Well, Microsoft maybe five years late with Microsoft Vista, and have dropped so many features that it is beginning to look more like Windows XP service pack three, but hey, we're getting ready to pony up for it. (I use Windows XP and SUSE daily, and XP is a good solid operating system, I like it, it works, I almost never have to think about it...)
Here is a list of the versions, or at least some of them that will be shipping. There are eight versions in total, from a lite version for third world people who want a version that will only run three windows, and not allow network connectivity, but will allow you to surf the Internet, and if you are unable to spell Ubuntu, through to a version that will do both the business functions and have the all-singing all dancing media centre, with now even more crunchy and flavoursome DRM, for $399.
$399.00?
Really. Now, I know that the retail version will sell about 1% of the numbers that eventually make it into the market on pre-installed machines, but a price point of nearly four hundred dollars just sounds totally out of touch.
Yes, Windows is the default, yes, it has 95% market share, but given the choice between good and free (Ubuntu and Suse) and better and not free (Mac OS X) then is Windows XP SP3, AKA Vista going to make a difference that you would pay the price of a simple desktop machine for?
I dunno, I am not a reflexive MS basher, but this is looking bad. Five years late, no compelling story about why it's better, and it's damned expensive. I work in the software business, and I know a development trainwreck when I see it.
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