Mailbag: Microsoft Keeping a Tight Rein on XP
    Last 
  week, Doug wrote about Microsoft's attempt to limit the capabilities on 
  low-end computers that will run XP past its official retirement. Does this leave 
  developing countries with third-rate technology? Here are some of your thoughts: 
   I think the problem of the computers being third-rate depends on how 
    locked-down the systems are. If they can be upgraded by the user (memory and 
    processor), then it will be a good way for anybody to get a cheap PC and XP 
    and upgrade the hardware.
    -Jim
  The low-end XP computer would probably provide a more "enhanced user 
    experience" than one of our pokey top-of-the-line Vista machines.
    -Jeff
Speaking of Vista, readers took the announcement of XP's impending retirement 
  as a change to air their complaints about the new OS:
   Microsoft still has to deal with organizations like mine that will NOT 
    move to Vista without a guarantee of more manageability. We have recently 
    bought licenses for XP and intend to install it on any new PCs that are purchased. 
    I work for a school district; maybe Ballmer can explain to the tax payers 
    in this district why we should spend perhaps millions to re-invent our very 
    large network to accommodate his OS.
    -Alan
   Let's face it. MS and the HW vendors want us to move and spend more money. 
    Vista does not provide any value except for MS shareholders, thus the big 
    push back saying don't move to Vista. Why should we, except to spend money 
    for whatever reason. I've read hundreds of articles and fought with Vista 
    for 12 months, and I can't find a single positive note.
    
    This is a good PR position for MS (warm and fuzzy), but the fundamental problem 
    still exists. The MAMS created a mess with Vista and there really is no going 
    back for MS as it has spent too much money and time building an Edsel (remember 
    Ford's big new car?). Except Ford was smart enough to move on.
    -Rick 
  Microsoft is falling apart at the seams. All the signs are there. I think 
    it needs to reevaluate a large number of things, and plan to gracefully level 
    out as a still-profitable company before it really screw things up. The Vista 
    thing reminds me of the "Coke Classic" thing, and I hope that Microsoft 
    comes to its senses soon.
    -Tom
Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
 
	
Posted by Doug Barney on May 19, 2008