Windows 7 Complaints Rolling In

December 10th, 2009 | Author: Debbie Mahler

I am asked time and again by students and folks on twitter about what I think about Windows 7. I will restate my position one more time for you,

Windows 7 is nothing more than a regurgitate version of Vista. ~ Debbie Mahler

I have had other twitter followers agree with me, while a few others – very few I might add – have said that they like it.

The folks that apparently like it have a few things in common. They have high end, fast computers, or newer computers that had Windows 7 pre-installed. Many of them are also Microsoft groupies who believe everything that Microsoft makes is a gift from the tech gods, or who make the majority of the income from their work with Microsoft products.

While still others learned on Vista and liked Vista so they are elated with Windows 7.

CNN Money published a recent report (December 9, 2009) about how the complaints are starting to roll in with Windows 7. I’ve heard nearly all of these and to be quite fair to Microsoft – I can be fair and balanced too – the list with this roll out is NOT as bad as what it was with Vista.

But, if Windows 7 is nothing more than a regurgitated version of Vista, shouldn’t it roll out better? If not, Microsoft learned absolutely nothing!

Here’s what I find totally unacceptable according to the article (full article link below):

One common gripe, experienced by 9% of installers, is that the half-hour to an hour-long upgrade process gets to the “62% completed” point and then freezes. It’s a problem that Microsoft is aware of, and can be fixed by rebooting the computer, going into advanced settings, and typing in a code that instructs the computer to ignore plug-ins.

A half-hour to an hour to download the freaking thing? Are their servers using dial-up? But the freezing computer? Anyone who uses Microsoft products is used to that – no big deal.

Aside from that point, and the other reported Windows 7 reboot loop I talked about, there are a few other glitches in the upgrade that include odd things like:

….complaints was that basic “applet” programs, like Mail, Movie Maker and Photo Gallery, were missing. That’s because Windows 7 deletes those programs and makes users download them from the Windows Live Essential Web site. IYogi said 26% of their customers were confused about that extra step.

Others had problems getting their computers to work properly: Eight percent said their DVD drives couldn’t be found and 2% couldn’t sync their iPhones with Windows 7.

One in seven users also complained that the sleek new “Aero” theme doesn’t work. The Aero theme enables users to see through a window to view the desktop or other programs that are open behind it. According to iYogi, most of the 14% of users that have problems with Aero don’t have the graphics capabilities on their PCs to handle the program.

But here’s my biggest problem with Windows 7 aside from these installation issues and aside from the fact that it’s made by Microsoft,

According to Zeus Kerravala, an analyst at Yankee Group, one of the biggest annoyances with the new operating system is that the “ribbon menus” at the top of programs have been redesigned and must be relearned. In previous Windows versions, the menus remained very consistent (File, Edit, View, Insert, etc.), but in Windows 7, they can be wildly different from application to application.

Says one user quoted in the article,

“It took me a long while to figure out how to print,” said Kerravala. “Microsoft tried to improve the user interface, but there’s a learning curve because it’s inconsistent.”

Once again, Microsoft reinvents the wheel and we all have to learn how to drive again. They’ve done this consistently with newer versions of Microsoft Office and nearly every other program they manufacture.

So, why do you suppose that is? Why do they keep forcing us to relearn new software? Hmmmm, could it be the money? And this time it’s not Microsoft making the money.

Sure, they stand to benefit from the sales of Windows 7, but there’s more at stake here than meets the eye.

Perhaps you heard the story about how the radio patent was given away to manufacturers by the battery company that invented it so that it would have a product being produced that would require a constant supply of batteries? If not, read the story of Rayovac.

Well, look at what Microsoft offers the industry. They create a new operating system that requires you to upgrade your computer. Microsoft increases PC sales! Why wouldn’t PC manufacturers support it?

Apps, software, drivers, devices, and a whole slew of items have to be recreated or modified for the new operating system. Microsoft created a new revenue stream for software manufacturers, app developers, and hardware companies.

Partners and Value-added Resellers (VARs) gain from reselling the OS or subsequent upgraded software.

Places like colleges and universities, as well as companies that offer onsite or online training gain new courses teaching people how to use the new software. And I’m sure Video Professor is ready with his newest Windows 7 CD!

When you put the money in perspective, it’s easy to see why so many people and companies are pushing the new Windows 7. Microsoft is not the only company that will benefit from this new OS. Shareholders in publicly held companies are rubbing their greedy little hands together and visions of dividends are dancing in their heads.

Will MICE be offering courses in Windows 7? Yes, unfortunately. There are too many people who will be forced into it on new computers that will need to learn. But, we are also preparing to teach you about your options. Ubuntu. But that’s another story for another time.