gbhall
Posts: 2,419 +77
for every new version of Windows, we always get the old, old arguments reappearing about is it better or worse, a waste of time and money, a transparent blackmail and so on.
I am always puzzled that so few people recognise the true significance of the opposing views which people take, which at heart I believe is simply "to you, is Windows a Toy or a Tool?"
Windows as a Toy
For these people every new issue is a joy. Lots of flashy new screens to look at, old features to search for and find in the new places they have been hidden, sometimes even brand new features to explore. If it runs slower, well that's a disappointment but it will be sorted out. The problems really begin when the new toy simply does not work well enough or for long enough, and play becomes frustrating.
Windows as a Tool
For these people, Windows is something they earn their living with, in some cases critically so, for time is money to them. A new version of an old tool will be welcome if it works better and faster and longer without faults. And if is easier to use, sharper, more efficient, cheaper, and more intuitive so that training oneself and new users is quicker.
But every difference to the old version is a profound problem because it calls for a literal waste of time and money on training to find and adapt to the new features and where the old ones have gone to. The problems really begin for these people when the new tool simply does not work fast enough or well enough for long enough before falling over. A tool that requires you to re-learn almost everything, and takes longer than the old one to do the everyday things is just an abomination.
In this light, one can easily see that Microsoft is almost totally dominated by the 'Windows as Toy' point of view, and if just lip-service is paid to the 'Windows as Tool' objectives, I forsee their eventual downfall. There are obviously appropriate other versions of Windows such as entertainment centre, even X-box, and these can be as fresh as desired (read Toy-like). But the core business product in my view should never be moved forward for necessary improvements in features and security without due respect to continuing familiarity and essential efficiency. That is why I personally think Vista is a failure.
I am always puzzled that so few people recognise the true significance of the opposing views which people take, which at heart I believe is simply "to you, is Windows a Toy or a Tool?"
Windows as a Toy
For these people every new issue is a joy. Lots of flashy new screens to look at, old features to search for and find in the new places they have been hidden, sometimes even brand new features to explore. If it runs slower, well that's a disappointment but it will be sorted out. The problems really begin when the new toy simply does not work well enough or for long enough, and play becomes frustrating.
Windows as a Tool
For these people, Windows is something they earn their living with, in some cases critically so, for time is money to them. A new version of an old tool will be welcome if it works better and faster and longer without faults. And if is easier to use, sharper, more efficient, cheaper, and more intuitive so that training oneself and new users is quicker.
But every difference to the old version is a profound problem because it calls for a literal waste of time and money on training to find and adapt to the new features and where the old ones have gone to. The problems really begin for these people when the new tool simply does not work fast enough or well enough for long enough before falling over. A tool that requires you to re-learn almost everything, and takes longer than the old one to do the everyday things is just an abomination.
In this light, one can easily see that Microsoft is almost totally dominated by the 'Windows as Toy' point of view, and if just lip-service is paid to the 'Windows as Tool' objectives, I forsee their eventual downfall. There are obviously appropriate other versions of Windows such as entertainment centre, even X-box, and these can be as fresh as desired (read Toy-like). But the core business product in my view should never be moved forward for necessary improvements in features and security without due respect to continuing familiarity and essential efficiency. That is why I personally think Vista is a failure.
