Microsoft no longer makes software for users. They make platforms for partners to make solutions for the enterprise. They expect their partners to put on the finishing touches and provide the customer support.

A good example is the Zune. It was supposed to be an iPod killer. It was designed to steal Apple’s sources, not its customers, by making the sources into partners. Microsoft hasn’t learned that if users don’t like it, no one will buy it, and then the partners will just go away.

Don’t forget HD-DVD. Microsoft backed it because it was better for its partners. Blue Ray won because it is better for users.

All of Microsoft’s products are decaying. Even consumers see this with Windows Home Server destroying files, Vista updates sending computers into an infinite loop of rebates, various Xbox problems, and many more on the enterprise level.

Microsoft has counted on its partners to innovate, and that has led to Windows CE devices, several versions of Windows Mobile, and the SPOT watch.

Now Vista phones home every two weeks to see if it’s genuine. That means Vista is spyware. If the activation makes a mistake, it won’t be as bad after SP1 as it is now, but it is just as insulting. It happened to me.

I got caught by the activation server. It was a mistake, but now I am terrified to use Windows for fear it will make all my software and data go poof.

Microsoft is falling apart. The Roman Empire was a lot larger than Microsoft, but it managed to fall. Maybe the hardware companies will pair off with Linux distros and use Apple’s business model to target different markets. The Post-Microsoft Era is coming a lot sooner than we think.

“If I could install an operating system that would manage my applications to work in the most efficient way to develop software, I would buy that operating system. I am sure many others would say the same about graphic design, video editing, writing papers, etc… The question is, who is going to answer the call first, Apple or Microsoft?”

Well If someone is going to pay me then only i am gonna think what to buy… if i have to pay then i would run vista in mac….

The question I have is, why use a different operating system when you can achieve the same goals Windows XP as with Windows Vista or OS X? I think both Microsoft and MAC are focusing too hard in integrating software into the operating system, when they should be looking at making the OS easier to fine tune for specific needs.

The operating systems we see now are designed for tasks that most computer users either use very seldom or never at all. How many people use the movie maker software built into XP? Remember the ‘My Briefcase’, that sure got a lot of use. We can only hope some of these features that we never use aren’t using system resources when the computer boots up.

If I could install an operating system that would manage my applications to work in the most efficient way to develop software, I would buy that operating system. I am sure many others would say the same about graphic design, video editing, writing papers, etc… The question is, who is going to answer the call first, Apple or Microsoft?

Event tho it Might be better in a overall way of looking at it, in the way HE looks at it, it’s the same.

he’s true about the hardware… OS X runs on like what, 5 models of diferents computer designed by the same compagny that built the OS. Windows runs on millions of diferents type of hardware profiles, it’s amazing when you think about it… cause it actualy works in most case out of the box. Of course you have to install the Drivers but it’s not alway mandatory cause it works with Microsoft’s driver. I dont think OS X would run on my computer as good as Windows is running on a macbook… Guess why?

At this point, I dont think we can easily say which OS is better than the other. They just are not the same. Of course they have their good and bad points, they both have them! Like you said, it’s a personal preference…

Hasn’t windows been like this forever? Windows is never as fast as its previous version when it first comes out. I know I remember a XP articles saying XP is a resource hog stick with 2000 or Windows 98 until you have a faster machine or upgrade your ram or etc, I read this in 2001 when XP was still new to the market. Vista will shine in the future, IMO.