Microsoft recently introduced Windows 7, the latest version of its operating system. David Coursey, an IT expert, while attending a briefing by Microsoft to explain the new features of Windows 7 to reviewers across the globe, came up with 10 findings which may affect the popularity of the new operating system.
The findings were actually a comparison between Windows 7 and its earlier versions. Here they are: 1. Windows 7 should not be positioned in relation to Windows Vista. Instead it should be considered as a successor to Windows XP.
2. It shouldn’t be viewed as Vista SP2 or Vista Lite. It looks like a new operating system and should be treated like one.
3.Windows 7 should be able to run on hardware which runs Windows XP. Vista grabbed an early reputation as a resource hog. The new operating system must avoid this.
4. Since Windows 7 cannot upgrade an existing Windows XP installation, Microsoft should provide easy transition tools. A copy of Windows 7 and a flash drive or small stack of DVDs needs to move all my data and my applications and my settings to the new operating system. Means, Microsoft should send an applications disc with Windows 7.
5. If a customer has to reinstall his applications, Windows 7 will not be a welcome upgrade.
6. If Microsoft does not or cannot accomplish the previous items, then it should not promote Windows 7 as an upgrade but offer it on new hardware only. This will avoid one of the major factors in Vista's failure - Its inability to run well on the system that people already own.
7. The Windows 7 user experience is not wildly different from XP the way Vista is.
This will make it easier for companies to have a mix of Windows XP and Windows 7.
8. I like what I have seen of Windows 7.
But I have yet to hear Microsoft offer a good reason besides ‘a wide range of improvements’ for me to upgrade. If it comes only on new hardware, that’s fine. Some people will then decide they like the new operating system and upgrade older machines as a result. But if Microsoft hopes to sell an upgrade it needs to look at how Apple sells its upgrades.
9. Apple sells features and applications that are included with the operating system as major upgrade benefits. If Microsoft included more significant applications with Windows 7, maybe it could make them more important to customers.
10. Economic or technical reasons should not bring the release of Windows 7 and Office 14 together. You can consult David for more details and to clarify your doubts.
david@coursey.com., www.itworld.com