The End For Windows

[astroron]

This may make a lot of people happy:):):):)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7540282.stm

[Wavytone]

Microsoft is pretty poor at coming up with new concepts that work and I expect this will be a flop for a host of obvious reasons.

[Glenhuon]

Not really.

Quote:

"Eighty percent of Windows sales are made when a new PC is sold," he said. "That's a huge amount of money for them that they do not have to go out and get. "If Windows ends up being less important over time as applications become more OS agnostic where will Microsoft make its money?" he asked.

Easy, they charge you everytime you use it off the server. That way they have you by the short and curlies and cream a lot of cash in the process. :)
Might be OK for a business with multiple machines but not much use to your average home user. This idea of accessing software, over the net for instance, has been mooted before. Not much use if you don't or can't have a reliable net connection. Sounds like another idea for MS to have tighter control of how you use your machine. Will probably end up like Vista anyway, a total pain in the butt :)

Bill (Ludd)

[Lyinxz]

I think Mac Lovers forget to see that IF Mac's became as mainstream as Windows. It would have just as many problems.

[nightsky]

G'Day,
And what about "Amiga" lovers,the only computer years ahead of it's time.They had Windoz" long before "Billy" even thought of it.And NO it was not just for games,NASA used a Amiga 2000 for years until IBM made them a deal they could not refuse.Just thought I throw that bit of trivia in :P
Cheers
Arthur

[acropolite]

I think Microsoft have in the past and are now continuing, to place far more importance on internet connectivity than is necessary or wanted.

For me at least internet connectivity is very low on the radar, sure I use it, but primarily the PC is for other uses, the internet, email and downloads are simply tools that make my other tasks more efficient and effective.

I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to see a slimmer, more robust (stable) and efficient OS, Bill and the team can keep the bloat & bling.

Come to think of it, most if not all software developers could do with a bloat removal program.

[Robh]

This is probably in response to Google's venture into online applications (Google Apps) where software is in situ on the net and not on your computer's hard drive. Google is already working towards an online operating system (Google Chrome). The idea is that eventually your net access program (e.g. Internet Explorer, Safari) and operating system merge into one application to manage online software and documents.
Google are counting on more and more people using their online applications as they are free. They can also just update applications automatically from their servers. Of course, they make their money from advertising. Documents can also be located on the web so you can access them from anywhere but security is a big issue.
The potential is enormous to whoever gets control of applications on the web.

[Wavytone]

One of the prime objectives of Snow Leopard when it is released in the wild later this year - OSX and its apps are going on a diet. A useful speed increment should be a side benefit.

Back on topic - the business model behind this Microsoft concept is simply the software lease or pay as you use model, and its just an attempt to stop people using their s/w for free.
Both these business models have been shown to be a flop in the past both at the level of major corporate customers and personal home users; the former will not accept the business being stopped dead by net access being denied, while the users of grey (illegal) copies will switch to something else - XP, Linux - or OSX rather than pay up.

And do you really fancy handing over your credit card details for MS to charge every time you launch MS Explorer, Outlook, or Word ?
Do you really trust MS with your credit or bank details, knowing they are the one developer incapable of writing a secure browser or mail client ?
Would you accept being denied access to your files because you didn't pay last months bill ?
What happens if you want to stop and switch to something else - I'll bet your data is encrupted in some very difficult if not incompatoble format unsupported by anything else, in order to lock you in to this system.

Only a fool would sign up to this.

[Omaroo]

No - sorry...no really true.

MacOS, in every iteration that's been, has always matched the hardware because Apple are, and always were, very strict on what would run and how. Vendors are tighty controlled, and this leads to a generally more stable platform for everyone involved. Apple architecture has always been typically more expensive - but this is one of the reasons why.

Application software? Same deal. Strict control.

[Enchilada]

The end of windows?

Nah!

Might be a bit too chilly in the wintertime. :lol:

Still got a copy of Windows 2.0 and Windows 3.1 (with DOS), and even some versions of WordStar 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, if anyone wants it?

(Pity, as I probably can't give it away or even re-sell Windows though - you know - Microsoft's draconian policy of non-distribution of software still applies!) :scared:

[xnomad]

I stopped using Windows at home in 2004. I've been using Linux since 1999 but by 2004 there's nothing Linux can't do except play some games and do the etax return but just run these under Wine or as a VM.

My home machines are routers, media servers, database servers etc. I can be out and about, realise there's a movie on telly tonight that I'd like to see. Connect to it via my mobile and download the programme in HD to my storage device. Total cost of the 'Tivo' like device? $70 for the tv card and that's all!
Linux is free Tivo is $700.

I can't understand why anyone would pay money for an operating system especially an inferior one and then pay money for extra software when It's all available for free. :screwy:

It's not a difficult OS to learn, download an easy distro like Ubuntu and when you are stuck there is a huge online community and mountains of information at your fingertips to help you.

[Miaplacidus]

Who remembers Mac system 7. I always liked System 7. Elegant, intuitive, robust, efficient, economical.
...sigh...

Cloud computing... Is that vapourware?

[Enchilada]

Nah! It is just yet another evil way to blot out the stars and sky for us amateurs... :sadeyes:

[gman]

I would be very hesitant about signing up to go down this road.

Call it a conspiracy theory but I think it would give greater control to Microsoft and the ISP's would have you over a barrell.

At least now, whether it is poor performing or what ever, I have control and decide what I am going to upgrade or use.

I think Microsoft also have this idea around controlling pirated software.
With all PC's needing to access the OS over the net, they would increase their sales or rentals.
I can't see Bill letting people use it for free

[Jen]

computers :screwy::screwy::screwy:

:computer::computer::computer:

what version are we up to now :doh::rolleyes:

[Baddad]

Hey Fellow Astro and Computer Geeks,:)

It is with much caution I say this::whistle:

Eight years ago, a friend informed me that this was coming from MS. The friend happens to be a Professor at Perth University and lectures in IT and related subjects.

What the scary thing is, is that MS are not stupid, regardless of what you may think of their past performances. They must have some kind of plan to make it all work for them.

Otherwise there'd be mass exodus to Apple or Linux. Perhaps on the security side it may be attractive to only companies that required secure systems.

Currently there's much speculation and I don't know (either) of what MS plans are, but its not popular.:mad2::whistle:

[GrahamL]

So Buisness users can tailor there needs and presumably save some cash on maintaining there systems and increasing productivity .
( reading a while back on the dollar costs of non work related use )
of computers was just staggering ... MS coming up with a clever and inovative change :shrug:.. well it hasn't happened yet but you just never know:P

[Wavytone]

Then I suggest its time those who don't like it switched. Either to Linux or Macs.

BTW OpenOffice 3 is actually quite nice. There really is no reason to stay with MS anymore, it is entirely practical to be microsoft-free.

[marki]

For me it would mean the end of upgrading my computers. I would never suscribe to any such scheme and would run this one until it died then I guess its back to the commador 64:). I wonder if the hardware people would keep supplying stuff for the old bangers as I imagine I am not alone in my view. One thing you can bet on though is if MS go down this path the Macs won't be too far behind.

Mark

[Wavytone]

Wrong - The problem Microsoft is trying to solve is piracy. By forcing pay-per -use the need for licence keys is removed - BUT - you will need to provide an account of some sort where they can bill you.

So piracy will be eliminated, but those of you who have been spongeing "freeware" for years are in for a nasty surprise, unless you piggyback on someone elses account - which suggests trojans and other malware seeking to steal your account details will be rife.

Who is really, seriously going to audit their account to check whether you are being billed correctly for every time you used your system, or each MS app you use ? Do you really think you could spot a fraudulent user piggybacking on your account ? I think not.

And Microsoft has no incentive to provide you with adequate protection against malware in this scheme as the liability is all yours, as is the responsibility to secure your system.

Which adds up to a nightmare for would-be Windows users.

Apple's business model is entirely different - the big money for Apple is in selling you hardware - Macs, iPhones and iPods and Airport Base Stations, Apple TV's. OSX is the bait to persuade you to buy these. In a sense these devices are hardware dongles to run OSX and its apps.

Also as the underdog Apple has a huge incentive to "get it right", alienate their users and they're dead. Get it right - at a time Microsoft does something stupid - and they can grow their user base by 10 times at Microsofts expense.

The unpopularity of Vista has already caused a steady stream of defectors to OSX, who like what they find.

Apple is the last company standing that makes the whole widget - the hardware and the software. I should also point out the subscription/lease/rent/pay-per-use model is not new - the mainframe manufacturers used it 20 years ago - Prime, DEC and Tandem. They are all dead, and IBM is now a minor player. Apple knows this lesson well, they were number 2 in the computer industry in 1980.

[marki]

Fair enough but I will pose one question. Do you think MS has failed to take note of earlier attempts with this type of scheme? I do not think they would be silly enough to retract user rights to installing their software on a HD. I imagine much of their drive will be toward business rather then individuals.

Mark

[gman]

I do know that a lots of co-s are moving towards this type of set up internally in their business.
Employess only have access to dumb terminals instead of pc's should increase the users productivity, (less time spent surfing the net etc).
Also frees up IT techs time in setting up users as well as reducing the $ tied up in pc's as well as less down time and less upgrades
Not sure how this changes the MS licensing for the no- of users etc.

[AstralTraveller]

At least 15 ago someone who knows far more about IT than I insisted that web-apps were the way to go - once connection speeds are fast enough. We're still not there and even the present pie-in-the sky will still have copper into homes. So I doubt the practicability of the idea for home users in Australia within the next decade. On the other hand business is well down the centralised server/ thin client/ terminal road.

I'm sure the same bloke would agree with me that M$ are not the people to implement such a system - not for their softwares' faults and failings (not all gatesware is bad, much is quite OK) but for their way of doing business. They have a long tradition of using market share to stifle competition (eg use of closed proprietry standards and subversion of standard formats to prevent inter-operability). If I were to move to web-apps I want an interface that can use apps from any vendor or supplier. Would M$ do that?

In the meanwhile I also support the use of free opensource software. Ubuntu linux is easy to install (easier than windows with equivalent apps), comes with much of what you need and is easy to expand. You know it makes sense!

[pgc hunter]

So Micro$oft is gonna create a new piece of crap for everyone to learn all over again.

Smoooooooooothhhh....

I've also heard that they are giving up on creating new versions of Flight Simulator...which admittedly was a very good product. Looks like FSX is the final version.

[Baddad]

Hey Grant,:)

Employess only have access to dumb terminals instead of pc's

That is a very good point. Ceo's are very concerned with maintaining good productivity. That is where MS may just get the foot in the door.;)

Cheers Marty

[multiweb]

I think eventually there will be a pay per use system where applications will be solely available online to use. Only your data will be saved locally. Google is moving this way and expanding.

[leon]

Gees Guys, I must be getting old, I have read all these posts and am still no wiser, I am thankful my machine keeps running, and it serves me well for what I want to do, isn't that what it is all about.

If it aint broke don't fix it.

leon