Microsoft’s Vista Roll Out Begins

Yesterday, Microsoft began its global roll out of its new Vista operating system. It is designed to replace Windows XP. At the same time, the company has released an updated office suite called Office 2007 as well as a new version of Exchange, its networking software. While this news will not affect most computer users for months, the magnitude of the effort is noteworthy.

Microsoft reportedly had more than 10,000 people working on the new operating system. Originally known as “Longhorn,” the project took fives years instead of the planned three. The corporate version is out now, but the consumer variety won’t be around until January. This means it won’t be pre-loaded on a lot of the computers that wind up under Christmas trees.

The company claims (and could well be right in doing so) that Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange all together could result in huge productivity increases in the corporate world. The six different flavors of Vista allow low-end users to run a simpler version than those who have the need (and one presumes the ability to operate) a heftier OS. Whether it is the best thing since sliced bread, only time will tell.

There are troubles, though, in upgrading, which isn’t really the fault of Microsoft but is inherent in the nature of trading in old software for new. Leaving to one side the human users, having security protocols adapt to the new code is not automatic. Compatibility of various drivers is another issue. The biggest screaming seems to be from the programmers from other companies whose software must run on Vista – since they haven’t seen all of the relevant code, they can’t be sure everything they are doing will work. For gaming companies, this is not good; for anti-virus firms, well, the ramifications are internet-wide. The less said about anti-monopoly regulation in Europe, the better.

This journal is no fan of Microsoft products. Linux and Open Office provide the necessary computing support, for free. However, one must acknowledge the sheer magnitude of the task Microsoft has apparently accomplished. Its programmers have essentially rewritten the rule book for 90% of the world’s computers. In two years’ time, most computer users will have re-learned their machines. Whether it is profitable or not, whether it is more useful or not, it truly has an impact on the world economy.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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