July 1st, 2009

Why Windows 7 should be free

Posted by Robin Harris @ 6:49 am

Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Software, Robin Harris

After the Vista fiasco, Microsoft owes its long-suffering customers more than a “screaming deal.” They’re owed an apology from Steve Ballmer - and a free copy of ~~Vista SP3~~ Windows 7.

The backstory
Vista’s market failure was not a surprise inside Microsoft. Senior development execs - people who’d actually cut code on large enterprise-quality projects - knew that the project’s many slips, redefinitions and feature cuts were symptoms of a far deeper problem.

The out-of-control development wasn’t just a problem inside Microsoft: it burnt thousands of outside developers too. Many finally gave up on the ever-changing Vista betas to wait for the final shipping product - leading to the application and driver issues that burnt so many users - including Microsoft director and former President Jon Shirley.

Let the grown-ups drive
Windows 7 is coming out so quickly and to such great reviews not because Microsoft hired people who could code - but because they re-architected their development process. While that is a Good Thing it also points to why Windows 7 should be free: Vista was flawed from the beginning.

What about XP?
XP users should pay for Windows 7 because it is a new OS for them. But Vista users - especially people who bought “Vista Capable” machines or retail copies - are owed much more.

The Storage Bits take
Really, is giving people 50% off on the product you should have shipped in the first place a “screaming deal?” I don’t think so.

The Vista train wreck - years in the making - is a long term blot on Microsoft’s reputation. Doing the right thing for customers today will pay dividends tomorrow.

And the Ballmer apology? He’s the CEO and the entire fiasco took place on his watch. The buck stops there and he should own up to it.

Comments welcome, of course.

Robin Harris has been messing with computers for over 30 years and selling and marketing data storage for over 20 in companies large and small. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

Email Robin Harris

Subscribe to Storage Bits via Email alerts or RSS.

Related Discussions on TechRepublic

Did you know you can take part in these discussions with your ZDNet membership?

Talkback
Most Recent of 260 Talkback(s)

Thread View
Flat View

RE: Why Windows 7 should be free: I think anyone who has invested in continuing Microsoft
OS should be allowed some type of discount to upgrade to
its next OS.... (Read the rest); Posted by: jrg5067 Posted on: 10/26/09 You are currently: a Guest | Log in | Terms of Use

Winning pricing johnfenjackson@... | 07/01/09

Winning pricing lehnerus2000 | 07/01/09

Pricing merits johnfenjackson@... | 07/01/09

I'd go for that adr5@... | 07/02/09

Free for Vista users T1Oracle | 07/01/09

I can't take it anymore vermonter | 07/02/09

Dude you're flying the wrong way! jeremychappell | 09/18/09

must be a newbie! dlmohn | 07/03/09

I have to agree... sgmunson | 07/06/09

Ultimate is small change over Professional Patanjali | 07/26/09

Windows IS Free From OEM VONDRASHEK@... | 07/01/09

I can forgive... wolf_z | 07/02/09

Yeah. Willing to pay for Windows just like they're willing to pay US taxes No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 07/06/09

Ermmm ... de-void | 07/06/09

Re: Ermmm ... Linux loosing netbook market dargoth11 | 10/13/09

Vista...just another in a long line of trash OSes from Microsoft. IT_Guy_z | 07/01/09

Snow Leopard....Apple is charging Jobs diciples for Leopard bloat fix. xuniL_z | 07/02/09

Actually.. Windows 7 IS a lot like Snow Leopard... Wolfie2K3 | 07/02/09

I know that wolfie2k3. xuniL_z | 07/03/09

Actually, Win7 includes a TON of NEW code! de-void | 07/06/09

Bloat fix? Really? Just removing support for the PowerPC chip. No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 07/06/09

You have a limited knowledge of 64-bit de-void | 07/06/09

zki...i mean NMMSE.....Devoid has put it in perspective for you. But even.. xuniL_z | 07/08/09

MS Windows... prof123 | 09/17/09

1/3 of ALL companies in North America and Europe are running Vista now? irajiii@... | 08/03/09

Bob was never released ... it was just a "Proof Of Concept" de-void | 07/06/09

Am I the only one who had zero problems with Vista? aalhc5@... | 07/01/09

count me too kamilw | 07/01/09

Nor me. fr0thy2 | 07/01/09

No pdskep | 07/01/09

No you're not... ths40 | 07/01/09

Even a PR-generated problem is a problem. nizuse | 07/01/09

Something Apple does not practice GuidingLight | 07/01/09

"Truth in advertizing"???? Haaaarrrhhhhaaaarrrrhaaaaaarrrrrrrr! de-void | 07/06/09

Me neither! InAction Man | 07/01/09

See you are a child bobiroc | 07/02/09

Vista has no problems. cfischer83@... | 07/01/09

Oh Really? Leave it ON long enough with no reboots and see what will happen InAction Man | 07/01/09

Used a notebook with vista x64 for two years honeymonster | 07/01/09

Can you read? InAction Man | 07/01/09

Why should I care about never having to reboot? aalhc5@... | 07/01/09

You shouldn't InAction Man | 07/01/09

Nothing to do with stability aalhc5@... | 07/01/09

Just read the article, hmm kay? Then you'll understand! InAction Man | 07/02/09

If never having to reboot is your biggest bragging point... canyouhearmenow2 | 07/01/09

No, the biggest bragging point is having nothing to hide from you InAction Man | 07/02/09

I like technical superiority. xuniL_z | 07/03/09

wow, no power failures? billw1234 | 07/03/09

Since your experience is obviously limited to one computer chrome_slinky@... | 07/02/09

Just how many of those problems are windows problems? bobiroc | 07/02/09

I do cfischer83@... | 07/01/09

I did two v*sta reinstallations on friend's machines last fall InAction Man | 07/02/09

I said when YOU get Vista... cfischer83@... | 07/02/09

I've tinkered with it more than once InAction Man | 07/02/09

Come on zkiwi xuniL_z | 07/03/09

So? cfischer83@... | 07/03/09

@cdfisher83 I commend you for your ability to remain even toned and positiv xuniL_z | 07/04/09

Such a shame Cayble | 07/02/09

Is that so strange, people asking for help only when they're in trouble? InAction Man | 07/02/09

If you take note; Cayble | 07/02/09

Bottom line Northlite | 07/02/09

See most of my calls are... bobiroc | 07/02/09

My desktop stays on 24/7 no problem MeMyselfAndI_z | 07/02/09

Doing nothing most of time, right? InAction Man | 07/02/09

A meaningless distinction wolf_z | 07/02/09

Nope, Linux does not need that! InAction Man | 07/02/09

InAction Man: Stop Spamming That Story! MissingMatter | 07/02/09

@MissingMatter: What happens if they go under? Nothing! It's GPL software InAction Man | 07/02/09

Thanks for the personal attack MissingMatter | 07/02/09

@MissingMatter: I didn't spam the story, I was hoping people could see InAction Man | 07/02/09

Thank you, and by the way MissingMatter | 07/02/09

@InAction Man: It might be nice if you stopped assuming everyone is dumb aalhc5@... | 07/02/09

@AALHC5@... You are really being far too kind..... xuniL_z | 07/03/09

He doesn't really have a point Peter Perry | 08/01/09

24/7????? omahamike | 07/02/09

Count me in that 1 in a million then bobiroc | 07/02/09

Mike - THAT MANY BSOD's means you have a hardware or driver problem de-void | 07/06/09

Yeah Right! Peter Perry | 08/01/09

Well, on the server front MeMyselfAndI_z | 07/02/09

Thats the only time I reboot my servers bobiroc | 07/02/09

It just runs... No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/02/09

Into a crash... InAction Man | 07/02/09

You really are clueless. Oh wait, you don't even have it No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/02/09

I have lots of experience. I used it until July 2008, many hours a day. InAction Man | 07/02/09

@ No Action Man bobiroc | 07/02/09

Nope, never linked to anything yours bobi InAction Man | 07/02/09

At which point one assumes you were fired. Sleeper Service | 07/02/09

Man you are a tard bobiroc | 07/02/09

Tard: Someone who cant see its v*sta desktop is nothing compared to Linux InAction Man | 07/02/09

There you go again bobiroc | 07/02/09

Rendering movies? Like... Pixar? InAction Man | 07/02/09

No not like Pixar bobiroc | 07/02/09

Rendering movies...like the other 99% of the freakin population. aalhc5@... | 07/02/09

Thanks for the link Ole Man | 07/03/09

You two get a room... BFD | 07/03/09

Oh, I've got a room, already Ole Man | 07/03/09

Did That! Peter Perry | 08/01/09

IAM, a PC... Earthling2 | 09/17/09

Funny Richard Flude | 07/01/09

lol cfischer83@... | 07/01/09

Guess you should do some research as well... canyouhearmenow2 | 07/02/09

Umm, your wrong stano360 | 07/02/09

Umm, you are wrong Joeman57 | 07/02/09

Oh no, eb276 canyouhearmenow2 | 07/02/09

No...you're wrong Spuddrok | 07/02/09

Ask... cfischer83@... | 07/02/09

Richard, name one OS that has not had problems. xuniL_z | 07/03/09

I didn't think so Ricky. nt xuniL_z | 07/04/09

Vista; stable but not team player zenwalker | 07/05/09

My first car was a Chevy Cavalier Michael Kelly | 07/01/09

Another car analogy! No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 07/06/09

No - no problems here honeymonster | 07/01/09