Several sources have reported the news from Microsoft that “Windows XP Downgrades Allowed with Windows 7.” Is that smart of Microsoft to allow the same downgrade option for Windows 7 they reluctantly agreed to for Vista? Does this mean Microsoft executives expect Windows 7 to get the same hostile reaction that Vista received? Or are Microsoft executives becoming more concerned about the happiness of their customers?
Yes, XP remains the favorite operating system from Microsoft, but is that because people hate to change, or because Vista stinks so much? Better the devil you know than the devil you don't? With Vista, the new devil made the old devil. XP, look great by comparison. Isn't Windows 7 supposed to fix all the Vista mess?
I'm worried that Windows 7, regardless of the happy pre-release press Microsoft is generating now, will be only slightly better than Vista when it does finally hit the street. Built on Vista, Windows 7 will supposedly support XP drivers, but that will likely be moot by the time it actually hits the streets. Remember, XP arrived way way back in 2001. That's several generations in technology years, which move and become old far faster than dog years. Think of technology years more like rental car years. XP should be drawing Social Security by now.
Personally, I think such statements this far before Windows 7 ships does nothing but keep Microsoft in the news in a more positive way than people complaining about Vista. I've been using Vista regularly on my second computer for several months, and I still don't like it. My operating system preferences run Ubuntu Linux, Microsoft XP, Apple OS X 10.5, and Vista. Heck, maybe put DOS before Vista.
What this should tell small businesses watching for technology trends is that Microsoft still has no clue about how to sell Windows 7 and recover from the giant egg Vista laid, and broke. You can't get a clear idea of any value from Microsoft when they talk about future operating systems. You can get a slightly clearer idea by reading trade magazines and Web sites that focus on PC hardware and software. You'll get the clearest view of your future if you keep your head down, keep working hard in this economy, and ignore everything you hear about Windows 7 and Vista coming from Microsoft.
Work hard and stay focused for now. Let the operating system mess clean itself up before you start worrying about which Microsoft MessOS to use in your new computers.
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Not a good idea - unless they want liability
So, can you see it now?(1) Bought Windows 7
(2) Downgraded to Windows XP
(3) Lost Functionality or Security
(4) Microsoft sued for product non-functionality & misrepresenting.
Win 7 is pretty cool
Unless it gets bastardized in some way before release, win 7 is much faster than XP. After playing with if for a while, I ditched my Ubuntu partion in favour of win 7. All the speed and none of the low quality linux apps.Allowing Windows 7 to XP Downgrades – Very Smart!
I just had to comment about James Gaskins' article concerning Microsoft Windows 7. WOW, talk about being hostile without thinking past his prejudice. Linux distros, MAC OS, and XP are favored to each respective user group. You can find faults with any Operating System. None are perfect. Did James Gaskin even test the public beta of Windows 7? I have, and it is running great. I've push it hard and found that it is stable. Windows 7 is a work in progress. I am looking forward to a much improved Windows 7 when it is finally released for sale. I think Microsoft deserves credit for finally listening to their customers. Vista had its issues at first, but it smoothed out overtime. Yes, there are customers who would prefer Windows XP over Vista because of compatibility issues, but I look forward to innovations like Windows 7 to move us along. I have one request for Microsoft: please improve the speed and usefulness of Windows 7 Basic to run on older lesser computer products. Not everone can purchase a new computer and printer and you would see sales of Windows 7 Upgrades jump 10,000%. Lets hope Microsoft with keep listening to their customers, and even consider James Gaskin comments.