Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 25th Jul 2008 22:55 UTC, submitted by Chavez
While Microsoft has only just begun fighting the perception problems surrounding Windows Vista, the company is already thinking and planning way beyond its latest operating system. We all know that Windows 7 will build on top of the foundations laid by Vista, and that it will include a fancy multitouch framework (and a mysterious new taskbar). According to Microsoft, Windows 7 is still on track for January 2010, and in a memo to his employees, CEO Steve Ballmer outlined some interesting new approaches the company might try with Windows 7 - including being just a little more like Apple.
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Member since:2005-07-06
You know what I think? The problem that Microsoft currently is facing is to a certain extent the consequence of hardware not being based on open standards or open protocols. If most hardware was based on open standards supporting everything would be a hell of a lot easier. Apple truly wouldn't stand a chance against Microsoft. Windows would then provide an experience that could easily rival and exceed Apple's, because Apple's main advantage would be non-existent. Same goes for Linux of course. Maintaining the kernel would be much easier.
Which is kind of ironic, since MS is trying to force closed standards like DirectX and Office down our throat using their defacto monopoly on OS'es and office productivity. But this time MS is on the other side of the fence a they do not seem to like it. Surprise!
With open standards and protocols the IT/IS sector as a whole would thrive well, because a hard to overcome barrier will be taken away, while innovation will still be possible by both F/OSS and proprietary implementations of that open standard.
Which is kind of ironic, since MS is trying to force closed standards like DirectX and Office down our throat using their defacto monopoly on OS'es and office productivity. But this time MS is on the other side of the fence a they do not seem to like it. Surprise!
With open standards and protocols the IT/IS sector as a whole would thrive well, because a hard to overcome barrier will be taken away, while innovation will still be possible by both F/OSS and proprietary implementations of that open standard.
Doubtful to say the least. There are many open standards already in the IT world; ACPI for example, which has been a constant bane for Linux to support - why? because we have vendors out there who do buggy ACPI implementations.
In the case of Apple, they design the hardware, they design the software, the two sides work together and can test and modify the operating system to address any possible issues that might arise during testing. In the case of Windows, if there is an issue - the OEM is stuck in a situation where by he can't do anything to the operating system.
Microsoft need to tighten the requirements for the 'Windows Vista Logo' - it won't stop vendors from producing crap hardware and support, but if they push the 'Windows Vista Logo' programme, customers will refuse to do business with those vendors who don't have the logo.
Member since:2006-01-04
ACPI is an example of a terrible specification. It's 600 pages long and contains all sorts of features it probably doesn't need.
Last time I heard, the Microsoft DSDT compiler was also very good at generating DSDTs that could only be interpreted properly by Microsoft operating systems (unlike the Intel one).
Also, if I remember correctly, the DSDTs can specify that certain things should only work on certain operating systems. Since many manufacturers seem to have the idea that Windows is the only OS that supports modern computers, they mark all the ACPI features as requring the OS name to be Windows.
Really, the ACPI spec should be simple and OS independent.
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:2008-07-07
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Member since:
2005-07-06
You know what I think? The problem that Microsoft currently is facing is to a certain extent the consequence of hardware not being based on open standards or open protocols. If most hardware was based on open standards supporting everything would be a hell of a lot easier. Apple truly wouldn't stand a chance against Microsoft. Windows would then provide an experience that could easily rival and exceed Apple's, because Apple's main advantage would be non-existent. Same goes for Linux of course. Maintaining the kernel would be much easier.
Which is kind of ironic, since MS is trying to force closed standards like DirectX and Office down our throat using their defacto monopoly on OS'es and office productivity. But this time MS is on the other side of the fence a they do not seem to like it. Surprise!
With open standards and protocols the IT/IS sector as a whole would thrive well, because a hard to overcome barrier will be taken away, while innovation will still be possible by both F/OSS and proprietary implementations of that open standard.