A plea to the Windows team: Don’t make Windows 7 too Mac-like

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1747

Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the
difference between “simple� and “easy� in the context of Windows 7.

Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface
elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released
to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me
nodding my head in agreement.

I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft.
When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 — with its JumpLists, AeroPeek,
AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy — I was torn. I want some of what’s
coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and restore,
better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy
bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.

Thurrott blogged:

“Windows 7 basically takes Windows one step closer to the design
aesthetic of the Mac, where form is valued over function. I’m not sure this
is the right strategy. Simplicity, taken in isolation, may seem like a good
idea. But I’m afraid that in Windows 7, Microsoft is sacrificing too much in
its bid to be more like Apple. And it’s the users of Windows who will pay
the price.�

If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value
ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don’t have to be mutually
exclusive — and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it
provides testers with the Superbar — maybe they won’t.

(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January 13,
is supposed to be feature-complete, I’m expecting we’ll get to see what the
Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win 7
Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it’s not too long until
we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)

If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I’d buy a Mac. I want an computing
environment that helps me get my work done and doesn’t require a how-to
manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce
“Windows 7 Luddite Edition� for those of us who value function over form?

What’s your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows 7
in Mac OS X’s image?

On a related note, for more Windows 7 analysis — in podcast form with yours
truly and The Register’s Software Editor Gavin Clarke — check out the latest
edition of “MicroBite.�

"Bob Campbell" <> wrote in message
news: m...
"Vix" <> wrote in message
news:OgT$...
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1747
>
> Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the
> difference between “simple� and “easy� in the context of Windows 7.

The funny thing about this is that with each new release of OS X, there are
a bunch of Mac users who complain that "the Mac is getting to be too much
like Windows"!

Oh The Irony.
-------
Somebody will complain, no matter who does what, it is the way of the world.

On Wed, 3 Dec 2008 21:48:04 +0200, "Vix" <> wrote:

>http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1747
>
>Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the
>difference between “simple” and “easy” in the context of Windows 7.
>
>Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface
>elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released
>to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me
>nodding my head in agreement.
>
>I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft.
>When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 — with its JumpLists, AeroPeek,
>AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy — I was torn. I want some of what’s
>coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and restore,
>better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy
>bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.
>
>Thurrott blogged:
>
> “Windows 7 basically takes Windows one step closer to the design
>aesthetic of the Mac, where form is valued over function. I’m not sure this
>is the right strategy. Simplicity, taken in isolation, may seem like a good
>idea. But I’m afraid that in Windows 7, Microsoft is sacrificing too much in
>its bid to be more like Apple. And it’s the users of Windows who will pay
>the price.”
>
>If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value
>ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don’t have to be mutually
>exclusive — and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it
>provides testers with the Superbar — maybe they won’t.
>
>(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January 13,
>is supposed to be feature-complete, I’m expecting we’ll get to see what the
>Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win 7
>Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it’s not too long until
>we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)
>
>If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I’d buy a Mac. I want an computing
>environment that helps me get my work done and doesn’t require a how-to
>manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce
>“Windows 7 Luddite Edition” for those of us who value function over form?
>
>What’s your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows 7
>in Mac OS X’s image?
>
>On a related note, for more Windows 7 analysis — in podcast form with yours
>truly and The Register’s Software Editor Gavin Clarke — check out the latest
>edition of “MicroBite.”

Get serious. Windows is one thing Mac never was or will be. A steaming
stinking pile of **** that bloats your computer, encourages malware,
tens of thousands of viruses to attack along with worms, Trojans and
on top of that Windows simply sucks and is designed to crash for no
reason on a regular basis because the idiots Microsoft hires as
"software engineers" have they heads so far up their ass non of them
have seen daylight in years.

"Ringmaster" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Wed, 3 Dec 2008 21:48:04 +0200, "Vix" <> wrote:
>
>>http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1747
>>
>>Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the
>>difference between "simple" and "easy" in the context of Windows 7.
>>
>>Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface
>>elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released
>>to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me
>>nodding my head in agreement.
>>
>>I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft.
>>When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 - with its JumpLists, AeroPeek,
>>AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy - I was torn. I want some of what's
>>coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and
>>restore,
>>better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy
>>bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.
>>
>>Thurrott blogged:
>>
>> "Windows 7 basically takes Windows one step closer to the design
>>aesthetic of the Mac, where form is valued over function. I'm not sure
>>this
>>is the right strategy. Simplicity, taken in isolation, may seem like a
>>good
>>idea. But I'm afraid that in Windows 7, Microsoft is sacrificing too much
>>in
>>its bid to be more like Apple. And it's the users of Windows who will pay
>>the price."
>>
>>If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value
>>ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don't have to be
>>mutually
>>exclusive - and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it
>>provides testers with the Superbar - maybe they won't.
>>
>>(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January
>>13,
>>is supposed to be feature-complete, I'm expecting we'll get to see what
>>the
>>Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win
>>7
>>Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it's not too long
>>until
>>we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)
>>
>>If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I'd buy a Mac. I want an computing
>>environment that helps me get my work done and doesn't require a how-to
>>manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce
>>"Windows 7 Luddite Edition" for those of us who value function over form?
>>
>>What's your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows
>>7
>>in Mac OS X's image?
>>
>>On a related note, for more Windows 7 analysis - in podcast form with
>>yours
>>truly and The Register's Software Editor Gavin Clarke - check out the
>>latest
>>edition of "MicroBite."
>
> Get serious. Windows is one thing Mac never was or will be. A steaming
> stinking pile of **** that bloats your computer, encourages malware,
> tens of thousands of viruses to attack along with worms, Trojans and
> on top of that Windows simply sucks and is designed to crash for no
> reason on a regular basis because the idiots Microsoft hires as
> "software engineers" have they heads so far up their ass non of them
> have seen daylight in years.

You are talking out your ass again. YOU have your head shoved so far up
your ass, you can lick your tonsils.

What happened? Did they let you out of a cell so you can be a douche bag
again in vista.general? You love to come crawling back so we can kick your
sorry ass all over the planet.

The real problem with Windows 7, based on all I have read (including the
cited web sites) is that Windows 7 is no more than a Vista service pack that
Microsoft is going to force users to pay for as an upgrade.
The only interesting thing I have read about Win7 is that the software has
been improved to speed up disc access. Microsoft OWES this upgrade to all
Vista users as slow disc access is the worst aspect of the many abominations
that constitute the Vista OS. Well, networking might even be worse . . .
There are already many public statements by Microsoft to the effect that
Win7 is merely a tweaked Vista. As such they are inviting a massive
class-action lawsuit and possibly a DOJ investigation if they are going to
charge for this thing. I would be surprised if the European Union, which is
not friendly to Microsoft, does not pursue the issue.
As a long time Windows user I find the Mac OS non-intuitive and in no way
better (but no worse, either) than any Win9x or higher interface. If you
stress the MacOS, which few of its users do (or can, since there are few
programs or tasks that are available for the Mac-like hi end 3d gaming- that
will ever stress the system) it is no more stable than any Windows OS. There
isn't even a coherent 64 bit software development kit for the Mac (see Adobe
CS4).
When malware makers decide to attack the MacOS en mass-and they will-- Steve
Jobs will have a lot of explaining to do.

"trouble" <> wrote in message
news:...
> The real problem with Windows 7, based on all I have read (including the
> cited web sites) is that Windows 7 is no more than a Vista service pack
> that Microsoft is going to force users to pay for as an upgrade.

Would you like to enlighten those of us that do know about Windows 7 and are
using it and developing for it - why you think it is no more then a "service
pack for Vista"?
--
Mike Brannigan

"trouble" <> wrote in message
news:...
> The real problem with Windows 7, based on all I have read (including the
> cited web sites) is that Windows 7 is no more than a Vista service pack
> that Microsoft is going to force users to pay for as an upgrade.
> The only interesting thing I have read about Win7 is that the software has
> been improved to speed up disc access. Microsoft OWES this upgrade to all
> Vista users as slow disc access is the worst aspect of the many
> abominations that constitute the Vista OS. Well, networking might even be
> worse . . .
> There are already many public statements by Microsoft to the effect that
> Win7 is merely a tweaked Vista. As such they are inviting a massive
> class-action lawsuit and possibly a DOJ investigation if they are going to
> charge for this thing. I would be surprised if the European Union, which
> is not friendly to Microsoft, does not pursue the issue.
> As a long time Windows user I find the Mac OS non-intuitive and in no way
> better (but no worse, either) than any Win9x or higher interface. If you
> stress the MacOS, which few of its users do (or can, since there are few
> programs or tasks that are available for the Mac-like hi end 3d gaming-
> that will ever stress the system) it is no more stable than any Windows
> OS. There isn't even a coherent 64 bit software development kit for the
> Mac (see Adobe CS4).
> When malware makers decide to attack the MacOS en mass-and they will--
> Steve Jobs will have a lot of explaining to do.
>
>

Ringmaster wrote:

>
> Get serious. Windows is one thing Mac never was or will be. A steaming
> stinking pile of **** that bloats your computer, encourages malware,
> tens of thousands of viruses to attack along with worms, Trojans and
> on top of that Windows simply sucks and is designed to crash for no
> reason on a regular basis because the idiots Microsoft hires as
> "software engineers" have they heads so far up their ass non of them
> have seen daylight in years.
-----------------------------------------
It must be very depressing to be you.

> As such they are inviting a massive class-action lawsuit and possibly a
> DOJ investigation if they are going to charge for this thing. I would be
> surprised if the European Union, which is not friendly to Microsoft, does
> not pursue the issue.


What rubbish! Unlike Microsoft, Apple charge for every service pack to OSX!
Sauce for the goose, etc......

SteveT

"FBonServer2008X32" <> wrote in message
news:gh70e3$96i$...
> Ringmaster wrote:
>
>>
>> Get serious. Windows is one thing Mac never was or will be. A steaming
>> stinking pile of **** that bloats your computer, encourages malware,
>> tens of thousands of viruses to attack along with worms, Trojans and
>> on top of that Windows simply sucks and is designed to crash for no
>> reason on a regular basis because the idiots Microsoft hires as
>> "software engineers" have they heads so far up their ass non of them
>> have seen daylight in years.
> -----------------------------------------
> It must be very depressing to be you.

You are correct. My dad kicked my ass today for being such a dumb ****.

"Steve Thackery" <> wrote in message
news:...
>> As such they are inviting a massive class-action lawsuit and possibly a
>> DOJ investigation if they are going to charge for this thing. I would be
>> surprised if the European Union, which is not friendly to Microsoft, does
>> not pursue the issue.
>
>
> What rubbish! Unlike Microsoft, Apple charge for every service pack to
> OSX! Sauce for the goose, etc......
>
> SteveT

Ha-Ha! Not to mention the hugely BLOATED pricing Apple has always done on
all their products! So salt in the wound is having to PAY for a service
pack! People complain about Micro$oft, and it's greed, and I don't disagree
there, but Steve Jobs and Apple really aren't much different.

G'day