Microsoft Decides Getting Ready for Windows 7 Might Be a Good Idea
It's no secret -- in fact, it's extremely well-known -- that the most powerful torpedo that struck the Good Ship Vista and started its descent to the depths of the operating-system ocean was a lack of preparedness. Third parties didn't have drivers ready for the OS; nothing worked with it particularly well when it came out.
Whether that was Microsoft's fault or the fault of other vendors, the fact is that it put Vista into a hole that it never quite managed to climb out of. (Then, of course, there was the famous "Vista Capable" lawsuit, which is only tangentially relevant here -- but we just love posting the link to the story.)
Anyway, everything about Windows 7 seems to be going better than anything went for Vista, and that apparently includes OEM preparedness. Microsoft is on top of things this time, getting PC makers ready to push the new OS by issuing Vista-to-Windows 7-upgrade memos like the one published this week by Redmond columnist Mary Jo Foley.
Of course, the real issue is going to be XP-to-7 upgrades, and memos like the one in the link are completely standard stuff for the software industry. But Microsoft and its third parties did such a poor job with the Vista launch that we're taking nothing for granted with Windows 7, and we're hoping that a leaked missive here or there to PC makers is a sign that Redmond doesn't want to make the same mistakes with the forthcoming OS as it did with the last one. After all, Microsoft can't afford another OS disaster.
What are you doing to prepare for Windows 7? How is Microsoft helping you? Reveal all at [email protected].
Posted by Lee Pender on June 24, 2009