After the somewhat disastrous launch of Windows Vista — largely ignored by businesses as they stuck with the XP version of the operating system — Microsoft is preparing another debut.
Windows 7 is scheduled to be released Oct. 22, and some computer analysts who have been working with a beta version say that this time, Microsoft got it right.
“It’s everything that Vista should have been,” said Trevor Dierdorff, owner of Amnet, a Colorado Springs-based computer network company. “It’s easy to use, has some nice upgrades. It will be good for businesses.”
The latest effort by Microsoft looks a little different than Vista or XP — hovering over icons gives thumbnails of office product pages and Web sites — and it’s easier to coordinate Outlook e-mail with the rest of the operating system.
“The real challenge with Vista was the compatibility with applications,” Dierdorff said. “People assumed that if it worked in XP, it will work in Vista. And it didn’t. Now, if it works in XP, it will work in Windows 7. There is a great amount of compatibility.”
The new system also has “great eye candy,” he said. But, more importantly, it represents a step for Microsoft for better stability and better security.
Businesses whose IT departments skipped Vista will be pleased to note that many of the problems have been solved — but not everyone is pleased. According to a blog post at TechRepublic.com, small- and medium-sized businesses should not bother moving to Windows 7.
“… Windows 7 migration provides no significant strategic or competitive advantage, either immediately or in the near term,” said Jeff Relkin, director of information technology for Quadel. “Resources are best applied elsewhere.”
Some companies are waiting on other operating systems: Linux, Unix or Apple’s Chrome OS. Some companies are adopting a wait and see attitude.
“I think there will be more…