach - roll out a new OS, new code base. As successfully as that move was for Apple, they didn't have the back-end business penetration of Windows. And it has to be said, thatOSX is really only now just coming into its own as the Internet, and consumers, are starting to catch on. Is it time for Microsoft to do the same? Maybe, but what chaos would ensue?
Here is my thoughts, Microsoft should start a new Operating System project with the line drawn in the data 2008. We all know that the legacy code is what is killing Windows, so why not do away with it and start anew. The plan would be that Windows would stop here at Vista, but would be fully supported with the occasional service packs. Vista would handle all the legacy stuff, whereas the new OS would begin the rejuvenation process needed.
The OS could now be light and be geared more toward Internet technologies. And device integration. One idea would be to have a stock base installation, then to have the OS add as your needs dictate. This would make the next gaming platform easy to setup, as the OS would be working to provide the best environment for your needs. A workstation built just to run office programmes and connect to the server.
Imagine installing a new piece of software and having the OS jump online and grab all the updates and files it needs. All perhaps plugging some new hardware and the drivers being retrieved by the OS for you. Yes that probably will never happen, but the idea is right.
When you think that the new mass market for computing is not geek literate, but seems to be facebook literate, then you can see how an OS designed for the Internet world could work. MS could just take the look and feel of Windows and make it compatible with the Internet.
The hardware for this is already out there, small, underpowered and convenient. The ASUS Eee PC is the perfect example, and what do you think Apple are doing with the Air?
The hardcore PC user is thinning in the market place. The PC 2.0 user is now where it is at, and hot on the heels is the Cloud 2.0 consumer. Maybe Microsoft may be on to something with this Live Mesh concept, when they figure out what it is for.
Jason
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 6:29AM 
