[Tfug] [OT] Microsoft Windows 7: Upgrade or just buy a pizza?

[Bexley Hall]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10217252-62.html?tag=mncol

April 10, 2009 1:13 PM PDT
Microsoft Windows 7: Upgrade or just buy a pizza?
by Dave Rosenberg

BusinessWeek is running a piece on Microsoft's latest attempts to fight
back against Apple and Linux and its secret strategy to force unwitting
Windows users to upgrade to various flavors of Windows 7.

     Because of the smaller size of Windows 7, three versions of the
program will come loaded even on lower-end machines. If a consumer on a
cheaper PC running the "Standard" version tries to use a high-definition
monitor or run more than three software programs at once, he'll discover
that neither is possible. Then he'll be prompted to upgrade to the
pricier "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" version.

     Microsoft says the process will be simple. Customers enter their
credit-card information, then a 25-character code, make a few
keystrokes, then reboot. (Microsoft Corporate Vice President for
Consumer-Product Marketing Brad Brooks) says pricing hasn't been
determined, but upgrading "will cost less than a night out for four at a
pizza restaurant."

I can't decide if this strategy is profoundly stupid or just utterly
moronic.

Besides the fact that when you buy an Apple computer you aren't
hoodwinked into upgrading the operating system, just think of all the
simple things that can go wrong:

     * Consumer confusion (and subsequent anger) about what they are
paying for in the first place
     * The upgrade not working or corrupting an existing installation
     * Online credit card processing through an operating system known
for being exploited by a vast range of criminals
     * An assumption that the hardware will be capable of running the
new operating system

As Microsoft continues to tout the Apple Tax, perhaps it should look
inward a bit and realize that people are willing to pay for Apple
products for the high-quality user experience, and not settle for a
subpar experience on a product they use every day.

The vast majority of Windows users will end up frustrated and annoyed if
this ridiculous upgrade plan idea comes to fruition. Meanwhile, the vast
majority of Apple users will continue to save their pizza money and opt
for a better computing experience.

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Of course, the *real* question you should be asking, here, is:
WITH or WITHOUT anchovies?

--don