The Last Days of Windows 7

[RitualJman]

I my self will be keeping windows 7, the reasoning for this is because i've had a chance to play with a copy of windows 8 (developers release) and i did not like what i saw at all. Don't get me wrong it was fast, but i did notice that the performence was bit sluggish compared to Windows 7. The start menu is not end user friendly by anymeans. The start menu also seems a bit sluggish, windows 8 like come could they not come up with a different name. Windows 7 fits the OS but windows 8 just doesn't fit that new OS that will be coming to market. personaly Mircosoft could have done so so much better, but they really missed the target on this one. Althought thats nothing new for them. Example, Vista was a train wreck, yea for some it worked and didn't cause them any problems, and other, most people it was nothing but problems. Don't get me wrong since that time when i tried windows 8 out they could have changed the start menu or just simply inproved it all together. I am unsure of the system specs, but i ran it on a older dual core system it's 1.8GHZ, 3GB DDR2 533, and on board video and it ran real smooth on that.


RitualJman

 

[magnetite]

I my self will be keeping windows 7, the reasoning for this is because i've had a chance to play with a copy of windows 8 (developers release) and i did not like what i saw at all. Don't get me wrong it was fast, but i did notice that the performence was bit sluggish compared to Windows 7.

Developers versions are usually before a beta I believe. So there's still lots of bugs to be worked out before the official release to the public.

 

[Barman58]

The available platform preview is as stated a Pre Beta, It is also aimed at potential developers of applications for the Metro Interface.

As the work on the majority of the User interface for Desktop use has not been included in the build, even if it has been developed, this preview should not be used to judge what the final look and feel of Windows 8 will be.

The new task manager does give a flavour of what may be in the actual OS so suggest that people should wait at least until the full Beta before dismissing the OS

 

[Maguscreed]

It's not even completely that it's just getting to the point where they are releasing os's faster than I replace primary systems. This is going to lead to multiple os purchases for a single system.
My new system will be up and running next week, it will obviously have windows 7 on it. I seriously doubt I'll ever put win 8 on unless they make dx12 exclusive to it or some other such gaming feature that I just 'have to have'.

 

[Barman58]

Let's be honest about this ....

The people that will upgrade the OS on a current system will be limited to Computer Professionals, Computer Journalists, (separation of roles Intentional ), and (Uber)Geeks, The vast majority of private and business users only ever change the OS they use when they buy new hardware, I doubt the release of Windows 8 will change this

Personally I will run the Beta and the RC and have the OS on at least one machine when it goes RTM, I am not a Normal user, I support others so have to be up to date,

The fact that Microsoft appears to be returning to their three year release cycle makes sense for them, from both the technical and commercial view, but just because a new OS is available does not make it's use compulsory,

 

[Maguscreed]

but just because a new OS is available does not make it's use compulsory,

This is what I fear is the next step.
Nature of the beast at some point someone will get greedy enough to suggest it, and of course the accountants will think it's a great idea.

I don't know it's not that likely to happen really, but it's not without precedent either. I think a big part of why Microsoft has remained so open and continued to support older os's for so long is because of bill and his personal view on things. He's essentially not an active part of the company anymore at this point though.

 

[lehnerus2000]

but just because a new OS is available does not make it's use compulsory,

This is what I fear is the next step.
Nature of the beast at some point someone will get greedy enough to suggest it, and of course the accountants will think it's a great idea.

I don't know it's not that likely to happen really, but it's not without precedent either. I think a big part of why Microsoft has remained so open and continued to support older os's for so long is because of bill and his personal view on things. He's essentially not an active part of the company anymore at this point though.

They can't risk alienating "Big Business" either.

 

[Maguscreed]

Well in that scenario they would work out some sort of contract.
They want all the businesses on a cloud anyhow.

 

[cluberti]

You mean like the contracts they have now, where businesses don't actually license a specific version of Windows, they buy a license for "Windows" itself, and are allowed to download/install any currently supported version?

 

[Maguscreed]

No more like how you would lease a vehicle where the old one is taken back and you replace it with a newer model.
What you are suggesting doesn't imply that they can no longer use the previous version.
In the current scenario they can.

 

[cluberti]

Yes, indeed they can go back to Windows XP under a VL agreement with SA. Obviously in April 2014 going back to XP for new installations won't be possible under such a contract anymore, but until then, yes, it would be possible. I doubt at that point new licensed installs would be Vista, so there would be a slight uptick in Win7 or Win8 installations after that point too, prospectively.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I think that Maguscreed was suggesting, businesses would rent Windows servers from MS (they'd only have "dumb" clients).

Under that terrifying scenario ("The Cloud" model) MS wouldn't be supporting older Windows versions at all.

They'd still try to enforce copyright, etc. on the old versions though.
Anyone who wasn't renting Windows would be investigated.
Better keep those receipts handy.

This "Cloud" garbage is the "Holy Grail" for software companies.
No more piracy(?) and perpetual payments for access (rented software).

 

[JerometheGiraff]

The computer industry has no direction, anymore. We are literally, I feel at the Cul-de-sac.

 

[legacy7955]

I think that Maguscreed was suggesting, businesses would rent Windows servers from MS (they'd only have "dumb" clients).

Under that terrifying scenario ("The Cloud" model) MS wouldn't be supporting older Windows versions at all.

They'd still try to enforce copyright, etc. on the old versions though.
Anyone who wasn't renting Windows would be investigated.
Better keep those receipts handy.

This "Cloud" garbage is the "Holy Grail" for software companies.
No more piracy(?) and perpetual payments for access (rented software).

Very good observations.

 

[Maguscreed]

...and yes that was the general direction I was aiming.

 

[cluberti]

Well, while I am not sure I would like it, I am not sure I would necessarily blame them either. Especially in Asia, piracy of software (not just Microsoft) is rampant.

 

[Maguscreed]

People copy and share stuff they like, it has been that way throughout history and I'm quite certain it will continue.
There was a time in france when copying meant public torture and death, people still did it.
I'm not advocating piracy, but all attempts to prevent it are essentially doomed to fail, history has proven it.
The best prevention of piracy is a good product that is priced affordable.
Things are generally shared because people like them. In many instances it's a form of advertisement.
Take the japanese anime industry. It exploded after fansub groups started spreading anime through the p2p networks.

...then this amazing thing happened. Demand for them exploded all over the world and the industry has never been stronger even in this time of world wide economic recession.

Piracy is a weird thing and while I don't participate in it primarily based on a moral position, I do understand that it can in fact serve a positive benefit. It's a tricky thing to really measure or figure out though because I know for a fact that a download does not exactly equal loss of a sale because people will download free stuff just because it's free and delete it 10 minutes later.

Anyhow I know a lot of people will never except the off site storage of their data, I'm one of them.
Any cloud is doomed to be hacked eventually, especially as you put larger and larger amounts of goodies on those servers.

And when a massive loss of data does occur either though failure, or hacker... whatever does the trick.
They'll not be liable for your lost information, and will likely just release a 'we're sorry' statement like sony did when the psn was hacked recently. If you're lucky they might kick you a month or 2 of free service.

No thanks. I'll be the first to admit that none of this is clear black and white, there are a lot of things to consider, but it really just does not seem like a good idea to me.

 

[MilesAhead]

I have a laptop and I am not upgrading to windows 8. I will eventuality get anyways if I ever get a desktop probably or a better laptop.

Based on the old Windows adage, "every second release is an improvement", you should wait until Windows 9.

My thought exactly.

By the time I can afford to buy another tower they'll likely have 9 pre-installed.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Single "Point of Failure"

Take the japanese anime industry. It exploded after fansub groups started spreading anime through the p2p networks.

...then this amazing thing happened. Demand for them exploded all over the world and the industry has never been stronger even in this time of world wide economic recession.

Apparently a lot of producers are struggling.
Allegedly they get paid a pittance from the TV networks and supposedly rely on DVD and Blu-ray sales.
Sounds like Hollywood.

I read an article last week.
An episode of some show, allegedly sells for a couple of $US (in the US, on disc) sells for about $US40 in Japan.

... because I know for a fact that a download does not exactly equal loss of a sale because people will download free stuff just because it's free and delete it 10 minutes later.

I agree that can happen.

Anyhow I know a lot of people will never except the off site storage of their data, I'm one of them.
Any cloud is doomed to be hacked eventually, especially as you put larger and larger amounts of goodies on those servers.

Exactly:

• Single "Point of Failure".
• Each extra stored byte makes the target, more tempting for nefarious persons.

And when a massive loss of data does occur either though failure, or hacker... whatever does the trick.
They'll not be liable for your lost information, and will likely just release a 'we're sorry' statement like sony did when the psn was hacked recently. If you're lucky they might kick you a month or 2 of free service.

Security costs money, which eats into CEO bonuses.

The only way to have even a semi-secure "Cloud" is to have MASSIVE fines for data loss, theft and/or unauthorised access (e.g. $1/Byte).
Also the fine should be levied against the BOD and CEO, not the company (IMO, this should apply in every corporate SNAFU case).

The Sony incident shows, even giant companies are no better at computer/network security, than ordinary users.

No thanks. I'll be the first to admit that none of this is clear black and white, there are a lot of things to consider, but it really just does not seem like a good idea to me.

Agreed.

 

[chrisjw37]

If Win 8 is another Vista - we'll be keeping Win 7

...it just works; if it ain't broke, don't fix it!