Rumors of Windows 7 going modular leave bad tastes in consumer mouths
It seems as though the online community is uniting under one particular thought: with Vista faltering in the marketplace, many are simply waiting for news of the operating system that will take Vista’s place, now being called Windows 7. However, many are even less excited about Windows 7, because some are suggesting that Microsoft will take a modular approach to the distribution of its next operating system to consumers.
Christopher Null of Yahoo! Tech recently explored the possibilities of the nature of the next Windows operating system; he suggests that the most popular notion is that Microsoft will go “modular.” He says that a “modular” approach means Microsoft, which is already known for offering many different configurations of Windows Vista currently, will be adding even more builds at different price points to the public.
Consumers who don’t want a lot of functionality will be able to get Windows 7 in its most basic form; those looking for more features will be able to pay accordingly. Though that might seem like a great deal initially to those who aren’t looking for the full functionality of a more complex operating system (like the hard drive encryption currently included in Windows Vista Ultimate exclusively), what that really means is that Microsoft would be able to nickel and dime consumers on the little things; Null suggests that even the most basic applications like web browsers and media players will be available for purchase based on necessity.
Microsoft currently does something like this with Xbox Live; many critics malign the online community for the Xbox 360 because Microsoft charges users for every little thing they choose to install on their console.
What’s even worse is that some believe that Microsoft could charge users a monthly fee based on usage for the next version of Windows. That idea seems a bit far-fetched, because it really puts complete control of consumers’ computers in the hands of Microsoft; as Null points out, Microsoft could squeeze money out of consumers every time they decided to release an update to a single application.
More flavors means more confusion; as it stands, having many different versions of Windows (not to mention the whole “Vista-capable” travesty) just means that more consumers will have even less of an idea what they need; of course, offering paid upgrades could ensure that consumers get exactly what they want, but simplicity is many times less of a headache.
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April 11th, 2008
“Null suggests that even the most basic applications like web browsers and media players will be available for purchase based on necessity”
No one in their right mind would pay for media players and browsers. Frankly that was a really stupid comment and a insult to anyone using a computer.
Winamp which is free is far better than Windows Media Player. It is far more functional and has lots of free plugins too.
Pay for a browser? With Firefox with its very popular plug-ins and already 17% of the browser share. And Opera which has also had good reviews. Why even use Internet Explorer? Why would anyone pay for it?
“What’s even worse is that some believe that Microsoft could charge users a monthly fee based on usage for the next version of Windows.”
So that means WGA and some kind of DRM to keep track of what was added to the OS. A monthly fee will just further drive potential customers toward open source which Microsoft cannot afford to do.
“Consumers who don’t want a lot of functionality will be able to get Windows 7 in its most basic form; those looking for more features will be able to pay accordingly.”
I have Xubuntu that does almost everything my XP computer does except it runs much faster and on a older machine too and did I mention it is completely free to use? So….why do I need Windows 7?
“Microsoft could squeeze money out of consumers every time they decided to release an update to a single application”
So MSFT plans to charge for Service Packs and critical updates? Smart Move…This will drive even more to move to open source. (Who dreams up this stuff?)
“with Vista faltering in the marketplace, many are simply waiting for news of the operating system that will take Vista’s place, now being called Windows 7.”
Its called damage control, since Vista has been a failure. MSFT needs to keep people interested in their software even if it hasn’t been released. Taking about something that hasn’t been released is called Vaporware.
And for Mr. Gates recent comment about Windows 7 being released next year, speaks volumes. In a nutshell this means ‘please don’t go to open source or Apple, yea Vista sucks, but this Windows 7 will make up for it’…..
“He says that a “modular” approach means Microsoft, which is already known for offering many different configurations of Windows Vista currently, will be adding even more builds at different price points to the public.” “More flavors means more confusion”
Here is a classic example of the the pot calling the kettle black. We have the MSFT fanboys calling Linux as way too fragmented with its 100+ different distros. Yet MSFT wants to follow the same exact example by offering many different versions.
Uh OK… I’ll take the XP version for $49
April 13th, 2008
Can’t anyone spell the word solution?
It’s easy once you’ve tried it: Just spell M A C.
April 13th, 2008
If there is a horrid idea to screw customers over Microsoft will find it or in an act completely foreign to Microsoft if it rapes customers they will invent a new way.
Never underestimate the crappiness of Microsoft’s products nor the lengths they will go to to get your money.
April 13th, 2008
If Windows 7 is crappy, I will switch to linux. I would NEVER use a crap mac.
April 13th, 2008
What’s so unusual about doing this. Whenever I go to Burger King, I have it my way. Hold the lettuce and mayonnaise. Give me the works and extra onions. Beef pattie only, please. If it works for Burger King it should work for Microsoft. They’re almost in the same business if you compare your stomach to a hard drive.
I’m joking, of course. Let MS do as it pleases. They’re losing market share already, so what’s a few more points gonna matter.
April 30th, 2008
Gawd, I am so happy for my Vista and, it works~ You folks can wait for Win7. BTW, how is this modular program concept supposed to work? AHA..You go to a website (After you buy a browser) and, put ur coins in a metered box. Then select the program best suited for your job? Time is almost up, not a problem..Just store your work via on site vault~(For a cost) Gee, this sounds so damn good, it just might work~! Way to go Bill Gates and, company.
June 1st, 2009
Wow, what a great resource! Thanks for sharing this