Is Microsoft really as bad as they seem?

[TheGoofster]

When it comes to making operating systems for computers, there is no doubt that Microsoft leaves a lot to be desired. I mean if Windows ran your car the way it does your computer, you would be walking to work half the time, your car would always be in the shop getting necessary parts installed, you wouldn't need to bother locking your doors, because everybody and their sister could be able to break in, no matter what you do, you would only be able to get about 2 miles to the gallon, and it would be obsolete in less than a year. Hardly a great product.
On the other hand, Microsoft makes the XBox and the XBox 360. An incredibly great machine that is known for it's outstanding service, great products, reliability and ease of use.
So what's the difference? Why can Microsoft on the one hand make the XBox so well, with almost zero problems, and on the other hand make Windows which is almost pure problems?
Can anyone say competition? There really is no competition for Windows. Sure there are many who go with the Mac, and there are some alternate OS as well, but honestly, why should Microsoft make a great OS when they know that they are the only ones holding the ball.
I can just imagine how much better Windows would be if there were two or three MAJOR OS systems out there to choose from who were directly competing with Windows.
The new Windows Vista has just come out, and already I have read a ton of complaints and problems that it has. Come on Microsoft, try and build an OS as good as your game box. We know you can do it if you really want to.

 

[safetymom]

I have never had a lot of problems with Microsoft. I think XP was very good and I can't wait to get Vista.

 

[JCJRSmith]

So what's the difference? Why can Microsoft on the one hand make the XBox so well, with almost zero problems, and on the other hand make Windows which is almost pure problems?
Can anyone say competition? There really is no competition for Windows. Sure there are many who go with the Mac, and there are some alternate OS as well, but honestly, why should Microsoft make a great OS when they know that they are the only ones holding the ball.
I can just imagine how much better Windows would be if there were two or three MAJOR OS systems out there to choose from who were directly competing with Windows.
The new Windows Vista has just come out, and already I have read a ton of complaints and problems that it has. Come on Microsoft, try and build an OS as good as your game box. We know you can do it if you really want to.

A ton of complaints and problems you say? Cite your sources. Vista, on the proper hardware, is an incredible OS. Note I said "On the proper hardware." One of my customers tried to roll Vista Enterprise out to their existing workstations and were disappointed when their existing hardware was not up to the task. Vista has been available since November to Microsoft's business partners, and I run it on an HP laptop with the "Vista compatible" label on it. It has only one problem with that system - a driver for Sonic's DLA software has not yet been updated by Sonic. I'm in no rush for that because I don't use the DLA software - it is there because it was included in the CD/DVD burning package I use.

As for the Xbox/Xbox 360 - the reasons are simple - the hardware does not change. For the developer of a new game on these consoles, they know EXACTLY what they must develop for.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't have issues with Bill Gates or Microsoft. My computer is fine.
In fact did anyone see Gates on "The Daily Show"...

He and Melinda are my heroes.... I thank God for that man for doing what he did.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I had posted something earlier b/c I'm debating between a Macbook or a Windows laptop with Vista.

I like what Bill and Melinda Gates have been doing with their money as well, but that doesn't enter into whether the product is good or not. Windows does seem to have a LOT of issues.

 

[korbbec]

You could always give the Penguin a shot. We won't be getting Vista, at least not any time soon. DBF is the tech guy in our house and he does not think it is a good system. We use XP now and don't have many problems with it. Yes, we do have to install regular updates and reboot now and again, update security regularly. But then again, no one ever tries to hack into my car- if that became a problem I would update security there too.

 

[salmoneous]

Huh? I've got a number of computers running XP. Never had a single problem - I never even have to think about the OS. Looking at your "if Microsoft built Cars like Windows" notion, I'd love to have a car like that.

I don't love Microsoft. I get no personal satisfaction from my choice of OS (I'll leave that to MAC people ). It's an opperating system - who cares? But I still don't see the point of needless MS bashing.

 

[lborne]

The "If Microsoft built cars like they do Windows" analogy, while funny, is not accurate. The OS has to be compatible with hundreds of combinations of different hardware and other software. Most of the time when something crashes, it is the fault of some other program on your computer not working correctly with Windows.

Apple has an advantage in that they alone determine the components of their computers. There are no Apple clones, thus the higher prices. If there was only one IBM PC - all with the same processor, same video card, same communications card, same audio card, etc. etc., Microsoft would have it easy in building their software.

 

[TheGoofster]

A ton of complaints and problems you say? Cite your sources. Vista, on the proper hardware, is an incredible OS. Note I said "On the proper hardware." One of my customers tried to roll Vista Enterprise out to their existing workstations and were disappointed when their existing hardware was not up to the task. Vista has been available since November to Microsoft's business partners, and I run it on an HP laptop with the "Vista compatible" label on it. It has only one problem with that system - a driver for Sonic's DLA software has not yet been updated by Sonic. I'm in no rush for that because I don't use the DLA software - it is there because it was included in the CD/DVD burning package I use.

As for the Xbox/Xbox 360 - the reasons are simple - the hardware does not change. For the developer of a new game on these consoles, they know EXACTLY what they must develop for.

Considering that Vista just became public, it is amazing how many complaints I have read about on other boards. One of the biggest is the compatibility with gaming sites (yeah, I know, if you don't use them, big deal. But for those who do, it is indeed a big deal), and other on-line applications that aren't allowed. Obviously Vista hasn't as many complaints as the other Windows in that it is still so new, but give it time, and I'm sure it will catch up to the others.

True, Xbox hardware doesn't change, but it does go on-line. (Besides, my computer hardware doesnt' change either). I think the point is that if Microsoft can make a product like XBox which has almost no problems, why can't they put the same amount of care into their OS - and the reason is simple, no real competition. If the XBox ran like Windows runs, nobody would buy it (or if they did they would quickly bring it back.) Microsoft can't afford to make bad Xboxes when Sony and Nintendo are out there offering similar products, but they sure don't seem to worry about making an OS that requires almost daily fixes and patches.

Some good friends of mine are in the business of fixing computer problems. And let me tell you that they have plenty of work, and about 95% is Windows related (pick your version, they all have about the same amount of problems). Seriously, can you think of anything else that you own where you not only are not surprised if it crashes every few months, but have countless web sites designed just to tell you how to get your product back into working condition?

 

[TheGoofster]

The "If Microsoft built cars like they do Windows" analogy, while funny, is not accurate. The OS has to be compatible with hundreds of combinations of different hardware and other software. Most of the time when something crashes, it is the fault of some other program on your computer not working correctly with Windows.

Apple has an advantage in that they alone determine the components of their computers. There are no Apple clones, thus the higher prices. If there was only one IBM PC - all with the same processor, same video card, same communications card, same audio card, etc. etc., Microsoft would have it easy in building their software.

I don't know. My car is compatible with many different kinds and combinations of tires, windshield wipers, batteries, cables, spark plugs, timing belts, etc... basically everything needed to make my car work can be interchanged with countless other products of the same sort. In fact I even have a choice of which kind of engine I want to use. True if I put on different sized tires I will have a problem, but if I put on 4 tires of the same size from different manufactures my car will run fine.

 

[DISUNC]

No problem here either with Microsoft! I have been using MS products since the inception of Windows 3.1...never ever ever had any issues with MS!

In fact I think Bill Gates & the Company are the GREATEST! If it wasnt for them.....none of us would be chatting with each other right now!!!!


What Thomas A Edison was 100 years ago...Bill Gates is today!!!!!

 

[wdw4us2]

I've had problems with Microsoft on two computers. My techno-savvy (computer nerd) friend installed Linux on our computer and on our daughters. He doesn't think much of Microsoft for a number of reasons.

I'm just happy our computers run so well now without the problems we encountered with Microsoft.

 

[ndelaware]

I have had several pcs running windows starting with win95. Some machines had more than one version of windows on them as new versions were released. I had one problem in all those years and it was on the first computer I owned and I now know the cause of the problem was user error. I am very happy with windows and will probably move to vista on the near future.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Considering that Vista just became public, it is amazing how many complaints I have read about on other boards. One of the biggest is the compatibility with gaming sites (yeah, I know, if you don't use them, big deal. But for those who do, it is indeed a big deal), and other on-line applications that aren't allowed. Obviously Vista hasn't as many complaints as the other Windows in that it is still so new, but give it time, and I'm sure it will catch up to the others.

Ugg great.. I just orderd a laptop last night and Vista was the only option.

 

[rie'smom]

I've never had problems w/Microsoft. We started out with it when first introduced and we have XP now.

 

[bicker]

More Americans derive benefits from the use of Microsoft software, either directly or indirectly, than derive benefits of the product or services of any other single company. Even if you have an iPod and surf the web using Firefox on a Macintosh computer, the websites you're hitting may be served up using Microsoft IIS, or your company's payroll data may be stored on Microsoft SQL Servers. You simply cannot get any bigger or more powerful than that, and the bigger and more powerful the company, the more people feel the need to make baseless or weak accusations and attacks against the company. Generally, a good rule of thumb is that the percentage of valid complaints you read online about a company is inversely proportional to the company's size. Microsoft is about as big as they come, and especially visible because their products are the foundation of the work and play for a great number of people.

 

[Galahad]

Huh? I've got a number of computers running XP. Never had a single problem - I never even have to think about the OS. Looking at your "if Microsoft built Cars like Windows" notion, I'd love to have a car like that.

I don't love Microsoft. I get no personal satisfaction from my choice of OS (I'll leave that to MAC people ). It's an opperating system - who cares? But I still don't see the point of needless MS bashing.

 

[hydster]

Huh? I've got a number of computers running XP. Never had a single problem - I never even have to think about the OS. Looking at your "if Microsoft built Cars like Windows" notion, I'd love to have a car like that.

I don't love Microsoft. I get no personal satisfaction from my choice of OS (I'll leave that to MAC people ). It's an opperating system - who cares? But I still don't see the point of needless MS bashing.

Ugg great.. I just orderd a laptop last night and Vista was the only option.

Most people run into issues with a new OS when they try to upgrade it on an existing computer that doesn't have enough "juice" to run the newest one. Since you ordered a new one you will be just fine!

And while we're on the topic of bashing.......why exactly does Xbox/Nintendo/Playstation always have to bring out a newer better one the next year or 2? If they are SO great.........why make another one? It bugs me! My kids have a regular X-Box but now of course they want the 360 or the Wii or or or. Just whining a little since Xbox was shown to be such a great system. If it is so great why change it?

 

[cardaway]

Who said the quality of the 360 was so good? If you're not one of the people who had out of box failures within 90 days, count yourself lucky. There are some pretty serious cooling issues.

As for why the 360 and Windows are so different, it's because they are basically different companies. The project manager for the 360 now works here with me and is the project manager for our new upcoming product.

 

[Daisy Chick]

Knocking on wood here...

I have never had a problem that wasn't my own stupidity. No crashes, no problems. I've never used a non-Windows system, so don't know the difference. I know Apple people say it is a lot better and easier and I don't dispute that, but (again) have never had a problem with Windows that wasn't because I'm 1) unaware of how to do something and 2) unwilling to put any time into figuring out how.

Considering that I refuse to learn anything on the computer that I can't figure out myself, I think Windows is fantastic. I can do a lot of things and didn't have to learn anything! Hooray!

I'll be upgrading to Vista soon and am eager to do so.